Published: Wednesday, 30th June, 2010 7:00pm

New partnership between Georgia Institute of Technology and Irish universities

Taoiseach Brian Cowen last week unveiled a unique partnership between NUI Galway and the University of Limerick with the Georgia Institute of Technology to develop a joint Translational Research Institute.

The new partnership will also make it easier for Georgia Tech, which has a base in Athlone, to conduct many large-scale applied research programmes and will provide additional real-world research opportunities for Georgia Tech students.

The development is one of the first initiatives to come out of the NUI Galway-UL Alliance launched earlier this year.

The Translational Research Institute will focus on the development and synergy of core technologies and expertise within the partner institutions, to provide Irish industries with relevant and world-class research solutions.

Welcoming the Initiative, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen, said: "I would like to commend all involved in establishing this Institute. It is exactly the type of development which the Government is trying to encourage.

I believe it can help us achieve our goals for increasing collaboration between higher education institutions, establishing better linkages between higher education and industry, and delivering the economic growth and job creation we need in the years ahead."

The Translational Research Institute has a very significant strategic importance nationally. There is now an increasing emphasis in Ireland on research that can have more immediate industrial and economic benefits, in order to build the 'smart economy' and a knowledge society.

The proposed Translational Research Institute, with the backing of the Georgia Institute of Technology's long-standing and extensive track record of industry-focused research and technology development, will play a leadership role in this area. President of Georgia Institute of Technology, Dr G.P. 'Bud' Peterson said: "Georgia Tech is building upon a successful working relationship with both universities that has already produced important research in such areas as use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) in medical inventory management and energy management for buildings, and in-home care of aging populations. Georgia Tech remains committed to research efforts in Ireland, and we feel the synergy with our Irish partners will be a pathway to long-term successful operations."