UCC facility to assist business

ONE of the country’s top universities is aiming to develop stronger links with Ireland’s business community through the development of a major research facility.

The drive is taking place at UCC to help Irish companies benefit from facilities at a new research centre within the university.

The Technology Transfer Initiative (TTI) is an industry outreach programme providing access for Irish companies to world-class research facilities.

The initiative is funded by Enterprise Ireland.

A major conference held at UCC last night heard that innovation can be an expensive and a lengthy course of action for businesses.

The seminar heard however that costs of innovation for Irish business can be significantly reduced through national and European funding.

Speakers from UCC, Enterprise Ireland and the South West Regional Authority spoke of what can be gained from national and European funding programmes and explained ways to access that funding.

Programme manager, Miriam Collins said: “Recognising the concerns and constraints of small industries is the key to the TTI’s success together with the provision of an easy-to-access entry point to the resources and expertise within UCC.

“As a prime source of knowledge, UCC has a significant role in the process of technology transfer to Irish industry.”

Through the TTI, UCC is aiming to build stronger relationships with industry and to apply new knowledge and technologies for the economic benefit of the region.

It is intended to increase the number of indigenous companies which are technologically literate and to encourage these companies, where possible, to include a research and development dimension in their operation.

A number of case studies, involving local companies, Science2Business and Cybercolors also highlighted the advantages and benefits of collaborative research and development last night.