NI science park wins top award

The project team from Northern Ireland's Science Park has won the top prize at the Enterprise Networks Gala Dinner in London.

The Communications Management Association (CMA) presented its annual Innovation Award to the team in recognition of its implementation of managed IP network services.

The challenge was to develop and deliver a scheme that would significantly enhance the Science Park's appeal to science/knowledge-based enterprises and particularly those who might otherwise not consider a Belfast location.

The winning project team was led by David Brunnen of ABFL Groupe Intellex and supported by Kevin Coyle, John Simpson, John O'Sullivan, Michael Graham and Bill McCluggage - now head of eGovernment services in NI.

The Northern Ireland Science Park forms a major part of the renaissance of the 180-acre former Belfast shipyard and the original home to the Titanic and her sister ships Olympic and Britannic.

The Science park's Innovation Centre is the first of 12 buildings planned for the campus and is now home to a wide variety of science and knowledge based ventures.

The second building is now nearing completion and will accommodate ECIT - the electronics and communications research Faculty of Queen's University Belfast.

Speaking for the Science Park, estates director Michael Graham said: "We are delighted with this award for the Project Team.

"For far too long our talented young people have left to prosper elsewhere in the world and now at last we are reversing that trend and bringing high-tech enterprise, talent and prosperity back into Northern Ireland."