Expect more spinouts from UCC, more investment in innovative new start-ups, and more long-term partnerships between UCC researchers and industry — with the arrival of Dr Rich Ferrie as the new director of UCC Innovation.

Strains of probiotic organisms, semiconductors, and software developers will all battle it out to be crowned UCC’s Invention of the Year.

Doctors will be able to find out in a matter of seconds whether children have food allergies thanks to research carried out by UCC.