2020
UCC highlighted as Ireland鈥檚 leading university for industry collaboration
University College Cork (UCC) is Ireland鈥檚 leading university for industry collaboration, as highlighted in today鈥檚 national Knowledge Transfer Ireland report.
The Knowledge Transfer Ireland Annual Review assesses the engagement of Irish universities across Ireland with industry, and UCC is Ireland鈥檚 leading university for research income, both overall and in terms of research funding from industry partners.
Over a number of years UCC developed a strategy to diversify its non-state income and enable world class research in Cork. UCC and Cork is now home to a number globally-leading research centres and institutes focused on diverse fields including gut health, maternal and child health, data analytics, photonics, sustainability and renewable energy.
鈥淩ight here in Cork we are testing the next generation of renewable energy devices, we are improving understanding of the connection between our gut and our brain, we are furthering care for mothers and babies, and researching at the very front of the Second Quantum Revolution鈥 commented Professor Anita Maguire, Vice-President for Research and Innovation.
鈥淐ork is home to a spectacular research community and we work together with the research funders, SFI, EI, IRC, HRB, European Commission and others, to grow this community and ensure they can develop their research ideas to their full potential.鈥
UCC received 鈧105 million in research income in 2019, which is a 25% increase over a 5 year period.
鈥淗and in hand with our industry engagement activities are our entrepreneurship and innovation programmes鈥 commented Rich Ferrie, Director of UCC Innovation.
鈥淪ince the outset of the Technology Transfer Strengthening Initiative in 2007, UCC has created 35 spin-out companies which now employ over 370 people.鈥
鈥淣ever before have we seen just how much our society needs world class research to surmount the challenges we face during the current pandemic. Investment and engagement in research is critical if Ireland is to overcome these challenges鈥 commented Professor Maguire.
The report can be read