Image: AIT
New discoveries in communications technology to be made as Ericsson and AIT partner up for new scheme.
Ireland’s already-thriving research and development landscape looks set to scale new heights, as Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) and Ericsson are set to collaborate on a new communications technology research programme.
AIT and the Swedish comms behemoth already work closely together, with the academic institution offering an MSc in software engineering for newly recruited engineers. This close working relationship will be underpinned by the new research programme, which will concentrate specifically on communications network management.
AIT and Ericsson have shared ambitions
The research programme aims to create a reservoir of highly qualified staff in the fields of networking, communications and software engineering.
It will be located within the engineering and informatics faculty, with personnel including visiting international researchers, postgraduate research students and postdoctoral researchers.
Starting this September, a stream of students and researchers will begin their work under the supervision of AIT academics and a team of researchers from across the firm.
President of AIT, Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin, said: “It is clear that AIT is pursuing its ambition to become a technological university while focusing on making the midlands region more globally competitive.
“The opportunity to engage with Ericsson further deepens our already extensive ties in knowledge transfer and is perfectly aligned with AIT’s strategic plan, its role in the region, and our immediate and long-term ambitions.”
A boost for the midlands
Mårten Pehrson, head of product development in network analytics and management at Ericsson, praised the new initiative: “We see this relationship between AIT and Ericsson as very important to maintaining world-class competence in Ericsson Athlone in network management.”
Dean of engineering and informatics, Dr Austin Hanley, echoed Prof Ó Catháin’s positive remarks about the boost for the midlands area in general: “The research programme will build a significant research capacity in selected areas and attract the best students and staff, both nationally and internationally. This will be good for Ericsson and the wider region.”
