DCU. Image: Connor McKenna
The long-term collaboration between Intel and Dublin City University has been strengthened, after plans to foster talent and develop advanced technologies have emerged.
Now more than two decades old, Intel’s ties with Dublin City University (DCU) are already extensive. There’s a Croke Park Smart Stadium project, plasma diagnostics, materials science and chip manufacturing collaboration all ongoing.
Now isn’t the time to ease up, seemingly, as the duo reveals plans to build on its partnership in the coming years.
Key areas of research activity will leverage advances in internet of things and data analytics for application in areas such as connected health, water quality management and STEM education innovations. The agreement will also seek to combine the creative arts and design with technology in the next wave of Irish innovation.
Claiming to be “proactively developing our advanced manufacturing capability”, Eamonn Sinnott, GM of Intel Ireland, said the news is evidence of his company consolidating and building on its academic relationships.
In a move to secure talent for these future developments, Intel will support a new programme offering 16 MA student bursaries each year.
As part of the partnership, the duo will collaborate on efforts to shape public policy in relation to sustainability, ageing and education. A STEAM hackathon will be hosted each year, too.
“Both organisations are committed to fostering the development of creative talent and our respective research interests intersect and overlap in areas that have the potential to transform lives and societies,” said Prof Brian MacCraith, president of DCU.
Interestingly, news of the partnership comes on the same day that outgoing University College of Cork president Michael Murphy claims business has too much influence on the Irish research agenda.
In the Irish Examiner, Murphy said industry should have a say in university paths, keeping the latter relevant with the needs of today.
“But we also have to be very careful about the extent to which we permit the business sector to influence the overall agenda,” he said. “I have a concern at the extent to which the business community has become the dominant voice in the research agenda.”
