Minister Lenihan urges ‘Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology’ to push boundaries

“CSETs can, at this pivotal stage, strengthen science’s hand and help to initiate our economic regeneration” - Lenihan

Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation, Conor Lenihan T.D., today (Friday 26^thJune 2009) addressed a special Commercialisation Workshop for the nine Science Foundation Ireland-funded ‘Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology’ (CSETs). The CSET programme, established by SFI in 2003, involved the creation – for the very first time in Ireland - of large-scale research centres that could compete on the international research stage.

Today’s workshop, attended by CSET Directors, was hosted by SFI, to discuss key areas such as Technology Transfer and Knowledge Exchange, Intellectual Property, Project Management and related topics.

“While each of you are involved in different areas of research, all CSETs have in common the linking of researchers in partnerships across academia and industry to address crucial research questions, foster new and existing Irish-based companies, attract industry to Ireland and expand educational and career opportunities in science and engineering.

“As the single largest awards funded by Science Foundation Ireland, the CSET model is very much the flagship of SFI’s portfolio of programmes and the performance levels of all CSETs are hugely significant  for our 3^rd-level research community, for industry, Government and Ireland,” Minister Lenihan stressed.

“The CSET is a model of the future that is very much working in our present. But the stakes have never been higher and we strongly urge you to push the boundaries in each and every way. Measurable results emanating from CSETs will strengthen science’s hand and raise its profile at what is now a pivotal stage in determining how - and when - we initiate our economic regeneration,” Minister Lenihan concluded.

Addressing the workshop, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland, Professor Frank Gannon, said “With the advent of CSETs, SFI created a new blueprint for how collaborative research is conducted in Ireland. This dedicated CSET Commercialisation workshop is a valuable opportunity to come together and examine the specific areas governing industry-academic partnerships, and how these can be strengthened into the future. CSET funding spans a five-year period, continued scientific excellence in all areas is a requirement for funding and therefore it is essential that we gather to assess progress and structures on an ongoing basis over that time.”

ENDS/IP105