“We are all Ambassadors of Science,” - Minister Lenihan tells diverse gathering of stakeholders at SFI Science Summit 2009
“Relevance and value of science must be communicated to the masses given its core role in Ireland’s economic recovery” - Lenihan
Over 300 of Ireland’s leading scientific researchers are gathering today (Monday, November 9th) for a two-day Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Science Summit in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone. The theme of this year’s Summit is “Ideas, Innovation and Impact”.
Addressing the SFI Summit, the Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation, Mr. Conor Lenihan, TD said, “Scientific research has critical role to play in the continued development of Ireland’s Smart Economy. Here at the Summit we see and hear many of the success stories of our researchers who are delivering tangible socio-economic impact from their work. This includes pioneering industry collaborations and the creation of spinout companies here in Ireland.”
The SFI Science Summit takes place during Science Week 2009, a period in which science finds itself the focus of attention on the national radar. The SFI Science Summit 2009 features a panel of keynote speakers comprising leading international experts, including Mr. Saeed Amidi, Plug & Play Technology Centre, and Mr. Peter Day, BBC Business Correspondent. Other highlights of this year’s event include the inaugural “SFI Researcher of the Year” and “Research Images” competitions.
He continued by saying, “The relevance and value of science must be continually communicated to the general public, and how it is articulated is vital in defining how science is perceived. The task of communicating the message that ‘science matters’, that ‘science delivers’ and, above all, that investment in science in Ireland is value for money and an integral part of our economic development must be addressed by all across the scientific community.”
The full programme of activities for the Science Foundation Ireland Science Summit 2009 is available at www.sfisummit.com.
ENDS/IP127
For further information, please contact:
Alva O'Cleirigh, Communications Manager, SFI, AlvaO'Cleirigh@sfi.ie Tel: (087) 915 2553
Neal Cummins, Fleishman-Hillard, Neal.cummins@fleishmaneurope.com Tel: (087) 629 1091
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Press Office, Tel: 01 631 2200
Notes for Editors
The Science Foundation Ireland “Science Summit 2009” begins at lunchtime on Monday 9th of November and finishes at lunchtime on Tuesday 10th November. This year the SFI Science Summit takes place in the Hodson Bay Hotel Athlone.
Since 2007, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has organised a Science Summit, to which all SFI-funded investigators and other stakeholders are invited. It is, in fact, the only meeting that brings together Ireland's top investigators under one roof and allows them to discuss and debate the nation's science policy and progress. It also provides SFI with an opportunity to highlight its policies and to advise a significant section of the community on new directions. The Summit has a different theme each year, and SFI invite a number of influential speakers to present lectures that are aligned to the theme(s) in question.
This year the theme of the Science Summit is "Ideas, Innovation and Impact". Each year SFI invites difference keynote speakers to address the theme. This year the keynote addresses will be delivered by Peter Day BBC Business News Correspondent and Saeed Amidi, President/CEO, Plug & Play Technology Centre, Silicon Valley.
The Summit is an important event for SFI researchers as it provides an opportunity to meet colleagues from all over Ireland working on diverse areas of research in science, engineering and technology. In addition the event will be attended by key personnel from sister agencies and universities. In total almost 400 people will participate in the two day event.
Minister Conor Lenihan TD, Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation will give his key note address at 8pm at the Summit dinner on Monday 9th November 2009 and present the SFI Researcher of the Year Award 2009 and the prize for the SFI image competition [ details being announced this evening ].
ENDS//
Last modified: 09/11/2009
| © 2011 Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation | Privacy Statement |
,
