Minister for Education launches Irish-American education and innovation forum

Posted on: 01 September 2016

The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton kicked off a major Irish-American symposium on international collaborations in education, research and innovation at Trinity College Dublin. The presidents of Boston College and Georgia Institute of Technology, Father William P Leahy and Dr G P “Bud” Peterson teamed up with Provost and President of Trinity, Dr Patrick Prendergast for high level discussions at the event that forms part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic programme. They were joined by US and Irish academics, business leaders and students. 

L-R: Minister for Education Richard Bruton, Dr G P ‘Bud’ Peterson, Dr Patrick Prendergast and Father William P Leahy

Trinity Provost & President, Dr Patrick Prendergast said: “I am delighted to welcome you to Trinity. All this week, American students and their families will be visiting our campus. Today is about strengthening our US-Irish relations and developing more meaningful partnerships for the future. Trinity is a top destination for US students with hundreds of students from North America attending each year. Our research and innovation is critical in Ireland’s ranking 7th in global innovation. Joined by Boston College and Georgia Tech we will look at the important role of the university in society and especially how it contributes to economic development and jobs creation.”

Minister Bruton said: “Ireland and the United States share deep historical links across a wide range of sectors. These links have ensured that there is a strong social and economic bridge between our two countries that supports tens of thousands of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. Our higher education institutions have forged active Study Abroad partnerships with US universities and colleges over the last 20 years and the strength of these partnerships is evidenced in Ireland’s ranking as the 7th most popular destination for US study abroad students. I look forward to today’s event where I’m sure that existing collaborations between Ireland and the US will be further developed and new partnerships forged, in the areas of education, research and innovation.”

President G P “Bud” Peterson said: “Georgia Tech places a strong emphasis on global collaboration, from faculty partnering in research in 100 countries, to 54 percent of our students taking advantage of study or work abroad experiences before graduation. We are looking forward to partnering with Boston College and Trinity College Dublin in this symposium to highlight exciting research by faculty and students, as well as to discuss ways that businesses, industries, and governments can, and do, benefit from working with universities.”

Father William P Leahy said: “As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Boston College is a part of global network of Jesuit institutions whose reach spans six continents. In addition, through our strengths in the sciences, business, law, social work and education, we have international programmes and research partnerships that connect our faculty and students with innovation leaders throughout the world.  We look forward to this symposium with Georgia Tech and Trinity College as an opportunity to explore ways to enhance our global outreach and to showcase the contributions our universities make in enhancing the human condition."

While Boston College and Georgia Tech will go on to compete against each other on Saturday 3rd September at Aviva Stadium, Trinity College will be the venue for the official Game Week Welcome Village and will play host to a variety of activities including the pep rallies where the 20,000 American football fans will gather to support their college teams.

Media Contact:

Caoimhe Ni Lochlainn, Head of Library Communications | nilochlc@tcd.ie | +353 1 896 4710