Munster Express Online

By Kieran Walsh

An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD, visited Waterford Institute of Technology’s West Campus at Carriganore, Co Waterford where he officially opened the ArcLab Research & Innovation Centre, a purpose-designed and -built 2,350-m² facility.

Funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Enterprise Ireland and AIB, the ArcLab Research & Innovation Centre is the first new building on the West Campus – a 150-acre riverside land bank where much of the Institute’s future development will take place.

Under the HEA’s Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI), ArcLab accommodates the 110 researchers of the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG), one of the largest information and communications technology research groups in Ireland.

The centre is also home to a series of start-up companies – offering flexible office space and mentoring advice as well as access to a support network. The Institute’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and the South East Enterprise Platform Programme (SEEPP) are also based there. SEEPP runs a 12-month programme that aims to support entrepreneurs involved in knowledge-based start-ups in developing and accelerating their business concept.

Speaking at the opening, Mr. Ahern said: ‘Waterford Institute of Technology has a critical role to play in supporting regional development and in sustaining a competitive economy both in the region and the country generally.

‘I have no doubt that this fabulous Research & Innovation Centre will be central to the future of this campus. It will be central in building a sustainable base of high-growth, knowledge-intensive industry, which is vital in achieving the ambitious economic and employment goals that we have set down for the southeast.’

Prof Kieran R Byrne, Director, Waterford Institute of Technology said ArcLab is part of the Institute’s response to a changing economic environment. ‘It is ever more apparent that rising labour costs and EU expansion are impacting on Ireland’s attractiveness for the type of foreign direct investment that we traditionally relied on for employment growth.

‘Given this, it is incumbent on higher education to provide leadership in fostering a research, development and innovation culture from which indigenous enterprises emerge to create sustainable career opportunities in regionally diverse locations. As we strive to secure Ireland’s future prosperity, we must produce high technology start-ups with growth potential.

‘In this regard, an especially appealing aspect of ArcLab is that it co-locates high-end postgraduate research with fledgling businesses in a way that has real benefits for both as the researchers tap in to the real-world insight of emerging entrepreneurs who in turn have access to very valuable research that eases their path to the marketplace.’

Dr Willie Donnelly, Head of Research & Innovation, Waterford Institute of Technology added: ‘The Institute’s primary focus is to support the development of internationally accredited academic research. The TSSG is a recognised leader in the international telecommunications research community. This is reflected through its research excellence, extensive international collaborations and funding success within Ireland and the EU.

‘ArcLab structures scientific research, business incubation and entrepreneurship training at a single site, creating an environment that channels the research output to the marketplace through innovation and entrepreneurship. Indeed, in order to support regional development and economic competitiveness, we have forged excellent professional partnerships with industry and leading academic institutions across the world.’