Prof. Bill O'Gorman, Chairperson of Dungarvan Enterprise Centre, recently presented the Collaborative Living Laboratory (CLL) project at the International Conference on Co-Creation Processes in Higher Education, held in Bragança, Portugal on 27th January 2026.
Attended by 100 participants from Portugal, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Spain and Brazil, this presentation was part of a broader engagement with the renowned Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB) to learn from best practices in developing collaborative innovation hubs.
Portugal leads the world in using Collaborative Labs to create a dynamic and problem-focused interface between academia and industry – a model that is central to our own vision for the CLL.
By sharing our project and learning from global leaders, we are ensuring that the Collaborative Living Laboratory will be built on a foundation of world-class expertise, ready to drive innovation and create a thriving ecosystem for Ireland’s food, farming, and agri-tech sectors.
A fantastic opportunity to exchange knowledge and strengthen international connections as we work to build a world-class innovation hub in Waterford.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Main image: Prof. Bill O'Gorman, Chairperson of Dungarvan Enterprise Centre, giving a presentation in Bragança, Portugal in January.
Second photo: Left to Right: Dr. Luis Pinto, Principal Investigator, Aqua Valor; Prof. Luís Pais, Vice President, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança; Prof. Bill O’Gorman, Chairperson Dungarvan Enterprise Centre; Dr. Mary Fenton, Head of Department of Education, Faculty of Education & Lifelong Learning, SETU; Michael McGrath, Director of Digital Transformation and Leadership at Second Edge Technology Solutions.
Third photo: Left to Right: Prof. Bill O’Gorman, Chairperson Dungarvan Enterprise Centre; Prof. Luís Pais, Vice President, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança; Prof. Vera Ferro Lebres, Pro President for Entrepreneurship, Employability and Pedagogical Innovation, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança; Dr. Mary Fenton, Head of Department of Education, Faculty of Education & Lifelong Learning, SETU; Michael McGrath, Director of Digital Transformation and Leadership at Second Edge Technology Solutions.
Fourth photo: Left to Right: Prof. Bill O’Gorman, Chairperson Dungarvan Enterprise Centre; Dr. Maria Ines Dias, Research Manager, Mountain Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança; Dr. Mary Fenton, Head of Department of Education, Faculty of Education & Lifelong Learning, SETU; Michael McGrath, Director of Digital Transformation and Leadership at Second Edge Technology Solutions.
