EU awards TSSG €8.6m for ‘Future Internet’ research

The Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG) at Waterford Institute of Technology will lead five research projects with a total value of over €21.5m and will participate in a further three projects worth over €17m arising from the fifth call of FP7, the European Union’s 7th Framework Programme for Research.

This directly translates to a total of €3.8m research funding secured for the group in Waterford in this call alone - taking the total FP7 funding received to date by TSSG to €8.6m.

The latest funded projects focus on improving and shaping the ‘Future Internet’; investigating information and communications technology (ICT) security; social networking and systems architecture.

Drawing on the expertise of European industry partners in the ICT sector such as NEC; IBM; Thales Group; ATOS Origin; SAP and Lake Communications will enable TSSG to turn a wealth of research knowledge into value products and services that benefit the Irish economy and support economic recovery.

The latest allocation of EU funding will facilitate the creation of new and innovative industries and applications to be applied in Ireland and overseas. The work involved secures TSSG’s role as one of the leading European research institutes shaping the ‘Future Internet’. The funding is especially important at a time of growing pressure on public sector research funding in Ireland as a result of the current economic climate.

Welcoming the funding as a further endorsement of the group’s work, Dr Willie Donnelly, director, TSSG and research director, Waterford Institute of Technology, said: “One of the primary requirements for FP7 funding are that the research activity must have ‘European added value’. The securing through a competitive process by TSSG researchers of large-scale European research investment is testament to their proven track record, expertise and ingenuity.

“Ireland’s economic recovery and future sustainable economic growth requires continued investment in world-class research. The application of technology and the exploitation of research knowledge are two key drivers for Ireland’s economic growth and competitiveness,” Dr Donnelly continued.

“TSSG continues to build and strengthen strategic partnerships with major international telecoms companies in research, developing and deploying improved infrastructure, smarter services and applications for their customers. Positioning TSSG at the forefront of Irish and European research, the latest round of eight research projects will enable further development around ICT security, dependability and trustworthiness in an increasingly digitised society. Other research will provide insight to how we can radically improve the Future Internet by merging ‘social’ and ‘pervasive’ computing.

“In an environment of decreasing national funds this latest allocation of funding will secure 150 high value research positions at the TSSG, allowing them to continue ongoing activity that impacts in society and the marketplace in this country and overseas. There is a tremendous multiplier effect from this type of core funding for research and the overall value of the EU support to ‘Ireland Inc’ will be increased substantially by matching investment by our private sector partners and positive spin-offs from the research outputs.”

Based at Waterford Institute of Technology’s West Campus at Carriganore, TSSG has created a cluster of high potential start-ups based on its research outcomes, directly generating more than 210 skilled jobs in the southeast.

TSSG researchers are among the leading telecommunications and software engineering experts in the country and their work sees them partner with academic and global industry leaders. The group conducts research in telecommunications network management and mobile services. It is recognised as one of the top 10 European institutes (industry or academic) driving the specification of the Future Internet.

See article Business World here

ENDS – July 2, 2010.