WIT to benefit from 2.5m in Research Funding

WIT is to benefit from a €2.5m funding award under Cycle 5 of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) it was announced last week.

Launching PRTLI Cycle 5 alongside the Taoiseach, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe TD, said the five-year plan - the largest investment in research in the history of the State - would help to create ‘smart’ jobs and make Ireland Europe's innovation hub.

While the largest part of the funding announced by Minister O’Keeffe for all third level institutions is for capital projects like buildings, the funds for WIT are exclusively provided for the current funding of research and are strategically important for the economic development of the region.

The funding is for two specific projects – the Eco-Innovation Research Exploration project will receive €1.593m while the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG) in WIT will benefit by €896k under the Telecommunications Graduate Initiative.

The Eco-Innovation Research Exploration project supports the government’s economic policy of positioning Ireland at the heart of the green industry. The project will drive the development of a research and innovation ecosystem at WIT capable of creating a critical mass of sustainable green industries nationally and regionally.

The Telecommunications Graduate Initiative will support the creation of an international graduate school at WIT which will leverage TSSG world class research and industry partnerships to deliver graduates who will become industry leaders for the ICT industry and drivers of the smart economy

“The award is of strategic importance to the Institute and will support the continued development of WIT as a leader in research and innovation. Building on the major research activities at the institute its long term impact will be on the economic development of the South-East creating sustainable high value employment” said Dr Willie Donnelly, Head of Research at WIT.

The latest allocation of funding confirms WIT’s role as one of the leading European research institutes and further endorses its work.