22nd November 2002

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The Vice-Chancellor has been appointed to a new Research Partnership Task Force, established following discussions at the US-Ireland Business Summit held in Washington DC in September.

Professor McKenna joins Dr Robson Davison, Deputy Secretary, Department of Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland, and Professor Peter McKie CBE, the former chairman of Dupont UK to form the Northern Ireland representation on the Task Force.

The Task Force will have responsibility for devising a strategy and work plan to identify new avenues for collaboration, create a US-all Island Research Partnership to further technology transfer and promote and foster a world class capability for research and development in ways that are mutually beneficial to all parties. Its first meeting will be in the US in December.

It is intended that this Partnership will eventually involve private and public sector members from the United States, Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will also include CEOs from the US representing corporations carrying out business in Ireland as well as Irish CEOs, University Presidents, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and representatives from other relevant agencies in Ireland and Northern Ireland, the US Department of Commerce, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Professor McKenna said: "The Research and Development Task Force that emerged from the September Summit provides a new focus and momentum for the development of an innovation economy built on research partnerships that involve talented people and shared opportunities for the future.

“I am delighted that the University of Ulster will be at the heart of this exciting development which will power the growth of the knowledge economy in Ireland, north and south.”

In the context of the establishment of this Partnership, the Task Force will explore the potential to create an international world class biotechnology and ICT capability on the island and will recommend a plan of action to support the future needs of US technology companies on the island.

The partnership will be co-chaired by Dr Elias Zerhouni, Director of the National Institutes of Health in the US and Dr Rita Colwell, Director of the NSF.

Dr Zerhouni said: “This will be an excellent platform to build novel research partnerships particularly in the post genomics era.”

Ms Mary Harney, TD Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, with responsibility for science and technology policy in Ireland, in welcoming the establishment of the Task Force added:

"We are pleased that the US-Ireland Business Summit was the catalyst for discussions that led to the creation of this much-needed initiative. This is a very positive outcome from the summit and the setting up of this Task Force is the first step in furthering the summit goal of expanding research and development capacity throughout the island.”

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk