Universities join pact for economies of the west

The State's three Atlantic universities have signed an alliance which promises to take an integrated approach to the economies of the western, mid-western and southern regions.

The co-operative initiative involves NUI Galway, University College, Cork (UCC) and the University of Limerick (UL). The Atlantic University Alliance, as the agreement is known, was signed yesterday in Galway in the presence of the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Treacy.

Mr Treacy is also running as a Fianna Fail candidate in the European elections in Connacht-Ulster.

The alliance aims to facilitate the effective transfer and "commercialisation" of technology within industry, and between industry and university. Under its auspices, applied interdisciplinary teaching programmes will promote both technology transfer and a range of regional initiatives.

The studies will include use of new technologies such as video conferencing, Web-based training and electronic data exchange, where appropriate, to deal with expressed industry concerns about time and cost.

The three universities have already completed a study of the technology needs and resources in the regions in which they are based. This was funded by Enterprise Ireland, and it identifies a clear need for technology and management training to be made available to companies throughout the areas.

Arrangements have also been made with Enterprise Ireland to award several scholarships to industrial participants, in an initiative known as the Programme on Enterprise and Product Innovation (PEPI).

The first phase of a Technology Transfer Initiative to the value of £240,000 has just begun, involving the three institutions and funded by Enterprise Ireland.

The alliance has identified marine sciences and sustainable development, and innovation, manufacturing and design as further areas for collaboration on research, reflecting national priorities.

The first of these will involve co-operation with the Marine Institute, which already has links with the three institutions.

The second theme is regarded as crucially important for Ireland's future economic development.

The alliance agreement has been signed by the three presidents of the respective institutions - Dr Patrick Fottrell of NUI Galway, Dr Gerard Wrixon of UCC and Dr Roger Downer of UL. Also present were industrialists and academic staff from all the universities.