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Bridging Research and Industry: UCC Centres for Research Training

19 Feb 2024

Over 200 PhD researchers participated in a groundbreaking event aimed at equipping them with the skills essential for a seamless transition into careers after graduation. The event also facilitated connections with industry leaders representing 23 different organisations.

The Future Professional Skills Showcase 2024 was hosted by the SFI Centre for Research Training in Artificial Intelligence (CRT in AI) and SFI Centre for Research Training in Advanced Networks for Sustainable Societies (ADVANCE CRT), UCC in collaboration with the SFI Centre for Research Training in Digitally-Enhanced Reality, Trinity College Dublin.

Dr Sally Cudmore, Director of UCC Innovation, and Prof. John Cryan, UCC Vice President for Research and Innovation, were among the distinguished speakers who inspired attendees to apply their research to innovative real-world applications for the betterment of society.

The keynote address was by Dr. Abeba Birhane, a cognitive scientist celebrated among the TIME 100 most influential people in AI, who shared her profound insights on AI ethics and her inspiring journey through academia to global recognition.

The event took place at Cork's Marina Market, and SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The day's agenda was carefully crafted to prioritise the professional development of these early-stage researchers, providing them with opportunities to discuss the specific skills, competencies, and knowledge bases in demand across various industry sectors, thereby enhancing their employability on graduation.

The activities facilitated meaningful dialogues between the PhD researchers and industry representatives, allowing an exchange of perspectives on the attributes required to excel in the professional world.

The participation of organisations such as Abbott, Alpha Wealth, Analog Devices, the National Disability Authority, Collins Aerospace, CommScope, Dell Technologies, HEAnet, Huawei, JLR, Smart Dublin, Enable Ireland, Infineon Technologies, Arlo Technologies, Eli Lilly, Keelvar, Qualcomm, IBM, Logitech, NMCI, and DePuy Synthes significantly enriched these discussions, contributing diverse viewpoints on the evolving needs of the workforce.

The event not only offered a platform for networking but also highlighted the critical skills and competencies required to succeed in an increasingly digital and interconnected industry sector.

For more on this story contact:

Luis Gómez de Membrillera – PM at ADVANCE CRT - LGomezDeMembrillera@ucc.ie · Janet Choi – PM at CRT-AI - JanetChoi@ucc.ie · Stephen Caroll– PM at d-real - Stephen.Carroll@tcd.ie

CRT in AI and ADVANCE CRT are two of the three Centres for Research Training funded by Science Foundation Ireland based at University College Cork. 

College of Science, Engineering and Food Science

Coláiste na hEolaíochta, na hInnealtóireachta agus na hEolaíochta Bia

Block E, Level 3, Food Science Building, UCC, Cork, T12 YN60.

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