| Megan McRainey
Institute Communications and Public Affairs
The Georgia Tech
Research Institute (GTRI) will establish a research
enterprise in Athlone, Ireland to focus on industry
research and development needs. GTRI Ireland will be
GTRI’s first applied research facility outside
the United States. Over the next five years, the Irish
operation plans to build up a portfolio of research
programs and collaborations with industry valued in
excess of $25 million.
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Krish
Ahuja, a Regents’ researcher and the head
of GTRI’s Aerospace and Acoustics Technologies
division; Sean Dorgan, CEO of IDA Ireland; Stephen
Cross, GTRI director; Micheál Martin, Ireland’s
minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and
David Parekh, associate vice provost for research
and GTRI deputy director. |
GTRI will receive support from IDA Ireland, the agency
responsible for industrial development and overseas
investment in Ireland. The new institute will focus
on four technology areas that mirror Ireland’s
research strengths — digital media, radio frequency
identification (RFID), biotechnology and energy.
“Ireland is increasingly known as a world leader
in innovation and for embracing technology,” President
Wayne Clough said. “As Georgia Tech expands its
global horizons, we seek partners who share our values
and goals. Thus, we are especially pleased to celebrate
the formation of this forward-looking collaboration
with Ireland and our Georgia Tech Research Institute.
We are grateful to the government and civic leaders
of Ireland who worked on this exciting initiative with
us.”
The institute will work closely with Irish corporations
and universities, the Georgia Tech research community
and U.S. companies to provide companies on both sides
of the Atlantic with industry-focused research and development
that bridges the gap between academic discovery and
commercial success.
Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Trade and
Employment Micheál Martin, in announcing this
joint initiative, said, “Applied research institutes
specialize in translational research — the integration
of technologies to prove feasibility — where ideas
can be proven to have commercial potential. GTRI Ireland
will provide this capability and will work across multiple
disciplines and in partnership with industry to bring
new technological solutions to address the industry
and market needs of companies in Ireland.”
GTRI Director Stephen Cross noted, “GTRI Ireland
is an integral part of GTRI’s plan to develop
international operations and build long-term relationships
with industrial partners by providing innovative solutions
through customer-focused R&D. This initiative directly
supports Georgia Tech’s vision to define the technological
university of the 21st century.”
GTRI Ireland’s Athlone location leaves it well
situated for collaborative research with a broad range
of companies and universities throughout the country.
Located along the Shannon River, the city is between
Dublin on the east coast and Galway on the west coast.
Major international
corporations such as Elan Pharmaceuticals and Ericsson
have headquarters in Athlone.
GTRI Deputy Director David Parekh will have primary
responsibility for developing GTRI Ireland strategy,
establishing corporate alliances and selecting the right
talent to ensure this endeavor is successful. He commended
IDA for its commitment to innovation and effectiveness
in supporting initiatives through a world-class staff
of professionals in Ireland and the United States. In
describing this partnership, he remarked, “Ireland
has the resources of a nation and the agility of a start-up.”
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