Enterprise Ireland, University College Dublin and the Embassy of France in Ireland have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a new international technical expert (ETI) role to strengthen innovation and applied research links between France and Ireland.
The ETI will be based at NovaUCD and work with stakeholders in both countries with the aim of broadening cooperation and mutual understanding in the fields.
They will also work closely with the research and innovation department of Enterprise Ireland, which coordinates the Irish National Contact Point network for the Horizon Europe programme.
Furthermore, they will develop an in-depth understanding of the research and innovation landscape in both Ireland and France to identify strategic priorities common to both jurisdictions.
“Research and Innovation is one of the most dynamic areas of Franco-Irish relations and this position highlights the special relationship between our two countries as France is now Ireland’s closest EU neighbour," said Vincent Guérend, the ambassador of France to Ireland.
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"This partnership with Enterprise Ireland and UCD is particularly innovative because of its positioning between administration, research and business.
"The agreement represents one of several milestones that we have achieved in the France-Ireland Joint Plan of Action, which was signed on the occasion of the visit of President Macron in August 2021 in Dublin.
"This post is one of only six of its kind in the world, so having one of them in Ireland is a real achievement.”
Prof Mark Rogers, acting UCD President said: “UCD is delighted to be collaborating with the Embassy of France in Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to strengthen innovation and applied research links between Ireland and France, and to be hosting the international technical expert at NovaUCD.
"Through NovaUCD and the Enterprise Ireland team, we look forward to working with the international technical expert to strengthen links between the French and Irish start-up, innovation and applied research ecosystems.
"By leveraging existing partnerships, and building new collaborations, we aim to increase the attractiveness of both countries to the strategic innovation and research opportunities we will create in the coming years.”
Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, added: “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to be a key partner in this new initiative that will strengthen the research and innovation links between Ireland and France.
"Both France and Ireland place a high value on the enterprise and job creation potential of cutting-edge research and innovation and its role in tackling key global issues, such as decarbonisation.
"I look forward to the new synergies between the research and innovation communities in both countries that this new initiative will foster.”
The announcement comes after an agreement to encourage co-production of films between France and Ireland was signed by the French Minister for Culture Abdul Malak and Irish ambassador to France Niall Burgess this week.
Photo: At the signing of the MOU at NovaUCD are (l-r) HE Vincent Guérend, Ambassador of France to Ireland, Professor Mark Rogers, Acting UCD President and Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland.
