Last week, over 250 representatives from the food related research, education and business worlds came to UCC to attended the official launch of the Food Institute UCC, which represents a major development in the area of food related research and education in Ireland.
UCC, who recently celebrated its 90th anniversary of food related education, represents the biggest concentration of food-related resources in the State, and the launch of the newly formed Food Institute UCC illustrates a further strengthening of the University’s commitment to the Irish agri and agri-food sectors.
The Food Institute UCC aims to provide a unifying brand for all UCC Food stakeholders and will be a focal point for industry engagement.
Throughout the morning, attendees also heard from key leaders from the food industry and academia including Mr Jim Woulfe (CEO, Dairygold), Professor Paul Ross (UCC), Professor Thia Hennessey (Cork University Business School), Professor John O’Halloran (Deputy President UCC), Dr Gerry Murphy (Chairman, Tate & Lyle) and Dr Wayne Anderson (Director of Food Science and Standards, Food Safety Authority Ireland), the majority of whom are UCC Alumni.
The Food Institute will bring top tier researchers, educators and industry representatives together in a dynamic, cross-disciplinary research environment, with a strong industry focus on delivering innovative science and technologies.
Speaking on Friday, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed said, " Given the uncertain challenges posed by Brexit, collaboration with other European and International institutes by UCC in areas of research and education can only strengthen and enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of Ireland’s agri-food industry. The establishment of the Food Institute in UCC will see a new unifying identity for UCC Food, and will enable all stakeholders to engage seamlessly with food research and education in Ireland."
Source: www.businessworld.ie