New Convener of Líonra to steer collaboration and research in the Border, Midland and Western Region

LIONRA the Regional Higher Education Network has today announced the appointment of a new Convener to lead the network’s seven third level institutions from 2009 to 2011 as it embarks on a major Collaborative Research & Innovation strategy for the BMW region.

The new Convener, Mr. Denis Cummins is President of Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) since 2007. Prior to being appointed President he held a variety of roles including lecturer in Computer Science for ten years, Head of Department of Computing and Mathematics, Acting Registrar and Head of School of Informatics, Music and Creative Media. He is a graduate of computer science from DKIT, University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin.

Mr. Cummins is a director with Institutes of Technology Ireland, HEAnet and a number of other organisations. A champion of providing opportunities for access to higher education for learners who are underrepresented he was instrumental in establishing the North East Further and Higher Education Alliance (NEFHEA).

In his statement Mr. Cummins said: “It is a great honour for me to take over the role of Convener of Líonra, the network of higher education institutions in the BMW region. As Convener I look forward to working with all the partner higher education institutions and the BMW Assembly in supporting the economic, social and cultural development of the BMW region while contributing to the national smart economy. The higher education institutions in Líonra already play a very significant role in supporting agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and IDA but there is still further potential for the innovation and creativity that is abundant in our institutions to be harnessed through technology transfer for economic growth and job creation.

Irish higher education institutions are small by international comparisons so it is clear to me that we must work together in order to create critical mass in research and learning so as to create a bigger impact. In June 2009, the Líonra partners signed a Heads of Agreement with respect to a collaborative approach to research and innovation for the BMW Region. Collaboration is what Líonra has done so effectively in the past but over the coming years this is going to be more important than ever and I will work tirelessly with all Líonra partners to strengthen the collaboration which will benefit learners, society and industry in the BMW region. In the last year a mapping of research activity and capability across the region has been concluded and from that a number of thematic priorities such as Health Services/Social Entrepreneurship, Biomedical Science, Environmental, Marine, Energy, Software, Socioeconomic Science and Food/Agriculture have been prioritised.”
 
He added, “A personal interest for me is to make access to higher education available to all learners in the region particularly those who did not get a chance when they first left school. Líonra has already operated a very successful access programme that was delivered in remote areas of the region and this resulted in very high rates of participants transferring to the partner institutions. More of these initiatives are needed as are more flexible delivery formats such as online learning. I anticipate that in future more online learning materials will be provided through the Líonra network.

I would also like to see more students from Northern Ireland participating in higher education in the republic and as the Líonra region borders Northern Ireland I would like to see some initiatives specifically in this area.”

The Convenership of the Líonra network rotates between the Presidents of the seven institutions every two years. Mr. Cummins brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to an evolving management at the network. He replaces Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, President of AIT who was Convener of Líonra from 2007 to 2009. In June 2009 Professor Ó Catháin led the Collaborative Research & Innovation Strategy for the BMW region. This will serve to further enhance research activity and business R&D linkages. The strategy includes a plan to commercialize innovative and research ideas developed through the partnership to reach the marketplace. This is critical to the creation of the smart economy. Following a successful tenure as Convener, Professor Ó Catháin will remain a member of the Líonra Management Board and will chair the Líonra Research Group.

Dr. Patrick Mulhern, Head of Development at AIT retires from the Líonra Operational Committee today. He joined the committee in 2001 and is a previous chair of the Líonra Operational Committee.  Dr. Mulhern was Head of Development at AIT since 1995 and was responsible for Capital Development, R&D, College-Industry interaction, Entrepreneurship/Innovation and International Links. Líonra and the network’s seven third level institutions would like to thank Dr. Mulhern for his dedication and valuable contribution to the network.

The Líonra partnership acts as an important catalyst for innovation and knowledge based economic renewal in the BMW Region.  Líonra works closely with state agencies, government departments, regional and local development authorities and in particular the BMW Assembly and other organisations in the development of collaborative programmes for the region. 

Líonra is the Regional Higher Education Network for the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) region and comprises: Athlone Institute of Technology; Dundalk Institute of Technology; Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology; Institute of Technology, Sligo; Letterkenny Institute of Technology; National University of Ireland, Galway; St. Angela’s College, Sligo and the BMW Regional Assembly.  Líonra provides a collaborative platform where members develop and promote proactive and unique strategies in lifelong learning; research; innovation and entrepreneurship.

For further information contact:
Caroline McDonagh
mcdonaghcaroline@gmail.com