Courses
Atlantic Technological University hosts first inaugural RISE@ATU Summer School for research community
Atlantic Technological University recently hosted the first inaugural Postgraduate Research Training Programme (PRTP) Summer School at the ATU Donegal, Letterkenny campus.
RISE@ATU is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-27.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) recently hosted the first inaugural Postgraduate Research Training Programme (PRTP) Summer School at the ATU Donegal campus. Held over four days, the event brought together researchers, staff, and guest speakers from across the northwest region for a series of thematic workshops, panel discussions, field trips, and social events.
Funded under the TU RISE (Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise) scheme through the Northern and Western Regional Programme (NWRA), the RISE@ATU Summer School welcomed over 120 researchers, staff, and guests to the ATU Donegal campus across four days from 27 May to 30 May.
As an extensive research training programme, the Summer School is part of the RISE@ATU project designed to link research and innovation with industries under Ireland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy. The event brought together nearly 60 PhD candidates funded under TU RISE, with projects across five specialised sectors:
- Coastal Connectivity (CC)
- Innovation Digitalisation, Enterprise and Society (IDEAS)
- Innovation in Digital Manufacturing and Design (IDMD)
- Translational Health Research (THRIVE)
- MedAgritech and AI (MATX)
Speaking about RISE@ATU, Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, notes, “As the largest funded project in ATU history, RISE@ATU aims to build regional and economic growth, industrial specialism, and collaborations across companies and academia. TU RISE is a key funding scheme that supports ATU to develop opportunities that will enhance research capacity and engagement with regional enterprises”.
Dr Des Foley, Acting Vice-President for Research and Innovation, added, “We have a unique opportunity to enhance economic prosperity, particularly in the northern and western region of Ireland. RISE@ATU is a vital initiative for strengthening connections between faculty, research, and industry.”
The event has seen several distinguished guests visit the Summer School to deliver talks and insights, including:
- Barry Guckian, Programme Executive at Northern and Western Regional Assembly
- Ciaran Mullooly, Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
- Neil McDermott (HEA), Senior Manager, System Development and Performance Management
- Bobbie Baker, Programme Executive for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Ciaran Mullooly, MEP, addressed the PhD candidates by saying:
“Your involvement will make a contribution back into the economy of Europe…. You will be associated with specific projects and teams, through the European Union or otherwise, that will lead to significant growth in our performance economically, particularly in research and the area of science”.
The RISE@ATU Summer School provided a valuable opportunity for the research community from all nine ATU campuses to enhance regional networks, build meaningful collaborations and explore new methods and contexts for their research. Sessions held throughout the week varied from embedding creativity into the research process, communicating impactful research, sustainability and public policy, and industry engagement training.
As an annual event, the Summer Schools will continue to play a pivotal role in building an interconnected research community that supports regional, economic and industrial development.
Feature photo caption: (L-R) Veronica Cawley (ATU), Barry Guckian (NWRA), Paul Hannigan (ATU), Ciaran Mullooly (MEP), Des Foley (ATU), Neil McDermott (HEA), Michael McCann (ATU), Bobbie Baker (NWRA).
