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ATU Forges Key US Partnerships During Landmark Presidential Visit
ATU delegation forging two new university agreements, hosting inaugural showcasing events, and fostering a range of connections across Chicago and Boston.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) recently concluded a high-level strategic visit to the United States of America led by ATU President Dr Orla Flynn. The visit which took place from May 27 to June 4, spanned engagements in both Chicago and Boston and resulted in the signing of two new Memoranda of Agreement (MoA) with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston).
The visit included two significant events hosted by ATU. The ATU Showcase Event at Ireland House in Chicago provided an opportunity to highlight ATU’s academic and research strengths, featuring presentations, discussions, and a special contribution from an alumna and successful Irish American businessperson in the Chicago area. The event was launched by the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners Toni Preckwinkle, who officially welcomed ATU to Chicago, expressing her full support for the new partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), while thanking the Chancellor of UIC Dr Miranda for her leadership of the university.
Other key contributions at the event included a presentation by ATU President Dr Orla Flynn, who discussed the evolution and future trajectory of one of Ireland’s largest Technological Universities, where she stressed the importance of transatlantic partnerships.
Dr Seán Duignan discussed Ireland’s TrustEd International Education Mark, the new quality mark for international education in Ireland, followed by a panel session facilitated by Mr. George McCourt on the power of global collaborations to drive innovation and research, particularly focusing on the objectives of the University of Illinois Chicago-ATU agreement.
The panel discussion included academic and clinical experts from UIC and ATU, including Dr Eugene McCarthy, Head of Department of Analytical, Biopharmaceutical and Medical Sciences and Aidan McKenna from Enterprise Ireland (New York Office), which demonstrated the impact of global collaborations in driving innovation in enhancing patient care.
The Showcase Event also celebrated the success of ATU alumna and well-known local restaurateur Clodagh Lawless (from the Dearborn Restaurant, Chicago) and marked the launch of ATU’s new MSc in Business Analytics, as presented by Business Faculty member and programme leader Dr Rachael Shaw.
Prior to this event, a Signing Ceremony for a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with UIC took place at the Innovation Centre within UIC’s main campus, in the presence of their Chancellor of Dr Marie Lynn Miranda and the President of ATU Dr Orla Flynn.
One key objective of the agreement is the advancement of urological innovation through bilateral collaboration in research, clinical training, and medical technologies. The visit to Chicago concluded with a media engagement, a radio interview with Dr Orla Flynn, where she joined the Mike O’Connor Show live to discuss ATU’s ambitions in the US and the unique offering ATU has for US students, including the Irish and Irish American community.
Following the engagements in Chicago, ATU further expanded its international network by signing an agreement with the University of Massachusetts Boston .
This was preceded by a Partnership Breakfast Event hosted by ATU in conjunction with UMass Boston, which took place at their beautiful waterfront campus, with fantastic views of Boston Harbor and the city skyline. This event brought together over 30 alumni, partners, and potential partners of ATU from various sectors to discuss partnership opportunities, bi-directional exchanges, and international collaboration. ATU was honoured to be joined by former US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin for this event
The breakfast event was followed by an academic and research engagement session, where representatives from each university met to discuss their respective areas of expertise.
The day concluded with the MoA Signing between ATU and UMass Boston, formalising the new partnership. The agreement was signed by the Chancellor of UMass Boston, Dr Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, and President of ATU, Dr Orla Flynn. A special guest at the signing ceremony was Dr Joseph Kennedy III, who received an honorary doctorate from ATU in 2024. This new partnership is set to foster broader collaboration across various academic and research disciplines, including initial engagements in Nursing, Science and Technology, Business & Data Analytics and Management Information Systems. This underscores ATU’s commitment to global engagement and knowledge exchange and outreach in the greater Boston area.
Commenting on the successful visit, Dr Orla Flynn, President of Atlantic Technological University, stated; “The objectives of our visit to the United States were to strengthen our international presence and to foster impactful global partnerships. The new agreements with the University of Illinois Chicago and the University of Massachusetts Boston will help us expand our research capabilities, enhance student opportunities, and drive innovation on an international stage. We are excited about the collaborative potential these relationships bring to our overarching global outlook, which will impact the development of our region in the North West of Ireland.”
“As Chicago’s only public research university, UIC is committed to advancing research and innovation that improves quality of life for all,” said UIC Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda. “While our initial discussions have focused on state-of-the-art urological technologies, we also see exciting opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration across medicine, engineering, and business – expanding discovery, deepening student exchanges, and enhancing workforce development globally.”
A similar sentiment was expressed by the Chancellor of UMass Boston, Dr Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, who stated;
“This agreement between UMass Boston and ATU demonstrates how global higher education partnerships can be platforms for innovation in addressing the complex societal challenges of our time. They are, as well, an important way of connecting people across cultural and geographic boundaries. Indeed, our two institutions will share not only this vital bond, but a core belief in the preservation and advancement of knowledge as cornerstones of a robust democratic society”
The ATU delegation accompanying Dr. Orla Flynn on this visit included:
- Dr. Rachael Shaw, Lecturer in Information Technology & Programme Director of MSc in Business Analytics
- Dr. Eugene McCarthy, Head of Department of Analytical, Biopharmaceutical and Medical Sciences
- Dr. Seán Duignan, Quality Assurance and Enhancement Team (seconded to ATU Global for the TrustEd IEM Project)
- George McCourt, Head of Innovation and Enterprise, ATU
- John Joe O’Farrell, Director of International Engagement, ATU
These new collaborations reinforce ATU’s dedication to becoming a globally connected institution, driving research excellence and providing world-class educational experiences for its students, while contributing to advancements in critical sectors.
“As we embark on the development of our inaugural Global Engagement Strategy, these new collaborations with progressive U.S institutions will not only open doors for innovation projects, joint research, and curriculum internationalisation—they will also help us ensure that the benefits of global engagement and global learning are available to all, including our regional stakeholders and especially those who have traditionally been underrepresented in international experiences”, commented John Joe O’Farrell, Director of International Engagement at ATU.
