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Minister Lawless launches inaugural North West Digital Futures conference at ATU
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, officially launched the inaugural NW 2025: Shaping Our Digital Futures conference at Atlantic Technological University’s (ATU) Letterkenny campus on Thursday, 23 October 2025. The event brought together leading voices from education, industry, and government to examine how digital transformation is reshaping the North West cross-border region.
Hosted by ATU on behalf of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC), the conference explored the opportunities and challenges associated with the rapid pace of technological change. NWTEC is a strategic alliance of the four publicly funded tertiary education providers in the North West City Region: Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ulster University (UU), North West Regional College (NWRC), and Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB).
The event formed part of the North West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (NW DEPTH) project, supported by the PEACEPLUS Programme which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It featured keynote addresses, expert panel discussions, and case studies highlighting the importance of collaboration between education and enterprise in developing a digitally skilled workforce.
Minister Lawless launched the conference “The NWTEC partnership is delivering real impact across the North West, supporting upskilling, reskilling, research, and innovation to meet the evolving needs of employees, employers, and the wider economy. In a world of rapid technological change, the ability to adapt and align education with industry demands is not just valuable, it’s a strategic advantage.
The inaugural NW2025 Shaping Our Digital Futures Conference was a powerful platform to share best practice, showcase innovation, and engage directly with the opportunities and challenges ahead, particularly in areas like AI and cybersecurity. The event today stands as further recognition of the importance of deepening cross-border collaboration and maintaining a forward-looking focus on emerging trends.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald added: “I commend the organisers for convening a dynamic, cross-border conference that has brought together partners from across the North West to exchange best practices on the challenges of AI. Collaboration like this is key to unlocking the full potential of a digital future, one that delivers the good jobs and inclusive growth.”
The conference was opened by ATU President, Dr Orla Flynn, who welcomed the Minister and delegates and highlighted the university’s role in supporting innovation across the North West; “At ATU, we see digital transformation as both a regional and national imperative. Events like NW2025 demonstrate the strength of partnership across the North West in addressing shared challenges and building a skilled, adaptive workforce. By aligning education, research, and enterprise, we are helping to position this region at the forefront of Ireland’s digital future.”
The day’s proceedings, chaired by broadcaster Seán O’Rourke, included contributions from a range of national and international speakers. Matt Cooper, CEO of Volta in Nova Scotia, Canada, delivered the morning keynote address, Exploiting AI to Build New Innovative Enterprises, which examined how artificial intelligence is transforming industries and creating new business opportunities, with real lessons for the NW region from similar challenges faced in Nova Scotia.
Panel discussions covered topics including digital innovation, artificial intelligence, skills development, and cybersecurity. Experts from across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Canada participated, sharing insights on emerging technologies, ethical frameworks for AI, and the growing need for cross-sectoral collaboration.
Reflecting on the event, Paul Hannigan, ATU Vice President for Cross Border Engagement and Head of College at ATU Donegal, said: “The success of today’s event reflects a deep commitment across institutions and sectors to work together in a practical and sustained way. The North West has a unique opportunity to leverage its cross-border ecosystem to drive digital innovation and employment. Collaboration at this level ensures that the benefits of digital progress are felt throughout our communities and economies.”
Ulster University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Seawright OBE, said:
Ulster University is delighted to be a partner of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster, which has hosted this inaugural conference bringing expert voices together at ATU Letterkenny to explore how digital transformation is reshaping the North West cross-border region. As a university, we are committed to driving innovation and fostering collaboration across education, industry, and government to create meaningful, lasting change in our society. The knowledge shared from this conference will help guide the development of a digitally skilled workforce who are ready to make an impact in a rapidly evolving digital world and to help deliver a more connected, sustainable future for all.
Leo Murphy, Principal & CEO of NWRC highlighted that: “AI is the engine of growth now. Today’s conference demonstrated how, through NWTEC and the PEACEPLUS-supported NW DEPTH initiative, we can align education with business, strengthen cross-border partnerships, and accelerate responsible AI adoption for SMEs and Communities, building a resilient talent pipeline and quality jobs for the North West.”
Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) Chief Executive Anne McHugh said: “Donegal ETB places great value on its work with our education partners in the North West Tertiary Education Cluster as this collaboration greatly benefits our county and region in a wide variety of ways. The platform that today affords us to explore the opportunities and challenges associated with the rapid pace of technological change will help us to map out our future collaborations and education and training provision over the coming years.”
The NW 2025: Shaping Our Digital Futures conference attracted over 300 participants, including digital employers, policymakers, educators, and regional development stakeholders. It marked the first in a planned series of annual conferences under the NW DEPTH initiative, designed to build momentum around digital collaboration and skills development in the North West City Region.
Pictured (L-R): Paul Hannigan, VP for Cross Border Engagement and Head of College, ATU Donegal; Dr Catherine O’ Mullan, NWRC Director of Curriculum and Academic Standards; Minister James Lawless, TD; Anne McHugh, Chief Executive, Donegal ETB; Dr Orla Flynn, President ATU; Professor Paul Seawright OBE, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Ulster University
Aidan Haughey
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