LYIT proudly welcomed An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD, to the Letterkenny campus on Monday 12 May to turn the sod on the NW Regional Science Park project, funded by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme.  This was the Taoiseach’s third visit to the Institute in recent times, he opened the new science laboratories in 2012 and in early 2013 he attended a meeting of the British/Irish joint parliamentary conference.

Monday past marked an important day for LYIT on numerous fronts.  LYIT has always been to the forefront in the development of Innovation Centres in Ireland's Higher Education ‌campuses with their first centre opening over 25 years ago.  In 2000, a new Business Development Centre was opened while in 2010, with support from Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Education and Skills, the current CoLab building was opened.  This centre, which is full to capacity, now houses 28 start-up companies employing over 100 graduate-level employees.  It is also home to the WiSAR Technology Gateway centre, funded by Enterprise Ireland, the only such centre north of the Galway/Dublin axis.

The North West Regional Science Park (NWRSP) development, in association with LYIT’s partners NISP (Northern Ireland Science Park) and NWRCBG (North West Region Cross Border Group), will allow the world renowned Science Park brand, operating model, and support programmes be brought to the North West at Fort George in Derry and at the CoLab at LYIT.  This NWRSP project creates the first 3rd generation Science Park in the Republic of Ireland, which is the first step to creating an All-Ireland Association of Science Parks and will further assist LYIT in building a regional innovation ecosystem turning knowledge into enterprise and building a new economy in Ireland's North West.

The turning of the sod by An Taoiseach marks the culmination of four years’ hard work on behalf of all the stakeholders in bringing this project from concept to a reality.  An Taoiseach commented that he was delighted to be in Donegal to launch this progressive initiative and he looks forward to project completion in mid-2015.

NWRSP is a physical manifestation of what positive cross-border engagement can deliver.  Bringing together stakeholders on both sides of the border to deliver a tangible output in both Derry and Letterkenny for the benefit of the people who live here.  A very positive working relationship has developed among the various stakeholders:  LYIT, Donegal County Council, Donegal Local Enterprise Office, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, EI, IDA, Údarás na Gaeltachta, ILEX, NWRCBG and NISP.  With the support of the funders, through SEUPB, all combine to make a hugely positive statement on behalf of the North-West region and indeed pave the way for future collaborative regional partnerships.

At the time when cross border initiatives were low on the political priority list, the NWRSP shows that, through the commitment of those involved, a good project will survive and can become an exemplar for others. The NWRSP is a shot in the arm for businesses within the North West, not just for the small companies in their infancy but also for those established companies and multinationals who can both contribute to and benefit from the dynamics of the Science Park project.

NWRSP will also act as a demonstration project for regional stakeholders, especially children, of the vital importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.  Very often excellence in these disciplinary domains is the key driver of the successful global businesses of the future which will be nurtured here.

This is LYIT delivering on its engagement agenda and showing leadership in the region.  This is done in a collaborative manner with all relevant stakeholders.  This model is proving successful, as the recent announcements regarding our Wind Energy Centre and Biomass projects in association with the local authority and private industry made on our Killybegs campus illustrates.

LYIT has 3,500 students, and is committed to providing opportunities for its graduates within the North-West Region, preparing them for their lives ahead.  The emergence of the Science Park on LYIT’s campus at this critical time makes this job a lot easier.

Photo captions:
#1: An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD.
#2: An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD, pictured turning the sod for the €4.5 million North West Regional Science Park building at Letterkenny Institute of Technology recently.  Also in the photo are (l-r):  Seamus Neely, County Manager, Donegal County Councillor; Dinny McGinley, TD; Paul Hannigan, President, LYIT; Mairead McGuinness, MEP; Joe McHugh, TD; Norman Apsley, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Science Park; Alderman Michael Coyle, Chairman, North West Region Cross Border Group; Cllr Paschal Blake, Mayor of Letterkenny; Carol Margey, Manager, North West Region Cross Border Group; and Lorraine McCourt, Special EU Programmes Body. 
#3: A section of the crowd who turned out to hear An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD.
#4: An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD, pictured with the North West Regional Science Park project personnel and funders.
[Photos by Clive Wasson]