Strategic Industry-University Agreement For Border and North East Between DCU and Combilift
Dublin City University and Combilift, the largest global manufacturer of multi-directional forklifts and an acknowledged leader in long load handling solutions, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to further develop the relationship between both organisations. The partnership reflects the university’s on-going commitment to industry engagement for the purposes of research, innovation, graduate employment and education.
The agreement with the Monaghan company will focus on 3 key areas:
Future Talent Development including career opportunities for DCU graduates (undergraduate and postgraduate level); the identification of future skills needs and emerging talent needs. It will also include curriculum developments taking into account novel or emerging needs.
Research, Development and Innovation combining industry and academic expertise with a particular focus on critical areas such as Internet of Things (IoT), Data Analytics, Process Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, Autonomous Vehicles and Artificial Intelligence.
Education with a focus on cultivating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) education at both regional and national level from primary level upwards. In addition, there are plans to collaborate on hosting an annual STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Maths) student innovation competition.
Commenting on the agreement, the President of DCU, Professor Brian MacCraith said: “As Ireland’s University of Enterprise, DCU is delighted to strengthen its collaboration with Combilift, one of Ireland’s most successful and innovative indigenous companies. By tapping into DCU’s wealth of research and expertise, the company can ensure it remains at the cutting edge of innovation. Meanwhile, the involvement of companies like Combilift in our INTRA work placement programme is vital for developing our students’ talent, and maintaining DCU’s position as one of the world’s top 20 universities for graduate employment rate.”
Combilift CEO Martin McVicar commented: “The growth of the global economy has intensified the need for strategic partnerships between industry and the education and training sector. This MOU is further evidence of Combilift’s commitment to enhancing the development and up-skilling of the workforce in this region.
“It is a natural progression from the work Combilift has undertaken in the development of traineeship and apprenticeship courses. Over the past year, Combilift has worked closely with DCU in facilitating work placements and hired DCU graduates as part of our Autonomous Vehicle Project. This strategic partnership will enable Combilift to forge a long-term collaborative relationship with DCU in a number of other areas including partnering on research projects and the promotion of STEM in local primary schools which will support the growth and development of STEM subjects among primary and post-primary pupils.”
CAPTION:
Pictured (l-r): Professor Daire Keogh, Deputy President, DCU; Combilift CEO Martin McVicar; Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, TD; and Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU.
