Dr George McIlroy, Chief Executive, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and Dr Hugh Brady, UCD President, sign the agreement at UCD.
University College Dublin and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Northern Ireland have signed an agreement to consolidate their research and teaching expertise in agri-food and veterinary science. The safety of the food we eat, animal health and welfare, the agri-food industry, and the next generation of veterinarians, veterinary scientists and agri-food scientists, will all directly benefit from this agreement. It will also lead to increases in innovations including Intellectual Property (IP) and licensing that will be developed through the synergies of AFBI and UCD.
“This agreement will unify the complementary expertise of UCD and AFBI, both of which hold pivotal positions in the agri-food and veterinary science spheres on the island of Ireland,” said UCD President, Dr Hugh Brady. “The all-island dimension to this agreement is extremely important not only for furthering the knowledge society in both jurisdictions, but for ensuring that the best scientific advice is brought to bear on relevant policy decisions both North and South.”
UCD currently plays a leading role in the fundamental understanding of disease mechanisms in humans, animals and plants, and how these discoveries can be translated into innovative ways of supporting industry and society. Drawing on strong disciplines in agri-food, biology, chemistry, and in animal and veterinary sciences, the university has also developed major capacity in areas such as energy and the environment.
AFBI Chief Executive, Dr George McIlroy commented, “The world-class scientific expertise and facilities that both of our institutes bring to the table can only enhance the value of the work that we undertake for the agri-food industry, here on the island of Ireland.”
Related links:
