Pictured (l-r): Dr John L. Hennessy, President of Stanford University; An Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowan T.D.; Dr John Hegarty, TCD Provost; and Dr Hugh Brady, President of UCD
The Innovation Alliance between Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin has been further advanced through confirmation that Stanford President Dr John L. Hennessy is to take on the role of the Alliance’s first international advisor. Dr Hennessy’s acceptance builds on a joint visit by the Alliance partners to Stanford University earlier this year.
Visiting the Stanford School of Engineering and its internationally renowned ‘D-School’ programme, as part of an official trade mission to California, TCD Provost Dr John Hegarty and UCD President Dr Hugh Brady met with Dr Hennessy to update him on the progress of their partnership to mainstream innovation in both Irish institutions. During the visit, all three university leaders met with An Taoiseach Brian Cowen, where Dr Hennessy’s role as an international advisor to the Innovation Alliance was discussed.
Speaking together to announce the development, Provost Dr John Hegarty and President Dr Hugh Brady said: “Stanford’s programmes in innovation and entrepreneurship are world class – the university has a track record in this domain which is second to none. Having someone of the calibre of John Hennessy agree to act as an advisor to our Alliance is a hugely positive development and will be of great benefit – not only to students in our Innovation Academy, but also to our current and future start-up companies as we progress our joint vision for business creation and scaling in our institutions.”
Welcoming the announcement Taoiseach Brian Cowen stated: “I very much welcome the further development of the Innovation Alliance between Trinity College and UCD which I launched just over a year ago. As well as endorsing the Government’s vision for Ireland as an International Innovation Hub, the recent Report of the Innovation Taskforce expressed strong support for the TCD/UCD Alliance. Strategic Alliances between Higher Education Institutions at both national and international level are vital to developing the research and knowledge transfer ecosystem which must be at the heart of a smart economy.”
The Taoiseach added: “The announcement of Stanford President John L. Hennessy as the first International Advisor to the Alliance is an extremely welcome development which will be of great benefit to all who are involved with the programme. I was delighted to meet with President Hennessy, Trinity Provost John Hegarty and UCD President Hugh Brady to discuss these developments during my recent visit to San Jose where I made key connections for Ireland’s development as an Innovation economy. I look forward to the continued success of the Innovation Alliance.”
President Hennessy is the first international advisor to be announced for the Innovation Alliance. This development augments and complements the established relationship with the Silicon Valley-based Irish Technology Leadership Group. President Hennessy will lend his expertise as a leading academic, the leader of one of the top universities in the world and share his experiences of building companies through successful entrepreneurship.
Provost Dr Hegarty and President Dr Brady concluded: “The Taoiseach’s Innovation Taskforce report has highlighted the importance of higher education for Ireland’s economic growth and has endorsed our Alliance as a major component to underpin that growth. It is our pleasure and honour to have President Hennessy agree to this role. His advice is highly valued internationally and through his participation we look forward to further growing the strengths of the Innovation Alliance for Ireland’s future prosperity.”
For more see:
Stanford President first International Advisor to TCD-UCD Innovation Alliance (UCD News)
