In a move to encourage businesses to initiate or expand their linkages with academia though learning or research, heads of departments and centres from the University of Limerick recently travelled to Shannon Airport to present at a breakfast briefing organised by Shannon Chamber.
The event, which was held in the viewing gallery at the airport, included presentations from the faculties of Science & Engineering, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Kemmy Business School and involved each presenter giving a five-minute overview of their course offerings and the types of collaboration they can provide to companies, through current educational programmes or through designing bespoke offerings designed to meet a company’s specific needs.
Speaking at the event, Director of Continuing and Professional Education at the University of Limerick, Dr Ann Ledwith outlined why Shannon was the chosen venue “Our decision to visit Shannon, the first time we have travelled as a group to meet companies on their own doorsteps, was to show that we have an open door policy and are eager to respond to any issue or topic that businesses need support with.”
Shannon Chamber’s chief executive Helen Downes added: “The decision to host an event of this nature was prompted by our interest in ensuring that companies in the Shannon region remain competitive. The feedback to the event has been most favourable and we were delighted that two companies who are expanding their linkages with UL, Lufthansa Technik Shannon and Atlantic Aviation Group, spoke of the value such linkages extend to their businesses.
“By travelling to Shannon, the university has reinforced its willingness to support businesses in the area. We would encourage companies to avail of the many opportunities that can be facilitated by UL’s Continuing and Professional Education centre. ”