I am very pleased to have the opportunity to speak to you today at the official opening of Origin8, NCAD’s new design, innovation and commercialisation hub.
I’m delighted that this gives me the opportunity to visit NCAD.
As the only university level art and design college in the State, NCAD acts as one of the custodians of Irish culture and society.
Irish artists and designers have shaped and crafted the soul of Irish culture over years.
The current generation of artists and designers are now pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation as they continually reinvent the perception of Irish design.
There is no reason why good design ideas cannot become good businesses and why businesses cannot provide even more design jobs.
Initiatives such as Origin8 are key to this goal.
I understand Origin8 works as an important link between academia and industry, using the skills and knowledge already within NCAD to develop products and services and to support start-up companies.
I’m delighted that Government has been supporting this initiative through Enterprise Ireland and with this support NCAD has been building up its commercialisation and collaboration abilities over the past number of years. It has already achieved demonstrable results.
The activities you are supporting here in NCAD show that innovation is not limited to the scientific laboratory. There are great examples here to demonstrate that we need research and innovation in all walks of life.
Art and design, like research and development, can lead to great commercial ideas that can improve the lives of people around the world.
I understand that Origin8 is supporting a start up company, Gazel, which has designed an easy to use clothes hanger that was the output of research by Arthritis Ireland and Pfizer.
Our job in Government and in the higher education sector is to help our researchers in transferring their work to industry, who can then put that research to work.
The enterprise agencies - Enterprise Ireland, together with the IDA and Science Foundation Ireland - provide a spectrum of science, technology and innovation development programmes that deliver financial and technical support.
These programmes help companies to become more innovative and competitive, and they help them to grow their sales and exports which creates more jobs for our people.
The recent launch of Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) further advances the Government’s plan to strengthen and standardise the Irish knowledge transfer infrastructure.
KTI is the first resource of its kind in Europe and offers businesses the ability to identify research activity and expertise available in Irish education institutions, find opportunities to licence new technology and Intellectual Property, and access practical guides and model agreements - all of which can be used by businesses as a starting point to engage with the research sector.
KTI will provide an effective link between industry and the research community to drive a world class knowledge transfer system in Ireland, ensuring it responds to the needs of industry and academia.
Origin8 as NCAD’s on-site innovation and commercialisation centre aligns very well with the objective of the KTI, providing a portal for business clients to collaborate with its leading designers through knowledge transfer.
Indeed, I understand that, although only recently established, Origin8 has worked on over 40 client-based projects in the past 12 months, and is currently supporting two start-up companies – Gazel and Obeo.
This belief is at the heart of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs and our determination to support a powerful engine of Irish enterprise.
As 2015 is the Year of Irish Design, its overall objective is to sustain and grow job opportunities, sales, and export potential for the Irish design sector.
We will encourage investment in design by showcasing Irish designs nationally and internationally over the course of the year.
I have no doubt that NCAD, with its focus on innovation and creativity, will play a key role in the Year of Irish Design 2015; a perfect example of what can be achieved through a shared vision and collaboration.
I congratulate all at NCAD and Origin8 on their work to date and look forward to Origin8’s continued growth and success in supporting enterprise and in setting up new campus companies.
ENDS.