UESTC to establish research institute with Dublin Institute of Technology

The University of Electronic Science and Technology in Chengdu, China signed an agreement with Dublin Institute of Technology in Ireland to jointly establish a research institute on Oct 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The University of Electronic Science and Technology (UESTC) in Chengdu, China signed an agreement with Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) in Ireland to jointly establish a research institute on Oct 19, at the Irish Embassy in China.

Named Irish-Sino Research and Innovation Institute for Novel and Emerging Science and Technologies, the institute is first of its kind between China and Ireland that carries out all-round cooperation in high-tech fields based on universities.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by John Halligan, Irish Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development and Eoin O'Leary, Irish Ambassador to China.

According to the agreement, the two sides will set up joint research centers in Chengdu and Dublin to carry out close cooperation in fields including innovative talent training, international faculty construction, cooperative education, scientific research, and transformation of scientific and technological achievements.

Xiong Caidong, vice president of UESTC, said Ireland's higher education has rich experience in innovative talent training, integration of industry and education, and transformation of scientific and technological achievements. UESTC will focus on promoting the cooperation with DIT at this new starting point.

Halligan said DIT will absorb two other universities to form a new university, according to Ireland's plan. And it will be Ireland's largest and most powerful technology university.

He said he is willing to support the construction and development of the Irish-Sino Research and Innovation Institute for Novel and Emerging Science and Technologies, as well as the exchanges and cooperation between the two universities to promote the close cooperation between China and Ireland in the field of higher education.

Eoin O'Leary said the Irish Embassy in China will actively create conditions to promote Irish-Sino cooperation. He also looks forward to visiting UESTC.