Engineers Focus On Innovation

Innovative Engineers Will Play A Key Role in Economic Recovery And Our Move To A Smart Economy

Engineers and their ability to innovate will play a hugely important role in Ireland's future economic success and in our journey towards becoming a Smart Economy, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe T D, said, announcing that the Engineers Ireland Annual Conference 2010 will be attended by no fewer than three Irish Government Ministers.

Themed ‘Engineers - Leaders For The Next Decade' The Engineers Ireland 2010 Conference will be opened by Dr Craig Barrett, former CEO and Chairman of Intel Corporation at the Silver Springs Hotel in Cork on April 22.

Dr Barrett will explore  the critical importance of the education system to the engineering sector, along with Iona Technologies founder and  Engineers Ireland President Chris Horn.

The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation,  Conor Lenihan TD will  also speak at the conference on the role engineers can play in innovation.

Minister O'Keefe said: "Our economic success depends on increasing levels of innovation across the enterprise sector - in large Irish-owned companies like Bord Gáis; in  foreign multinationals located here such as EMC and in start-up firms.

"Businesses like Bord Gáis and EMC are the kind of innovation-intensive company that we want to see prosper across the country, employing high-calibre engineers, scientists and technologists focused on research and development and turning ideas into commercialised products and services.

"That challenge, set out in the recent report of the Innovation Taskforce and championed by US President Barack Obama during his election campaign, is rooted in the promise of human capital and our capacity to forge a new future for tomorrow's workers," O Keefe continued.

"Now is our time to lead the world in innovation and encourage more US multinationals - many of whom I met during a visit to the US last week - to hub in Ireland and exploit the skills and knowledge of our talented workforce."

Over two days in Cork the conference will hear contributions from Bord Gais CEO John Mullins, Professor Roger Whatmore of the Tyndall National Institute, Ian Quinn of Creganna, Tom Costello of John Sisk & Son, Terry Nolan of Shell and EI Deputy John Lynch.

A dinner will be hosted  by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD.

Engineers Ireland Director General John Power said innovation was one of several key themes being explored at this year's conference: "Innovation is key to Ireland's recovery and engineers are at the heart of this. Engineering is a career that allows you to diversify among so many different sectors, from chemical, civil, environmental, computer and biomedical to name but a few.

"The Engineers Ireland Annual Conference is the single most important event taking place in 2010 for engineers," said Power.

"The focus will be on why the Government needs engineers to lead the country's economic recovery and the actions Ireland's leading engineers are taking for the next decade," Power continued.

"In addition to experts from Irish industry, we will be able to hear the international perspective from a diverse speaker line-up over two days."

The second day of the conference will begin with an address from Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr John Gormley TD.

This will be followed by parallel discussion sessions, the first focused on leadership and innovation in practice, hosted by the Engineers Ireland Cork Region.

Issues associated with Ireland's water management, including waste water and water charges, will be the focus of the second parallel session, while the third parallel session will be dedicated to matters relating to securing Ireland's energy future.

People reading this article also read....

More Engineers Ireland News on IrishDev.com

More Intel Corporation News on IrishDev.com

More Science Foundation Ireland News on IrishDev.com

More Innovation Taskforce News on IrishDev.com

More Microsoft News on IrishDev.com

Get Instant Updates....

Join IrishDev.com on Facebook and Twitter