North Kildare Chamber hosted a business luncheon in Maynooth University (yesterday Thursday 29th September)with guest speaker President of the University Professor Philip Nolan. The President engaged the room with a detailed overview of the University and also with the current landscape of education in general. Philip Nolan said “ We have a world class University on your doorstep that is ranked in the top 200 in Europe and the top 200 in the world for international outlook. It is a research led institution that has in excess of 11,200 students with a turnover of €100 million annually. He noted that in the past 5 years, the University has patented 50 inventions, has enabled 18 spin out companies and actively engages with business and encourages more collaboration with business in the county. Interestingly, 10% of the students on campus are international and this figure continues to grow each year.
Guests of the Chamber in attendance included CEO of Kildare County Council Peter Carey, CEO of Kildare Wicklow Education Training Boards Sean Ashe, COO of The Ballymore Group Paul Keogh, Miceal Sammon of The Sammon Group and Chairman of O’Brien Fine Foods Bill O’Brien.
The Chamber and the University partner on several initiative that include representation on the Action Plan for Job and the Regional Skills Forum for the Mid-East. Vivian Cummins, President of the Chamber in his opening address urged that both business and the University continue to collaborate and highlighted the project that is currently under way in Maynooth which is the Purple Flag entry as a prime example of organisations working together.
Siobhan Keogh, Regional Skills Forum Manager – Mid East with Allan Shine CEO North Kildare Chamber
Guest Speaker Philip Nolan, President of Maynooth University
Gerry McGrath of Murray Spelman and Eoin Gannon, Gannon Office Solutions
Audrey Kilgallon Haven Hire and Mairead Fleming Ascension Executive Recruitment