IDA Ireland/Science Foundation Ireland Showcase Highlights Ireland's Leading Research Activities

STANFORD, Calif., Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- IDA Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland are hosting a conference showcasing Ireland's R&D capabilities at the esteemed Stanford University in California. The 'Ireland R&D Showcase' highlights key executives of Irish science and industry, and features presentations from Irish-based scientific researchers and industries who are producing a major impact on an international scale.

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Multinational companies addressing the showcase include Intel, Cisco, IBM and Hewlett-Packard, while Ireland's academic research community is represented by Trinity College Dublin, Tyndall National Institute, UCC, Waterford Institute of Technology, NUI Maynooth, NUI Galway, Dublin City University, University of Limerick and University College Dublin. Senior figures from 60 international corporations including Microsoft, Google, Nokia, Oracle and Samsung Electronics will also participate in the event.

Dermot Clohessy, IDA Ireland's Executive Director of Business Development and Marketing, said, "This occasion represents a formidable opportunity to promote the talent pool of Irish researchers and those who have chosen to conduct their research activities on Irish soil. It also provides a platform to reaffirm the importance of foreign direct investment into crucial scientific and technological disciplines. Ireland has shown that it can perform at the highest level in terms of ingenuity, innovation and enterprise. The objective is to encourage new partnerships and new streams of investment to further realize our potential."

According to Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Enterprise and International Affairs at Science Foundation Ireland, "The showcase embodies the collaborative, international, cross-pollination ethos of Science Foundation Ireland, working closely with the IDA and other agencies at home and abroad. This is a critical juncture in the continued development of Ireland towards becoming a global innovation hub. A showcase of this magnitude, involving such illustrious leaders in business and academia, hosted in the world-renowned Stanford University, illustrates how far Ireland has come."

Research areas to be covered as part of the showcase include: nanotechnology, communications technologies, cloud computing technologies and the emerging opportunities stemming from convergent technologies.

Dr. Craig Barrett, Former Chairman, President and CEO of Intel, and Chairman of the Irish Technology Leadership Group will deliver the showcase's Keynote Speech.

SOURCE IDA Ireland