31/01/2003

NI 'Centres of Excellence' recognised

Invest NI has recognised some of Northern Ireland's leading 'Centres of Excellence' at an awards ceremony in the Ramada Hotel in Belfast.

Speaking at the ceremony, which formally recognised 16 new centres of excellence, NIO Trade Minister Ian Pearson said: “If we are to prosper in the future, then it is research and development, innovation and exploitation that will be the key to success."

He also said that the centres of excellence will enhance Northern Ireland's ability to carry out cutting-edge, industrially exploitable and commercially focused research that will noticeably improve competition in local industry.

The 'Centres of Excellence' programme is expected to result in a total public/private sector investment of approximately £80 million. The Invest NI programme is funded under the European Union Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland (PEACE II) in partnership with the Department of Employment and Learning.

Alan Shannon, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Employment and Learning, said he was particularly pleased at the success of our two universities in securing funding for establishing seven new research and development centres, including one joint centre.

The Research and technology Development (RTD) Centres of Excellence programme was launched in September 2001.

(AM)

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