US Economic Envoy visits Queen’s University Belfast
Mr Kelly, who accompanied US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on her visit to the University in October 2009, returned to the campus to learn more about Queen’s commitment to entrepreneurship education, and how its graduates contribute to the economic viability of the region. He also shared his own experiences of entrepreneurialism and his perspectives on the future development of the Northern Ireland private sector with 90 students of the Queen’s University Management School. Welcoming Mr Kelly, Queen’s President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson said: ‘During her recent visit to Northern Ireland, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton learned first-hand from US companies who had invested here of the importance of the high quality and loyalty of graduates to inward investment. This view was reinforced just two weeks after her visit when Queen’s became the UK’s Entrepreneurial University of the Year. This was excellent news for Queen’s and excellent news for Northern Ireland, recognizing our ongoing work in ensuring that tomorrow’s business leaders have the necessary skills to contribute to the region’s future prosperity in an increasingly competitive world.’ Professor Gregson continued, ‘Mr Kelly’s visit today will enable us to take this process a step further, by sharing insights into entrepreneurship and how we can further enhance our impact on Northern Ireland through wealth creation, cutting-edge research and productive global connections.’ Mr Kelly said: ‘Investment commitments in Northern Ireland from world-leading companies such as the recent announcement by NYSE Technologies, part of NYSE Euronext, are underpinned by a confidence in the region’s skills base. As I continue to work to try to bring Northern Ireland to the attention of the US business community, I am helped by the academic and research excellence that is very evident at Queen’s University. Its commitment to entrepreneurialism education and its strategic commercial linkages, such as its collaboration in the life sciences field with the Almac Group, can greatly assist Northern Ireland’s competitive advantage in attracting more high-value, wealth-creating jobs.’ During the Special Envoy’s visit, he met senior representatives from leading Northern Ireland company Almac and Invest Northern Ireland to finalise plans for their visit to the United States next month as part of the NI trade mission during St. Patrick's week. Colin Hayburn, Executive Director at Almac, said: ‘Northern Ireland has a long tradition of entrepreneurship and innovation and is now an established international centre of excellence in a number of fields, including life sciences. We welcome Declan’s presence here today and look forward to working closely with him on a number of initiatives in the near future.’ Mr Kelly also visited the University’s world-leading Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology. The Centre’s pioneering reputation has attracted high quality clinicians and scientists from around the world and led to the creation of unique international partnerships with leading global institutions. Find out more about postgraduate study at Queen’s University Belfast. Content added on 26th February 2010. |
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The United States Special Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland, Declan Kelly, visited Queen’s University Belfast – the UK’s Entrepreneurial University of the Year – on Tuesday 23rd February. The purpose of his visit was to meet with business students studying entrepreneurship and to visit the University's Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology.