Research & Innovation

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) has signed a historic agreement with leading Chinese University, the University of Electronic Science and Technology (UESTC), to develop the Irish-Sino Research and Innovation Institute for Novel and Emerging Sciences and Technologies (NEST). The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) is the first instance a Chinese University has established an Overseas Research and Development organisation in Ireland. ‌

Upon establishment, NEST will advance joint DIT-UESTC research through the shared use of research facilities, the exchange of personnel and the joint publication of research papers at major conferences in China, Ireland and internationally, as well as in the best academic journals.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Professor Brian O’Neill, Director of Research, Innovation and Enterprise at DIT, said: “I am delighted to sign this ground-breaking agreement on behalf of DIT. Today is a major development for both our Institutes and countries – UESTC is the only Chinese University to have established an Overseas Research and Development venture in Ireland, and it is also the first occasion an Irish HEI has developed an R&D facility in China. We are excited for Phase one to begin which will see researchers from both Institutes work together to target funding opportunities to help find real-world solutions in the areas of Information and Communication Technology, Machine Learning with Wireless Network Management, Wireless Communications and Medical Applications, Personalised Medicine and the application of computational intelligence technologies to a variety of real-world problems.”

Representing UESTC at the signing ceremony, Professor Xiong Caidong, Vice President, said: “Ireland’s higher education has rich experience in innovative talent training, integration of industry and education, and transformation of scientific and technological achievements. UESTC will focus on promoting the cooperation with DIT at this new starting point.”

Professor Bing Wu, Head of International Partnering and Engagement at DIT, said the agreement is the result of an already fruitful partnership. “Collaboration between DIT and UESTC dates back to 2007 when a joint doctoral education programme was launched in Computer Science. Discussions regarding NEST commenced in 2017 and were kindly supported in China by Education in Ireland and the Irish Embassy in Beijing. DIT is thrilled to be embarking on this unique enterprise and look forward to working closely with our colleagues in UESTC on a diverse range of impactful research and educational programmes.”