8 May 2001

ENTREPRENEUR CENTRE AT CUTTING EDGE OF ECONOMY - FARREN

"The Northern Ireland Centre for Entrepreneurship (NICENT) will be at the cutting edge of modern economic development," the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, Dr Sean Farren said today, as he launched this new initiative.

The new Centre is a joint venture between the University of Ulster and the Queen’s University of Belfast. It will work to increase the culture of enterprise in both universities’ high-ranking research departments.

Continuing his address, Minister Farren said: "The new centre will work to promote innovation and enterprise, develop intellectual property rights and establish an interface between business and academia. With the advantage of its province wide campus access, NICENT is in a unique position to act as a major asset to the business and industrial community of Northern Ireland. It will add another dimension to our economic strategy that operates across a broad front.

"NICENT is evidence of what collaboration, co-operation and long-term planning between government, industry and third level education can achieve. It is precisely the sort of long term initiative that will allow us to compete and win in the global marketplace."

Professor Terri Scott, Head of the NICENT, said: "Starting their own business is not a common career option for young people in Northern Ireland. Too few graduates are engaged in going into business for themselves. NICENT will be working to change that attitude.

"Our vision is to create a new desire for entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland and to encourage young graduates to avail of the innovative research work being undertaken in the campuses of the province’s universities. This, we see, as pointing the way ahead for a more dynamic and self-sufficient society in Northern Ireland.

"As part of our further efforts to promote business as a career option, this autumn we will be setting up an Entrepreneurs Forum to give fledging start-up companies the support and encouragement that they need", Professor Scott added.

She pointed out that the University of Ulster in partnership with the Queen’s University was committed to ensuring that a culture of entrepreneurship becomes deeply embedded throughout the university community.

Entrepreneurship training will be integrated into programmes of study and support will be available for potential entrepreneurs in science and technology. Other initiatives will include establishing national and international networks drawing on best practice examples, engaging with other stakeholders in all sectors and recognising and rewarding achievement.

While the initial thrust of this initiative will be on science, engineering and technology, both partners are committed to extending their influence into creative industries and the performing arts.

NICENT has been made possible by the Science Enterprise Challenge, funded through the office of science and technology at the Department of Trade and Industry. Since 1999, this scheme has allocated some £28.9 million through the University Challenge competition across the UK.

It also received £900,000 from the Office of Science and Technology at the DTI and was granted an additional £300,000 from the Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU) for a total funding of £1.2 million.

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