Nadhim Zahawi Attends QUB Cybersecurity Event

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi, has visited Queen's University to celebrate Northern Ireland's "exceptionally strong cybersecurity sector".

The Chancellor met with the University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Greer and Professor Máire O'Neill, Director of the Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT).

He joined a roundtable discussion with senior representatives from the University and the new Global Innovation Institute, as well as taking part in a tour of the innovative Cyber Range and Anechoic Chamber.

Vice-Chancellor of Queen's, Professor Ian Greer, commented: "Over the last decade, Queen's University has helped to put Northern Ireland on the map for digital innovation.

"The cybersecurity sector in Northern Ireland continues to grow from strength to strength and the University has ambitious plans for the future. We are on course to open our Global Innovation Institute in 2025 as part of the Belfast Region City Deal. This will be an expansion of ECIT and is a huge opportunity for the people of Northern Ireland and all of our industry partners.

"Through cutting-edge research, experts at Queen's are continuing to develop solutions to real world problems on our doorstop, which has a positive impact right across the globe."

Professor Máire O'Neill said: "At Queen's, we are committed to delivering technological and societal advancement.

"The expansion of ECIT through the new £58 million Global Innovation Institute will see more than 550 multi-disciplinary experts on site, building on our core expertise across cyber security, advanced wireless technologies, data science/analytics.

"The University's growth plans will ensure that there is a pipeline of talent here in Northern Ireland. We are future-proofing the skills of the workforce as well as promoting knowledge sharing and strong research and development partnerships between academia and industry."