ICT has major potential for economic growth in NI

The area of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has a significant potential for economic growth in Northern Ireland, according to Carmel Hanna, Minister for Employment and Learning.

The Minister’s comments were made when she hosted a dinner for over 100 international delegates attending a major conference promoting world class ICT research, at Belfast’s Odyssey Centre on Tuesday April 9.

Speaking to delegates from over 20 countries at the event – entitled 'Software 2002' - Carmel Hanna paid tribute to the organisers of the conference, which was a collaborative effort between Queen’s University, the University of Ulster and the telecommunications company Nortel Networks Ltd.

She said: “My Department is very keen to encourage more research and development partnerships between the universities and the private sector. We also support the tertiary sector in its exploitation of information technology to enhance and improve the quality of teaching and learning, as a mechanism for widening access to education and training as a management tool.

“For example we have supported a range of initiatives in the area of e?business, including substantial funding of university and college Internet connectivity through the Super Janet programme and the UK academic network.

“We are also funding the introduction of Foundation Degree pilot programmes in the ICT field and these are being developed and delivered through partnerships between the universities, further education colleges and employers.”

In her concluding remarks, the Minister also highlighted the contribution made by the Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU) in providing the expertise and funding to develop ICT programmes in Northern Ireland.

Earlier, the Minister welcomed delegates to the Long Gallery in Parliament Buildings, Stormont and accompanied them on a tour of the historic building.

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