Seeking Industry Partners for Talent Program: Circular Bioeconomy Industry Innovation Sprint

Tralee, County Kerry – A new programme Circular Bioeconomy Industry Innovation Sprint presents an opportunity for industry across the South-West region to engage with Master level students to solve challenges and accelerate solutions to support bioeconomy actions in their business.

The bioeconomy is critical to Ireland’s sustainability path. It encompasses the production and conversion of renewable biological resources such as crops, forests, fish, animals, and micro-organisms and waste stream residues, by-products or municipal solid waste into value added products, such as food, feed, bio-based products and bioenergy. It is one of the largest sectors in Europe and driven by the transition to a low carbon economy will create 1 million extra high-quality jobs by 2030.

Through the delivery of a unique MSc Bioeconomy with Business course, an interdisciplinary team from MTU Kerry, UCD and Teagasc are preparing students for the workforce of the future. Students have gained a critical understanding of the concepts and frameworks of the bioeconomy from technological, environmental, social and business perspectives.

The Circular Bioeconomy Industry Innovation Sprint programme presents a pathway for employers to engage with talented Master level students and explore and progress bioeconomy goals through a challenged based research project over 12 weeks.

Dr. Helena McMahon, Head of Department STEM & Co-Director MSc Bioeconomy with Business at Munster Technological University outlined “Advancing on circular bioeconomy opportunities requires specific bioeconomy knowledge and skills sets which companies frequently do not have in house and can find challenging to identify. The Circular Bioeconomy Innovation Sprints will provide companies with an opportunity to engage with emerging bioeconomy talent and the Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South West to advance on new opportunities and ideas across with openness to the full spectrum of products, process and service innovations.”

Industry will benefit from the programme by understanding new commercial opportunities as they navigate the transition to low carbon pathway, bring a new skillset and fresh-thinking to their organisation and find solutions to ongoing bioeconomy challenges. In addition, industry partners will become members of Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South-West cluster network and have opportunities to participate in future projects.

Interested industry participants can learn more about the criteria and express their interest in participation by filling out a form by May 11th on this webpage https://cbcsw.ie/new-programme-circular-bioeconomy-industry-innovation-sprint/. The Circular Bioeconomy Industry Innovation Sprint is delivered by CircBio Research Group and Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South-West at Munster Technological University. Any queries can be directed to Catriona Power by email to info@cbcsw.ie.

ABOUT

Circular Bioeconomy Research Group

The Circular Bioeconomy Research Group (CIRCBIO) was established in 2019 as a research group within Shannon ABC, recognising the high level of participation in Bioeconomy and Circular Economy research, engagement and education at National and EU level. The CIRCBIO Group are also a member of the SFI Beacon Bioeconomy Research Centre. CIRCBIO brings together a diverse and dynamic research team with multidisciplinary expertise across all areas of the bioeconomy including bioresource modelling, value chain development, bioprocessing and extraction technologies, new product development, business model development and innovation management. The group are active in high impact bioeconomy projects at national and EU level including Biorefinery Glas, INGREEN, Bioswitch, Fanbest. COOPID, Agrobridges and ICT-BIOCHAIN.
Website: https://www.shannonabc.ie/bioeconomy/bioeconomy-research-group/

Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South-West

Launched in January 2021, the Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South-West develops and promotes the circular bioeconomy across the region. The cluster supports businesses with applied innovation, talent and skills development, market research and engagement, funding and network building.
Website: www.cbcsw.ie

Munster Technological University

Munster Technological University is a multi-campus technological university, contributing to the region through the provision of academic programmes that support student development and opportunities, education and research. MTU has an extensive and impressive regional footprint with six campuses across the South-West region in Cork and Kerry, and a student body of 18,000.
Website: www.mtu.ie