Write a commentHundreds of school students from throughout the Newry, Mourne and Down District took part in a 'Day of Ambition' as part of last weeks inaugural Innovation Nation 2018 conference in the city supported by Catalyst Inc.
Local businesses participating included STATSports, Humain, Kainos, Norbrook Laboratories, Queens University Belfast, First Derivatives, B-Secur and Ulster University.
The students took part in workshops, met with local entrepreneurs and got to interact with virtual reality headsets, driving simulators, robotic equipment, sports performance monitoring devices and a DeLorean car, amongst a host of other technology.
Mark Murin, Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, said: “The Day of Ambition at Innovation Nation is a landmark event in the calendar of this district’s economy and has proved a resounding success. The school children here today have now got a taste of the brilliant things which are going on in the companies and universities on their doorstep and further afield.
“They have been inspired by their products, their systems and their ingenuity and I know many of them will now have a career path already mapped out. A huge thankyou to the companies involved who have put so much effort into the day.
“They have been an inspiration, not just to the students who attended, but to the whole of Northern Ireland.”
Liam Hannaway, Chief Executive of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said: “This district has a rich technology ecosystem and a culture of innovation which is second to none. A demonstration of that was on show today at Day of Ambition and I know that these fantastic organisations have inspired a generation.”
As well as Newry Mourne and Down District Council, the Innovation Nation and the Day of Ambition was sponsored by First Derivatives plc, Norbrook Laboratories, KPMG, STATSports and Invest Northern Ireland.
Innovation Nation 2018 was held in Newry Town Hall and The Sean Hollywood Arts Centre. More info at nmdinnovationnation.com/
Follow Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for more information on how the council is inspiring innovation and technology: @nmdcouncil / #innovationnation18.
