Write a commentSouthern Regional College’s Engineering Innovation & Technology Specialist James Donnelly was recently awarded with a ‘Project Exemplar’ award for his contribution to a FUSION project with O’Reilly Concrete. James was presented with his award at a ceremony in the Ballymascanlon House Hotel.
The FUSION programme, funded through InterTrade Ireland involves a three-way partnership between a company with a development need, a graduate who can deliver the solution and an academic who can offer additional expertise to support the project. This collaboration involved O’Reilly Concrete, Graduate, Guruprasad Bhat and James Donnelly as academic support.
The objective of the project was to design and develop innovative modular style precast concrete structures for the construction of domestic homes. The precast house developed can be erected in a number of days offering developers, building contractors, architects and local authorities a viable, cost effective, structural solution.
InterTrade Ireland through the ‘Project Exemplar’ award recognised the success of the project and benefits accrued for the three partners involved. Project Exemplars are judged to be the best Fusion projects in terms of high level innovation and overall contribution the companies make to the economy, North and South.
The FUSION programme supports strategic development and innovation within companies where there is a technology/product development focus, by helping to fund a high calibre graduate as well as enabling them to tap into the expertise available in third level institutions. The programme has a cross border focus whereby the company and academic institution must reside on either side of the Irish border.
If you are interested in finding out more about the FUSION programme contact a member of the Business Support & Innovation Team on 028 3839 7778 or alternatively email betterbusiness@src.ac.uk
