Posted 26 September 2014
University College Dublin and University of California, Davis Sign Agreement of Co-operation
Institutions hold joint inaugural symposium on food and health
University College Dublin (UCD) and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) have signed an agreement of co-operation to further develop education, research, innovation and cultural links between the two institutions.
The signing took place at an event held last night (24 September) at the Irish Embassy in Washington DC.
Professor Andrew J. Deeks, President, University College Dublin said, “Researchers and academics at our institutions have been sharing ideas and working together for some time, but this agreement shows a real commitment on both sides to collaborate even further towards common goals. It heralds a new stage of cooperation between our two universities; a stage which promises to be exciting and exhilarating for all.”
“Agreements of this nature do not exist in isolation. They are part of the wider programme of partnerships between the US and Europe including the EU-US Science Technology Agreement and the US-Ireland R&D Partnership which enable our countries to achieve more together.”
University of California, Davis Chancellor Linda P. B. Katehi said, “This new agreement stands as a truly significant development, not just for our two institutions but also for education and research in food and health worldwide. By creating a more formal collaborative relationship, we are building on current collaborations and leveraging the expertise and effort of two of the finest universities in the world.”
The agreement builds on established links between both institutions, particularly in the areas of agriculture, food and health, in which both lead internationally.
University of California, Davis is ranked number one in the world in Agriculture and Forestry in the QS World University Rankings (2014). University College Dublin is the number one university globally on citations per paper in the areas of agricultural science and food science and technology, based on Thomson Reuters InCitesTM, 2009-2013 data among institutions publishing at scale.
Pictured at the official signing ceremony in the Irish Embassy, Washington DC (l-R): Professor Orla Feely, Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, University College Dublin, and Dr Paul Dodd, Associate Vice-Chancellor for Interdisciplinary Research and Strategic Initiatives, University of California, Davis
Professor Orla Feely, Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, University College Dublin said, “Today’s agreement builds on strong collaborations between University College Dublin and University of California, Davis in areas including agriculture and food and health which are important to our economies and societies. This agreement will see the exchange of staff, students, ideas and knowledge in these areas the results of which will have impact on the Irish, US and indeed the global economy and society.”
Dr Paul Dodd, Associate Vice-Chancellor for Interdisciplinary Research and Strategic Initiatives, University of California, Davis said, “Some of the world’s most challenging scientific problems can only be addressed by taking an interdisciplinary, and often multi-institutional team-science approach. Bringing together the brightest minds from the two universities will enable the discovery of new insights, exemplified by today’s launch seminar linking experts in agriculture, food, nutrition and health studies together. Through partnership we can accelerate each institutions research mission and serve as a shining example of international scientific collaboration.”
Institutions hold joint inaugural symposium on food and health
Prior to the signing of this agreement the UCD Institute of Food and Health and the UC Davis Foods for Health Institute held the inaugural John E. Kinsella Memorial Symposium at the Embassy.
During the symposium Dr Catherine Woteki delivered the inaugural John E. Kinsella Memorial Lecture. Dr Woteki, Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is a leading internationally renowned figure in the area of nutrition, food safety, and health research and policy, who has applied her knowledge and expertise across academia, industry and government.
Speaking after the event Dr Woteki said, “It was a privilege to give the first lecture named in honour of my friend and colleague, John Kinsella. Woteki added, “John would be thrilled to see the advancements we’ve made in food and agriculture research, and thanks to his great work, his legacy will continue to shape trends in agriculture.”
This symposium, which in future will be held in either Dublin or California, has been established by the UCD Institute of Food and Health and the UC Davis Foods for Health Institute to strengthen and broaden the already well established strategic links between both institutions in the area of food and health.
Professor Dolores O’Riordan, Director, UCD Institute of Food and Health said, “The symposium highlights the excellent synergies between the research programmes of both universities, particularly in the area of milk research. This coupled with the strong innovation led ethos of both research teams, ensures that our scientific discoveries will translate into positive impacts for industry and society. This is particularly timely in light of Ireland’s ambitious plans for expansion of its dairy industry by 2020.”
Professor Bruce German, Director, UC Davis Foods for Health Institute said, “The challenges facing agriculture, food and health are substantial and will require that the world's great institutions step forward and address them together, as bold, innovative collaborations. UC Davis and UCD are stepping forward and we are very excited by the possibilities that such an inspiring relationship will bring to this challenge.”
The symposium included a series of presentations by leading researchers from both universities discussing current and emerging advances and technologies in the area of dairy research.
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
