Leading in Fundamental Scientific Research

Interview: Prof. Dr. Christian Leumann, Rector, University of Bern

How do you assess Swiss education?

Switzerland is known for its quality, and academia is no exception. Most Swiss universities are ranked within the top 1% globally. Switzerland’s education system has several advantages, including the dual education system, which allows the population to pursue different successful career paths. In higher education, global academia rankings show that the University of Bern excels in scientific contributions, even if few entities know our work.

What are some notable accomplishments?

Within the Swiss educational landscape, the University of Bern differentiates itself from other universities focusing on applied sciences. At the University of Bern, we are building the foundation of basic science that within 15 years, will become the next generation of innovative applied science projects.

We have collaborated with the United Nations regarding climate science and one of our core focus areas is in sustainable development. We have worked together with the UN to create some of the Sustainable Development Goals and help the organization with its agenda.

We are number three in Switzerland when it comes to attracting projects and financing from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF). We have solid links with Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, which are increasingly investing in finding new solutions for societal challenges and driving innovation-led sustainable growth. We also have powerful connections and collaborations with the USA.

What are some USA based collaborations?

The space science program is one example. The first scientific experiment for the Apollo 11 mission 50 years ago was from the University of Bern. Since then, we have participated in most NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) satellite operations. What is more, within our campus, we have a Center for Space and Habitability (CSH), which fosters dialogue across various scientific disciplines and nonscientific stakeholders on the implications of finding life elsewhere in the universe.

Other collaborations include the recent agreement with the USA Department of Energy’s Fermilab in Chicago, to collaborate on neutrino experiments to be carried out at the laboratory. We will be researching advanced neutrino detectors in various experiments. Other examples are our collaborations with the USA based National Science Foundation (NSF) or with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), that support basic research in the biomedical field.

Closing the innovation gap

Viewpoint: Marco Huwiler, Country Managing Director, Accenture Switzerland When the world economy catches a cold, Switzerland sneezes. Following weak global growth, Switzerland is feeling the sniffles, with stagnant GDP and a collapse in profitability in recent years. But there is wisdom in the old saying “starve a fever, feed a cold”. Companies with the courage…
Dublin’s Silicon Docks

The nickname alludes to Silicon Valley, and was embraced to illustrate the concentration of European headquarters of high-tech companies Dublin’s docklands were historically a symbol of industrial decline, but today is home to many multinationals including: Google, Accenture, Microsoft, PayPal, eBay, Facebook, Intel, Huawei, Etsy, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Ireland’s tech sector consists of nine of the top ten US technology companies, eight of…
Irish Produce Conquers Global Markets

The Irish agri-food sector is diversifying its markets and pioneered the approach to sustainable food production Agri-food is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, employing over 8.4% of the working population, and when employment in marketing, processing and inputs are included, the agri-food sector accounts for nearly 10% of total employment. The sector largely contributes to the…
An Inside Look at Ireland’s Economic Growth

Ireland’s polished business ecosystem caters to foreign direct investment and nurtures innovation. The global footprint of Irish companies has never been greater Walking through the cobblestone streets of Dublin, the juxtaposition of modern buildings wedged between historic Georgian brick offices represents the tidal wave of change foreign direct investment has implemented across the nation. Growth…
The Midlands: Ireland’s Hidden Heartland

Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is the newest Irish tourism brand, exposing the magic of the midlands region. For over a century, Ireland has been on the top of Americans’ travel destinations, but only recently has the midlands been given the recognition it deserves. Often, investment will follow tourism, and Paddy Mahon, Chief Executive of Longford County…
Discover Meath: The Birthplace of Ireland’s Ancient East

Meath County has a colorful history, stemming as the seat of the High King of Ireland, and as such has been colloquially dubbed “The Royal County.” It is home to the UNESCO designated World Heritage Site: Newgrange, an ancient burial site older than the Great Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge. The County’s significance is also…
Cork: Ireland’s Second Largest Economic Driver

On track to be the fastest growing county over the next two decades Overlooking the colorful city with a winding river and emerald rolling hills surrounding the parameter, Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey, was proud to showcase his county. Cork is the largest county in Ireland, and home to the second most…
Manufacturing: Ireland’s Second Largest Employer

With the arrival of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, smart factories and innovative supply chain integration is transforming the manufacturing sector Manufacturing accounts for over 30% of GDP, 122 billion euro in exports, and employs 250,000 people across 4,000 businesses in Ireland. “Manufacturing is not the first thing that comes to people’s minds when they think…
Project Ireland 2040

The Government’s National Planning Framework and National Development Plan Project Ireland 2040 entails a diverse range of investments being made by the State. This governmental 116 billion euro long-term overarching infrastructure strategy aims to counterbalance the continued growth of Dublin with that of other regions. It seeks to develop cities and regional towns as alternatives…
Solving Ireland’s Mobility Challenges

Anyone visiting Ireland will notice a deficit in transport infrastructure services, impacting mobility for residents and tourists. Dublin remains one of the last major European capitals lacking a rail connection between downtown and the main international airport. Also, the interconnectivity and reliability of city trains, trams, and bus networks are lagging. However, there is a…
An Irish Adventure Awaits

Low hangingclouds sweep across a completely still lake. The water reflects a colorful mountain range. With only the sound of a tussle of leaves blowing in the wind, and a breath of fresh country air, you know – this is Ireland. From the warm welcome on arrival, Irish taxi drivers are well-known for being excellent…
Dublin: A Melting Pot

Ireland’s first Japanese restaurant celebrates Dublin’s vibrant demographics Derek and Graham Ryan, Group Founder and Director of award-winning, Yamamori Group restaurants and bars, have firsthand witnessed the evolution of Dublin becoming a global melting pot. With nearly 25 years since the original restaurant’s opening, the Group now delivers unique culinary adventures across three thriving restaurants…
Interview: Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive, Sligo County Council

Sligo Witnessing Unprecedented Investment Ireland’s new hub for innovation? Sligo is not only a stunning location for tourism, but also a highly practical destination for business, with attractive incentives, high levels of infrastructure, and the ambition to become a ‘smart city.’ What is Sligo’s track record for attracting multinationals? Sligo has an established track record of…
Interview: Seamus Neely, Chief Executive, Donegal County Council

Donegal’s FinTech Hub Develops Letterkenny designated Regional Growth Center in the National Planning Framework How do you assess Donegal’s economy? Donegal’s economy is performing strongly, and employment is on the rise. The county has a thriving fin-tech hub, and a significant FDI track record. 75% of investors are continuously growing their operations and Donegal’s indigenous…
Ireland’s Regions Seek Investment

Interview: John Mulholland Chief Executive Laois County Council What is your economic forecast for County Laois? County Laois has benefited from nearly 700 million euro in public national infrastructure projects over the past two decades. These projects connected Laois’ central location to Ireland’s west and east coasts. The county benefitted from its strategic location in…
Interview: Dr. Pat Gallagher, Chief Executive, Westmeath County Council

Westmeath: In the Heart of Ireland How do you assess Westmeath’s economy? Westmeath’s two biggest towns, Athlone and Mullingar, have their own distinct economies that have developed backed by the regions central location, developed motorway network, excellent utilities, and highly educated workforce. Mullingar is one hour from Dublin by car, train or bus and has…
Interview: Joan Martin, Chief Executive, Louth County Council

Louth County: The Land of Legends Although Louth may be Ireland’s smallest county, it has plenty to offer. It is the second most densely populated county in the nation, outside of Dublin. The majority of Louth’s population resides in its two largest towns of Drogheda and Dundalk. Joan Martin, Chief Executive of Louth County Council…
Interview: Moira Murrell, Chief Executive, Kerry County Council

Kerry: A Stunning Place to Work Quality of life, the availability of a skilled workforce, ease of access, fiber-based broadband and government incentives combine to provide a positive business environment How are Ireland’s rural regions developing? There currently is a strong national focus on the development of Ireland’s regions and their improved interconnectivity. Kerry increasingly…
Interview: Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive, South Dublin County Council

How is SDCC preparing to accommodate future FDI? SDCC is home to Grange Castle Business Park, the largest wholly owned local authority FDI site in Ireland. It has become the location of choice for world-class multinationals such as Pfizer, Microsoft, Amazon and Google. It is a world class facility with investments of over 5 billion…
Ireland’s Booming Data Center Scene

New design and build model leads to fastest delivery of a 10 MW data center in Europe By the end of 2019, Dublin is set to outstrip London as the biggest European data center market by take-up of data center space – both colocation hubs and hyper scale self-builds. Within this thriving sector, business success…
Interview: Mark Foley, Group CEO, EirGrid Group

Powering Ireland’s Economic Development What advantages does Ireland offer energy intensive industries? We have a proud history of supporting FDI in Ireland, and the nation remains the premier European country in terms of attractiveness. It started with the pharmaceutical industry, then the tech firms, and more recently the data center industry has arrived. Ireland’s transmission…
Interview: Michael McAteer, Managing Partner, Grant Thornton Ireland

Grant Thornton Ireland: Driving Business with Purpose How do you assess Ireland’s economy? Ireland is a small and open economy that it is heavily affected by global economic events. It is the reason why our economy was severely impacted a few years ago, and is now experiencing such a strong rebound. Brexit is Ireland’s biggest…
At the Forefront of a Low-Carbon Revolution

Ireland is allocating 22 billion euro to transform into a low-carbon economy by 2050. The private sector in turn is doing its part to export its own expertise globally Martin Naughton is one of Ireland’s most prominent industrialists and philanthropists. His efforts in promoting the private sector’s contribution to peace and environmental sustainability led him…
Interview: Nicholas Butcher, Managing Partner, Maples and Calder Dublin, Maples Group

Ireland Set to Become the Largest Common Law Jurisdiction in the EU Post-Brexit There is a strong initiative across the Irish legal sector to promote Ireland as a convenient and appropriate hub for international transactions Maples Group is a leading service provider offering clients a comprehensive range of legal services for the British Virgin Islands,…