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Irish - African Partnership is helping change lives - Empey

29 September 2010

Irish and African higher education institutions have a crucial role to play in addressing global issues such as poverty and hunger.

That was the message from Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, as he addressed the fifth and final conference of the Irish-African Partnership for Research Capacity Building.

The event marks the conclusion of a unique collaboration between the higher education sectors in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and those in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda.  Its aim has been to address the global issues of food shortages and poverty by building capacity in developmental research, health, education and technology. Senior academics and researchers from across Africa and both parts of Ireland gathered at the event to discuss how they can continue to work together to meet these aims.

Praising the work of the partnership the Minister said: “The success of the Irish-African Partnership and the work of Universities Ireland shows the real worth of collaboration among the higher education sector, both at home and further afield. Indeed, for the first time, all nine Higher Education Institutions on the island of Ireland have worked together and it is fitting that such cooperation is taking place on a project whose aims could not be more fundamental or far-reaching - the eradication of poverty and hunger.”

Sir Reg also highlighted the important work being carried out by his Department since 2008 in supporting the Education Partnerships for Africa programme in association with the Africa Unit established by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. In acknowledging their work, he said: "The work of the Irish-African Partnership and the Africa Unit  provides an excellent example of what can be achieved by focusing on achieving mutually beneficial goals, pooling resources, utilising expertise and identifying a sound basis for developing collaborative opportunities.

“The impact of such global challenges is not limited to individual countries and, as a result, they are simply too big for any one country to tackle alone. This is precisely why initiatives such as this are so important.  It is only through international collaboration that we can achieve a successful outcome.”

In addition to hearing from delegates representing all nations in the partnership the conference will be addressed by Dr Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights.

Notes to editors:

  1. The Irish-African Partnership for Research capacity Building (IAP) is a three year pilot project (2008-2010) bringing together all nine universities on the island of Ireland and universities in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda in a unique, high-level partnership to develop a coordinated approach to research capacity building in order to make an effective contribution to the reduction of poverty.
  2. The programme is supported by Irish Aid and Higher Education and Research Institutes for €1.5m and is administered by Universities Ireland in association with the Centre for Cross Border Studies.
  3. The Education Partnerships for Africa (EPA) is managed by the Africa Unit in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS).  Northern Ireland has been participating in the programme since 2008 and has provided total funding of £129,500 for 2 projects under EPA between NI and African Institutions.
  4. Media queries should be directed to Communications Branch, Department for Employment and Learning, Tel: 028 9025 7492.  Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.