08 December, 2023

It's been 10 years in the planning…. the Hincks Centre’s 10th Anniversary.

The Hincks team set about planning an event to celebrate this great milestone for any intraprise. Nearly 50 people gathered in-person in MTU’s Council Room and heard from MTU colleagues, an international partner, entrepreneurs, and enterprise associations.

The theme of the event was to showcase the Hincks Centre’s achievements and its commitment to impact on entrepreneurship at MTU, across the region and far beyond.

The audience was inspired by the words of our President Prof Maggie Cusack’s. Thank you to Mr Ronan Murray*, President of Cork Chamber and Partner Corporate Finance EY Ireland, for speaking about the strong links between MTU, Chamber and EY and the importance of research and collaboration.

Mr Gerard O’Donovan gave a great account of the founding of the Hincks Centre followed by Dr Breda Kenny’s presentation on the early days as Head of Hincks (2013-2017) highlighting the contributions Hincks’ continually make to the School of Business and MTU’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Moderated by Hincks’ Dr Niall O’Leary, the audience were treated to a snapshot of the cutting-edge research currently underway by the team. The research conversation, with Fiona Ryan* and Dr Marko Forsell*, discussed their use of a new scientific approach for decision making and idea evaluation. 

A unique, commissioned sculpture by the world-renowned artist Eoin Turner was unveiled by Professor Cusack, Gerard O’Donovan and Dr Breda Kenny. See here for more details.

Photo by Darragh Kane

And at the centre of all we do is the Team. Head of the Hincks Centre, Dr Helen McGuirk spoke about the Team and the impact of Hincks' work. In her closing remarks she linked back to the father of entrepreneurship, Joseph A. Schumpeter saying that 'the Hincks’ activities are like innovation itself… the carrying out of new combinations, new people, working with new groups/partners, expanding our knowledge, combining topics and ideas to explore new ways of supporting and understanding entrepreneurship in all is forms.”

Photo by Darragh Kane

Given the current climate crisis and COP28 meeting this week, Helen posited that “there has never been a more crucial time to engage in research to achieve the UN’s SDGs, explore more sustainable practices and ways of doing business for a just and inclusive economy and society. As the University celebrates its 3rd anniversary soon, Hincks are also proud to contribute strongly to the University’s strategic objectives”.

This contribution over the last 10 years is captured in the Impact Report, also launched at the event. See here for more details.

Thanks to Darragh Kane, photographer, for capturing the energetic and positive atmosphere at the event. Thanks too to the MTU Hospitality company for the excellent catering and to Louise Byrne, Faculty Administrator, for her support.

* click here to read bios for Ronan Murray, Fiona Ryan and Dr Marko Forsell.