07 October, 2022

As MTU’s representative on the Government’s Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) HEI Rural Future Network, the Hincks Centre’s Dr Helen McGuirk attended the first in-person meeting at UCC today.

The national gathering of representatives from all higher education institutes was hosted by Dr Mary O’Shaughnessy, Head of UCC’s Department of Food Business and Development and Chaired by Dr Andrew Forde, Principal Officer / Head of DRCD’s Rural Strategy & Social Enterprise Unit.

Before the meeting addressed items on the agenda, the President of UCC Prof. John O’Halloran welcomed the network to Cork and highlighted the University’s strong links with the region and with MTU, and the importance of supporting the rural economy, environment and the arts.

Discussions continued with insights into the diverse range of related research, access to education and training in rural and peripheral areas and plans to grow the network.

For more information on the Network, visit the Network page on our website index.cfm/page/our-rural-future.