02 April, 2025

As MTU’s representative on the national Our Rural Futures HEI Network, the Hincks’ Dr Helen McGuirk hosted delegates  from the Department of Rural and Community Development, UCC, University of Galway and Northern Ireland’s Department responsible for rural development.  Other members of the Network joined on line from DRCD, ATU, UCD and SETU. 

Thanks to Dr Breda Kenny, Head of the School of Business for her welcome address and to Mr Gerard O’Donovan, Head of Faculty and the President’s representative at the meeting. Gerard’s overview of MTU’s links and impact across the region led to a discussion on the important role University’s play in rural and community development.  

Following a presentation by Helen on the opportunities and challenges of an ageing population for the rural community, the group discussed the OECD research on Ireland’s rural development, the Department’s new strategy and their support for six Masters bursary (2025-2027).

More information on the Network can be found at the following links:

index.cfm/page/our-rural-future

Department of Rural and Community Development.

Recent calls may be of interest: 

https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/91ba52-clar/#clar-2025 

Dr. Helen McGuirk

Head, Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence,

School of Business.