DkITcements linkswithFintech
DUNDALK Institute of Technology (DkIT) has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the industry led regional cluster initiative, The Fintech Corridor (formerly known as the M1 Payments Corridor).
Supported by InterTradeIreland, The Fintech Corridor, assists SMEs in the financial and technology sectors between Belfast and Dublin to boost economic growth.
The MOU with DkIT provides a strategic framework for greater collaboration with The Fintech Corridor in the areas of workforce training, graduate talent pathway development, joint sponsorship initiatives and research & innovation projects.
Over the course of three years, both parties have agreed to explore bespoke training opportunities for membership of the cluster such as Vesta, PayPal, State Street, Aphix Software, Yapstone, Coca- Cola International Services and AWS, that will support retention and nurturing of talent.
The MOU also outlines an intention to explore creating more defined career pathway opportunities for DkIT graduates within the Fintech Corridor cluster membership companies including formal mechanisms to engage with future graduates via student projects, on-campus visits and guest lectures and the potential to develop graduate programmes for DkIT graduates.
DkIT President, Michael Mulvey, PhD, said, ‘We are delighted to formalise our partnership with The Fintech Corridor initiative today which demonstrates our commitment to uncover new opportunities for innovation and collaboration within the financial technology sector. We firmly believe that this alliance will help generate new development possibilities for both DkIT and the member organisations of The Fintech Corridor. Ireland is fast becoming a global hub for Fintech and the Dublin-Belfast corridor has a strong reputation for expertise in this area. It is therefore vital that we continue to work closely with our industry partners to develop skilled graduates, unlock training opportunities and seek research collaboration opportunities that can enhance innovation and expertise required to sustain growth in this sector”
Hilary Moran, Programme Manager, The Fintech Corridor stated: ‘ The Dublin to Belfast Corridor’s attractiveness as a place for Fintech companies to do business remains strong. The Fintech Corridor, along with our lead partner InterTradeIreland recognises that access to skilled graduate talent, connectivity with research and opportunities for industry and academic partnerships are vital to continue the expansion of this cluster. We are committed to working with DkIT to explore and support the economic development of our region and seek out new opportunities for growth for our members.’
Peter Rowan, Chairperson of The Fintech Corridor and Executive Vice President International & Global Customer Support at YapStone added,
‘Driving innovation and building capability to support the continued evolution of Fintech through people and technology is a key goal of The Fintech Corridor.’
He said the announcement confirmed thier long-standing engagement with the DkIT and builds on the vision of The Fintech Corridor’s which is to create further opportunities to attract new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the island of Ireland, as well as supporting home-grown established and start-up companies”.
The partnership with The Fintech Corridor initiative is an important component within DkIT’s wider Corporate Partnership Programme with industry and the community, which is led by the Regional Development at DkIT and will roll out over the next three years.
Aidan Browne, Head of Innovation & Business Development at DKIT spearheads the institute’s Corporate Partnership Programme concluded,
‘As a founding member of The Fintech Corridor initiative, DkIT has played a pivotal role in its evolution. This new partnership agreement acknowledges the significant opportunity for collaboration, providing both DkIT and the Fintech Corridor membership with a renewed level of focus which will allow us to strengthen our relationship in line with ambitious plans for growing the Fintech cluster along the M1 Corridor.’
DkIT has a growing portfolio of corporate partnerships including agreements with lead sports technology firm, STATSports, Dundalk’s Creative Spark enterprise hub, Cargotech Ireland, Walls Construction, NDRC and one of Europe’s leading food processors, ABP Food Group.