Allergan launches new Innovation Award with GMIT

Allergan and Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) are pleased to announce a new Allergan Innovation Award to support postgraduate research in the Life Sciences.

Allergan’s inaugural Innovation Awards programme marks the Company’s 40th Anniversary in Ireland. Announcing the collaboration from Allergan’s Westport plant Paul Coffey, Vice President and Plant General Manager, said: “We are pleased to build on our longstanding relationship with communities here in Ireland and in particular Westport, providing educational support to universities and colleges around the country. We hope that this Innovation Award will inspire more students who wish to establish themselves within the field of Life Sciences.”

The Allergan Innovation Award at GMIT will focus on design for eyecare medical devices, pharmaceutical interactions in dementia/Alzheimer sufferers, or absorption of orally administered drugs.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Rick Officer, GMIT Vice President for Research & Innovation, congratulated Allergan on 40 years of phenomenal growth in Ireland, saying: “GMIT’s collaboration with Allergan will enable research that addresses social and industrial needs, whilst providing great opportunities for emerging Life Scientists. These outcomes are central to GMIT’s ambition to develop career-ready graduates equipped to deliver research excellence and impact”.

The Allergan Innovation Award at GMIT provides: a student stipend for two years; a travel & consumables budget; a waiver of postgraduate registration fees; and, valuable experience in teaching support, tutorial, and/or demonstrating duties. Graduates seeking a Level 9 Masters qualification in Life Sciences research can find further details at: www.gmit.ie/research/research-vacancies.