GMIT launches new Medical and Engineering Technology (MET) Gateway

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) has launched its new Enterprise Ireland-funded Medical and Engineering Technology (MET) Gateway (www.metcentre.ie) at an industry open day held on the GMIT Galway campus this week (Thursday 16 June).

A plaque marking the opening of the MET Gateway was unveiled in the New Foyer of the campus by Dr Ronan MacLoughlin, Aerogen (Chairman of the MET Industry steering committee), Dr Mark Whelan, Manager of The Technology Gateway Programme, Dr Rick Officer, GMIT VP of Research & Innovation and Dr Eugene McCarthy, Principal Investigator and Technology Gateway Manager of MET, GMIT.

GMIT’s new MET Gateway is an interdisciplinary Technology Gateway providing world class solutions for SMEs and large organisations across the MedTech and general manufacturing sectors. The Gateway offers a range of applied technologies relevant to the engineering, design and clinical application phase. By actively engaging with clinical and industry partners, MET produces both knowledge and technology solutions across a range of streams relevant to industry.

This event was addressed by speakers from industry who discussed their experiences collaborating with the MET Gateway. It included an introduction to the technology offerings available within the Enterprise Ireland funded Technology Gateway and to the wider Gateway network (www.technologygateway.ie) to industry. 

Dr Eugene McCarthy, Technology Manager of the MET Gateway, says: “The open day was a great opportunity for companies within the region to learn about GMIT’s new MET Gateway and other Enterprise Ireland Gateways. This industry–focused event featured the Technology Gateways in EI’s Materials & Engineering Gateway Cluster: Applied Polymer Technologies (APT, Athlone), Engineering Material Technologies (SEAM, Waterford), Coating Innovations (CREST, Waterford), Precision Engineering & Manufacturing (PEM, Sligo), and Applied Design (Design+, Carlow). Technical demonstrations from each of these Gateways helped companies to discover how the Gateway network can support their innovation journey.”

“Enterprise Ireland staff explained how innovation funding supports such as the innovation Partnership Scheme and Horizon 2020 can help companies to develop and deliver high impact collaborative R, D & I projects.”

“Presentations by leading innovative companies in the sector such as Michael Gilvarry, Neuravi; Ian Connell, Capsos Medical; Laura Taylor, Adventure Sports; and Ronan MacLoughlin, Aerogen, highlighted the world leading technology solutions provided by MET Gateway researchers for their company,” added Dr McCarthy.

Gearoid Mooney, Divisional Manager, Research & Innovation, Enterprise Ireland, says: “The Technology Gateway Network which consists of 15 Gateways located in 11 Institutes of Technology across Ireland has a proven track record of working with Irish industry of all sizes.  The MET Gateway in GMIT is a very valuable addition to the Network and will deliver near to market innovative solutions to companies in the medical device and engineering sectors not just in the West of Ireland but Nationwide’.”

The event was opened by GMIT’s VP for Research and Innovation, Dr Rick Officer, followed by an introduction to MET Galway, the Materials & Engineering Gateway Cluster, demonstrations, and information on EI’s Innovation Partnership fund.

For further information about the MET Gateway in GMIT, please contact Dr Eugene McCarthy, email: Eugene.mccarthy@gmit.ie or visit  www.metcentre.ie