RESEARCH contracts at University College Cork this year will total £13 million, making it the State's highest earning third level institution for research.
The UCC president, Dr Michael Mortell, said yesterday the college earned £55 million in research contracts over the past five years, mainly from the EU and private industry. All UCC faculties were involved in research.
He said on campus research directly sustained 300 jobs in a college that had grown by 50 per cent this decade. With 10,250 students enrolled and 1,500 people on the payroll, UCC was the State's second largest university.
UCC fund raising for educational research and capital developments had now passed £10 million, Dr Mortell continued. Last week, Dr Michael Smurfit laid the foundation stone for a £14 million building which would house various departments from the commerce and arts faculties.
The building has been funded by the EU (£5 million), the Department of Education (£4 million), and the private sector (£5 million), including a £1 million contribution from Dr Smurfit.
Funding of £13.4 million for a business school and language centre is also at an advanced stage, and the college also plans to develop an indoor sports centre costing £7 million.
"The impact of all this activity is transmitted through the quality of our graduates, through the interaction of our staff with business and industry, and the cultural heritage of our country.
"It is a vital part of the intellectual infrastructure of this nation. It is a powerful incentive towards inward investment to Ireland, especially when other countries in Europe are experiencing a deficit of appropriately qualified people," said Dr Mortell.