The University of Maryland has entered into a formal partnership agreement with University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, establishing a wide range of collaborative educational and research activities.
The new partnership was formalized during a visit to Cork on August
30 by a delegation from Maryland, led by Maryland Secretary of State
John McDonough and University of Maryland Vice President and Chief
Research Officer Dr. Patrick O'Shea, a UCC Physics graduate. The
Memorandum of Understanding between UCC and the University of Maryland
was signed by Patrick O'Shea and UCC President, Dr. Michael Murphy. The partnership agreement will provide for student and staff exchange and research collaboration in areas that include Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Physics, Engineering, Energy, Marine and Environmental Sciences, and Business, blending economic development initiatives with education and research priorities. As the agreement also provides for an exchange of students in the area of Sport, the delegation visited the Mardyke Arena where they were treated to a demonstration of hockey and soccer by UCC students and were also invited to test their hurling skills by UCC's Development Officer, John Grainger.
"I'm proud of my association with these two fine universities, both of which have their roots in the mid nineteenth century," says O'Shea. "This new agreement provides for a transatlantic cooperation that will meet the many challenges of the twenty-first century."
"I am delighted to announce this formal expression of collaboration between UCC and the University of Maryland. We look forward to developing significant links in key areas which will bring benefits, not only to the universities themselves, but to the Cork region and the State of Maryland," says Murphy.
O'Shea and McDonough were also in Cork for the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at Cork's Imperial Hotel to mark a visit to the city 167 years ago by one of the most iconic figures in American history.
Frederick Douglass, a Marylander who inspired the abolitionist movement in the U.S., as well as Britain and Ireland, made a visit to Cork in 1845 where he made numerous speeches on his experiences, his fight for freedom, and his eventual escape from the bonds of slavery.
One of the most spirited addresses by Douglass, who was a dazzling orator, was made in the Imperial Hotel before an audience of civic dignitaries, political leaders, and business people, including the founder of this newspaper, John Francis Maguire.
His words helped galvanize a campaign on both sides of the Atlantic to end slavery. His speeches and writings are still a source of inspiration to many - including President Barack Obama.
The visit to UCC and to the Imperial Hotel for the unveiling of the Frederick Douglass plaque was part of a three-day visit to Cork by the Maryland delegation, which was co-hosted by UCC, Cork County Council, and Cork City Council.
For more information see the University of Maryland.
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