13 / 05 / 13 - Cluster PhD Student Laura Tobin: A leading light as the first students from the Innovation Academy receive their awards

Congratulations to Cluster PhD Student Laura Tobin, who on the 30th April was among the first cohort of graduates in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the inter-university Innovation Academy. Laura was presented with her graduation certificate by Minister for Education and Skills, Mr Ruairi Quinn.

Photo: Laura Tobin (PhD candidate, Engineering, UCD) and David Corish (PhD candidate, Physics, TCD) after receiving their Graduate Certificates in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Innovation Academy, pictured with Dr Hugh Brady, President of UCD and Dr Patrick Prendergast, Provost of TCD.

Fifteen doctoral students received their certificates as part of their structured PhD programmes, which offers them taught modules in innovation-related subjects.

There are currently 240 PhD students taking modules through the Innovation Academy, which was set up in 2010 under the TCD UCD Innovation Alliance partnership. In 2011, the Innovation Academy received funding from the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions PRTLI (Cycle 5) to support structured doctoral training. Among the subjects studied are creative thinking and innovation, opportunity recognition, intellectual property, planning and raising finance. The modules are delivered by staff from both universities, with substantial opportunity for the PhD students to engage with a range of external organisations and entrepreneurs.

Well done Laura!