Dublin has emerged victorious against other European cities for the coveted title of European City of Science.
As a result, the city will host the Euroscience Open Forum in 2012, which will include a year-long programme of events, culminating in a festival of science.
Dublin will aim to attract 8,000 Irish and international delegates, while engaging 50,000 citizens in an ‘Olympics of European Research’-style event in July 2012.
Siliconrepublic.com reported in July how Science Foundation Ireland director general Frank Gannon outlined Ireland’s bid for the opportunity at the prestigious Euroscience Open Forum in Barcelona.
In the bid, he outlined the momentum of investment in science skills and infrastructure occurring in Ireland at the present time.
The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Jimmy Devins TD, hailed the decision as a recognition of the strides Ireland has made in science in recent years.
“This successful bid will provide a platform to showcase the best of science and research being carried out in Ireland across all disciplines, whether it is led by indigenous or international partners.
“We will be, at that stage, towards the end of our massive National Development Plan (NDP) investment in R&D. As a gateway to the world, we will also be able to draw on an unrivalled network of international experts to help take the Euro Science Open Forum to the next level.
“It is a unique opportunity at home to promote the value of investing in science with true consequences for the daily life of the citizen. It will also showcase modern Dublin to our European and international partners,” Minister Devins said.
By John Kennedy
