The Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD met with the president of Harvard University yesterday as she visited Ireland.
Dr Drew Faust is an eminent historian and the first female Harvard president.
The main focus of discussion at the meeting between the Taoiseach and Dr Faust was the central role of higher education and research in driving economic growth and innovation and, in particular, how the potential offered by Ireland’s strengths in the humanities, social sciences and creative disciplines can be harnessed to stimulate economic recovery and address complex social and policy problems.
“Irish Government remains committed to supporting research in the higher-education sector and Dr Faust and I discussed how this sector can make an important contribution to economic recovery,” the Taoiseach said.
“I strongly support the valuable collaboration programmes linking US and Irish universities. I hope that this visit by Dr Faust will further strengthen the linkages between Harvard and Ireland to the mutual benefit of both our countries.”
