The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee recently
visited NIACE, the Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Research
facility on Airport Rd, Belfast. The centre was officially opened in January, and is an
industry led, university-hosted technology hub for the research and development of
advanced engineering and materials technologies, catering for a range of industrial
sectors. By industries and universities working together under the one roof, a range of
important benefits, such as helping Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector grow its
capabilities, can be created. The ETI Committee has recently launched a report into
Developing the Northern Ireland Economy Through Innovation, Research and Development
and the visit was an opportunity for Members to tour the new centre and to meet
with the universities as well as some of the companies who have already signed up to
conduct collaborative research in NIACE.
Pictured is ETI Committee Chairperson Alban Maginness MLA, and Dr Scott King,
General Manager, NIACE with Members of the ETI Committee and representatives
from NIACE participating companies and university partners
