The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), in collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) R&D Software Engineering Centre and the Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI), proudly welcomed a delegation of 65 students and staff members from 13 esteemed Portuguese Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This visit, which took place at the end of June, provided a platform for teams of award-winning innovative students to showcase their work from the Link Me Up project, an initiative they had been working on for several months. Each presenting team represented the winners of a highly competitive competition within their respective universities.

During their visit to the region, the Portuguese delegation had the privilege of engaging with renowned teams and gaining invaluable insights into the groundbreaking and innovative work being carried out at TUS, JLR and FMCI. The atmosphere of collaboration and knowledge sharing was tangible, highlighting the unwavering commitment of these organisations to foster research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the students' visit, Dr Wassim Derguech, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of FMCI, stated, "We were delighted to work with TUS on this opportunity. The group of students showcased a strong interest in engineering, innovation, and the future of mobility. Their enthusiasm presents promising opportunities for establishing closer collaborations with higher education institutions in Portugal. Moreover, it provides a platform for exploring the potential of attracting talented individuals from Portugal to our region and exploring opportunities for companies based in the region to expand operations into Portugal.”

Dr Fiona Gilchrist from Jaguar Land Rover added, "We were delighted to host the winners of the Link Me Up project at our state-of-the-art facilities in Shannon. Their passion and dedication towards their work were truly inspiring. Collaborative initiatives like this foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, which is vital for driving progress in our industry. The students and staff had an opportunity to learn about our graduate program, R&D domains, including V2X and Electric Vehicle test platform and to explore opportunities with our employees here in Shannon. We look forward to exploring future opportunities together."

The Link Me Up - 1000 Ideas project aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship by providing training to young students and entrepreneurs, with a focus on improving employment quality and facilitating the creation of innovative companies. By strengthening cooperation between Portuguese Polytechnics and the business environment, the project fosters the generation of innovative ideas and new enterprises, positioning them as key drivers of qualified entrepreneurship and co-creation of innovation. TUS were delighted to support the project as International Partner as part of their work as a European University with RUN-EU. 

Gillian Barry, Head of Innovation & Enterprise at the Technological University of the Shannon, highlighted the importance of the Link Me Up project, stating, "This project is a significant step in fostering the entrepreneurial spirit. By promoting idea creation and facilitating innovation through multidisciplinary teams of young students and entrepreneurs, we empower individuals to tackle current and future societal challenges." During the delegation's three-day visit, they had the opportunity to present their work, receive feedback from experts, and participate in a full-day Design Sprint focused on micro-mobility innovation which was led by the team at TUS in collaboration with The Forge Design Factory. The visit also included exploring tourist sites in the region, further enhancing the experience.

The visit of the Portuguese delegation HEIs to TUS, FMCI, and JLR serves as a testament to the importance of international collaboration and knowledge exchange in driving innovation and entrepreneurship forward. This experience has undoubtedly enriched the participating students' educational journey and will leave a lasting impact on their future careers.

Throughout their visit, the Portuguese delegation had the privilege of meeting industry experts, experiencing cutting-edge technologies, and gaining insights into significant innovative work happening in these renowned organisations. Engaging in problem-solving and solution-oriented discussions, the group explored the future of mobility, engineering, and innovation, creating exceptional opportunities for both the students and the company’s seeking talent in the region.

The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has played a crucial role in fostering international collaboration and supporting the Link Me Up Project. Dr. Susana Rodrigues from IP Leiria, a Portuguese Polytechnic, and a partner with TUS on RUN-EU expressed her gratitude, stating, "We are incredibly grateful to TUS for their support of the Link Me Up Project. Their commitment to facilitating talks and workshops on innovation and entrepreneurship has been invaluable in assisting the winners and providing international exposure to their work. TUS has demonstrated exceptional dedication to promoting research, innovation, and entrepreneurship among students and entrepreneurs, and we were grateful to have been able to visit TUS with our winners from across Portugal." 

About the Link Me acknowledged the inspiration gained by the students from the support received from JLR and FMCI during their visit. The staff also expressed their gratitude for the insights into the Chamber Skillnets opportunities for Irish workers and the value that initiative brings to developing skills in Ireland.

The visit to TUS, FMCI, and JLR has left an indelible mark on the Portuguese delegation, providing them with invaluable experiences, knowledge, and networking opportunities. The Link Me Up Project, together with the support of TUS, FMCI, and JLR, continues to pave the way for the development of future innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who will shape the landscape of technology and mobility.

The Link Me Up Project - 1000 Ideas is a Portuguese initiative that seeks to promote entrepreneurship among young students and entrepreneurs through the co-creation of innovation and the development of business plans. The project aims to support 400 business ideas and plans and 600 innovation co-creation projects, enhancing employment opportunities and driving the creation of innovative companies.

About RUN-EU:
Established in 2020 under the European Universities Alliance and funded by ERASMUS and the HEA, RUN-EU is a transnational alliance of higher education institutions working together to create a regional development-oriented European University that embodies the values of sustainability, multiculturalism, and inclusiveness in all its work. It also promotes European values and identity, as well as revolutionising the quality and competitiveness of European higher education.
RUN-EU is an alliance of nine like-minded higher institutions drawn from across Europe with strong focus on regional development. Overall, RUN-EU comprises of a student population of more than 100,000 students, 11,000 staff and more than 100 research institutes, centres and groups.
Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) is the new coordinator for RUN-EU (Regional University Network-European University), making it the first Irish university appointed as lead of a European University. President of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane, is the first ever Irish president of a European University, as RUN-EU begins it next phase with funding of €14.4 million approved for four more years and two new partners joining the alliance.