New collaboration at UCC
UCC said on Monday that it had signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) which will see both parties collaborate on a range of financial services and technology initiatives.
Over a five-year period, this will include a host of activities like an internship programme for UCC students to gain experience at BPFI, cooperation in the design of executive education programmes, joint seminars and the dissemination of knowledge and research on critical industry issues such as open banking and sustainable finance and other special projects such as financial inclusion.
Both UCC and BPCI hope to share knowledge, stimulate discussion and provide thought leadership at a time of huge change within the banking industry.
At the signing at UCC this week was Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath. He said: “I warmly welcome the collaboration being announced between UCC and the BPFI on a range of initiatives in the sphere of financial services and technology.
“UCC has been a leader in the financial services area for some time, and this Memorandum of Understanding will help it to provide further significant opportunities for students and also to provide leading edge research in a sector where change is rapid and constant.”
Minister McGrath added: “I believe both UCC and the BPFI will benefit from this strengthening of the working relationship and I look forward to seeing the fruits of this innovative partnership in the years ahead.”
UCC President, Professor John O’Halloran said the signing of the MoU between UCC and the BPFI highlights the international recognition of UCC as being at forefront of international teaching and research in finance and FinTech. He added that “this is a great example of the way UCC has distinguished itself from other international universities by working closely with leaders of industry, such as the BPFI, to both provide opportunities for our students and gain additional research insights, to remain at the forefront globally.”
Also speaking at the event was Brian Hayes, Chief Executive, BPFI. He said that “BPFI is delighted to be here today to sign this MoU which will see us collaborating with UCC on a number of exciting initiatives.
“At a time when the financial services sector is going through unprecedented change, especially with new technologies emerging, our partnership with UCC is most timely.
“We look forward to being able to bring the benefit of UCC’s extensive knowledge and research in financial services to our members, supporting them as they meet the challenges that this technological era presents,” concluded Mr Hayes.