6 March 2017
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Gina London, Conference MC, pictured at the inaugural Cork University Business School (CUBS) Conference, titled ‘Shaping Ireland’s Future’, which took place in Cork Opera House on March 6th. Ireland’s largest student led, student-focused conference featured leading international experts from the spheres of finance, business, technology and politics.
Almost 900 delegates attended the inaugural Cork University Business School (CUBS) Conference which featured leading international experts from the spheres of finance, business, technology and politics in Cork Opera House today.
The day-long event, ‘Shaping Ireland’s Future’ was Ireland’s largest student-led, student-focused conference. It was organised by students in Cork University Business School’s Accounting and Finance Society, Business Information Systems Society, Commerce Society, and Entrepreneurial and Social Society at UCC.
Effective since January 2015, CUBS at University College Cork is one of the largest business schools in Ireland; and is already home to the highest number of full-time undergraduate students in any business school in Ireland; the second highest number of full-time postgraduate students; and the highest level of research income. Planning permission was granted last week for CUBS to turn the iconic former Cork Savings Bank building on Lapp’s Quay, which it acquired in 2016 with an investment of €5m, into its executive education facility in an area rapidly becoming Cork City’s hub of business activity.
New UCC President Patrick O’Shea
Opening the conference, newly appointed President of UCC, Professor Patrick O’Shea said: “What really appeals to me about this conference is the level of ambition that has been displayed by the student organisers and the focus that has been put on competing internationally and entrepreneurship. The ambition the students of CUBS have is matched by the university, and I’m delighted to announce publicly that over the next few years UCC will build a state of the art Business School building in the city which will be one of the largest academic buildings in the country.”
He continued “CUBS is an engine for growth for the region and is committed to enhancing the knowledge and practice of business and today’s announcement should convince you of UCC’s commitment to business education and to our support for the ambitions of CUBS to increase the numbers of undergraduate, and in particular the number of postgraduate, business students.”
Echoing Professor O’Shea’s opening remarks, Professor Ciaran Murphy, Dean of Cork University Business School said: “We are privileged that so many outstanding and talented individuals have chosen CUBS as their place of study and education. This conference is another example of the abilities and professionalism of our student body. At CUBS we want to produce graduates who will be thinkers, shapers, designers and developers of the future – individuals who have a bearing on shaping Ireland’s future.”
Over the course of the day, delegates heard keynote speeches from Graham Healy, managing director in Accenture’s Health & Public Service practice (EALA); Eugene O’Callaghan, Director of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund; and award-winning creator of Cocoa Brown, Marissa Carter.
Panel discussions addressing issues impacting the Global Financial Markets, working in finance and how to make it to the top; entrepreneurship and developing products while satisfying customers and stakeholders; and shaping and creating the economic environment, featured Willie Slattery, CEO, International, DST Financial Services at DST International Holdings Ltd. and Chairman of International Financial Data Services; Jim Norris, Managing Director of Vanguard International; Joe Guinan, Founder of Advantage Futures, Chicago; Brian Phelan, CEO, Glanbia Nutritionals; Colm Lyon, Founder and CEO of Realex Payments and Fire Financial Services; and Chris Kennedy, CTO and founder of Trustev.
Younger entrepreneurs making waves in their respective fields also featured in the panel discussions including Richard Barrett and Ross O’Dwyer, Co-founders of sports media platform, Pundit Arena; 18 year old Leaving Cert student Harry McCann, Founder of Kid Tech/ Digital Youth Council; and 18 year old Conor O’Flaherty, Founder and CEO of Pursue, an influencer management agency that works with video platforms delivering bespoke experiences and opportunities for influencers and brands alike.