Irish Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, officially launched the inaugural NW 2025: Shaping Our Digital Futures conference at Atlantic Technological University’s (ATU) Letterkenny campus. The event brought together over 300 participants from education, industry, and government to explore how digital transformation is reshaping the North West cross-border region.
Hosted by ATU on behalf of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC), a strategic alliance of ATU, Ulster University (UU), North West Regional College (NWRC), and Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB), the conference formed part of the North West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (NW DEPTH) project, supported by the PEACEPLUS Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
A Strategic Platform for Innovation and Collaboration
Minister Lawless praised the NWTEC partnership, stating:
“The NWTEC partnership is delivering real impact across the North West, supporting upskilling, reskilling, research, and innovation to meet the evolving needs of employees, employers, and the wider economy. In a world of rapid technological change, the ability to adapt and align education with industry demands is not just valuable, it’s a strategic advantage.”
He added:
“The inaugural NW2025 Shaping Our Digital Futures Conference was a powerful platform to share best practice, showcase innovation, and engage directly with the opportunities and challenges ahead, particularly in areas like AI and cybersecurity.”
Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, also commended the initiative:
“Collaboration like this is key to unlocking the full potential of a digital future, one that delivers the good jobs and inclusive growth.”
Ulster University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Seawright, highlighted the university’s commitment to innovation:
“Ulster University is delighted to be a partner of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster, which has hosted this inaugural conference bringing expert voices together at ATU Letterkenny to explore how digital transformation is reshaping the North West cross-border region. The knowledge shared from this conference will help guide the development of a digitally skilled workforce who are ready to make an impact in a rapidly evolving digital world.”
The conference was opened by ATU President, Dr Orla Flynn, who emphasised the importance of regional collaboration:
“Events like NW2025 demonstrate the strength of partnership across the North West in addressing shared challenges and building a skilled, adaptive workforce.”
Broadcaster Seán O’Rourke chaired the day’s proceedings, which included a keynote from Matt Cooper, CEO of Volta (Nova Scotia, Canada), on exploiting AI to build innovative enterprises. Panel discussions featured experts from Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Canada, covering topics such as digital innovation, ethical AI frameworks, and cybersecurity.
