Over seventy alumni attended a UCC networking breakfast in Kerry Global Technology Innovation Centre in Naas, Co. Kildare, on Wednesday 22 January.
Prof Thia Hennessy, Dean of CUBS, shared the stage with two CUBS alumni: Edmond Scanlon, CEO of Kerry Group (BComm 1996), and Brian Mehigan, CSO of Kerry Group (BComm 1983). Other speakers included Jim Corbett, Director of the Food Institute, and Simon Boucher, CEO of the Irish Management Institute.
They discussed the history of partnership between Kerry Group and UCC, dating back to the 1990s and the Food Industry Partnership Board. Since then, there has been extensive cooperation between the two institutions, from funding and research to work placements and graduate programmes.
Prof Hennessy also spoke about the new business school building in the city centre, and the need to position sustainability, diversity and industry engagement at the core of CUBS’ future.
Also present to meet alumni were Prof Eleanor Doyle, CUBS Vice-Dean for Internationalisation and External Engagement; Dr Karen McCarthy, Research Coordinator at the Food Institute; Barrie O’Connell of the CUBS External Advisory Board; Brian O’Mahony, Client Relationship Manager at the IMI; and Rose Phelan, Orla O’Callaghan and Eimear Ryan from Alumni & Development.