Global ICT leader Huawei announces research partnership with Trinity

Posted on: 11 December 2017

Huawei, the global ICT leader, today announced a new research partnership with Trinity College Dublin as part of its growing R&D footprint in Ireland.  At an event at Trinity, Guo Ping, Huawei Deputy Chairman & Rotating CEO, also announced the expansion of the company’s Cork R&D operation, which is growing from a small team to nearly 20 highly-skilled staff.

These developments bring Huawei’s R&D investment in Ireland to $21 million  (€17.7 million) in 2017, a significant increase from 2016. As part of his visit to Dublin, the Huawei Rotating CEO, Guo Ping will also have a meeting with Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach, to update him on Huawei’s 13 year presence in Ireland. Huawei now employs over 160 people in Dublin, Athlone and Cork across its business and R&D operations, of which 75% are locally recruited.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD welcomed the announcement saying: “Huawei’s continued investment in Ireland illustrates the innovative technology ecosystem we have developed, with more and more major international tech firms basing and growing their operations here.  The company’s new research partnership with Trinity and its expanding R&D footprint across its Dublin, Cork and Athlone operations are a strong endorsement of Ireland’s tech credentials and illustrates Huawei’s ongoing commitment to its Irish operations. Bilateral trade between Ireland and China is now worth over €12 billion each year, and by strengthening our links with companies like Huawei we can increase this further in the years ahead.”

Huawei and Trinity College

The new research cooperation with Trinity College will focus on Video Intelligence and how the emerging area of artificial intelligence will impact society, and will be supported by the Huawei R&D team in Dublin.

The Trinity event, which was attended by Huawei’s business partners, members of the Oireachtas, academics and Huawei staff, also marked the return of 10 Irish undergraduate students, studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, from Huawei’s “Seeds for the Future” programme, where students receive a four-week programme of cultural, business and technical training in China. To date 30 Irish STEM students have now participated and benefited from the programme since its inception in 2015.

Mr Martin D. Shanahan, The CEO of IDA Ireland, who addressed guests at the reception in Trinity College to mark the announcement, said: “I am delighted to be here today to support this new landmark research partnership between Huawei and Trinity into the emerging digital areas of video and artificial intelligence. We welcome the news of Huawei’s increasing R&D activity in Ireland.  Creating a world-class ecosystem for scientific research is a key part of Irish Government policy and over recent years Ireland put in place a range of measures to improve the environment in this area. Today’s announcement by Huawei, a global leader in this sector, is extremely positive and I look forward to working with Huawei as its investment in Ireland grows.”

Dr Patrick Prendergast, Provost of Trinity College Dublin, said: “I am extremely pleased to announce this joint research collaboration with Huawei. As a research intensive university, Trinity is a key driver of research and innovation collaborations with industry. Our world class academics and researchers are collaborating with Huawei in this critical digital area. Our advances in technology and artificial intelligence are set to revolutionise the world we live in, and our joint efforts with Huawei in this innovative space will endeavour to strive for new breakthroughs in a rapidly emerging area that is to have a far-reaching impact on society into the future. ”

Guo Ping, Huawei Deputy Chairman & Rotating CEO, travelling to Dublin to make the announcement, said: “The Trinity partnership, as part of our growing R&D commitment, highlights our long-term dedication to investment and opportunities in Ireland. We are continuing to tap into Ireland’s growing clusters of video, artificial intelligence, cloud, telecoms and technology businesses, nurturing future talent and providing additional new opportunities for highly-skilled professionals.”

Huawei’s partners in Ireland include many significant indigenous and international companies like eir, Vodafone, SIRO and Three.  Huawei also has significant academic linkages with third-level institutions and a vibrant Huawei Ireland Graduate Recruitment Programme focused on developing the skills needed to support Irish economic development.  The company has been operating in the Irish market since May 2004 and its activities in Ireland include research into business innovation, network services, cloud and customer experience, as well as ICT transformation dedicated to service provider operation.