Bord Bia and DCU Business School launch new innovation programme

Bord Bia and DCU launch MSc in Insights and Innovation

Marc O'Sullivan

Bord Bia and DCU Business School have today announced a new programme designed to enhance the innovation capabilities within the Irish food, drink and horticultural sector. As part of the Bord Bia Talent Academy, the MSc Insights and Innovation programme will promote consumer-focused innovation and new product development within Ireland’s largest indigenous industry.

Bord Bia’s Organisation & Industry Talent Director, Michael Murphy said:

“Notwithstanding record-breaking exports of €13bn in 2019, the continued growth of the sector hinges on our ability to effectively identify and deploy insight-led strategies in the promotion of Irish food, drink and horticulture. The Talent Academy’s partnership with DCU Business School will allow us to attract and develop world-class talent in the area of innovation and design thinking which are essential to maintain our competitive edge.

The MSc in Insights & Innovation complements our existing suite of programmes which focus on marketing, sustainability and international business and will enable us to expand the industry’s strategic capabilities as we work towards our ambitious growth targets.”

The fully funded scholarship programme will combine academic learning with an industry placement, allowing participants to undertake hands-on innovation projects with leading Irish and international food and drink organisations.

Executive Dean of DCU Business School Professor Anne Sinnott said:

‘We are delighted to have been selected by Bord Bia to lead this world-class innovation programme specifically aimed at enhancing the innovation capability within the food, beverage and horticulture sector. There are few companies where innovation is not right at the top of the corporate agenda and this is even more evident in the food and beverage industries where the threat of Brexit and intense competition make innovation the number one priority.

We are delighted to partner with Bord Bia to cultivate the next generation of talent bringing specific skills in insight-driven innovation to a sector of such national importance and impact’.

Call for Applications

The programme is currently seeking applications from individuals with a passion for innovation and an ambition to develop a career within the Irish food, drink and horticulture industry. Supported by Bord Bia and industry, successful participants will receive a full scholarship and a tax-free bursary of €20,000 per annum.

Individuals interested in applying can find out more information at the here. The closing date for applications is May 15th 2020 and programmes will start in September 2020.

More information on Bord Bia can be found at www.bordbia.ie

About the Bord Bia Talent Academy

Bord Bia’s Talent Academy is a unique partnership between Bord Bia and some of Ireland’s most prestigious universities, with 69 participants currently taking part in four distinct programmes located in 15 markets around the world. The Talent Academy offers early to mid-career participants the opportunity to achieve a Master’s level qualification while gaining Irish and international work experience.

The Talent Academy offers 5 separate programmes: