PwC has signed contracts with two universities as part of a move to develop innovative technology in Northern Ireland.
The digital wing of its fast-growing Operate business, which serves clients with their operational needs, opened the £40m Advanced Research and Engineering Centre (ARC) last summer in its Belfast HQ with support from Invest Northern Ireland. The investment is forecast to create 771 new technology and operational jobs over the next five years.
Through the project, Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University are developing joint research teams, creating an investment for the Universities of £6.7m and an additional 38 roles.
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Ian McConnell, lead partner for PwC Operate, commented:“We’ve spent the last eight months hiring a team that’s now integrated within our Operate Digital division with roles in software engineering and other tech. But it was always our intention to work more closely with the fantastic universities we have here in Northern Ireland to explore their research expertise in growth areas including data analytics, AI and automation.”
Mr.McConnell added: “When we launched the Advanced Research and Engineering Centre last year, we said it was our goal to turn amazing ideas into technology that’ll solve complex business problems into the next decade and beyond. The link up with Queen’s and Ulster universities reinforces our commitment to this investment in jobs and skills, and we’re delighted to forge these links between academia and industry here in Northern Ireland.”
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Invest NI’s support is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014–2020.
George McKinney, Director of Technology and Services, Invest NI, also commented: “It is great to see this next step in its ambitious investment plans, bringing innovation at the Centre to life. This strong industry and academic collaboration showcases PwC’s confidence in the local talent in our universities. It will also enhance Northern Ireland’s reputation as a world leader in technology innovation and important research areas.”
Source: Written from press release.
