An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney TD officially opened the University College Cork Centre for Executive Education at 1 Lapp’s Quay in Cork. The landmark building in the heart of the city will house Cork University Business School (CUBS) and Irish Management Institute (IMI) programmes, bringing together the largest business school in Ireland with the leading, internationally ranked leadership and executive education institute in the country.
Speaking at the opening of the UCC Centre for Executive Education, An Tánaiste Simon Coveney said: “Located in the heart of Cork City, this building represents the ambition and commitment of University College Cork in leading Ireland’s future business and executive education. In bringing together Cork University Business School and IMI, professionals across a wide range of sectors will benefit enormously from the synergies and vision represented by this magnificent building, which has had a long history of banking, and will now continue to enrich people’s lives and our business environment.”
The opening of the UCC Centre for Executive Education is the latest University building to open in a city centre location. Work is also ongoing to identify a home for the business school itself, again in the heart of the city.
“Expanding and immersing our business campus in Cork City is hugely exciting and important for University College Cork. We are delighted to open this Centre for Executive Education as the first phase of our ambitious plans for UCC’s business and leadership education. Always looking to the future, and adapting to market needs, we are providing the best facilities, courses and educators at UCC, through our combined programmes at CUBS and IMI, to ensure a strong pipeline of executive talent at graduate and postgraduate levels,” said UCC President Patrick O’Shea.
“The process of renewal at this former banking building reflects the resurgence of business education in the University in the form of Cork University Business School established in 2015. In combining the research capability of our Cork University Business School with IMI’s market leading executive programmes, the investment in the Lapp’s Quay facility reflects our commitment to ensure the availability of world class business education from undergraduate to leadership level to Cork and the region,” said Professor Ursula Kilkelly, Head of the College of Business and Law, UCC.
The building at 1 Lapp’s Quay is a listed property, which was acquired by University College Cork from Cork City Council in 2016. It has since undergone extensive refurbishment, whilst respecting and preserving the historic significance of the building. A new extension to the rear of the building has provided a knowledge transfer hub space, as well as additional meeting and lecture rooms. The building has been fully equipped with the latest in teaching technology, and is future-proofed to meet technology needs for students in the coming years.
Photos: Clare Keogh
