Representatives from Ulster University welcomed Nicholas Greenwood from the Government of Alberta, and Jaspreet Grewal, Director and Co-Chair of the Canada UK Chamber of Commerce and BioAlberta, and CEO of biotech research organisation AxialBridge, for a two-day visit to its Derry~Londonderry and Belfast campuses.
A Canadian delegation previously came to Belfast in April 2024, and this visit allowed for more in-depth exploration of life and health sciences opportunities, discussion around potential trade and partnership opportunities and the practicalities of the Windsor Framework. During the delegation’s time in Derry~Londonderry, representatives from Derry and Strabane District Council were also able to find out about specific opportunities for the North West arising from City and Growth Deals.
Professor Victor Gault, Associate Dean Research and Innovation-Life and Health Sciences at Ulster University, said:
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Nick Greenwood, Trade, Investment, and Office Coordinator for the Government of Alberta, to our Derry~Londonderry and Belfast campuses. Our longstanding and meaningful partnership with AxialBridge continues to thrive, and we are delighted to reengage with Jaspreet Grewal in her capacity as Board Director and Co-Chair of the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce and BioAlberta.
“We are proud to showcase our current capabilities and share our vision for the future, highlighting our transformative growth projects. These include the School of Medicine, the Centre for Food and Drug Discovery, and the Centre for Digital Healthcare Technologies, which will be delivered from investments through City and Growth Deals and the Inclusive Futures Fund.
“Ulster University is enthusiastic about collaborating with Canadian BioTech, MedTech, and Pharmaceutical companies to further contribute to the economic development of the region. Events like this enable us to increase the capacity for clinical trials and attract companies into Northern Ireland. We note thanks to The Executive Office, Department of Business and Trade, and HIRANI for coordinating this event.”
Jaspreet Grewal, Director and Co-Chair, Canada UK Chamber of Commerce and BioAlberta, and CEO of AxialBridge, commented:
“The purpose of this visit by the Government of Alberta is to support AxialBridge's increased activities in Northern Ireland, in particular with Ulster University, and to learn more about the country's life science, tech, and innovation ecosystems. We would also be delighted to identify future areas of collaboration and partnership.
“In September 2023, AxialBridge and BioAlberta solidified a significant partnership with the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) to launch their Virtual Office programme – their first international office in Canada. Through this partnership, we aim to achieve impactful and bilateral collaborative initiatives in the life sciences between Canada and the United Kingdom. As such, we are delighted to explore partnership opportunities within the health and life sciences in Northern Ireland and beyond.”
Nicholas Greenwood, Trade, Investment and Office Coordinator, Government of Alberta, added:
“It’s a great pleasure to be invited to Northern Ireland for the first time and to meet so many different experts from across the region. The main focus of the trip is Life Sciences but I’m also keen to explore the opportunities across the thriving tech and energy sector as well as understanding the investment funding and local structural framework. It’s clear that there are plenty of opportunities for collaboration between Alberta and Northern Ireland.”
The delegation continued their visit at Ulster University’s Belfast campus on 25 March, and later met with representatives from InvestNI, Belfast City Council and Queen’s University, Belfast.