
The Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science (CRT), funded by Science Foundation Ireland and Skillnet Ireland and supported and facilitated by Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, is a pioneering large-scale collaborative initiative between the University of Limerick, University College Dublin, and Maynooth University. The Centre combines the expertise of world-class academics, international collaborators and industry partners, to equip researchers with advanced training in data science, fostering innovation and addressing real-world challenges through cutting-edge research.
Recently (16th January 2025), Dave Feenan, Network Director at Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, was honoured with an award for ‘Exceptional Contribution and Dedication’ to the CRT initiative at their winter symposium event. This prestigious recognition highlights Dave’s invaluable efforts in fostering partnerships, advancing the programme’s objectives, and supporting the next generation of data science leaders. As one of the key partner agencies supporting CRT, we are proud of this acknowledgment, which underscores our shared commitment to nurturing talent and promoting collaboration in data science.
We spoke to Dave about receiving the award, as well as the wider CRT initiative.
Congratulations on receiving the award for Exceptional Contribution and Dedication to the SFI Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science (CRT). What does this recognition mean to you personally, as well as to Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet as an organisation?
It was an honour to accept this award, not as the named individual but on behalf of the Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet team who have contributed significantly to the 2019 vision to create the SFI Centre for Research Training in the Foundations of Data Science. The CRT is fueling a national talent pipeline of one hundred and twenty eight PhD candidates, nineteen of whom have already graduated with another one hundred and nine coming on stream between now and 2027.
This is a global exemplar of how Irish state agencies, academia and industry collaborate together through a co-funded Triple Helix model to keep Ireland competitive. For us, it is initiatives like this that motivate us to push the boundaries of the possible. The future is bright.
For the uninitiated, can you share some insights into the CRT initiative and what it is all about?
The CRT is a €21.5m large-scale seven year collaborative initiative between the University of Limerick, University College Dublin, and Maynooth University, co-funded by Science Foundation Ireland, Skillnet Ireland, 16 industry partners, and facilitated by Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet. The CRT combines the expertise of world-class academics, international collaborators and industry partners, to create a centre of excellence in PhD training which will ultimately deliver 128 industry-ready PhD candidates into the workforce.
What inspired Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet to get involved in this groundbreaking initiative?
As a Skillnet Business Network, there is an onus on us to innovate, to push the boundaries of learning, which is the challenge we embraced as data science underpins key sectors of Ireland’s economy and society, and its impact is continuously growing. Generating real innovation from varied data sources requires a deep understanding of the mathematical and statistical principles underlying data science.
Training individuals to merely apply existing methodologies will not be sufficient to meet Ireland’s future data and talent pipeline needs. Instead, experts are required whose understanding is sufficiently robust that they can adapt to exploit future data sources. These experts must be equipped with the core knowledge necessary to create bespoke methodological innovations.
It is initiatives like this that attract foreign direct investment, keeps Ireland competitive, helps indigenous companies scale and aligns with our own core beliefs that learning has the capacity to be transformative. We want a skilled workforce in Ireland, to be able to enrich the lives of individuals, organisations, communities, and the future world of work.
How is Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet contributing towards the goals of the CRT?
The original ideation for the CRT had the foresight to engage industry partners from the offset. The Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, as the largest and leading cross-sectoral industry network driving the existing and emergent skills in the digital and technology arena, recognised a unique opportunity to become part of a level 10/PhD talent pipeline. Beyond administrative support, we provide regular industry insights, attend board meetings and support the CRT directors in the execution of their strategy.
With data science playing such a pivotal role in shaping industries, what do you believe are the most critical skills or areas of focus for professionals looking to excel in this field?
To realise its vision, the CRT will train a cohort of PhD students with a world-class foundational understanding of the horizontal themes of Applied Mathematics, Statistics and Machine Learning. These fundamental themes will be fused together by applying them to real-world challenges in vertical themes including Data Analytics, Privacy & Security, Smart Manufacturing, Networks, and Health & Wellbeing, which are key priority areas for Ireland’s growth.
Looking to the future, what impact do you hope the CRT will have on the broader technology and data science ecosystem in Ireland and beyond?
The original vision was to fuse and blend the fundamentals of applied mathematics, statistics and machine learning with application areas of national importance to deliver an adaptable workforce with the critical skills needed for truly innovative and disruptive data science. We are delighted to say that not only does this vision still hold, but we are delivering on it. Recognised as an exemplar for PhD training, this multi-faceted Triple Helix consortium of industry, academia and state agencies is a repeatable model which should be funded for the foreseeable future.
Looking at impact at a granular level, one needs to refer to that facts that 44% of the PhD candidates are female, that over 500 global applications are processed each year on average, and that the industry partners participate in over one thousand training days for their own employees by joining the PhD students for specific masterclasses and tutorials in a shared learning environment.
We are genuinely very proud and grateful that the Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet continues to play a part in futureproofing the talent pipeline in Ireland.