Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) was proud to host the Health & Life Science Cluster Tour on Tuesday, 14th October, as part of the TCI Global Conference 2025. Organised in partnership with the Connected Health & Wellbeing (CHW) Cluster, the event brought over 40 international delegates to DkIT’s Netwell CASALA Research Centre to explore how collaboration, innovation, and cross-border partnerships are driving growth across the HealthTech, MedTech, Pharma, and Life Science sectors on the island of Ireland.
The event formed a key component of the TCI Global Conference, held in Dublin on the 15th and 16th of October, which brought together global cluster practitioners, policymakers, and researchers. The DkIT cluster tour provided delegates with a unique opportunity to engage directly with Ireland’s regional cluster ecosystem and experience the collaborative research and innovation environment that underpins the Connected Health & Wellbeing Cluster.
Following a welcome address from DkIT President Dr. Diarmuid O’Callaghan, delegates heard presentations from leaders representing Enterprise Ireland, the Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology in Belfast, and several national and regional cluster organisations — including HIRANI, MedLink Galway, MET Technology Gateway, and the Connected Health & Wellbeing Cluster. Speakers shared insights into how clusters act as powerful platforms for innovation, enabling partnerships between SMEs, researchers, and industry to accelerate technology adoption and market growth.
An engaging panel discussion featuring Robert Kelly (Heart Rhythm International), Tim Jones (SymPhysis Medical), Antony Murphy (Causeway Sensors), and Jason McLaughlin (TPS Manufacturing) explored how collaborative clusters are advancing healthcare technologies, supporting workforce transformation, and unlocking new opportunities for internationalisation and funding.
Delegates also participated in interactive breakout sessions led by the four cluster representatives, tackling topics such as new metrics for measuring cluster impact, building collaborative business models, and driving cross-sector convergence through research and development. The sessions fostered dynamic discussion on how all-island partnerships can address shared challenges, from digital transformation to sustainability and patient-centred innovation.
The event concluded with a plenary discussion on future collaboration and next steps, reinforcing the importance of connected ecosystems in shaping Ireland’s leadership in health innovation.
DkIT’s involvement in hosting this event reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting cluster development, cross-border collaboration, and the growth of the Connected Health & Wellbeing sector. Through initiatives such as the Connected Health & Wellbeing Cluster and dConnect, DkIT continues to play a central role in driving innovation that improves health outcomes and strengthens the regional economy.
