JERSEY CITY, N.J. | Governor Phil Murphy, alongside Choose New Jersey President & CEO Wesley Mathews, celebrated the signing of three Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) on April 25 between New Jersey academic and real estate entities with top Irish tech universities and a prominent startup accelerator. The MOUs aim to create mutually beneficial opportunities and forge collaboration in innovative projects that foster entrepreneurship, business development, career development, and international education.

New Jersey City University (NJCU) was the only four-year New Jersey higher educational institution as part of these historical discussions and partnerships, as leaders from NJCU’s School of Business and Guarini Institute for International Education and Economic Mobility joined the delegation of Governor Murphy and Choose New Jersey’s Mathews on a trip which will continue to expand NJCU’s international footprint.

“A consistent effort of my administration has been helping New Jersey institutions in identifying and partnering with entities that can help grow New Jersey’s economy and create good-paying jobs,” said Governor Murphy. “The partnerships solidified today are an example of the fruits of those efforts. The MOUs signed today will further propel New Jersey’s path toward economic progress as we welcome new partnerships, opportunities, and perspectives to our state. Today’s announcement will facilitate international collaborations that will spur economic growth and build a vibrant technology ecosystem rooted in New Jersey’s legacy of innovation.”

NJCU & Choose New Jersey Ireland Trip Apr 25, 9 51 13 AM
The MOUs were signed in Ireland on April 25, 2022.

“New Jersey is a global technology hub,” Wesley Mathews, President and CEO of Choose New Jersey added. “The MOUs signed today demonstrate that international institutions recognize what we already know – that the state’s unique combination of top-tier universities, talent, infrastructure, and ideal location make us extremely appealing to global institutions. Choose New Jersey is proud to facilitate these partnerships and assist more Irish companies as they consider growth opportunities in New Jersey.”

The first MOU was signed between NJCU and Atlantic Technological University (ATU). Most notably, the agreement calls for connecting companies participating in the ATU incubator programs and companies aligned with NJCU’s School of Business and the Guarini Institute for International Education and Economic Mobility, with the ecosystem in New Jersey and the west and northwest of Ireland respectively. Both schools will facilitate student trips to the other’s campuses to complement career development opportunities and engage in faculty exchanges and connections. Furthermore, the MOU will provide access to working space at the NJCU School of Business innovation center for ATU entrepreneurs to explore expansion into the U.S. market.

“This agreement with Atlantic Technological University will benefit our respective communities by leveraging the considerable talent and abilities of our faculty, staff, and students,” said Dr. Bernard McSherry, Founding Dean of the NJCU School of Business. “Working together, we will foster economic development, and the good jobs that accompany it, in both New Jersey and Ireland”

“I can’t wait to see the results of this partnership,” said Dr. Orla Flynn, President of ATU. “The arrangement signed today with NJCU will open doors of collaboration and opportunity for both partners and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with NJCU.”

The second MOU signed is between NJCU and Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC) with each signee agreeing to connect companies associated with each to the other’s ecosystem for the purpose of business development and knowledge-sharing. NJCU will provide access to workspace for startups associated with GEC as a soft-landing to test the U.S. market. In turn, GEC will offer experiential learning opportunities and invite NJCU faculty and students to visit the GEC and learn more about the Irish tech ecosystem.

“NJCU is committed to increasing the economic mobility of our students by championing initiatives that foster innovative career opportunities with international entities,” said Dr. Adrian Franco, Executive Director of the Guarini Institute for International Education and Economic Mobility. “We look forward to connecting our students and faculty with the GEC and facilitating interactions between this world-renowned incubator and the business ecosystem in New Jersey.”

Eamonn Sayers, Centre Manager of GEC added, “This partnership will be a huge asset to our member companies and the wider Irish startup ecosystem who now have access to the major tech hub on the East Coast of the United States. The relationship with NJCU will mean access to workspace as well as key introductions to capital firms and business development opportunities.”

The Ireland and New Jersey MOUs agreements mark the second historic trip NJCU’s School of Business and Guarini Institute have embarked on this academic year. In November 2021, NJCU was part of a Choose New Jersey delegation to Israel which resulted in a MOU between NJCU and the Port of Ashdod that will advance innovation, economic development and international education, and draw upon NJCU’s expertise in Supply Chain, Logistics and Maritime Port Management.

Source: NJCU