Thomas Jefferson University Announces Global Center in Ireland

The Jefferson All Island Ireland Center Will Enhance Current Relationships in both Northern and the Republic of Ireland, Expanding Research and Learning Opportunities

PHILADELPHIA, February 27, 2020—Thomas Jefferson University has announced today the formal designation of Ireland as a Global Center. Richard Derman, MD, Jefferson’s Associate Provost for Global Affairs, will serve as the center’s director.

The Jefferson All Island Ireland Center will create opportunities for study, research, hands-on learning and cultural engagement. The Center joins Jefferson’s Japan and Israel Centers, as well as emerging centers India, Italy and focused activities in the continents of Latin America and Africa. The Centers provide administrative support and serve as the coordinating body across the Jefferson enterprise for university activities in the region.

“We’ve enjoyed deep partnerships throughout Ireland with institutions and individuals who share our vision of re-imagining health, education and discovery,” said Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, President of Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health. “This center gives us the opportunity to link our partnerships and build global innovation.”

While peer-to-peer activities have existed for many years between Thomas Jefferson University faculty and academic and research leaders in Greater Ireland, it was the formalization of the agreement between the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) in Dublin and the Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing (JIB) in the Philadelphia area that brought a renewed focus to formalizing the relationship.

“As Jefferson’s connection with Ireland evolves, and its scope of work increases, JIB and its partners will have a great impact on the ability to expand the fields of biologics and gene therapy,” said Dr. Derman. “These are two critical components for addressing the challenges inherent in providing sophisticated personalized medicine.”

Other university activities in Ireland includes the exploration for the possibility for joint programming in Architecture, Rehabilitation Sciences, Integrative Medicine and Maternal Child Health, as well as the development of an online degree granting program in Population Health. Additionally, through the Good Friday Agreement, a joint project between researchers in Ireland and Jefferson has received NIH Funding.

“Today’s students must learn in a global educational ecosystem to prepare them for the future of work and professions,” said Mark L. Tykocinski, MD, Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at Jefferson, and The Anthony F. and Gertrude M. DePalma Dean of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College. “The Jefferson Greater Ireland Center further reinforces our commitment to providing this critical experience.”

About Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University is a leader in interdisciplinary, professional education. Jefferson, home of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, is a preeminent university delivering high-impact education in 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to 8,100 students in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion and textiles, health, science and social science. The new Jefferson is re-defining the higher education value proposition with an approach that is collaborative and active; increasingly global; integrated with industry; focused on research across disciplines to foster innovation and discovery; and technology-enhanced. Student-athletes compete as the Jefferson Rams in the NCAA Division II Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.

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