Griffith College Research Hub played a prominent role in the HECA (Higher Education Colleges Association) Research Conference finishing 2025 on a strong note as they contribute to sector-wide discussions on artificial intelligence in education. The conference, hosted at Dublin Business School, brought together leaders from Ireland’s independent and private higher education institutions to explore the theme “Thriving in the Digital Age: AI, Education and Wellbeing for a Resilient Ireland.”
Contributing to Policy and Practice Discussions
The Research Hub’s involvement was particularly noteworthy in the Research Conference Panel, where representatives joined national policy leaders, sector governance officials, institutional research managers, and industry partners to address critical questions facing higher education. Among them are the call for long-term research identity development across the sector, the need for sector-wide collaboration and knowledge-sharing mechanisms, and the bounds for meaningful engagement with artificial intelligence, digitalization, and wellbeing themes whilst ensuring that learners are constantly involved in the conversation.
Drawing on experience from EU-funded projects like AI4VET4AI, the Research Hub shared insights on how institutions can effectively integrate AI literacy training into curricula, develop industry partnerships, and create collaborative research opportunities that benefit both learners and business communities. The experience gained from AI4VET4AI on implementing AI literacy training programs, developing industry partnerships, and creating certification pathways that enhance graduate employability provided valuable models for other institutions.
As Dr. Marcella Finnerty, HECA Chair, noted in her opening address, the continued development of research capacity across independent and private higher education depends on shared commitment to supporting both staff and student researchers. The Griffith College Research Hub’s approach of combining EU project participation, industry engagement, and student research opportunities proves to offer a replicable framework for institutions seeking to strengthen their research cultures.
The conference opened with a thought-provoking keynote from Dr. Tom Farrelly of Munster Technological University, titled “Beyond the Algorithm: Redefining Research in the Age of Generative AI.” His exploration of how generative artificial intelligence is reshaping research, and academic practice provided a powerful framework for the day’s conversations, examining the rapid growth of AI while emphasizing the need to protect human creativity, judgement, and critical thinking in an age of automation.
Student Research Excellence: From Training to Real-World Impact
Two Griffith College MSc Procurement & Supply Chain Management alumni, Joshua Onunwor and Norma Sanchez Morales, exemplified the tangible outcomes of the Research Hub’s industry partnership model by presenting research conducted in collaboration with a live case, DigiFood NPD, an agri-food technology startup.
Joshua Onunwor examined IoT (Internet of Things) adoption for food traceability in Irish agri-food SMEs, identifying how root barriers such as knowledge gaps and financial constraints influence digital transformation across the sector. His research provides actionable insights for small and medium enterprises navigating the complexities of Industry 4.0 technologies.
Norma Sanchez Morales explored the adoption of blockchain for traceability within DigiFood NPD, assessing the organization’s readiness and identifying opportunities in compliance, transparency, and market differentiation. Her work demonstrates how emerging technologies can address critical challenges in food safety and supply chain visibility.
