Texan academic visits Larne area to research enterprise development
A DISTINGUISHED academic from the University of Texas has visited Larne as part of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship Programme to research the council's approach to local enterprise development.
Professor Lawrence S. Graham is currently a Visiting Fulbright Fellow, School of Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Studies at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Newtownabbey. In the US, he is a Professor Emeritus of Government in the University of Texas at Austin, and currently holds an appointment in the LBJ School of Public Affairs, as an Adjunct Professor in their Global Policy Studies programme.
Larne Borough Council was the only local authority selected outside Belfast by Professor Graham for his research project entitled “Local-Level Governance and Intergovernmental Relations in a Complex Policy Environment: The Case of Northern Ireland."
Professor Graham was interested to research the unique model that that has been developed in Larne with Ledcom managing the council’s economic development programme.
During his visit to Larne he had meetings with council chief executive Geraldine McGahey, Mayor Bobby McKee and Ken Nelson, chief executive of Ledcom.
Professor Graham also attended a meeting of Larne Development Forum during his Larne visit.
He said: “I am most interested in gaining an understanding of how local-level initiatives in economic development are being accomplished under devolution and the multi-levels of governance that have evolved over recent years. I’ve been impressed by the approach taken in Larne and valued the insights I gained from my meetings with council and Ledcom representatives.”
“We welcome the opportunity to engage with leading international academics and to learn from international best practice”, said Geraldine McGahey.
As a result of Professor Graham’s visit, Ken Nelson will be looking at possible linkages with the technology incubator associated with the University of Texas to explore possible innovation opportunities for local companies.
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Weather for Larne
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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Wind direction: North east
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