Stanford President Stresses Importance of Innovation during Innovation Academy Visit

Posted on: 28 April 2011

The President of Stanford University, Dr John L. Hennessy, took time out during a recent visit to the TCD-UCD Innovation Alliance to deliver a public lecture on ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship: An educational opportunity’.    Dr Hennessy was appointed as the Alliance’s first international advisor in May 2010 and was visiting Dublin to attend an Innovation Alliance external advisory board meeting. 

In the course of the lecture, Dr Hennessy drew on personal experience of building companies through successful entrepreneurship and highlighted his role in developing a technology called ‘Reduced Instruction Set Computer’ (RISC), that has revolutionised the computer industry by increasing performance and reducing costs.  The public lecture formed only part of a busy schedule for Dr Hennessy which also included a public interview with journalist Karlin Lillington of the Irish Times, focussing on the topic of the challenges facing universities in today’s society, and a workshop with TCD students of the Innovation Academy.

President of Stanford University, Dr John L. Hennessy addresses TCD students of the Innovation Academy.

Speaking before the workshop, Innovation Academy Course Co-Director, Professor Paul Coughlan said: “Today marks the beginning of a new relationship between Stanford and the Innovation Academy.  This workshop presents us, both students and staff, with an opportunity to share with Dr Hennessy the cross-institutional, multidisciplinary programme in innovation and entrepreneurship which is available to PhD students at Trinity and UCD.”  During the workshop students showcased a multimedia presentation of their ‘Innovation Project’ and aired three ‘Researcher Video Pitches’ featuring students in diverse disciplines who highlighted innovation within their specific fields of study.  Dr Hennessy encouraged students to work in teams and think big.  He stressed four key points about innovation: “Be fearless; learn business basics; recognise discontinuities and aim to change the world.”

Dr Hennessy has played a key role in the development of Silicon Valley and is one of the great leaders in education and research.   He has won numerous awards including a lifetime achievement award in computer science and engineering.  He sits on the boards of several major ICT companies including Google which originated in Stanford, and has lectured and published widely.  He is considered one of the great modern day leaders in education and research.