13th December 2011
The Netwell Centre at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) has been selected to join a worldwide group of centres of excellence into ageing research.

The Centre is one of only three Irish locations to be selected to join the Global Ageing Research Network, along with Aois agus Eolas (Tallaght Hospital and Trinity College Dublin) and the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology (NUIG)

“This is fantastic news for Ireland and in particular for the Netwell Centre, and all who are involved in our wider living Lab,” said Centre Director Rodd Bond.

“As an Institute of Technology we are very proud to achieve this global recognition and it is a further endorsement of DkIT’s progressive approach. Participation within this global network will strengthen our impact regionally, nationally and internationally.”

The Global Ageing Research Network is supported by the World Health Organisation and the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, and has picked 500 worldwide locations from an initial application of 1200.

An international panel of experts selected the locations, and membership of this network means that the Netwell Centre will be cemented at the cutting edge of research into ageing well internationally.

The Netwell Centre and CASALA, its sister technology and ageing centre are committed to enhancing longer living in smarter places.

This is done through more integrated community-oriented services, more sustainable home and neighbourhood design, and more age-friendly technologies.

Their knowledge, insight and experience have enabled them to be highly influential in the development of collaborative stakeholder engagements including the Great Northern Haven smart apartment complex and the foundation of Ireland’s Age Friendly County Initiative.

The Louth Age Friendly programme was recently highlighted by the World Health Organisation’s head of ageing John Beard as a leading example for the world to follow.

Part-funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies, Netwell’s research and development activities involve an array of disciplines including the social and behavioural sciences, health and medical sciences, computer science, architecture, engineering, design, marketing and business administration.