Destination Dublin: Mathematician fosters Canadian connections in Ireland

University of Alberta Professor Vakhtang Putkaradze receives the James M. Flaherty Visiting Professorship.

Katie Willis - 12 February 2019

For Vakhtang Putkaradze, a 12-week stint in Dublin, Ireland is a dream come true. But beyond the unparalleled opportunity for travel, tourism, and culture with his family, the University of Alberta mathematician hopes to establish strong, enduring connections with Irish scholars and industry partners.

Putkaradze, Centennial Professor in the University of Alberta'sDepartment of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, is travelling to Ireland as part of the James M. Flaherty Visiting Professorship, established by the Ireland Canada University Foundation.

"I'd like to establish some contacts and relationships with Irish scientists and industry, in my role as the scientific director of the Pacific Institute for Mathematical Sciences (PIMS)," he said. "PIMS is interested in establishing contacts for student exchanges, hosting Irish professor and graduate students here in Canada, as well as sending Canadian scientists to Ireland." Exchanges of this nature help advance the entire field of mathematics, which adds up to good news globally.

For the next three months, Putkaradze will be one of two Canadian academics based at the Technical University Dublin (TU Dublin). Later this year, two Irish academics will visit Canadian institutions for a similar purpose. "It is an incredible opportunity," said Putkaradze of receiving the fellowship. "I am very grateful. There is such rich culture in Ireland, the literature, the history. It is unbelievable. Two thousand years of history at our fingertips."

Dublin is a hub for academia and technology, home to Trinity College, University College Dublin, and TU Dublin, as well as headquarters for technology giants such as Google and Amazon.

"International collaborations such as these are very valuable," said Matthias Ruth, vice-president (research) at UAlberta. "On behalf of the University of Alberta's research community, I congratulate Vakhtang on this honour, and wish him all the best for his visit to the Technical University Dublin."

Putkaradze is the first scholar from UAlberta's Faculty of Science to receive the James M. Flaherty Visiting Professorship.