EU Commission delegation visits SETU in Waterford
Stephanie Gantzer-Houzel, European Commission, Neil McDermott, Higher Education Authority, Professor Veronica Campbell, SETU President, Professor Marie Claire Van Hout, SETU Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact, Enda Hogan, Assistance Director, Southern Regional Assembly, and Elena Panteva, European Commission.
A delegation from the European Commission and representatives of key funding bodies visited SETU (South East Technological University) in Waterford recently to see progress on the TU Rise (Tu Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise) programme.
SETU’s, TU RISE team hosted Kai Stryczynski, Stephanie Gantzer-Houzel and Elena Panteva, from the European Commission, along with Enda Hogan, Assistant Director of the Southern Regional Assembly, and his team. Also in attendance were Neil McDermott from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Cassandra Hinchy from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
SETU President, Professor Veronica Campbell, welcomed the delegation, emphasising the University’s commitment to strengthening research and industry collaboration through the programme. Professor Marie Claire Van Hout, Vice-President of Research, Innovation, and Impact at SETU, opened the presentations by highlighting the strategic role of the TU RISE programme in enhancing the university's research capacity and fostering partnerships with enterprise.
Speaking after the event, Professor Campbell said: "TU RISE funding has facilitated the creation of new opportunities for research and innovation at SETU, ensuring our academic expertise translates into impact for the region."
"This visit allowed us to demonstrate the progress we have made in fostering collaboration between SETU and industry, and we look forward ting to build on this momentum to ultimately transform the south east from a region of socio-economic disadvantage to one of innovation, entrepreneurship, and impact," she said.
Dr James O'Sullivan, Head of Innovation and Commercialisation at SETU, provided an update on TU RISE’s progress to date, and gave the delegates more detail on the project milestones reached so far.
Attendees also heard from researchers actively involved in programme-supported projects. Dr James Cullen, a TU RISE postdoctoral candidate, spoke about his research project collaboration with Kerry group, while Dr Joe O’Mahony, TU RISE project investigator, and PhD candidate Ahmad Morwat, presented their research showcasing how TU RISE funding enabled them to collaborate with Analog Devices on an industry-focused project.
SETU’s TU RISE Academic Industry Liaisons, Dr Dean Callaghan (Engineering and Technology), Dr Bróna Kehoe (Health) and Professor Helen Hughes (Eco-innovation), spoke about their work in building partnerships that connect the university's researchers with industry and Brian Ogilvie, Head of Entrepreneurship and Rural Engagement at the university, provided an overview of the Rural Innovation Hubs, which will support rural enterprises in accessing research, innovation, and knowledge transfer opportunities.
A joint-initiative with Carlow County Council, Carlow Local Enterprise Office and Carlow Community Enterprise Centres, the first Rural Innovation Hub was launched in the refurbished Station House in Hacketstown, in Co. Carlow, with further hubs planned across the south east region.
The meeting also facilitated an informal, collegial discussion between delegates, where SETU's TU RISE staff had an opportunity to showcase the programme further.
Commenting on the visit Mr Hogan said: "TU RISE is empowering Ireland’s Technological Universities to drive regional innovation and economic growth. By expanding research capacity, strengthening industry collaboration, and supporting knowledge transfer, TU RISE ensures that cutting-edge discoveries translate into real-world applications."
He went on to say: "Aligned with the EU’s goal of a more competitive and smarter Europe, this investment in research excellence fuels a smarter, more competitive economy, equipping businesses and communities with the tools to thrive in an innovation-driven future."
TU RISE is co-financed by the Irish Government and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27, and the Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-27. SETU also acknowledged the support of the Higher Education Authority of Ireland and the Southern Regional Assembly in delivering the initiative. For more information on the programme and SETU’s research and innovation activities visit https://www.setu.ie/research-innovation/tu-rise
