'Once in a generation' - SETU President on Waterford's new university enterprise quarter
Pictured are Sarah Hickey ISIF, Noel Frisby, Prof Veronica Campbell President of SETU, Sean McKeown Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council and Joe Crokett ISIF at SETU for the launch of Glassworks, Ireland’s first co-located university enterprise quarter, located on the former Waterford Crystal site in Waterford. Photo: Patrick Browne
South East Technological University (SETU) President Veronica Campbell said that Glassworks has the potential to become an "internationally recognised destination for innovation".
She added that representatives from Frisby, Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Waterford City and County Council and academics in the university have visited successful innovation districts in the UK and further afield.
"We’ve seen what can be done and what is being done elsewhere," Ms. Campbell said.
"There is absolutely no reason why we can’t deliver on a compelling vision for the South East innovation ecosystem right here in Waterford. We have established an excellent partnership and we have the drive and we have the imperative to succeed."
“Glassworks will play a pivotal role in Ireland’s knowledge economy where students, startups and researchers can collaborate, test ideas and create the next generation of ground-breaking products, technologies and businesses."
Ms Campbell described it as a "once in a generation opportunity" to create something new and to drive the regional innovation ecosystem.
"It’s not just about buildings, buildings can pop up anywhere. Glassworks is about people and partnerships and creating the sense of place where new ideas form," she said.
Ms. Campbell said that future academic aspects of the site will be reliant on government backing.
"The development of this site by SETU on the academic site and the overall vision is called out in the National Development Plan, and it is essential that it is retained in the next iteration of the National Development Plan, which is currently undergoing review.
"This is a key enabler of regional innovation, and we must do everything we can to make sure that this initiative continues to move forward.
"Public funding for the first two buildings for SETU will be essential," she said.
Read more about the planned development of the Glassworks building here.
For more extensive information about the overall planned development of the Glassworks site click here.
