SETU Podcast

SETU formally bestowed the 2026 Michael Cooley Award on former President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins in recognition of his exemplary contributions to enhancing access to, and promoting a deeper understanding of, the scholarly work and enduring legacy of Professor Mike Cooley.Michael D. Higgins, accompanied by his wife Sabina, graciously accepted the accolade from President of SETU, Professor Veronica Campbell on Tuesday, 26 May, in the presence of special guests and political representatives. This podcast is a flavour of that event.

South East Technological University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse campus community that promotes and advances equality, respects and values diversity, and develops a culture in which the human rights and dignity of all students and staff are recognised and respected.During this episode, Anne Hallinan, EDI Administrator; Allison Kenneally, VP for EDI; and Isaac Alshaikh, Researcher and Assistant Lecturer at SETU explore the various ways in which EDI is part and parcel of life at the University. Anne and Isaac also tell personal stories about how they've struggled with issues in their own lives, and how their journeys have helped them to foster a sense of belonging for all at SETU, and to encourage others to do the same.

Professor Veronica Campbell, SETU President, spoke to Mary O'Neill about the University's milestones and achievements in its four year existence, and plans for the coming years in terms of new buildings, facilities and programmes. She also discussed SETU in a regional, national and global context, focusing on its positive impact on industry and society. Prof Campbell holds a degree in Pharmacology from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in Neuropharmacology from the University of London.She has extensive undergraduate and postgraduate teaching experience and a successful research record in cell biology, pharmacology and tissue engineering.She has held several senior leadership roles in Trinity College Dublin before taking up her role at SETU.

The partnership between SETU and the Defence Forces has successfully provided leadership, management and defence studies programmes to enlisted personnel. From these programmes, over 2,000 Defence Force members have graduated.The partnership was recently bolstered further, with the receipt of Higher Education Authority funding to the tune of €1 million for a project set to redefine how Ireland educates, trains, and empowers its military workforce. This marks the first time a technological university will work with the Defence Forces to create bespoke, accredited higher-education pathways for personnel.On this episode, you'll hear from Anne Meaney, Head of Extended Campus SETU, Aisling Hutchinson, Academic Partnership Project Lead at SETU as well as Sergeants in the Defence Forces; Sean Curley, Laura Harris and Gavin McKenzie, all of whom took part in the programme at SETU.

More than 1,000 secondary school students from across the South East attended the sixth annual Women in Technology event at South East Technological University (SETU), highlighting the growing interest in technology careers and the region’s expanding digital sector.Guest speakers included Rebecca Troy, software developer with Sun Life Ireland, alongside technology leaders Meredith Stowell from IBM and Likhitha Gaddi from Google.Industry partners including Sun Life, Google, Security Risk Advisors and Nearform sponsored the event, showcasing the strong collaboration between education and industry in the South East’s growing technology ecosystem. Representatives from each company offered students valuable insights into career pathways within the sector. In this episode, you’ll hear an array of voices from the day, including speakers, students, sponsors and companies that were in attendance

The award-winning Higher Diploma in Arts in Television and Media Production, developed by SETU and Nemeton TV in partnership with Udarás na Gaeltachta, has been successfully preparing new media talent since 2006. As part of Seachtain na Gaeilge at SETU, former students on the course, Lia Nic Craith and Eoin Dalton, screened short films they produced.In this episode you'll hear from the filmmakers, as well as from Róisín Sheehy, the Irish language officer at SETU, who discusses her role and the importance of promoting Gaeilge on campus – not just for Seachtain na Gaeilge, but all year around. This is a bilingual episode, so you you might pick up the 'cupla focal' from the podcasts guests.