SETU’s TU RISE team hosted Kai Stryczynski, Stephanie Gantzer-Houzel, Elena Panteva from the European Commission, and 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 and emphasised the University’s commitment to strengthening research and industry collaboration through TU RISE.

Professor Marie Claire Van Hout, SETU’s Vice President of Research, Innovation, and Impact, opened the presentations by highlighting TU RISE’s strategic role in enhancing SETU’s research capacity and fostering partnerships with enterprises.

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 building on this momentum to ultimately transform the southeast from a region of socio-economic disadvantage to one of innovation, entrepreneurship, and impact”.

Dr James O’Sullivan, Head of Innovation and Commercialisation at SETU, updated the delegates on TU RISE’s progress and provided more details on the project milestones.

Researchers actively involved in TU RISE-supported projects also spoke:
Dr James Cullen, TU RISE postdoctoral candidate, discussed his research project collaboration with the Kerry group.

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 building partnerships that connect SETU researchers with industry.

Brian Ogilvie, Head of Entrepreneurship and Rural Engagement at SETU, 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 has been launched in the refurbished Station House in Hacketstown in Co. Carlow, with further hubs planned across the southeast region.

The meeting also facilitated an informal, collegial discussion between delegates, where SETU TU RISE staff had an opportunity to showcase the programme further.

Enda Hogan, Assistant Director, Southern Regional Assembly, 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. 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 Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27 and the Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-27. SETU acknowledges the support of the Higher Education Authority of Ireland and the Southern Regional Assembly in delivering this initiative.

For more information on TU RISE and SETU’s research and innovation activities, visit https://www.setu.ie/research-innovation/tu-rise.