Briefing with President of SETU Veronica Campbell

The South East Technological University marks the amalgamation of Waterford IT and IT Carlow – two institutions that have contributed so much to this region.

Deputy CEO, Emma Dunphy said “Now, university status will help to boost the quality of higher education in the region. This will have hugely positive knock-on effects on employment, enterprise and skills creation in the South East. The region will also benefit from expanded research opportunities, as well as socio-economic and regional development.

We recently surveyed our members, asking them to identify what courses the university can offer that will benefit our county.

Our members identified the availability of qualified staff, graduates and interns as a huge benefit. Indeed, businesses also identified staffing & academic programme gaps in accountancy and finance, law and legal executives, hospitality & tourism, green tech and renewable energy, horticulture and the maritime sectors.

For many businesses, the loss of a student population to bigger centres, such as Dublin, has meant that highly qualified people do not return to Wexford. So, we see the university as an opportunity to reverse the brain drain from Wexford and the South East, leading to a more vibrant economic environment in Wexford.

At the business after hours County Wexford Chamber extended our full support to SETU. We look forward to collaborating with the University and the Wexford campus and building a partnership that makes Wexford a better place to study, to work, to build and grow businesses and fulfilling lifestyles.”

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