South East Technological University: Ireland’s Newest University Transforming a Region
South East Technological University (SETU) represents a landmark achievement in Irish higher education. Established on May 1, 2022, as Ireland’s first technological university in the south-east region, SETU emerged from the merger of Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Carlow—two institutions with over 50 years of combined experience in higher education, research, and innovation . This historic designation marked the first time the south-east region of Ireland gained its own university, ending a decade-long journey driven by staff, students, and regional stakeholders .
A University Rooted in Regional Development
SETU’s founding mission is distinct: to serve as a catalyst for regional development while building a strong international profile . With its multi-campus structure spanning Waterford, Carlow, Wexford, Wicklow, and Kilkenny, the university is genuinely embedded in the communities it serves . This regional focus is reflected in its strategic priorities—strengthening employment, enterprise, skills creation, and socio-economic growth across the south-east . Today, SETU serves approximately 18,500 students and employs over 1,500 staff, with ambitious plans to grow to 25,000 students within a decade . Buy fake diploma online.
Academic Excellence and Research Impact
SETU combines the scale and impact of a large university with the personal approach of a close-knit community . The university offers an exceptionally extensive range of academic programmes, from Higher Certificate to doctoral level, spanning business, law, humanities, health sciences, engineering, architecture, science, and education . Its engineering programmes—including Biomedical Electronics, Robotics and Automated Systems, and Aircraft Systems—reflect a strong emphasis on industry-aligned, practical education .
Research capacity represents one of SETU’s greatest strengths. The university brings together over 550 research-active staff, nine research centres, one research institute, and four Technology Gateways . Between 2016 and 2020 alone, SETU researchers attracted over €95 million in research funding from European and national agencies, state bodies, and industrial partners . The TU RISE (TU Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise) programme, now in its second full year, has enabled significant progress: in 2025, SETU launched ten postdoctoral research projects in partnership with enterprises, activated four rural innovation hubs across the region, and supported doctoral researchers embedded within industry . These initiatives address critical areas including advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, sustainability, and health technologies .
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Leadership and Vision
Professor Veronica Campbell serves as SETU’s inaugural president, bringing a distinguished career in academia and strategic innovation . A professor of neuropharmacology and former Dean of Graduate Studies at Trinity College Dublin, Campbell was selected following an open and competitive process. Her appointment, alongside a governing body chaired by Professor Patrick Prendergast (former Provost of Trinity College), provides strong leadership for the university’s ambitious trajectory . The university aims to become a leading European technological university, transforming lives and driving growth through excellence in learning, research, collaboration, and innovation .
A Welcoming Environment for International Students
SETU offers international students a compelling proposition: English-language instruction within a friendly, welcoming Irish environment, combined with close ties to global industries . The university maintains exchange agreements with over 100 universities within the EU and more than 25 internationally, welcoming over 200 exchange students annually . Active recruitment efforts target South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and North America, with strong potential identified for postgraduate, research, and professional learners . The university’s approach to international education is characterized as inclusive, ethical, and affirming .
Looking Forward
As Ireland’s newest university, SETU represents both a culmination and a beginning. The institution builds on firm foundations established over decades, now operating with university status that enhances its capacity to attract talent, secure investment, and drive regional transformation . With continued investment in infrastructure, research capacity, and international partnerships, SETU is positioned to fulfill its mission as a catalyst for innovation—serving not only the south-east of Ireland but also contributing to global knowledge and education .