South East Technological University Waterford builds ties with Europe

A group of SETU students of business, marketing, management and economics touched down in Brussels at the beginning of March to meet with the European Institutions. MEP for Ireland South Grace O'Sullivan also addressed SETU Business and Engineering Schools on the issue of sustainability in business.

On 1 March, about 25 students made their way to the European capital as part of an International Study Programme, which helps to build ties between the University and the European Institutions, while putting students in direct touch with Irish and international EU staff working on legislation of relevance to their area of study. One of the central topics was the role of business in the green transition.

South East Technological University formed in 2022 after a merger of Waterford IT and IT Carlow and has campuses in Waterford, Carlow, Wexford, Wicklow and Kilkenny.

The diverse group including students from Ireland, India, Brazil China and Nigeria among others, took part in an organised visit to officials of the European Institutions in Brussels, as well as meeting with some of the MEPs who represent the constituency of Ireland South.

The group stayed in the Irish College in Leuven, a centre for education, training and research in European Affairs which was established in the 1980s on the grounds of the 17th century Irish Franciscan college.

Speaking during the visit in Brussels, Grace O'Sullivan MEP said: "The South East is so well placed in Ireland to play a leading role in the European Green Deal and the transition to an economy based on wellbeing and sustainability rather than just pure profit. But Ireland needs to do better at making the most of EU research, funding and networking resources, so it is great to see SETU being proactive and building on their links to the European institutions."

The day before the visit, MEP O'Sullivan addressed another group of SETU students at an event raising awareness of the need to transition to an equitable, low carbon economy, as part of SETU's 'Sustainability in Business Day'.

In that talk, Ms. O'Sullivan underlined the important role institutions like SETU play in making the EU a leader in the economic green transition. "We have here in Ireland the natural resources, the talent and Government commitment to ensure that Ireland becomes a hub for green enterprise and innovation," she said in conclusion.