SETU Waterford to host 'Women in Technology' event with Olympian speaker this week

South East Technological University’s (SETU) sixth annual Women in Technology event will take place on Thursday to bring role models and young women together to consider careers in the sector.

The event at SETU Arena in Waterford on March 12th aims to grow young women’s understanding of technology and demonstrate the career paths open to them in computing.

Building on the success of last year’s event, which welcomed over 1,000 female students from Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Wexford, and Waterford, this year’s programme promises to be more engaging than ever.

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Attendees will hear from inspirational keynote speakers who are leading the way in technology, including Phil Healy, a two-time Irish Olympian who has successfully combined elite sport with a career as a Software Developer at Sun Life, and Likhitha Gaddi, a Software Engineer at Google.

The event will also feature exhibition stands from some of the region’s largest technology companies.

Students will have the opportunity to interact directly with professionals working in technology, engineering, ICT, and software development, gaining insight into real-world career pathways.

Amanda Freeman-Gater, Assistant Head of the Computing and Mathematics Department at SETU, believes that encouraging more women into technology is essential for the future of the sector.

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"The technology industry needs more women studying the wide range of technological programmes available, including those at SETU. Graduates can go on to build careers in dynamic technical roles that offer flexibility and the chance to work collaboratively on innovative ideas, services, and products," Amanda said.

SETU’s Women in Technology event is open to second-level and third-level female students and teachers.

Schools that register for SETU’s Women in Technology event will be entered into a draw to win a free bus to the event, while attendees will also be in with a chance to win one of six laptops.