South East Technological University (SETU) has celebrated 30 years of Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) education, recognising the significant contribution of MBA graduates to the economic development of the South East and beyond.
Alumni and current students, SETU staff and management, representatives of the MBA Association of Ireland and members of the wider business community gathered at SETU Arena on Friday, to reflect on three decades of leadership development, professional growth and regional impact.
Among the distinguished guests was Professor Liam Fahey, Emeritus Professor at Babson College, Boston, who travelled from the United States to attend the celebration. An internationally recognised strategy scholar, Professor Fahey has played an important role in the development of SETU’s Executive MBA, particularly through his contribution to and coordination of the programme’s international study visit to Boston.
Extending a warm welcome to graduates, students, staff, industry partners and distinguished guests, SETU President, Professor Veronica Campbell, highlighted the enduring success of the MBA as one of SETU’s flagship programmes.
Established in 1996, the MBA reflected the College’s ambition to broaden its academic portfolio and respond to industry demand for professionally developed managers in the South East. Over the past 30 years, the programme has supported leadership development, encouraged innovation and contributed to regional economic development, shaping generations of leaders whose influence extends across Ireland and internationally.
“The achievements of our graduates and the contribution they continue to make across business, public service and society are a testament to the success of that vision. Congratulations to everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey,” Prof. Campbell said.
Dr Thomas O’Toole, Head (Waterford) Faculty of Business at SETU, also reflected on the achievements of Executive MBA graduates and the programme’s role in equipping experienced professionals to navigate an increasingly complex business environment.
The achievements of our MBA graduates illustrate the importance of continuous learning in uncertain and changing business environments. The programme enables experienced professionals to combine academic insight with practical experience, applying their learning directly to their own professional and organisational contexts.
Continuing Thomas shared, “Looking to the future, the programme will continue to evolve in response to emerging opportunities and challenges, including business analytics and artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainability, geopolitical developments and changing leadership requirements. The next generation of MBA graduates will play a critical role in shaping the future of organisations and society.”
A highlight of the celebration was a panel discussion chaired by Mr Gerard Arthurs, Lecturer in International Relations and Politics, bringing together leaders from business, entrepreneurship, hospitality, construction, technology and higher education to share their experiences and perspectives on leadership.
The panel featured Margaret Fleming, Founder of dessertfirst; John O’Shaughnessy, Managing Director of Clancy Construction; Sinead Queally, Board Member of the Digital Enlightenment Forum and CEO and Co-founder of VirtualVet; Pat Quinn, Owner and Managing Director of Brandon House Hotel, Wexford; and Elaine Sheridan, Vice President Governance and University Secretary at SETU.
The discussion provided an opportunity to reflect on the changing demands of leadership, the importance of lifelong learning and the practical application of executive education across a range of sectors. The panellists also highlighted the diverse professional environments in which MBA graduates operate.
MBA co-programme directors Dr Tom Egan and Dr Deirdre Fleming presented a ‘Milestones and Reflections’ reel, showcasing the evolution of the programme over 30 years.
Professor Denis Harrington, Head of Graduate Business said, “The programme’s success over three decades has been underpinned by strong engagement with regional employers and industry partners, alongside close collaboration and support from the MBA Association of Ireland. This network has helped ensure that the Executive MBA remains relevant to the needs of experienced professionals and the organisations in which they work."
The programme creates opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and the exchange of perspectives across sectors, helping graduates develop the strategic thinking and leadership capabilities required to respond to changing organisational and societal needs.
The 30th anniversary celebration forms part of SETU’s wider commitment to leadership capability development, executive education, global business partnerships, regional innovation, enterprise engagement, lifelong learning and graduate and alumni engagement.
