SETU celebrated Ada Lovelace Day with a series of events to honour the legacy of Ada Lovelace, the world’s first computer programmer, and to recognise the achievements of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, was proud to host the event explaining the significance of Ada Lovelace, born 200 years ago, and highlighting SETU’s efforts to encourage young women to pursue STEM subjects.
I am delighted to see SETU come together to celebrate Ada Lovelace Day 2026. Ada’s groundbreaking work continue to inspire generations of scientists, engineers and innovators. With a passion for numbers and ideas, she dreamed of combining science with imagination in ways that were far ahead of her time. Well done to everyone involved in celebrating Ada’s legacy and bringing her inspiring story and pioneering spirit to life for the next generation
Professor Veronica Campbell President at SETU
SETU welcomed students from schools across the south-east to take part in a series of engaging and hands-on workshops, designed to inspire creativity, teamwork, and curiosity about STEM subjects. At SETU, we offer courses in science, engineering, and computing and our students go on to work in exciting global tech companies
Dr Diarmuid O’Briain Head of Department of Electronic and Communications Engineering at SETU
At the Cork Road campus in Waterford the events took place during Maths Week, which was founded and coordinated by Calmast SETU’s STEM Engagement centre. The day included a presentation called Magic of Numbers by Andrew Jeffrey. Around campus there were stands from; veterinary medicine, engineering, computing, pharmaceutical science, architecture and pharmacy which gave students an opportunity to explore the courses SETU offers. Students also got the chance to view 3d printing, robot chess boards and robot dogs. The e textile group from Walton Institute also showcased their research to the students. The women in tech society helped students throughout the day.
At the Kilkenny Road campus in Carlow, event activities included; Unicorn magic show, Breakout box, Robot zone, µZoo, Maths puzzles, and save a hospital from cyberattack. Each session aimed not only to educate but also to inspire and empower, demonstrating how science and technology can be engaging, accessible, and applied to real-world challenges. The sessions also provided an opportunity for informal networking and hear first-hand about SETU students’ experiences studying STEM subjects and pursuing careers.
Ada Lovelace Day 2026 was a great success, reinforcing SETU’s commitment to promoting gender equality in STEM and encouraging young women to pursue futures in science, engineering and innovation. The event celebrated Ada Lovelace’s legacy, demonstrating how creativity and imagination continue to drive scientific discovery and technological advancement.
SETU’s Ada Lovelace Day aligns with its mission to inspire discovery, diversity, and curiosity in education. The event continues a proud tradition of celebrating women’s contribution to science and technology while showing that STEM careers are open to all, regardless of age or background.
