The first in a series of ‘change network’ campus visits took place across a number of South East Technological University (SETU) campuses in Waterford.
The purpose of the campus visit programme
1. Visits are intended to enable staff throughout SETU to familiarise themselves with all eleven SETU campuses and to learn about activities at each location.
2. Visits are also important in offering colleagues across SETU the opportunity to get to know one another.
SETU Change Champions and Programme Management Office (PMO) personnel took part in the first change network campus visit programme on Tuesday, 17 May 2022.
The schedule of the visit
The programme in Waterford commenced with a visit to ArcLabs Research and Innovation Centre, Walton Institute and included tours of the e-textiles, digital photogrammetry and mixed reality laboratories as well as the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI).
SETU Change Champions and PMO colleagues had the opportunity for informal conversation and to discuss ongoing collaboration plans during a team lunch at SETU Arena.
The afternoon programme included a visit to the Applied Technology campus where an overview of apprenticeship programmes and facilities was given before a tour of South Eastern Applied Materials (SEAM) research centre, one of Ireland’s leading Technology Gateway centres and one of four Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateways in operation at SETU.
The SETU Change Network visit concluded with a tour of the Cork Road and College Street campuses in Waterford city.
The importance of engaging in person
“While colleagues have worked together successfully throughout the SETU journey, it is critical now that we build on what has been a largely virtual experience during the Covid-19 pandemic. We can do this by engaging in person as colleagues across the new university,” said Brian Foley, PMO Director.
Speaking at the visit, David Ryan, PMO Director said, “Events like today facilitating direct engagement between SETU colleagues will spark ideas and new ways to collaborate together as we build our new university. I encourage teams from across all SETU functions and departments to come together and to organise similar cross-campus initiatives.”
Reciprocal visits to campuses in Carlow, Wexford, Kilkenny and Wicklow are being planned for the near future. For more information, visit www.setu.ie