SETU highlights strong year of research and enterprise impact through TU RISE programme - Kilkenny Live

South East Technological University (SETU) is marking a year of significant progress in research, innovation and enterprise engagement.

The university says it is committed to strengthening regional development and supporting industry across the South-East.

In 2025, SETU expanded its collaborative research activity, enhanced support for researchers, and opened new opportunities for communities and companies to work with the university.

TU RISE – TU Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise – is playing a central role in enabling this progress. Now in its second full year, the initiative is helping SETU and its partners address shared challenges, stimulate innovation and build long-term capacity for the region.
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A major milestone this year was the activation of four rural innovation hubs across the south east. Part-funded through TU RISE, the hubs offer workspace, training and pathways for entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and community groups to collaborate with SETU researchers.

The hubs are strategically located in Hacketstown, Carlow; Urlingford, Kilkenny; Dungarvan, Waterford; and Rosslare, Wexford. SETU works with the individual town teams, local authorities and the Local Enterprise Office network in delivering programmes at these four locations.

These hubs are supporting innovation outside urban centres and ensuring that rural communities have access to the same opportunities to develop ideas, test approaches and connect with the regional innovation ecosystem.

In 2025, SETU launched ten postdoctoral research projects, each developed in partnership with an enterprise. These projects address challenges in advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, sustainability, health technologies and the bioeconomy.

In addition, ten sabbaticals for senior SETU researchers have enabled deeper engagement with industry partners. These sabbaticals have supported exploratory work, prototype development and early-stage innovation that is now progressing into longer-term collaborations.

More than ten regional enterprises also participated in the TU RISE PhD Scholarships Scheme, allowing doctoral researchers to spend 12 months embedded within industry and contribute directly to sector challenges.

Beyond individual projects, TU RISE is strengthening SETU’s broader research environment. Investments in equipment, training and research systems are supporting high-quality, collaborative research aligned with the University’s seven strategic research themes.

These developments reinforce SETU’s mission to serve the region through research excellence, innovation and strong partnerships. The initiative is co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021–27 and the Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021–27.

“TU RISE is a critical enabler of SETU’s mission to serve the region through impactful research and innovation," said President of SETU Professor Veronica Campbell.

"The programme strengthens our connections with enterprise, supports our researchers at every stage of their careers and expands opportunities for communities across the south east. The achievements of this year highlight the importance of investment in research capacity and the partnerships that underpin our role as the sole University in Ireland’s south east region.”

Prof Marie Claire Van Hout, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact at SETU, added:“2025 has shown what is possible when universities and enterprises work together with a shared purpose. TU RISE is supporting the south east to innovate, adapt and build resilience. We are proud of what has been achieved this year and excited by the opportunities ahead.”

As SETU moves into 2026, the University plans to further expand TU RISE, deepen enterprise engagement and support research that delivers meaningful regional impact. The foundations built in 2025 will enable new collaborations, more opportunities for researchers and stronger pathways for industry to work with SETU.