IBM has announced the provision of an €11.5m technology system, including an IBM z17 mainframe, to a leading Irish university to support skills development in Ireland as part of its 70th anniversary celebrations in the country.

Installed at South East Technological University

The IBM z17 is installed at South East Technological University (SETU) through an educational loan agreement. This initiative, welcomed by the government and IDA Ireland, will help to continue to position Ireland at the forefront of technology education.

The IBM Z mainframe powers approximately 70% of global transactions by value, and, through this initiative, students across computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, data and AI will gain hands-on access to the system. In doing so, they will have the opportunity to develop skills aligned with real‑world enterprise technology environments, typically only available in large commercial organisations, helping them develop skills aligned to everyday use cases.

At SETU, the z17 mainframe and software will support teaching, learning, and research across the university, with more than 60 existing research and student resource servers being consolidated onto a single mainframe system.

By consolidating existing resources into a single platform, the system will enhance how students learn about systems administration, programming and AI in a practical, real-world environment – including the introduction of Level 9 Certificates in Mainframe Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, benefiting more than 1000 computing students across a broad range of modules. 

In addition, researchers across the university will benefit from enhanced computing capacity to support modelling, simulation, and secure data management. The system will also provide student-led technology societies with access to dedicated learning environments, enabling hands-on experience in areas such as systems administration, programming and AI within a real-world, enterprise-class setting.

Taoiseach Mícheal Martin said: “For 70 years, IBM has contributed to Ireland’s growth by investing in technology, skills and innovation. This latest support to boost education and research will help equip the next generation with the capabilities required for the AI era, whilst strengthening Ireland’s position as a hub for advanced enterprise technology. This commitment by IBM reflects Ireland’s ambition to build long-term, sustainable leadership in digital innovation.”

The initiative builds on IBM’s continued commitment to deliver positive impact to the Irish economy through job creation and by strengthening specialist skills and expertise throughout the country. In the last two years IBM has announced more than 850 high‑tech roles across Dublin, Cork and Waterford. These roles cement Ireland’s position as a globally strategic location for the company and span R&D, IBM Z development, IBM Consulting operations and sales. 

IBM’s 70th anniversary in Ireland reflects decades of partnership with Irish industry, academia and the public sector, with a continued focus on building skills to help enterprises compete and grow in an increasingly AI-led economy. The event was organised and hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and IDA Ireland in Iveagh House, Dublin.

Enterprise minister Peter Burke said: “Ireland’s future competitiveness will be shaped in part by how well we equip people with the skills needed for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and trusted digital infrastructure. IBM’s collaboration with South East Technological University demonstrates the value of strong industry-academic partnerships in building talent, strengthening economic resilience and preparing students and graduates for the technologies that will drive Ireland’s next phase of digital growth.”

IBM z17: enterprise infrastructure for the AI era

In the AI era, organisations are increasingly focused on how data is processed, secured and governed at scale. IBM z17 is designed to meet these demands by combining advanced AI capabilities with strong security and resilience in a platform built for high volume, high trust environments. 

As AI moves from experimentation into core operations, it is increasingly being embedded directly into the transaction systems that run organisations every day, and not just standalone tools.

In regulated industries, this shift places greater emphasis on where AI runs, how data is governed and how systems are secured and kept resilient at scale. Built to support these demands, IBM z17 brings AI to the point of transaction, enabling SETU students to work hands-on with the kinds of secure, resilient enterprise systems that underpin finance, healthcare and public services.

SETU president, Professor Veronica Campbell said: “The provision of the z17 mainframe from IBM to SETU will be transformative for our students and researchers. This collaboration is in line with SETU’s Strategic Plan, which positions the University as a driver of innovation and change for the region, its communities, and partners.

"By providing direct, hands-on access to this enterprise-grade technology, we are creating an invaluable student opportunity that bridges the gap between academic study and real-world practical skills within high-demand professional domains.

"This technology will help prepare the next generation of graduates to lead in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world, while strengthening the region’s capacity for research, enterprise, and technological advancement. We are grateful to IBM for this substantial investment, allowing SETU to further support innovation, education, and skills development for the future.”

Investing in Ireland’s future skills and innovation

IBM supports education and skills development in Ireland through a range of long-standing initiatives spanning schools, higher education and advanced research. This includes partnerships with universities, the P-TECH programme, and collaboration between academia and industry through IBM Research Ireland – which is co-located on the campus of Trinity College Dublin.

IBM also provides access to digital learning resources through IBM SkillsBuild, its free technology education programme, which is already being used in Ireland by organisations such as Fast Track into Information Technology (FIT) to support learners in developing practical digital and workplace skills and credentials aligned to employer needs. 

The provision of IBM z17 technology to SETU builds on this approach, expanding access to enterprise-class systems and helping prepare students for careers in an increasingly AI-driven economy.

Nathan Cullen, general manager, IBM Ireland, said: “For 70 years, IBM has worked alongside organisations, educators and government in Ireland as technology and skills needs have continued to evolve.

"Our latest collaboration with SETU builds on a wider programme of education and research engagement across the country, all of which are focused on helping people develop practical capabilities for the technologies shaping modern enterprise. Providing students access to enterprise-class systems, like the IBM z17, is an important part of preparing the next generation for the opportunities ahead.”

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said: “IBM’s 70-year track record in Ireland is a powerful example of how long-term partnership can deliver sustained economic and societal impact.

"This latest investment in advanced infrastructure at SETU directly supports IDA Ireland’s strategy to drive regional growth, deepen the talent pipeline and strengthen Ireland’s position as a global hub for digitalisation, AI and high-value FDI. We are proud to work with IBM as it continues to innovate and invest here, and we welcome the opportunities this initiative will create for students, researchers and employers across the country.”