South East Technological University (SETU) has celebrated the official opening of its new Corporate Services Building.
The new building marks a significant milestone in the university’s infrastructure development and long-term vision for growth across the region.
L-R: Dr David Dempsey, SETU governing body member; Cormac O'Toole, vice president finance/financial controller; Prof Veronica Campbell, president of SETU; Jennifer Murnane O'Connor TD; Keith Williams, SETU director of capital projects; David Denieffe, SETU vice president for student experience; and Fintan Phelan, mayor, Carlow County Council.
It was officially opened at a special event at SETU's campus in Carlow, with partners from across the education sector, industry, and stakeholders in attendance to celebrate this achievement.
Near zero energy building
The €26m, self-funded project is a flagship addition to the SETU estate, providing more than 5,000 square metres of high-quality, near zero energy building (NZEB) space across four storeys.
It includes bright, modern offices for more than 240 staff, a new restaurant and cafe, incubation space to support the region’s emerging fintech sector, meeting and collaboration rooms, and an external landscaped plaza that will connect to the forthcoming Advanced Science Building.
SETU president, Professor Veronica Campbell, praised the project as a transformative space that reflects SETU’s ambitions as a dynamic, regional university of global significance: “As we look around us, we can all appreciate the quality of this new space. It is a bright, modern, and dynamic environment. The building has created new opportunities for growth and collaboration with industry at SETU.
“As a multi-campus university, the value of collaborative spaces is immensely important. This building enhances our ability to connect with colleagues and external stakeholders across the region.
“It is a clear symbol of SETU’s presence in the south east as a confident, modern, and future-focused organisation. We are incredibly proud of this space and see it as a benchmark in quality for future SETU developments."
Key partners
Prof Campbell also extended gratitude to the key partners involved in bringing the project to fruition, including Wejchert Architects, Conack Construction, Seamus Byrne Electrical, and Blanchfield Mechanical Contractors.
Keith Williams, director of Capital Projects at SETU, highlighted the strategic vision behind the project: “In 2018, the former Institute completed a masterplan which identified the need to provide additional office space to support the continued expansion of the the Institute of Technology Carlow, and the forecasted growth in staff and student numbers as part of the technological university.”
The Corporate Services Building is already playing a central role in fostering collaboration, accommodating more than 240 academic and professional staff, and delivering vital communal services for both staff and students.
It is a space that we are immensely proud of. It has created a bright, warm, welcoming, comfortable, vibrant place of work for our staff, whilst also providing additional dining, meeting communal space for both staff and students.”