Tag: MTU

Qualcomm announces flagship €125m investment in AI transformation for Cork

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, has announced a €125m investment that will see the transformation of the Cork site into a strategic AI pillar in the global chipmaker’s organisation over the next three years.

Founded in 1985 and headquartered in San Diego, CA, Qualcomm is a global leader in wireless technology and advanced semiconductors. The company develops cellular standards such as 4G, 5G, and now 6G. It is also one of the world’s largest fabless semiconductor companies, which sees it provide critical advanced semiconductor technology across mobile, wearables, PC, XR, IoT, automotive and data centres.

Qualcomm Technologies has had a presence in Cork since 2013, and this year it celebrates 10 years since it hired its first engineer in the city. In that time, Qualcomm has embedded itself in the community and has built strong relationships with UCC, MTU, and Tyndall, helping support the next generation of Irish engineers through internships and graduate role opportunities.

This flagship project, which is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland, plans to undertake a new RD&I project in Cork, leveraging current capabilities to align with Qualcomm’s diversification strategy beyond mobile technology into areas such as PC, XR/VR, IoT, automotive, and data centres.

 

Minister for Enterprise Tourism & Employment Peter Burke TD said:
“Today’s announcement by Qualcomm is a powerful endorsement of Ireland’s ambition to lead globally in advanced research, next‑generation computing and AI. This €125 million investment further strengthens Ireland’s position as a hub of deep‑tech innovation, creating hundreds of high value jobs. This announcement is also a signal of support for Silicon Island: Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy, which aims to make Ireland a world leader in semiconductors through securing long‑term investments, developing a robust talent pipeline and seizing opportunities in technologies of the future such as AI.

Qualcomm’s continued expansion builds on Ireland’s strong semiconductor ecosystem and demonstrates the value of the collaborative environment we have fostered between industry, academia and Government.  The Government is proud to support this strategically significant project through IDA Ireland, and I wish the team at Qualcomm the very best for the future.”

EVP, Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer of Qualcomm Incorporated, Colin Ryan said: “Qualcomm’s success and ongoing growth in Ireland reflect the strength of our partnerships with the Government, IDA Ireland and Irish universities. This investment underscores Cork’s importance as a strategic Global R&D hub for Qualcomm and our commitment to supporting Ireland’s innovation ecosystem.”

Vice President of Engineering at QT Technologies Ireland Limited, Paul Kelleher said: “Qualcomm is proud of what we’ve achieved in Ireland—and we are even more excited about what’s ahead. We’re not just building technology; we’re shaping the future, right here in Cork.”

IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan said: “I wish to congratulate the entire team in Qualcomm on the announcement of this landmark investment – a substantial and complex project in both its scale and scope, reflecting its strategic and transformative nature.   This €125m R&D investment and the future jobs it will create, positions Qualcomm Ireland at the forefront of technological and product development in the AI-era. Today’s event also recognises a decade since Qualcomm hired its first engineer in Ireland, I wish you continued success and assure the team of IDA Ireland’s continued partnership and support.”

Qualcomm is currently hiring engineers across several business areas. To explore opportunities to join the team in Cork, visit Careers

Fixify Chooses Cork for EU Hub, Creating 50 High-Tech Jobs

Fixify, a leading provider in AI-driven IT support automation, has selected Cork City as the home of its new EU Centre of Excellence, creating 50 skilled jobs in the region over the next 18 months. The new facility will serve as a regional base for Fixify’s development, support, and customer success for worldwide operations.

This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Attending the event, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said: “This announcement from Fixify to select Cork as the home of its new EU Centre of Excellence demonstrates a deep commitment to the region and creates 50 high-tech jobs in an exciting and growing sector. I have no doubt that these highly skilled jobs in IT, software engineering and data analysis will be a further boost to the workforce in the region.   I want to acknowledge the role of IDA Ireland in supporting this project and I look forward to seeing the continued growth of Fixify in Cork over the coming years.”

Minister for Enterprise Tourism & Employment Peter Burke TD said: “Fixify’s decision to establish its EU Centre of Excellence in Cork is very welcome news and is a strong endorsement of Ireland’s position as a global leader in technology and innovation. This investment will bring 50 high-quality jobs to the region and further strengthen our thriving digital ecosystem. Cork’s deep talent pool, supported by world-class institutions like UCC and MTU, and its proven track record in attracting and sustaining high-value FDI, make it ideally placed to support Fixify’s growth. I wish the Fixify team in Cork the very best for the future.”

Fixify is now hiring in roles including IT Helpdesk Analysts, Software Engineers, Data Engineers, and Data Scientists. To explore career opportunities with Fixify, please visit Fixify careers.

“We chose Cork for Fixify’s European base — a city that brings together deep technical expertise, quality of life and community spirit — the conditions that make great work last,” said Matt Peters, CEO Fixify. “Establishing our base here enables Fixify to tap into Ireland’s exceptional talent and contribute to its thriving tech ecosystem as we scale automation and support that remains genuinely human worldwide.”

“Our investment in Cork is a strong vote of confidence in Ireland’s technology talent and infrastructure,” added Caroline Coughlan, Director, Employee Experience & People Operations at Fixify “Over the next 18 months, we will be scaling our presence here in parallel with delivering outstanding value to our customers across EMEA.”

IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan said: “I am very pleased that Fixify has chosen Cork as home to its EU Centre of Excellence as it recognises the quality and depth of the South West region’s talent pool, Ireland’s vibrant culture, and our pro-business environment. I wish to congratulate Fixify on this expansion and look forward to supporting them as they enhance Ireland’s reputation as home to a thriving technology sector.”

MTU and CompuCal Announce Partnership to Equip Thousands of STEM Students across Southwest Region with Cutting-Edge Industrial Digitisation Skills

Cork-based software company, CompuCal Calibration Solutions, has partnered with Munster Technological University (MTU) to deliver a forward-thinking program that will benefit Science, engineering and manufacturing students across the Southwest region. This collaboration aims to prepare students by enhancing their digital skills to enable digitisation of paper-based current and future processes within instrumentation, processing and manufacturing sectors by offering a real-world digital technology experience and solution, helping them tackle the evolving challenges.

As part of this partnership, CompuCal’s innovative calibration management software has been integrated into MTU’s Department of Physical Sciences full time and industry focused part time Instrumentation and Calibration programme offerings, supporting modules on process control and instrumentation, calibration and asset management. These programmes will certify students in digital calibration, instrument maintenance, commissioning, and validation, positioning them to thrive in the data-driven, process-controlled industrial environments of tomorrow.

MTU delivers approximately 1,500 STEM students annually, comprising approximately 10% of the national STEM cohort in Science & Engineering disciplines. This collaboration will provide these students with practical, hands-on experience using CompuCal’s latest technology, simulating real-life operational challenges that engineers and technicians encounter in the manufacturing industry.

This type of collaboration enables indigenous industry, which includes both SMEs and MNCs, to become globally competitive by partnership with companies such as CompuCal who have developed innovative solutions to meet the challenges of digitisation in modern industry.

Donal Sullivan, CEO of CompuCal Calibration Solutions, welcomed the partnership, “In the highly regulated world of Biopharma, MedTech, and FMCG, calibration maintenance of assets is critical to keeping operations running smoothly. We are delighted to contribute to equipping Ireland’s future engineers and technicians with the skills needed to meet the challenges of advanced manufacturing. MTU’s leadership in adapting its curriculum to meet industry needs is crucial in shaping a workforce ready to face the rapidly evolving global manufacturing environment.”

Through this collaboration, MTU students will gain vital insights into asset measurement—ranging from temperature monitoring to pressure vessels—and will understand the essential role that calibration plays in ensuring production output, compliance with international standards, audit readiness, cost efficiencies, and business intelligence reporting.

MTU’s Donagh O’Mahony, Head of Department, Physical Sciences also highlighted the significance of the announcement, “This partnership reaffirms MTU’s commitment to engaging with industry and enterprise. We are leveraging the exceptional expertise and innovation of an industry partner to support the development of future generations of talented MTU students. CompuCal has worked with us to review and update some of our core instrumentation and calibration modules, ensuring that they align with the latest in industrial best practice. The resulting changes best demonstrate the role of calibration in a live global manufacturing environment. This is directly relevant to our students and we are excited by the value that is being added to our course work and their learning experience.”

The collaboration, which includes the recent incorporation of CompuCal GO, a mobile app designed for on-site technicians, ensures that MTU students are exposed to the latest technology in the field. This state-of-the-art tool provides a fully digital, paperless solution for calibration and maintenance tasks, integrating real-time data uploads directly to the CompuCal cloud platform.

MTU’s Department of Technology Enhanced Learning Wins Prestigious ALT Team of the Year Award

Munster Technological University’s (MTU) Department of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) has been named the recipient of the prestigious Association for Learning Technology (ALT) Team of the Year Award for 2024.

The award, presented at the ALT Annual Conference in Manchester on Wednesday September 4th, celebrates outstanding strategic enhancements in the design, development, and delivery of online and blended learning. The award also recognises the TEL team’s innovative impact on the student learning experience and their commitment to the sustainable development of academic practice within a rapidly evolving digital environment.

Strategic Impact on Digital Learning
The TEL team at MTU has led out on key digital transformation and digital learning initiatives in the University. Their Reusable Learning Resources (RLR) project has enriched MTU’s programmes through the development of media-rich Open Educational Resources (OERs), furthering the University’s commitment to Open Education Practices (OEP). In addition, the department this year hosted the international ALT OER24 conference in Cork, providing an invaluable platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration across the global digital learning community.

TEL’s focus on equity and accessibility has also seen significant advancements this year. The integration of advanced accessibility tools into MTU’s digital infrastructure ensures a more inclusive learning environment, supported by dedicated staff training and resources. Initiatives like “TEL me More,” which offers personalised digital mentoring to share, continue to inspire innovation and foster digital transformation throughout the University.

A Milestone Achievement
Dr Gearóid Ó Súilleabháin, Head of the TEL Department, has expressed pride in the team’s work: “This award is a testament to the creativity, passion, and dedication of the entire TEL team at MTU. Our commitment to providing evidence-based services, enhancing accessibility, and creating new learning opportunities is at the heart of everything we do. We are honoured to receive this recognition from ALT, and we look forward to continuing our work to enhance the digital learning experience for all students.”

Shane Cronin, Senior Learning Technologist in the department, joined Dr Ó Súilleabháin in accepting the award. He shared that: “It’s a real honour to receive this award and it really recognises our team’s dedication and inspires us to keep innovating in the field of digital learning.”

The award was presented by ALT President David White, who has praised MTU’s TEL team, stating: “The judging panel was highly impressed by the breadth and depth of digital learning activity being facilitated by the Department of Technology Enhanced Learning in MTU, as well as the department’s strategic impact and far-reaching influence within and beyond the University.”

For more information about the ALT Award and a video submission from MTU’s TEL team, please visit: ALT Award Winners 2024 | Association for Learning Technology

MTU Drives Innovation with Cybersecurity and Sustainability-Themed Hackathon

Munster Technological University (MTU) and Cyber Ireland, in collaboration with the INGENIUM University alliance, is set to host an exhilarating Cybersecurity and Sustainability-themed Hackathon on the 12th and 13th of February at the Bishopstown Campus. In this dynamic event, 50 students from the INGENIUM University alliance, spanning 10 universities, including MTU, and multiple disciplines, will converge to tackle key challenges in cybersecurity and sustainability.

The hackathon focuses on addressing industry challenges in cybersecurity and sustainability, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of real problems and develop potential solutions. The hackathon aims to foster collaboration and innovation among multidisciplinary international student teams and provide a practical application of academic knowledge. Participants will navigate the process of defining problems, developing solutions, fostering their entrepreneurial spirit, and presenting their work through impactful pitches. Cash prizes will be awarded for the best overall concept and the best pitch.

Teams will comprise five individuals, strategically selected to ensure a balanced academic background, with no team being exclusively composed of cybersecurity students. The teams will be formed from across INGENIUM, which is an alliance of ten universities from ten European countries, comprising 172,000 students and 15,000 staff. MTU proudly holds the position of a founding member of the INGENIUM Alliance and leads the Entrepreneurship workstream.

This event underscores MTU’s commitment to promoting regional, national and international partnerships and equipping students with the skills necessary to pursue and achieve their ambitions. With the collaboration and support of MTU’s External Affairs Office, Cyber Ireland and the MTU Innovation and Enterprise Office, this event promises to be an outstanding display of academic excellence and fun.

Dr. Sean McSweeney, MTU INGENIUM Coordinator said: “MTU is a very proud partner in the INGENIUM Alliance as we expand our global outlook and develop a better future for our students together.”

Eoin Byrne, Cyber Ireland Cluster Manager said: “The Hackathon aligns closely with Cyber Ireland’s goal of Developing the Workforce. We must make cybersecurity accessible with clear pathways and progression, while inspiring the next generation to consider a career in cybersecurity. It’s great to have the support from our industry partners who are key to the success of the event.”

Sponsors of the event have stated:

Rob Cameron, Cybereason: “Cybereason are delighted to sponsor this hackathon at MTU. As a company who believes in the growth of cybersecurity talent, witnessing the next generation of professionals emerge first hand is truly inspiring. A practical event like this gives a great platform to showcase their talent and skill sets and we are privileged to be a part of their journeys”.

Brian Ahern, Senior Manager, ISRM Training & Awareness, McKesson: “McKesson are delighted to sponsor the Cybersecurity Hackathon event in MTU which educates students on how to protect their future employers against evolving cybersecurity concerns.”

Louise MacIndoe, Security Program Director, Logitech: “Logitech is proud to support the Cyber Ireland and MTU Student Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024, providing an opportunity for young innovators to collaborate and create solutions for real-world problems. We are committed to nurturing the future generation of business & technology leaders, and events like this provide an excellent platform for doing so.”

Luke McDonnell, Head of PR, Huawei Technologies: “Developing the next generation of cyber-talent is important because Ireland has a great opportunity to become a cybersecurity leader in Europe. Hackathons challenge students to put their college learning into practice in a practical way and while technical skills and know-how are important, so too are the soft-skills that students will develop throughout the challenge, these skills cannot be understood and are essential for today’s modern graduate. Huawei is proud to support the Cyber Ireland and MTU Student Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024 and looks forward to seeing the students in action.”