This is the second episode shining a light on a unique new course running in SETU. The Certificate in Personal Development is a two-year Level 6 course, which aims to offer adults with intellectual disability an opportunity to experience university life and become students in higher education in the same way their siblings and typical adult peers do.
As year one of the course draws to a close, course leader Catherine Kelly-Mason and lecturers Deirdre Barry and Vicki Anderson joined me to discuss the importance of the course and what it means to them professionally and personally. Our previous episode featured 3 students were invited to to the podcast studio to reflect on their first year as university students, as well as some content from the celebration day held to acknowledge their achievements to date.
This is the first of 2 episodes shining a light on a unique new course running in SETU. The Certificate in Personal Development is a two-year Level 6 course, which aims to offer adults with intellectual disability an opportunity to experience university life and become students in higher education in the same way their siblings and typical adult peers do.
As year one of the drew to a close, a celebration day was held and 3 students were invited to to the podcast studio to reflect on what the course means to them. A second episode will feature staff discussing the importance of the course and their reflections from year one.
In this episode, Rob O’Connor from South East Technological University speaks with learners and a lecturer from the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Technology programme at SETU. The course is designed for professionals working in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors who want to deepen their knowledge and progress their careers.
Guests include Abi Ryan (Sanofi), Thomas Phelan (Amgen), and Dr Eleanor Owens (SETU), who share their perspectives on the value of the programme, the challenges of returning to education, and how flexible, part-time study can fit into busy professional lives.
Whether you're working in operations, quality, or lab support—or considering a move into the sector—this episode gives a real-world look at how structured learning and practical experience can come together to support meaningful career development.
Useful links:
EU-CONEXUS is the pan-European university for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability. In this podcast, we discuss what that means, explore some of the offerings from EU-CONEXUS, and highlight the benefits for both faculty and students at SETU.
The panel consists of SETU staff members involved with EU-CONEXUS:
The podcast is hosted by Rob O’Connor from SETU.
Additional Info:
Staff Profiles:
In this episode, we provide an in-depth exploration of the laboratory science programmes available at South East Technological University (SETU) Waterford. This discussion is particularly relevant for first-year Science students, especially those considering their options for specialisation. Additionally, the episode will be of interest to prospective students—whether school leavers, mature students, or individuals exploring science as a career path. Finally, it serves as a resource for anyone with a general interest in the scientific disciplines.
Our panel for this episode features four Programme Leaders from SETU Waterford:
- Elaine Duggan – Programme Leader for Food Science and Innovation
- Nabla Kennedy – Programme Leader for Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science
- Joe Murphy – Programme Leader for Physics for Modern Technology
- Eleanor Owens – Programme Leader for Pharmaceutical Science
The podcast is hosted by Rob O’Connor from the School of Science & Computing.
Discussion Highlights
A high-level overview of the laboratory science programmes at SETU
Insights into the individual specialisms: Physics, Pharmaceutical Science, Food Science, and Molecular Biology
Exploration of the laboratory-based aspects of these programmes and their practical applications
Career pathways and employment opportunities for graduates in these fields
Broader discussions on the scientific disciplines and the skills essential for success in these areas
While the episode focuses on SETU-specific programmes, much of the discussion is universally applicable to anyone with an interest in science.
Additional Resources
For any questions or further information, we encourage you to reach out to our panel members. Links to their staff profiles and other relevant resources are provided below:
Staff Profiles
Elaine Duggan - https://www.setu.ie/staff/elaine-duggan
Nabla Kennedy – https://www.setu.ie/staff/nabla-kennedy
Joe Murphy – https://www.setu.ie/staff/joe-murphy
Eleanor Owens – https://www.setu.ie/staff/eleanor-owens
Course Links
BSc (Hons) Science (Common Entry) [SE501] - https://www.setu.ie/courses/bachelor-of-science-hons-common-entry
BSc Science (General) [SE512] - https://www.setu.ie/courses/bsc-in-science-general
Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science - https://www.setu.ie/courses/bsc-hons-in-molecular-biology-with-biopharmaceutical-science
Food Science & Innovation - https://www.setu.ie/courses/bsc-hons-in-food-science-innovation
Physics for Modern Technology - https://www.setu.ie/courses/bsc-hons-in-physics-for-modern-technology
Pharmaceutical Science - https://www.setu.ie/courses/bsc-hons-in-pharmaceutical-science
A number of senior male academics gathered together to discuss gender equality as a men's issue. They talked about what holds men back from getting involved in gender equality initiatives, their own personal journeys and reflections and finally what men can do to improve gender equality at their respective universities. The podcast is hosted by Ross Woods, the Head of the Centre of Excellence for EDI at the Higher Education Authority. The panel is comprised of:
For more information on the HEA's policy regarding gender equality, please visit hea.ie/policy/gender
For more information on SETU, please visit setu.ie