Previous Interreg projects in which South East Technological University has participated include (click on a project for more details):
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GIFT (Green Innovation and Future Technologies)
The Green Innovation and Future Technologies (GIFT) project was collaboration between the Schools of Business and Schools of Science at SETU Waterford, University College Dublin and Bangor University, Wales. The project is part funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the INTERREG 4A Ireland Wales programme 2007-2013. Over a three year period the GIFT project will support the up-skilling of over 100 SME’s from South and East Ireland and West Wales in order to advance the transition to a green economy. The GIFT network comprises higher educational institutes, businesses, community development groups and support agencies in a variety of key sectors including green tourism, green technology and waste management. Key elements of the GIFT project include:
- Networking through regular face to face events and on-line discussion forums;
- Training with free Continuous Professional Development courses to assist business development in the green economy;
- Level 9 Masters programmes - MSc Business, Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship;
- Projects and case studies - Collaborate with HEIs to research a green business development opportunity and share experience and best practice through green business case studies.
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MISE (Mammals in a Sustainable Environment)
MISE is a new project funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Ireland Wales Programme 2007-2013 (INTERREG IVA), and will set out to foster involvement of communities in Ireland and Wales in mammal conservation.
The nature of the Welsh/Irish INTERREG IVA collaboration will allow the sharing of skills and expertise across the cross border regions. Monitoring and conserving biodiversity is increasingly being recognised as critical for sustainable development. Small and medium sized mammals are key components of most ecosystems but can be difficult to monitor due to small numbers, elusive and or nocturnal behaviour.
For more information on this project, please visit: http://www.miseproject.ie/
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WIN-IPT (Wales Ireland Network for Innovative Photovoltaic Technologies)
The Wales Ireland Network for Innovative Photovoltaic Technologies (WIN-IPT) is an industry-informed initiative, designed to promote the development of innovation and enhance business opportunities for SMEs working in the area of Photovoltaic (PV) technologies. The PV sector is growing rapidly, with annual growth rates exceeding 25% seen in the EU. However, with weak Research and Technical Development Infrastructure bases, the PV market is 1/200th of the EU average in Ireland and 1/20th in Wales. The development of a network of expertise to provide research-informed knowledge, in addition to laboratory and manufacturing support, is required to bring the cross-border PV market into line with EU norms.
WIN-IPT will create an inter-regional (West Wales and South-East Ireland) hub of PV expertise through knowledge transfer between higher education research institutes, industry and local authorities. We will deliver direct R&D assistance and consultancy services to SMEs in the PV sector. Specifically, WIN-IPT will provide direct R&D support to develop:
- Self-powered wireless sensors for building management and control functions
- Self-powered lighting and display technologies for building navigation
- Low-cost printable photovoltaic device manufacturing processes
- Next generation Solar Cell technologies – Organic Photovoltaic (OPV)
In addition the network will monitor the performance of existing PV electricity generators and investigate the potential for further exploitation of solar energy in the cross-border region. WIN-IPT actions will result in a better informed industry, with greater confidence for investing in PV and low carbon technologies.
This 3-year programme (2012 – 2014) has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Wales Ireland Programme 2007-13 (http://www.irelandwales.ie).
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WINSS (Wales Ireland Network for Scientific Skills)
The Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre (PMBRC) at SETU Waterford and the Department of Chemistry at Bangor University have recently secured funding under the Ireland Wales 2007-2013 INTERREG 4A programme to support a 46-month project to establish a Wales Ireland Network for Scientific Skills.
The WINSS initiative is made up of 3 integral components as follows:
- An Advanced Training Programme combining industry experience and academic expertise to design and deliver scientific training courses
- An Innovative Research Programme aimed to enhance scientific skills through laboratory based research
- Transfer of Knowledge between industry and academia facilitated by dissemination workshops in Ireland and Wales
Project Aims & Objectives
- Generate cross border economic activity through the creation of a strong applied research base in novel and convergent technologies with applications in the human and animal health sector.
- Establish a training network to address the skills gaps in the region and increase the number of highly skilled professionals with training in new & emerging technologies.
- Assess the barriers to advanced scientific skills training and employment of disadvantaged groups.
- Establish a Wales Ireland Network for Scientific Skills to promote the exchange of ideas and enhance communication between regional stakeholders in the cross border area.
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KTForce – knowledge as a value
SETU Waterford is one of 11 partners in the KTFORCE project which launched in 2012 and involves organisations from 6 European regions. Partners include the University of Porto (lead partner) and the Innovation Agency from Portugal; SETU Waterford and the South-East Regional Authority from Ireland; the National Institute of Research and Development for Mechatronics and the Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding from Romania; University Joseph Fournier Grenoble and the City of Grenoble from France; the Centre of Technology Structure Development and the Aufbauwerk Region Leipzig from Germany and the Sunrise Valley development organisation from Lithuania.
The main objective of KTForce project is to improve the effectiveness of innovation policies, specifically in the field of Knowledge Transfer (KT) and to contribute to the economic enhancement and increased competitiveness of the partners’ regions. KTForce will benchmark innovation polices and knowledge transfer practices and deliver a set of strategic recommendations for the design of future innovation policies and the implementation of knowledge transfer practices within EU regional economies. KTForce will examine how existing policies are influencing knowledge transfer in the KTForce regions and will identify new policies that need to be developed to meet the challenges of increased regional/national competitiveness.
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mCommunity - putting opportunity in your hand
The mCommunity project is led by Pembrokeshire College, in conjunction with Gower College Swansea and the Telecommunications Software and Systems Group (TSSG) based at the SETU Waterford in Ireland. The project uses mobile technology including smartphones and tablet devices to engage potential learners and small to medium businesses. Mobile technology is used to target and improve areas including business processes, marketing opportunities and staff development. It is also used to establish positive social networks and pilot the delivery of learning, skills and qualifications to improve employment and education opportunities.
The mCommunity project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Ireland Wales cross border programme 2007-2013 INTERREG (4A).