SETU and Glassworks set to accelerate innovation Glassworks, a new 37-acre campus designed to transform collaboration between academia and enterprise, is set to accelerate the southeast’s innovation potential both nationally and internationally. Located on the historic Waterford Crystal manufacturing site, Glassworks builds on a legacy of craftsmanship and global reach by creating a dynamic platform to advance research, deepen enterprise engagement and develop the next generation of talent. Leading this transformative project is South East Technological University (SETU), in partnership with Frisby Group and Ireland Strategic Investment Fund. Glassworks is strategically positioned within the university and enterprise quarter on the outskirts of Waterford city, a Unesco Learning City. It sits alongside a cluster of multinational companies, and in reach of local government, industry and education partners, all focused on regional growth. “What sets the southeast region apart is its capacity to act as one, with strong, established partnerships across education, industry, government and civic society aligned around a shared vision to lead innovation growth nationally and internationally,” SETU president Prof Veronica Campbell said. “Glassworks has the potential to significantly elevate innovation capability, providing the environment through which academic and enterprise collaboration can happen at a much larger scale than previously possible.” As the region’s only university, SETU plays a central role in driving development, generating an economic and social impact of €1 billion annually. With campuses in Waterford, Carlow and Wexford, the university supports nearly 18,000 students and produces about 4,000 graduates each year, supplying a strong pipeline of talent to innovation-driven sectors. Glassworks builds directly on this foundation, creating a dedicated space where SETU’s teaching, research and innovation activity can come together at a scale not previously seen. “Glassworks will be transformative for the region. By bringing students, researchers and businesses together in one place, the campus strengthens the