South East Technological University’s (SETU) engineering graduate, Stephen Cooper, received two awards at the Global Undergraduate Awards 2024 (GUA) for his academic performance at a summit in Dublin recently.
Cooper became the overall winner in Ireland across all engineering disciplines. His project is also ranked in the top 10% of engineering projects in the world. He received the GUA Highly Commended Award having competed among a global cohort of students.
'LIDAR Smart-Chair Navigator'
He was also awarded as the Ireland regional winner for having the top performing submission in the engineering category for his entry, 'LIDAR Smart-Chair Navigator'.
In addition to Cooper’s academic success, he is a member of Irish Defence Forces. His dedication, not only to his academic career, but to his role as a service member, demonstrates an extraordinary work ethic and commitment to carrying out all he does with excellence.
The Global Undergraduate Awards, established in 2008, is the world’s leading academic awards programme with over 100 affiliated institutions of higher education.
Under the patronage of President Michael D Higgins, GUA identifies leading creative thinkers and problem-solvers through their undergraduate coursework. Students are judged anonymously by an international academic panel of 500-plus expert judges from some of the world’s leading academic institutions.
Cooper received a first-class honours award on SETU’s Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Electronic Engineering (Military Communications Systems), level 7, at the university’s Carlow campus, and recently celebrated his graduation at the university’s annual conferring ceremonies.
The bachelor’s course is a collaborative programme between SETU and the Communications and Information Services (CIS) Corps of the Irish Defence Forces (DF) that was developed in 2005 and is available to all members of the Defence Forces.
Cooper said: “I am thrilled to have received these awards from the Global Undergraduate Awards 2024. I’d like to thank my project supervisors, Keith Smyth at SETU, Sergeant Keith Houlihan, and Commandant James O'Neill of the CIS School at the Curragh, for their immense support and guidance throughout this project.
Innovation in assistive technology
“I am also deeply grateful to the Defence Forces for giving me the opportunity to show my potential and supporting my development in electronic engineering. My father, Noel Cooper, sparked my interest in electronics and problem-solving, and his influence has been fundamental to my journey. I feel that innovation in assistive technology is incredibly important for creating a more inclusive world and enabling these technologies to be more accessible and affordable for all wheelchair users.”
Dr Donnacha Lowney, former head of Department (Carlow) of Electronic Engineering and Communications, said: "SETU and the Communications and Information Services (CIS) Corps of the Irish Defence Forces have been collaborating on the provision of the Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic Engineering (Military Communications Systems) for close to 20 years. Instrumental to the success of the programme has been the role of SETU’s link officer and lecturer, Keith Smyth, throughout this period.
“Students of the programme have won numerous high-profile competitions, culminating today in Stephen’s phenomenal success at the Global Undergraduate Awards. It is an amazing achievement, and the Department of Electronic Engineering and Communications congratulates Stephen, Keith Smyth, Sergeant Keith Houlihan (CIS), Commandant James O'Neill (CIS), and all involved in such a piece of engineering excellence."
Keith Smyth, SETU lecturer and one of Stephen’s supervisors, said: “Huge congratulations to Stephen on his GUA wins. I’m massively proud of the hard work that he has put in to bring his project to fruition and it was a privilege for Sgt Keith Houlihan and myself to supervise Stephen and to offer him our support throughout the process. Stephen exemplifies the SETU’s values as a student committed to excellence who also has a keen sense of community and service.”
Each year, the CIS Corps sends about 16 students to SETU to complete the BEng in Electronic Engineering and Military Communications programme. This programme is open to all members of the Defence Forces.