Students at University College Cork (UCC) are to benefit from the very latest state-of-the-art electronic design automation lab, which has been officially opened by enterprise minister Simon Coveney TD.

Electronic design automation helps product companies achieve more complex chips used in consumer electronics such as mobile phones, laptops, game consoles, with a lower cost, and shorter time to market.

UCC plays an important role in Ireland's knowledge economy and enjoys close relationships with several world-leading companies based in Cork, primarily in the biotech, pharma, and ICT sectors.

The new lab facilities at the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Building are supported by Cork-based multinational Qualcomm Ireland, and will enhance the student learning experience, providing advanced technologies that will inspire our future innovators to drive progress.

Qualcomm’s support has been pivotal to the development of engineering education and leading-edge research at the university. The company, which designs and builds microelectronic chips that power today’s most advanced mobile devices, established an office in Cork in 2013.

Significant collaboration

Since then, Qualcomm has engaged in significant collaboration with UCC, funding events such as the FIRST Lego League – a robotics and engineering competition for young people, partnering in student initiatives, as well as supporting innovative research, and sponsoring vital equipment at the School of Engineering and Architecture.

Minister Coveney said: “I was delighted to officially launch the recently refurbished electric design automation lab – which is such a significant resource for electrical engineering at UCC. This recent refurbishment will serve as a valuable tool for supporting the future engineers to tackle big global challenges.

“I want to acknowledge the role UCC plays in future proofing Ireland’s knowledge-based economy. UCC is Ireland’s leading university for industry engagement and research income – this dynamic energy attracts international employers to Cork and the Munster region.

“It is fantastic to see connected thinking and close links with industry. It is great to see the close and reciprocal relationship as evidenced by Qualcomm’s generous philanthropic multi-year support to electrical engineering. We hope to see this trend continue as their technological hub in Cork continues to grow,” he said.

UCC president Professor John O’Halloran said: "We are delighted that Minister Simon Coveney was able to join us to open the refurbished electrical engineering laboratory. UCC's electrical engineering graduates are in high demand globally.

"Students benefit from our research intensive relevant, dynamic, and inclusive learning experience. This lab refurbishment was kindly made possible through a generous philanthropic gift from Qualcomm who hire many of our UCC engineers in their growing offices in Cork.

"We are delighted that this will enable our students to benefit from well-equipped laboratories and the latest software. We hope this gives them the tools to enable them to translate their research and knowledge into innovative and sustainable solutions that deliver impact in real-world contexts."

Paul Kelleher, vice-president, engineering, Qualcomm Ireland, said: “Our links with universities such as UCC have greatly benefitted us as Qualcomm Ireland, and we currently have many employees and interns from UCC.”

Anne-Marie Tierney Le Roux, department manager, Technology Division IDA Ireland, said: “Qualcomm’s commitment to Ireland is evident from the continued growth and expansion in Cork where the company now employs 500 people.

"This commitment continues with this announcement of the ongoing collaborative partnership with UCC, where the next generation of graduates will benefit from state-of the-art facilities and technologies.”

Qualcomm Ireland employs more than 500 people in Cork, with more than 45 UCC Engineering graduates currently working at the company. The majority of Qualcomm’s Ireland management team are UCC graduates, who continue to lead teams at the Cork site to new levels of world-class research and development.