South East Technological University (SETU) recently took part in an important panel discussion on “Ukraine and Ireland: Strengthening Connections through Culture, Diplomacy and Friendship”, hosted by the Ukrainian Student Society on the SETU Carlow campus.

The event featured Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko, who acknowledged the strong support that both Ireland and SETU continue to provide to Ukraine and to Ukrainian students studying across the university’s campuses in Carlow, Wexford, and Waterford. Currently, 665 Ukrainian students are undertaking various courses at SETU. During the discussion, students also shared their positive experiences of academic and student life at the university.

During the event, John Wall had the opportunity to introduce the Ambassador to SETU’s involvement in the DREAMER project — Development and Reconstruction Empowerment through Advanced Project Management Education and Research. Funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme, DREAMER aims to support Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts, strengthen innovation in sustainable project management education, and promote international cooperation through shared learning and expertise.

The conversation also highlighted the strong partnership between SETU and Ukrainian higher education institutions involved in DREAMER, including Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the latter being Ambassador Gerasko’s alma mater.

SETU’s contribution to DREAMER reflects its ongoing commitment to international academic cooperation and support for Ukraine. This commitment was further demonstrated in September 2025, when the Department of Architecture & Built Environment in Waterford hosted academic partners from Ukraine. The visit included working sessions focused on refining module templates and structures, project implementation, and peer review of syllabus assessments as part of the project’s ongoing activities. Beyond the formal agenda, these exchanges also helped to deepen academic ties and reinforce collaboration between SETU and its Ukrainian partners.

Through initiatives such as DREAMER, SETU continues to play an active role in building meaningful connections between Ireland and Ukraine while contributing to capacity building for reconstruction, education, and long-term resilience.