New Eugene Lawler Graduate School of Computing

A new Graduate School in Computing opened at Waterford Institute of Technology will help develop the hi-tech industry in the region and play a key role in attracting major investment and new jobs to the South East, its founders say.

The Eugene Lawler Graduate School of Computing will consolidate the place of applied research at the core of the work of the Institute, according to Dr. Mícheál Ó hÉigeartaigh, Head of the Department of Computing, Mathematics & Physics at Waterford Institute of Technology.

The late Prof. Eugene Lawler was highly respected as a visionary teacher at the University of Berkeley and made fundamental contributions to computer science. He made a number of research and personal visits to Ireland and had a profound impact on the development of computer science in Ireland.

His family has expressed its appreciation to WIT for honouring his contribution to science through the establishment of the Graduate School of Computing.

While remembered as a visionary teacher, his efforts went beyond admissions, to mentoring and advising. He carefully followed his students to make sure they found a research adviser and received financial support. He gave generously of his time, counselling students with patience, good sense and wisdom, Dr. Ó hÉigeartaigh explained.

“The Eugene Lawler Graduate School of Computing will consolidate the place of applied research at the core of the work of the department. It will enable it play an augmented role in the development of high technology industry in the S.E. Region and offer a range of new academic programmes.

“It will also contribute to the sustainability of industry in the region and be a resource that will be very significant in attracting new high technology industry to the region. The facility will allow the department double its postgraduate student numbers. This will lead to a significant increase in research output,” Dr Ó hÉigeartaigh said.

Professor Kieran R. Byrne, Director of WIT, paid tribute to Paul Barry, Head of the School of Science, WIT, to Dr Mícheál Ó hÉigeartaigh, Head of Department of Computing, Mathematics and Physics, WIT and to all involved in the establishment of the new school, and said that the southeast region now more than ever badly needs fourth-level education facilities, such as those provided at the new Eugene Lawler Graduate School of Computing.

“WIT has taken up the challenge of providing fourth level education to meet the expectations of the southeast so that the region can contribute to the national economy in ways that are connected to the national and global economy,” said Prof Byrne.

“The Eugene Lawler Graduate School is also an important support in WIT’s aspirations to become the University of the South East, an aspiration based on commitment and earned reputation.

“We are now in a period of considerable transition and with the support of institutions such as WIT and the Eugene Lawler Graduate School, we will provide the means to ensure that the transition is both smooth and successful,” added the Director.

The dedicated research facilities and support measures provided will create a critical mass of activities that will greatly encourage the faculty in the department to take up higher degrees and engage in research work, he believes.

“It is anticipated that the Eugene Lawler Graduate School will attract considerable funding from non-exchequer sources and will, in time, need to be replaced by an augmented facility that will provide an enhanced range of services to industry in the SE Region,” he suggested.

Mícheál Ó Foghlú, Research Director at the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG) said it was critical that all at WIT continue to work in partnership. “We wish the new Graduate School success, and promise to support it. It will be a critical pillar in our institution's approach towards university status, and it will ensure that our department can mature to support Level 9 and 10 research and teaching,” he said.

Currently 60 Masters and 10 Doctoral students are undertaking higher degrees in the department in association with the centres. In addition, the department runs three taught Masters programmes: M.Sc. in Computing (Communications Software); M.Sc. in Computing (Multimedia & ELearning) and M.Sc. in Computing (Information Systems Processes).