Honorary Citation by Professor Sarah Culloty for Paul Kelleher
President, members of the university community, distinguished guests, and graduates, It is my great privilege to present to you today, a leader whose vision, innovation, and commitment have not only transformed a global technology company’s presence in Ireland, but has also helped shape the future of engineering talent and research in this country—Mr. Paul Kelleher, Vice President of Engineering at Qualcomm Ireland.
A proud Cork native, with strong farming roots and graduate of the University of Limerick, Paul has spent over 30 years at the forefront of the digital electronics and semiconductor industry. His career spans global roles at Cypress Semiconductor, Freescale, Canon Australia, and Motorola, before joining Qualcomm in 2015 as the first Global System-on-Chip engineer at its Cork site.
Under Paul’s leadership, Qualcomm Cork has grown from a team of 7 to what is now a thriving innovation hub of over 750 staff, delivering critical Digital Systems and Intellectual Property to Qualcomm’s global portfolio. The Cork site, now headquartered at Penrose Dock, is a centre of excellence for integrated circuit design, system validation, and advanced semiconductor research. It plays a pivotal role in enabling next-generation digital technologies across the automotive, mobile, hyperscale computing, medical, and education sectors.
Interestingly, the letter Q in Qualcomm is an ingenious combination of 0 (Zero) and 1(One), two digits so close to UCC where George Boole once taught and whose algebra of logic, now called Boolean algebra, is basic to the design of digital computer circuits.
Paul has overseen Qualcomm’s $78 million investment in 2020 and a further $127 million expansion in 2023, both of which have significantly enhanced Ireland’s reputation as a global microelectronics R&D hub.
These investments are not just about infrastructure—they are about people. Paul has built a culture of excellence, inclusion, and collaboration, attracting world-class talent and nurturing the next generation of engineers. Many of our graduates are now employees at Qualcomm, with some in senior leadership roles.
Paul believes in developing strong partnerships between industry and the education sector. He holds Adjunct Professor roles at both University College Cork and the University of Limerick.
His commitment to collaboration with third level institutions, especially UCC, has led to transformative partnerships in research, education and outreach.
Qualcomm’s philanthropic support has been transformative for the university - transforming the Electrical and Electronic Engineering course by Funding laboratories, providing teaching and research equipment, prizes and awards for talented students and staff, supporting Sanctuary Fellowships and laptop donations for students in direct provision, and supporting the George Boole 200 Conference
These initiatives have supported the significantly increased numbers of Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduates we are seeing annually.
Qualcomm has also welcomed many UCC interns in the past number of years, while Qualcomm staff have contributed as adjunct lecturers, and as co-supervisors enriching our student experience.
Paul and his team have championed STEM outreach: Sponsoring the First Lego League in Munster and Ireland one of the largest global robotics competitions for secondary schools. They have supported student societies like Enactus UCC, Engineers Without Borders, and IEEE, and have hosted student expos, seminars and conferences on AI, machine learning, embedded systems and cybersecurity.
Qualcomm has funded award-winning research by Prof Emanuel Popovici in biomedical engineering and IoT security. This collaboration has led to breakthroughs in brain and heart disease diagnostics, advanced machine learning applications, as well as assistive technologies (for visually or hearing impaired).
Paul also plays an active role in Cork’s business community, serving as the Southern Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland and contributing as a member of the Cork Docklands Steering Group. His leadership has helped Qualcomm become a cornerstone of Cork’s tech ecosystem and a proud supporter of the Cork 2040 Rejuvenation Plan.
Paul Kelleher’s leadership at Qualcomm Cork has been defined not only by his technical excellence, but by his deep commitment to empowering those around him. Someone said to me “Paul is a very generous leader”. Under his guidance, teams have thrived on trust, independence and a shared sense of purpose - hallmarks of a leader who builds both capability and confidence in others. As John Quincy Adams once observed “if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader”. By that measure, Paul exemplifies true leadership: a leader whose quiet integrity and vision has inspired innovation, nurtured talent and strengthened a culture of collaboration, that continues to shape the future of technology in Ireland and beyond
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to engineering, his visionary leadership in advancing Ireland’s semiconductor industry, and his enduring support of University College Cork, its students and staff, it is with great pride that we confer upon Paul Kelleher the degree of Doctor of Engineering.
Praehonorabilis Vice-Cancellarie, totaque Universitas. Praesento vobis hunc meum filium, quem scio tam moribus quam doctrina habilem et idoneum esse qui admittatur, honoris causa, ad gradum Doctoratus in Arte Ingeniaria; idque tibi fide mea testor ac spondeo, totique Academiae