Minister Simon Coveney opens Electronic Design Automation lab at UCC

6 Mar 2023

Engineering students at UCC are to benefit from the very latest state-of-the-art Electronic Design Automation lab which was officially opened by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mr 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 exciting 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.

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,”.

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."

Mr Paul Kelleher, Vice President, Engineering, Qualcomm Ireland:

“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 its continued growth and expansion in Cork where it now employs 500 people. This commitment continues with the announcement of its ongoing partnership with UCC, where the next generation of graduates will benefit from state-of the-art facilities and technologies. I wish Qualcomm and UCC every success with this partnership.”

Qualcomm Ireland currently employs over 500 people in Cork, with over 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.

Professor Sarah Culloty, Head, College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, UCC:

"Qualcomm’s investment in STEM education at UCC has been transformative in its impact. We are grateful for the company’s support of our learning and teaching activities which will empower our graduates to shape the future of society”.

Professor John Cryan, Vice President for Research and Innovation, UCC:

“UCC is honoured to have a long-standing and collaborative relationship with Qualcomm Ireland, a Cork based company, which supports UCC outreach programmes, innovative research, and sponsors state-of-the-art equipment in UCC's School of Engineering and Architecture. UCC is proud to have over 45 UCC engineering graduates employed with the company. Their support will be instrumental in modernising our laboratory facilities for the benefit of our students, and assist UCC in continuing to provide highly skilled engineering graduates to Qualcomm Ireland.”

Professor Jorge Oliveira, Head, School of Engineering and Architecture, UCC

“The School of Engineering and Architecture is deeply grateful for all the support that we have received from Qualcomm over the years for many initiatives promoted by Dr. Emanuel Popovici that have greatly benefited not only our existing students, but also our efforts to promote engineering among teenagers. We acknowledge today a key strategic support to ensure best-in-class facilities for our students, while reminding a continuing partnership that has been and will continue to be, of critical importance to the School, and especially to the area of teaching and research in embedded systems”.

About Qualcomm:

Qualcomm is an American telecommunications company which produces semiconductors, software and wireless technology. Founded in 1985 by electronic engineer Irwin Jacobs, Qualcomm established innovative technology which used CDMA (code division multiple access) to harness wireless transmissions. This technology formed the basis for mobile phones and later, mobile broadband. Qualcomm has been instrumental in the development of 3G, 4G and 5G technology. In 2013, Qualcomm established a European base in Cork.