SETU to Host Sixth Annual Women in Technology Event
•February 6, 2026
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Companies Mentioned
Why It Matters
The gathering addresses the persistent gender gap in tech, helping firms build a more diverse talent pipeline while giving students concrete pathways into high‑growth technology careers.
Key Takeaways
- •Sixth annual SETU Women in Technology event draws regional students
- •Over 1,000 female attendees participated last year
- •Keynote speakers include Sun Life developer and Google engineer
- •Sponsors: Sun Life, Google, Security Risk Advisors, Nearform
- •Event offers industry exhibitions, career pathways, laptop giveaways
Pulse Analysis
The technology sector continues to grapple with a pronounced gender imbalance, and university‑led outreach programs are becoming pivotal in reshaping that narrative. SETU’s Women in Technology event exemplifies how academic institutions can act as catalysts, pairing inspirational speakers with tangible career showcases to demystify computing for young women. By aligning the agenda with national diversity goals, the university not only bolsters its own enrollment pipelines but also signals to policymakers that regional hubs can produce skilled, inclusive talent.
Corporate sponsors such as Sun Life, Google, Security Risk Advisors, and Nearform see the event as a strategic recruitment platform. Direct interaction with prospective candidates allows these firms to convey real‑world project experiences, workplace culture, and flexible career pathways that often attract female talent. Moreover, the exhibition floor creates a two‑way knowledge exchange: students gain insight into emerging technologies, while companies receive fresh perspectives on product design and user experience from the next generation of engineers.
Looking ahead, the ripple effects of the event could extend beyond immediate hiring outcomes. Increased female participation in STEM curricula strengthens the regional innovation ecosystem, driving higher‑value tech startups and attracting further investment to the southeast of Ireland. For attendees, the combination of mentorship, networking, and prize incentives—such as laptops and transport vouchers—transforms a single day of exposure into a sustained career trajectory, reinforcing the long‑term competitiveness of both the workforce and the broader economy.
SETU to host sixth annual Women in Technology event
South East Technological University’s (SETU) sixth annual Women in Technology event will bring together role models from industry and academia to challenge perceptions of technology and encourage more young women to consider careers in the sector.
The event at SETU Arena in Waterford, on Thursday, 12 March, aims to grow young women’s understanding of technology and demonstrate the career paths open to them in computing.
Building on the success of last year’s event, which welcomed over 1,000 female students from Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Wexford, and Waterford, this year’s programme promises to be more engaging than ever.
Attendees will hear from inspirational keynote speakers who are leading the way in technology. These include Phil Healy, a two-time Irish Olympian who has successfully combined elite sport with a career as a Software Developer at Sun Life, and Likhitha Gaddi, a Software Engineer at Google.
Alongside the keynote talks, the event, sponsored by Sun Life, Google, Security Risk Advisors and Nearform, will feature exhibition stands from some of the region’s largest technology companies. Students will have the opportunity to interact directly with professionals working in technology, engineering, ICT, and software development, gaining insight into real-world career pathways.
Amanda Freeman-Gater, Assistant Head of the Computing and Mathematics Department at SETU, believes that encouraging more women into technology is essential for the future of the sector.
“The technology industry needs more women studying the wide range of technological programmes available, including those at SETU,” said Ms Freeman-Gater, “Graduates can go on to build careers in dynamic technical roles that offer flexibility and the chance to work collaboratively on innovative ideas, services, and products.”
While there has been a recent shortfall in the number of women entering technology fields, this was not always the case, she adds. “Ada Lovelace is widely recognised as the world’s first computer programmer. We must now focus on developing the next generation of female tech talent to create a more balanced and inclusive workforce. Women make up half the world’s population, so it is only logical they should make up half the workforce in technology.”
SETU’s Women in Technology event is open to second-level and third-level female students and teachers. The event will feature exhibitions, technology demonstrations, industry speakers, and information on SETU’s wide range of third-level programmes, which provide pathways to exciting and rewarding careers in technology.
Schools that register for SETU’s Women in Technology event at SETU | Women in Technology 2026 will be entered into a draw to win a free bus to the event, while attendees will also be in with a chance to win one of six laptops.
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