University of Limerick welcomes first graduates in immersive engineering

The University of Limerick (UL) has welcomed its inaugural graduates in the Master's degree program in Immersive Software Engineering (ISE). The groundbreaking course, launched in 2022, is a partnership between the university and prominent technology firms. The first cohort of 16 students marked the beginning of a new era in software engineering education, focusing on practical, on-the-job experience over traditional lectures and theoretical studies.

Collaborating with industry leaders such as Stripe, Salesforce-owned Fin, Analog Devices, Amazon Web Services, OpenAI, Qualcomm, Susquehanna, Eli Lilly, Deloitte, Manna, Provizio, Tines, and Protex AI, the ISE program offers students five long-term paid residencies with these businesses. This hands-on approach allows students to tackle real-world problems and products, spending approximately half of their course time in the workplace.

The program's co-director, Prof Stephen Kinsella, expressed pride in the graduates and their achievements, highlighting the program's unique approach to preparing students for high-level roles in the software industry. The inaugural graduates have already won multiple prestigious awards and scholarships, including from Naughton and Google.

Alison Ahern, head of education partnerships at Stripe, expressed delight in seeing the students' faith in the program being rewarded with exciting careers and bright futures, emphasizing the successful collaboration between academia and industry.