Transact Makes Leadership Commitment to the University of Limerick’s New Immersive Software Engineering Program

By AIT News Desk On May 31, 2021

Transact to Host ISE Program Residencies, Join Global Coalition on ISE Advisory Board

With a goal of modernizing how computer science is taught through immersive learning, Transact, the leader in innovative payment solutions for a connected campus, committed its support to the University of Limerick’s new Immersive Software Engineering (ISE) Program. As part of its commitment, Transact will participate in hosting ISE Program Residencies and will join the ISE Advisory Board, a coalition of global of leaders.

“The synergistic mix of studio-based learning and immersive residencies with industry leaders will equip tomorrow’s technology leaders with both the soft-skills and applied modern software practices to make them successful in their careers”

“There is no other program in the world like Immersive Software Engineering. The hybrid model, leaning heavily on learning while doing, will revolutionize software teaching and learning. Through its participation, Transact is transforming the educational landscape for tomorrow’s technology leaders,” said University of Limerick Foundation Chief Executive Officer Harvey Duthie. “The ISE goal is to turn curious, creative people into the best software engineers in the world. Software engineers enjoy incredible careers: they work all over the world, solving important problems working for the world’s best technology companies like Transact.”

Globally, the largest gender and diversity gaps in education remain in STEM studies. As a result, women are under-represented in the technology sector, despite the good employment opportunities and highly productive jobs this area provides. For example, in Ireland, women aged 25-34 are more likely to have a higher education degree than men,¹ yet women represent just one-fifth of the total technology workforce.²

The University of Limerick’s new ISE program represents a new era of computer science education that aims to help close those gaps. In this innovative computer science course, students spend half their time learning with the best lecturers and researchers and half their time in paid placements called Residencies with world-leading companies, like Transact. ISE students will spend 40 weeks every year learning vs. the usual 24. They learn in studios working on projects, not in lecture halls, they never take an end-of-term exam, and they may earn a Masters qualification in four years, vs. five or six.

“The Transact Limerick team will empower Immersive Software Engineering’s focus on learning by doing, and community outreach in the context of equality, diversity, and inclusion,” said University of Limerick Head of Residencies for Immersive Software Engineering J.J. Collins. “It’s a privilege to have a partner on board with this level of expertise, deep local knowledge, vision, and enthusiasm. The future is looking delightfully brighter today.”

Transact has pledged to participate as a host of Student Residencies, beginning in 2023. As part of an overall commitment to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in technology, Transact has pledged a major donation towards a scholarship that will prioritize students from diverse social and economic backgrounds. In addition, Transact leaders will collaborate with the ISE Advisory Board to help shape the program.

“The synergistic mix of studio-based learning and immersive residencies with industry leaders will equip tomorrow’s technology leaders with both the soft-skills and applied modern software practices to make them successful in their careers,” said Transact Senior Director of Product Development John Burton. “This innovative educational program is a game changer, and supporting it is a no brainer.”

Last November, Transact announced it would create 110 new jobs in Limerick City Centre and its next-generation digital campus in Limerick would serve as the company’s international headquarters. The company has made steady progress towards this talent hiring goal, with close to 50 employees now based at Transact’s Limerick office.

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