The researchers were part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Smart 4.0 programme at the Confirm Centre, an SFI-funded research centre in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at UL devoted to creating leaders in smart manufacturing. MSCA aims to promote excellence in research, foster innovation, and enhance the mobility and skills of researchers.
The SMART4.0 programme equipped the fellows with expertise in technology like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced manufacturing processes. These skills will allow them to innovate in fields such as robotics, cyber-physical systems, and data analytics, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in manufacturing.
Each award recipient completed a two-year Fellowship with an industry placement lasting at least three months, allowing them to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application.
James Ryan, 3D Technology Ltd, Galway was the industry supervisor for Dr Mohamad Alsaad ‘We are delighted to have participated in the SMART 4.0 program as an industry partner and collaborating closely with Mohammad. We are excited about the potential for similar opportunities in the future’.
Congratulating the fellows on their achievement, Dr Sinead Mellett SMART4.0 Programme Manager said: "The success of the SMART4.0 programme has been truly remarkable, largely due to the dedication and brilliance of our fellows. Their three-month industry placements have not only provided invaluable real-world experience but also fostered strong industry-academia collaborations. We are incredibly proud of the contributions our fellows have made towards advancing smart manufacturing and their role in driving Industry 4.0 innovations forward."
The SMART4.0 programme promoted Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) with 30% of its graduates being female. The programme has graduated 16 SMART4.0 Fellows over its lifetime.
