Enterprise & Community Engagement
Enterprise and Community Engagement ( E&CE) enables and connects the MIC community with wider society through innovative partnerships that make a difference.
Mary Immaculate College has a long history and tradition of making connections and working with external partners, organisations and communities, and continues this work through a variety of outreach initiatives and events - organised and led by staff, students and the office of Enterprise and Community Engagement.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths)
As the leading third-level institution in Ireland in the provision of programmes in the teaching of STEAM at primary and second level, MIC is committed to promoting STEAM among primary and second level students, teachers, parents and the general public, through a wide range of outreach activities and events.
As well as a programme of interactive STEAM workshops on campus and in schools through the CRAFT Maker Space, E&CE at MIC plays an active role in organising activities for annual STEAM events, including Engineers Week, Space Week, Maths Week, as well as events for Culture Night and Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival.
MIC founded and manages the Limerick Festival of Science in collaboration with TUS and UL, in addition to founding and managing the Tipperary Festival of Science with TUS Thurles.
CRAFT Maker Space
The CRAFT (Creative Arts, Future Technologies) Maker Space at MIC is a dynamic and interactive public exhibition and workshop space, which allows for the fusion of the creative arts and STEM education through a variety of activities focusing on building creativity, innovation and STEAM skills for life.
These STEAM activities aim to reach a wide range of audiences including schools, families, young people and adults, through accessible and inclusive opportunities to engage with STEM experiences that are fun, engaging and inspire curiosity.
The CRAFT Maker Space on the MIC campus, is the first of its kind in the mid-west region of Ireland. More information on our STEAM outreach, STEAM educational resources and the CRAFT Maker Space can be found on the CRAFT Maker Space website here.
MIC, in partnership with DELL Technologies and supported by the Irish American Partnership, deliver the VEX IQ Robotics programme to primary schools across the Mid-West region. The VEX Robotics Challenge calls on students and teachers to work in teams to design, build and programme a robot to carry out set challenges.The participating children also prepare a STEM Research Project where they explore the use of robotics in everyday life. More information on the VEX Robotics Programme and other initiatives can be found here.
During the summer, MIC offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses in conjunction with Limerick Education Centre for teachers in VEX Robotics as well as in STEAM and Numeracy. More details on CPD summer courses offered by MIC can be found on the Faculty of Education's page here.
Enterprise
E&CE focus on developing long-term, meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships with industry and representative groups. We represent the college and work on many projects with a variety of different fora and groups across the region, including the Mid-West Regional Skills Forum, the Mid West Action Plan for Jobs, Innovate Limerick, The Learning Hub, Learning Limerick and Explore Engineering.
The CRAFT Maker Space also provides opportunities to work with many industries, businesses and local organisations across the Mid-West region. Having their support ensures that our workshops and activities are relevant and up to date with the latest technologies and developments in industry. Working with industry volunteers also provides workshop participants the opportunity to meet with Scientists, Designers, Engineers, Mathematicians and Artists, and talk to them about their careers and work.
E&CE manage the Student Inc programme at MIC. This exciting collaboration with MTU, UL, ATU, DKIT, SETU, UCC and TUS is a full-time summer accelerator programme that encourages and supports MIC students in developing their ideas and starting their own businesses in a safe and nurturing environment. Student Inc. provides students who have business ideas and an entrepreneurial mindset with access to a comprehensive entrepreneurship training programme, as well as mentoring and peer-to-peer learning, whilst also receiving a stipend allowing them to focus on their business idea but also support themselves financially.
E&CE deliver summer programmes for second level students that develop a range of new skills and abilities. Programmes such as Engage with IT and SustainAbility are designed to inspire and foster design thinking, creativity, innovation, active citizenship and enterprise among young people with a diverse range of life-experiences and from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Community Events
E&CE champion inclusive and accessible community learning events at MIC. We organise and manage College events that make a significant educational, social and cultural impact in Limerick City and beyond. E&CE's outreach work has also enabled us to forge strong links with the community. We do this through a range of measures, including representing the College on community based fora such as Learning Limerick and the Learning Hub. We actively participate in community based projects, working with partners and involving MIC students where appropriate.
E&CE manage a number of community based events at MIC including Culture Night, and coordinate events on behalf of the College for Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival. Every year these events welcome the general public onto our campuses and provide the opportunity for the College to open its doors and share its learning and expertise with our neighbours.
Age Friendly Campus
MIC has long been committed to the promotion of lifelong learning and supporting those of every age to educate and upskill - reflecting our belief that learning is a lifelong journey and that our campus should be a welcoming, inclusive space for all ages.
In July 2025, MIC became a member of the Age Friendly University Global Network (AFUGN), joining other higher education institutions worldwide dedicated to making our campus and our programmes accessible and welcoming to older adults.
Our membership in the AFUGN signals MIC’s ongoing commitment to shaping a campus culture where older adults are integral members of our learning community, and where age diversity is celebrated as a source of strength and inspiration.
Contact
Dr Maeve Liston
Director of Enterprise & Community Engagement
T: +353 61 774726
E: Maeve.Liston@mic.ul.ie
Patricia O'Sullivan
Manager, Enterprise & Community Engagement
T: +353 61 205108
E: Patricia.OSullivan@mic.ul.ie
