A University of Limerick showcase of the next generation of technology has celebrated the ‘creative, critical, and technical achievements of students’.
UL’s Department of Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) recently hosted its final year project demo day where students from Games Development, Music, Media and Performance Technology, Computer Systems and Digital Media Design showcased their ideas.
Over 90 projects were on display over three floors spanning topics from predicting nuclear reactor incidents, electric vehicle navigation, statistics tracking in American football to resisting the attention economy in gaming.
Through hands-on demos, there was an opportunity to experience an augmented reality app for tourism, then enter a room where you confront your right to be forgotten in today's surveillance culture. Visitors to the exhibition could explore new technologies that support the farming and agricultural sector, consider the ethics of AI design and engage with how software can enable dynamic live visuals for music performance.
Dr Tabea De Wille, Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems and Final Year Project Co-ordinator, said: “The 2025 CSIS FYP Demo Day exhibition celebrated the creative, critical, and technical achievements of students from the BSc in Computer Systems, BSc in Computer Games Development, BSc in Digital Media Design, and BSc in Music, Media and Performance Technology.
“These projects represent the culmination of months of independent research, experimentation, and iteration. They reflect not only what students have learned, but how they think, question, and design. The projects respond to a wide range of aspects of digital life, some tackling large-scale societal changes while others explore small, intimate moments.”
A number of awards were presented for outstanding projects:
The most innovative project, sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover, was awarded to Computer Systems student Kevin Collins, who developed a ‘Field Flood and Waterlogging Risk Analysis System’ designed to help the agricultural community, environmental planners, and local stakeholders identify fields at high risk of waterlogging.
The Best Industry-Based Project, sponsored by Horizon Fintex, was awarded to Computer Systems student Sushant Bajracharya, for his project ‘Firestarter’ which addressed a real-life scenario involving virtual machines - a key technology underpinning the infrastructure of many commercial cloud services. A major part of what makes virtual machines so expensive is hardware emulation, with enough fidelity to run multiple operating systems. Sushant’s open source code Final Year Project investigated a performance improvement that led to faster start-up times, a key consideration.
The prize recognising contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion sponsored by FISC-Ireland, was awarded to Computer Systems student Sam Ennis for his project ‘TicketSelect’ - a revolutionary ticketing platform replacing traditional queuing with a fair lottery system to address inequities in current platforms where success depends on internet speed, bots, or availability at release times.
The overall prize for Best Student Project was awarded to Music, Media and Performance Technology Student, Anna Christie, whose interactive audio visual project ‘Digital Shadows and the Right to be Forgotten’ explored the relationship between individuals and their right to be forgotten in today's surveillance culture.
Commenting on the success of the showcase Dr Patrick Healy, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems said: “CSIS is known for its cutting-edge programmes that prepare students for the digital world. As Head of Department, I am extremely proud of the work exhibited by our students today, and of our faculty and staff who advised, mentored and nurtured them over their years with us. In addition, I would like to thank our sponsors for their very generous support.”
CSIS hosts world-class facilities including professional grade recording studios with dedicated facilities for surround sound mixing and mastering, an electronic music composition suite, interaction design studio, green screen room, Makerspace with 3D printers, laser cutter and electronics development area, industry standard video recording and editing equipment plus numerous state of the art computer science and games labs.
Graduates from UL’s Department of Computer Science and Information Systems have gone on to pursue successful careers in diverse areas. Many have gone on to become interaction designers, games developers, software engineers, UI/UX designers and researchers at major international companies such as Dell, Apple, Accenture, and SAP.
Other have pursued careers in video games production, audio production, digital video, and immersive experiences which have contributed to the culture industry here in Ireland and beyond. Among these are Ali Griffiths, an Emmy and BAFTA award-winning visual effects producer (The Crown, The Witcher, Bridgerton); MuRli, a hip-hop artist who won a RTÉ Choice Music Prize as part of Rusangano Family; Gráinne Carrol, a film and television producer recently worked on the film Bonhoeffer; and Brona Martin, an electroacoustic composer and sound artist who lectures at the University of Greenwich.
About the programmes represented on the day:
BSc in Music, Media and Performance Technology: The BSc in Music, Media and Performance Technology prepares students for careers in digital media, film, sound, and interactive technology by developing a wide range of skills and technical proficiency in coding, cinematography, and sound engineering. Graduates will be equipped to contribute significantly to the Digital Arts, Music Technology, and Media industries, supported by professional-grade facilities for recording, mixing, and editing. The programme emphasizes creative use of digital media, independent problem-solving, and lifelong learning.
BSc in Digital Media Design: The degree in Digital Media Design equips students with the skills to creatively design user-centred interactions with technology, preparing them for the evolving field of Interaction and User Experience Design. Students work on real-world design cases, gaining insights from industry partners and using cutting-edge tools for prototyping, content creation, and interactive programming. The program emphasizes critical and creative thinking, helping students understand user needs and develop suitable interfaces and interactions.
BSc in Computer Systems: The Computer Systems programme at UL equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to become successful computer professionals, focusing on the principles of software development and their application. The programme emphasizes developing problem-solving skills, understanding computer science theory, and fostering professionalism for societal benefit.
BSc in Computer Games Development: The Computer Games Industry is a rapidly growing field, surpassing the film industry in sales and offering exciting career opportunities for creative and logical students. The Computer Games Development programme at UL equips students with skills in programming, game design, and computer graphics, emphasizing software development, mobile devices, and artificial intelligence. Graduates gain expertise in various programming languages, system analysis, and human-computer interfaces, preparing them for diverse roles in the computer games and graphics domains.
