Captain Diarmuid Maher graduated from the postgraduate Certificate in Software Defined Communications Systems at SETU’s Kilkenny Road campus in Carlow on Friday 1 November.
Working within the Defence Forces
The Irish Defence Forces encompasses the Army Reserve, Naval Service, Air Crops and the Reserve Defence Forces. Having served in multiple appointments over the years, Diarmuid reflected on his time in the Defence Forces, sharing, “I have worked in many communication and engineering roles throughout my time serving in the military. After first starting as a radio technician, I now operate as Officer Commanding (OC) Communications and Information Services (CIS) Base Technical Workshops”.
Talking more about his time in the military, he continued, “My experience has been shaped by a hands-on approach to learning. I've had a front-row seat to the rapid evolution in military communication technology and cybersecurity demands. Each role has required continuous learning, adapting to new technologies, and managing complex systems like ground-to-air radar, encryption, and secure networks for both fixed and tactical operations”.
SETU course helping bridge the gap
With years of experience behind him, and the Defence Forces currently in the process of acquiring new Software Defined Radios (SDR’s), Diarmuid identified the need to effectively manage and support these new and advanced systems.
When talking about how the certificate at SETU allowed him to better align his educational and operational needs, he shared, “SETU provided me with a strong foundation in SDR technology, equipping me with the necessary skills to both integrate and operate this new technology within the military”.
Diarmuid found the hands-on elements to learning very positive, finding modules like radio theory, networking and python coding particularly insightful. He stated, “Each of these modules reinforced the theory with real-world applications and lab work. This approach to teaching aligns well with how military personnel often learn best. It brings theoretical concepts to life in a tangible way that’s directly applicable to our roles. It is more engaging”.
Continuing he said, “The Software Defined Communications course had a focus on the practical, mission-critical applications. This enriched my academic journey, making each concept or theory more relevant to my duties”.
Balancing theory and practical learning at SETU
When speaking about how he balanced both his military and academic lives, Diarmuid stated, “The discipline and structure of a military background has provided me with a strong foundation for managing coursework, understanding real-world applications, and contributing meaningfully in both military and academic settings”.
Because of the Defence Forces partnership with SETU, students like Diarmuid are supported in their educational pursuits. Talking about this, he shared “The Defence Forces provided me with the time to study during my course. The curriculum at SETU was well-structured, and the lecturers were flexible and understanding. This made it easier to balance the workload alongside my duties”.
Continuing his education
Focusing on the next step in his education, Diarmuid said, “I am currently pursuing a MSc in Industrial Networks and Cybersecurity. My goal is to build on my recent learnings, enhancing my technical skills and operational effectiveness within the Defence Forces”.
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