18th April, 2017:  Over 150 secondary school students from Crosshaven, Glanmire, Blackrock and Carrigaline took part in Johnson & Johnson’s Campus Ireland IT Schools Open Day in Loughbeg, Ringaskiddy where virtual reality, Google Glass demos and talks on internet security, programming and 4D technology were the order of the day.

 

Now in its third year, the annual J&J IT Schools Open Day, in collaboration with Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), gives transition and fifth year students the opportunity to visit a local company and experience the impact IT has on the environment. The event was designed and led by volunteers working in technology from J&J companies DePuy Synthes, Janssen Pharmaceutical Sciences and Janssen Sciences Ireland in Cork, EMEA Development Centre in UL and VisionCare in Limerick.

 

Students from Colaiste Muire Secondary School Crosshaven, Glanmire Community College, Ursuline Secondary School Blackrock and Carrigaline Community School participated in interactive demonstrations and discussions on programming, data science and mobility technology.

 

Kyran Johnson, General Manager at Janssen Supply Chain Ireland, part of the J&J group of companies, said, “Initiatives such as this are very much part of J&J’s value system or Credo. We have a responsibility to the local community in which we live and work. There is immense opportunity in the IT sector and we are delighted to help educate and inspire these future graduates.

 

“We have a wonderful relationship with the local community and as a major employer in Cork, it is encouraging to open our doors and inspire future generations to think about the possibilities and applications of technology.”

 

Eimear Kelly, a transition year student from Colaiste Mhuire, Crosshaven said, “I loved it! I’m looking for a career in technology that will enable me to travel and today has given me loads of ideas for what is possible. We had great fun too!”

 

Business in the Community Ireland is the network for responsible and sustainable business in Ireland and has worked with J&J for over ten years on the School Partnership Programme and other key initiatives. Last year, Janssen Supply Chain Ireland was the first pharmaceutical manufacturing company to receive BITCI’s Business Working Responsibly Mark for its commitment and activity towards creating responsible and sustainable business practices which have a positive impact on society.

 

ENDS