11 April 2017
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Pictured the Johnson & Johnson Campus Ireland Credo IT Event at DePuy Synthes, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, were from left, Adam McCarthy ; Ally McCarthy, Glanmire Comm. School with Jimmy Henessy, J&J and Ruth Whelan, Glanmire Community School. Picture: Adrian O’Herlihy
Over 150 secondary 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 site and experience the impact IT has on the environment. The event was designed and led by volunteers working in technology from J&J companies including DePuy Synthes, Janssen Pharmaceutical Sciences and Janssen Sciences Ireland in Cork and VisionCare in Limerick.
Students from Colaiste Muire Secondary School in Crosshaven, Glanmire Community College, Ursuline Secondary School in 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 is the network for responsible and sustainable business in Ireland and has worked with J&J for over 10 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 their commitment and activity towards creating responsible and sustainable business practices which have a positive impact on society.
