Des Walsh - MTU Sirig | Sustainable Infrastructure Research & Innovation Group

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Des Walsh

Position Title:

Head of Department, Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering

Institution:

Munster Technological University

Research Group:

SIRIG

Qualifications:

BE MSc DIC CENG FIEI

Employment History

(2007 – Present)
Cork IT / MTU: Head of Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering

(1994 – 2007)
Dundalk IT and Cork IT / MTU: Lecturer and Researcher

(1992 – 1994)
Laois County Council: Executive Engineer, Road Design

(1986 – 1992)
ARUP (UK): Structural Engineer, Resident Engineer

Biography

Having graduated with a H1 in Civil Engineering from NUI Galway Des worked in professional practice roles with ARUP in the UK for a period of six years. Variety of duties including positions as Structural Engineer (Design and Development) in both the Building Engineering and Highways & Bridges divisions of ARUP as well as a Resident Engineer role for a two-year period on major highway interchange and motorway projects. Des completed postgraduate studies in Structural Engineering at Imperial College, London. Subsequent industry experience as an Executive Engineer with the Road Design section of Laois County Council included planning, development and infrastructure management work.

Lecturer in Civil Engineering at Dundalk Institute of Technology for a three year period before taking up a similar role at Cork Institute of Technology.

Since 2006 Des has been the Head of the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering. Lead responsibility for significant programme development in postgraduate studies, CPD offerings and a suite of BIM programmes from Certificate to MSc award. Des has driven the integration of digital and emerging disciplines and technologies in the programmes. During his career in academia Des has championed life-long and flexible learning opportunities, the Department was one of the first to embrace online delivery of some of its programmes at the start of the 2010 decade.

Under his leadership, applied research activity in the Department has grown significantly. In addition to traditionally funded projects in the environmental disciplines, a research capability to support industry innovation and development in the areas of structural strength and stability testing, fire testing, structural feasibility studies and the sustainable recycling of structural elements has been developed and implemented.

Des is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow Member of Engineers Ireland.