Kooba

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the manager of web and online engagement at South East Technological University (SETU). We deliver education, research, and innovation that supports students, communities, and enterprises across Ireland’s southeast.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Kooba?

We needed support for the design and development of our new website as part of the creation of SETU.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Kooba supported the design and development of our new website as part of the creation of SETU. This was a multi-year program of work spanning approximately three years, beginning with the development of an interim website to support the initial establishment of SETU, followed by the planning, design, and build of the fully merged institutional website.
The objective was to deliver a robust, scalable, and user-focused web platform that could support a newly formed university, unify legacy institutions, and meet accessibility, governance, and performance requirements. Kooba’s scope of work covered the end-to-end design and development of the SETU website across both the interim and final merged phases of the project. 
This included discovery and planning, information architecture, UX/UI design, technical architecture, and full website build and deployment. 
Key deliverables included the design and build of the interim SETU website to support the university at the formation stage; the subsequent design and development of the fully merged institutional website; implementation of a scalable CMS; development of reusable templates and components; migration and consolidation of content from legacy institutions; and support for accessibility, performance, and governance requirements.
Kooba also worked closely with the internal SETU web and marketing teams throughout the process to ensure the platform met user needs and could be effectively managed in-house post-launch. Kooba directly delivered the core website platform and foundational components for setu.ie. This included the overall information architecture, UX, and visual design system, front-end templates and layouts, and the build and configuration of the CMS.
They developed the main page templates, navigation structures, content types, and reusable components that underpin the site, along with accessibility-compliant layouts and responsive behavior across devices. Kooba also delivered the technical implementation required to launch both the interim and final merged SETU websites, including environment setup, deployment, and initial content migration support. 
These elements formed the core framework on which the internal SETU web team has continued to build, extend, and evolve the site post-launch.

How did you come to work with Kooba?

We found them via a tender application for a web project. Their pricing fit our budget, and they were a great culture fit. Kooba was appointed following a full tender process. They submitted a comprehensive written proposal and delivered a detailed presentation. Based on the published tender criteria, they were assessed as the strongest supplier for this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from September 2021–January 2025.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Following the launch of the interim and subsequently the fully merged setu.ie site, the university saw strong growth in website traffic and sustained engagement as SETU became established as a new institution. Accessibility was a core requirement throughout the project, with the site designed and built to meet WCAG standards. 
This was reflected in improved accessibility audit outcomes and positive feedback from internal stakeholders responsible for accessibility, communications, and digital governance. Feedback from stakeholders across the university was consistently positive, particularly in relation to the clarity of structure, consistency of design, and the flexibility of the CMS, which enabled internal teams to manage and evolve content efficiently post-launch. 
Collectively, these indicators demonstrated that the project successfully delivered a stable, accessible, and scalable digital platform for a newly merged university.One of the clearest indicators of success was the level of confidence and buy-in from stakeholders across the university following the launch. There was particularly positive feedback around how effectively the site supported the identity of a newly merged university. 
Stakeholders noted that the platform helped present SETU as a single, coherent institution from day one, while still allowing flexibility to represent different campuses, disciplines, and audiences. Accessibility was also frequently referenced in feedback, with stakeholders acknowledging that the site raised the standard for inclusive digital design within the organis ation .
Collectively, this feedback reinforced that the project succeeded not just as a technical delivery but as a foundational piece of digital infrastructure that supported confidence, clarity, and cohesion across the university.

How did Kooba perform from a project management standpoint?

They delivered on time and on budget.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What stood out most about working with Kooba was their ability to operate as a true delivery partner rather than a purely external supplier. They demonstrated a strong understanding of the complexity and sensitivities involved in establishing a new university. Kooba was particularly effective at collaborating with the internal SETU web team, adapting to evolving requirements over a multi-year program, and translating high-level objectives into a clear, usable digital platform. 
Their openness, responsiveness, and willingness to engage constructively with feedback made the process collaborative and trust-based, which was critical to the success of a project of this scale and duration.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Given the scale, duration, and evolving nature of the project, there were inevitably areas where approaches were refined as the work progressed. However, Kooba was responsive to feedback, adapted quickly to changing priorities, and worked constructively with the internal web team to address challenges as they arose. 
Overall, any learnings from the project were a function of its complexity rather than shortcomings in delivery, and Kooba’s flexibility and professionalism were key to navigating that successfully.