News Archive

(Leagan Gaeilge) The Faulkes Telescopes Universe Challenge will be launched today (Thursday, 8 January) at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in the RDS, as part of the Irish celebrations of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. Transition Year students, and their equivalents in Northern Ireland, will be asked to take part in scientific research projects involving the Faulkes Telescopes. The state-of-the-art, 2m diameter telescopes are situated on mountain-top sites in Australia and Hawaii, and can be remotely operated by school groups. Members of the professional astronomy community in universities and institutes throughout the island of Ireland will suggest research projects and assist school students in their delivery. On the basis of their results, to be presented at the Galway Science and Technology Festival in October 2009, the best group, including their teacher and professional mentor, will be invited to visit the Chilean Observatories of the European Southern Observatory. There they will see one of the world s best telescopes and try out one of the smaller telescopes for their own research. The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) is a global celebration of astronomy and its contribution to society and culture. 2009 is the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo, in reality the beginning of the modern age in astronomy. The aim of IYA2009 is to stimulate a worldwide interest and encourage participation in astronomy and in science amongst students at all levels, and among the general public. In Ireland, a programme of events is being organised by the Irish Node of IYA2009, headed by Professor Michael Redfern, Centre for Astronomy, NUI Galway. According to Professor Michael Redfern: "The Faulkes Telescopes Universe Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for school students to experience original scientific research, and for them to meet and work with real scientists. There can be immense satisfaction from achievements that take time and effort - which I think can sometimes be missed in school curricula, and in the scramble for points. The research these students will undertake is original, no one can tell them in advance what the results are supposed to be - I think that this is a very exciting opportunity. The prize is very generously sponsored by the European Southern Observatory, even though Ireland is not a member". The Faulkes Telescopes Universe Challenge is sponsored by Discover Science & Engineering, NUI Galway, Northern Ireland Space Office and Armagh Observatory. Further information can be found at www.astronomy2009.ie. Dúshlán Teileascóp na Scoileanna Seolta mar chuid de Bhliain Idirnáisiúnta na Réalteolaíochta 2009 (View in English) Seolfar Dúshlán Theileascóip Faulkes na Cruinne inniu (Déardaoin, 8 Eanáir) ag Taispeántas Eolaithe Óga agus Teicneolaíochta BT san RDS, mar chuid de cheiliúradh na hÉireann ar Bhliain Idirnáisiúnta na Réalteolaíochta 2009. Iarrfar ar dhaltaí Idirbhliana, agus ar a gcomhdhaltaí as Tuaisceart Éireann, a bheith rannpháirteach i dtionscadail taighde eolaíochta a bhaineann le Teileascóip Faulkes. Tá na teileascóip seo, a bhfuil trastomhas 2m iontu, suite ar láithreáin ar bharr na gcnoc san Astráil agus i Haváí agus is féidir le grúpaí scoile iad a oibriú go cianda. Molfaidh baill de phobal gairmiúil na réalteolaíochta in ollscoileanna agus in institiúidí ar fud oileán na hÉireann tionscadail taighde agus cuideoidh siad leis na daltaí scoile na tionscadail a chur i gcrích. Bunaithe ar na torthaí, a fhógrófar ag Féile Eolaíochta & Teicneolaíochta na Gaillimhe i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2009, tabharfar cuireadh don ghrúpa is fearr, dá múinteoir agus dá meantóir gairmiúil, cuairt a thabhairt ar Réadlanna Sileacha Réadlann na hEorpa Theas. Feicfidh siad ceann de scoth-theileascóip an domhain ansin agus bainfidh siad triail as ceann de na teileascóip bheaga dá gcuid taighde féin. Is ceiliúradh domhanda Bliain Idirnáisiúnta na Réalteolaíochta (IYA2009) ar an réalteolaíocht agus ar an gcaoi a gcuireann sí leis an tsochaí agus leis an gcultúr. Táthar ag déanamh ceiliúradh comórtha 400 bliain ar an uair ar úsáid Galileo teileascóp réalteolaíochta, arb éard a bhí ann i ndáiríre tús na réalteolaíochta nua-aimseartha. Is é aidhm IYA2009 spéis a chothú ar fud an domhain agus rannpháirtíocht a spreagadh sa réalteolaíocht agus san eolaíocht i measc mac léinn ag gach leibhéal, agus i measc an phobail i gcoitinne. Tá clár imeachtaí á eagrú in Éirinn ag Nód Éireannach an IYA2009, faoi stiúir an Ollaimh Michael Redfern, Ionad na Réalteolaíochta, OÉ Gaillimh. Deir an tOllamh Michael Redfern: "Is deis iontach Dúshlán Theileascóip Faulkes na Cruinne do dhaltaí scoile taithí a fháil ar an mbuntaighde eolaíoch, agus bualadh le fíoreolaithe agus oibriú leo. Bíonn an-sásamh le baint as éachtaí a mbaineann am agus dianiarracht leo – rud a shílim a bhíonn in easnamh in amanna ar churaclaim scoile agus sa sciob sceab ar phointí. Is buntaighde a bhíonn ar bun ag na mic léinn seo, ní bhíonn aon duine in ann a rá leo roimh ré cén toradh ba cheart a bheith air – sílim gur deis iontach é seo. Rinne Réadlann na hEorpa Theas urraíocht ar an duais, cé nach bhfuil Éire ina comhalta di." Tá Discover Science & Engineering, OÉ Gaillimh, Northern Ireland Space Office agus Réadlann Ard Mhacha ag déanamh urraíochta ar Dhúshlán Theileascóip Faulkes na Cruinne. Tá tuilleadh eolais le fáil ag www.astronomy2009.ie -críoch-

Seolfar Dúshlán Theileascóip Faulkes na Cruinne inniu (Déardaoin, 8 Eanáir) ag Taispeántas Eolaithe Óga agus Teicneolaíochta BT san RDS, mar chuid de cheiliúradh na hÉireann ar Bhliain Idirnáisiúnta na Réalteolaíochta 2009. View in English Iarrfar ar dhaltaí Idirbhliana, agus ar a gcomhdhaltaí as Tuaisceart Éireann, a bheith rannpháirteach i dtionscadail taighde eolaíochta a bhaineann le Teileascóip Faulkes. Tá na teileascóip seo, a bhfuil trastomhas 2m iontu, suite ar láithreáin ar bharr na gcnoc san Astráil agus i Haváí agus is féidir le grúpaí scoile iad a oibriú go cianda. Molfaidh baill de phobal gairmiúil na réalteolaíochta in ollscoileanna agus in institiúidí ar fud oileán na hÉireann tionscadail taighde agus cuideoidh siad leis na daltaí scoile na tionscadail a chur i gcrích. Bunaithe ar na torthaí, a fhógrófar ag Féile Eolaíochta & Teicneolaíochta na Gaillimhe i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2009, tabharfar cuireadh don ghrúpa is fearr, dá múinteoir agus dá meantóir gairmiúil, cuairt a thabhairt ar Réadlanna Sileacha Réadlann na hEorpa Theas. Feicfidh siad ceann de scoth-theileascóip an domhain ansin agus bainfidh siad triail as ceann de na teileascóip bheaga dá gcuid taighde féin. Is ceiliúradh domhanda Bliain Idirnáisiúnta na Réalteolaíochta (IYA2009) ar an réalteolaíocht agus ar an gcaoi a gcuireann sí leis an tsochaí agus leis an gcultúr. Táthar ag déanamh ceiliúradh comórtha 400 bliain ar an uair ar úsáid Galileo teileascóp réalteolaíochta, arb éard a bhí ann i ndáiríre tús na réalteolaíochta nua-aimseartha. Is é aidhm IYA2009 spéis a chothú ar fud an domhain agus rannpháirtíocht a spreagadh sa réalteolaíocht agus san eolaíocht i measc mac léinn ag gach leibhéal, agus i measc an phobail i gcoitinne. Tá clár imeachtaí á eagrú in Éirinn ag Nód Éireannach an IYA2009, faoi stiúir an Ollaimh Michael Redfern, Ionad na Réalteolaíochta, OÉ Gaillimh. Deir an tOllamh Michael Redfern: "Is deis iontach Dúshlán Theileascóip Faulkes na Cruinne do dhaltaí scoile taithí a fháil ar an mbuntaighde eolaíoch, agus bualadh le fíoreolaithe agus oibriú leo. Bíonn an-sásamh le baint as éachtaí a mbaineann am agus dianiarracht leo – rud a shílim a bhíonn in easnamh in amanna ar churaclaim scoile agus sa sciob sceab ar phointí. Is buntaighde a bhíonn ar bun ag na mic léinn seo, ní bhíonn aon duine in ann a rá leo roimh ré cén toradh ba cheart a bheith air – sílim gur deis iontach é seo. Rinne Réadlann na hEorpa Theas urraíocht ar an duais, cé nach bhfuil Éire ina comhalta di." Tá Discover Science & Engineering, OÉ Gaillimh, Northern Ireland Space Office agus Réadlann Ard Mhacha ag déanamh urraíochta ar Dhúshlán Theileascóip Faulkes na Cruinne. Tá tuilleadh eolais le fáil ag www.astronomy2009.ie -críoch-

Éacht suntasach a bhaineann leis an tionscadal taighde nua síolraithe éisc seo is ea go bhfuil breis is 20,000 trosc óg scaoilte amach san fharraige ar chósta an iarthair. Is í Institiúid Mháirtín Uí Riain in OÉ Gaillimh atá i mbun an tionscadail seo agus tá an trosc óg atá síolraithe go speisialta á stóráil i gcaighin i bhfeirm éisc Trosc Teo. i gConamara, Co. na Gaillimhe. Beathófar na héisc seo, atá síolraithe as tréithchineál sonrach Éireannach, go dtí go mbeidh siad oiriúnach don mhargadh. View in English Is é seo an chéad stoc de throsc óg tairgthe faoin tionscadal taighde ar a dtugtar EIRCOD, tionscadal atá á mhaoiniú ag Foras na Mara agus a áirítear mar Fhochlár Taighde Mara den Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta. Forbraíodh an tionscadal seo le dul i ngleic leis an laghdú a bhí le sonrú sa líon gabhálacha, imní maidir le róshaothrú agus ídiú stoc éisc, le cois a chinntiú go gcruthaítear éagsúlacht i dtionscadal dobharshaothraithe na hÉireann. Is é príomhaidhm thionscnamh EIRCOD stoc troisc agus clár síolraithe a dhearadh, a bhunú agus a fheidhmiú – clár a oireann d Éirinn agus a thacaíonn leis an tionscal dúchasach feirmeoireachta éisc. Dar leis an Dr Richard Fitzgerald, Eolaí Sinsearach le tionscadal EIRCOD in Institiúid Mháirtín Uí Riain, OÉ Gaillimh, gur céim shuntasach chun cinn é go bhfuil na héisc seo scaoilte chun farraige: "Is é seo an chéad uair riamh a bhfuil tréithchineál dúchasach troisc síolraithe agus a bhfuil an oiread sin éisc scaoilte chun farraige in Éirinn. Cé go bhfuil coincheapa cosúla á gcur i bhfeidhm le trosc san Iorua, i gCeanada agus san Íoslainn is é seo an chéad uair riamh a bhfuil clár síolraithe náisiúnta curtha i bhfeidhm sa tír seo. Is cinnte gur céim shuntasach chun cinn atá ann mar aon le léargas ar an tacaíocht atáthar sásta a thabhairt do thionscadal feirmeoireachta éisc na hÉireann". Tháinig an trosc óg ó uibheacha a bailíodh ón Muir Cheilteach, amach ó chósta an Deiscirt, agus ansin goradh agus beathaíodh na huibheacha in áiseanna Institiúid Mháirtín Uí Riain i gConamara, Co. na Gaillimhe. Tá tuismíocht na n-iasc seo ar eolas agus déanfar comparáid idir fás na ngrúpaí difriúla go dtí go mbeidh siad feiliúnach don mhargadh agus na grúpaí a bhfuil ag éirí go maith leo agus atá á roghnú le húsáid i ngníomhaíochtaí síolraithe a bheidh ar bun amach anseo. Chomh maith leis sin dúirt an Dr Fitzgerald: "Go bunúsach is éard atá ar bun againn, díreach mar a dhéanaimid i gcás feirmeoireachta eallaigh nó caorach, an stoc is fearr agus is féidir linn a shíolrú. Sa chás áirithe seo, tá leas á bhaint againn as an daonra áitiúil troisc – na troisc is fearr a oireann dár gcoinníollacha cósta. Is é cuspóir na hoibre seo go mbeidh na héisc seo, nuair a bheidh siad feiliúnach don mhargadh, frithsheasmhach in aghaidh galair agus feiliúnach don mhargadh in achar gearr ama". Le ceithre bliana anuas, bhí MRI Carna ar thús cadhnaíochta in Éirinn sa réimse seo agus tá clár taighde fheidhmigh curtha i bhfeidhm ar mhaithe leis an acmhainn náisiúnta chun éisc a thairgeadh agus a bheathú a fhorbairt. Deir John Kavanagh, Stiúrthóir Oifig um Aistriú Teicneolaíochta Ignite in OÉ Gaillimh go mbaineann féidearthacht iontach leis na teicneolaíochtaí atá forbartha ag MRI Carna: "Is éard a tharla in Institiúid Mháirtín Uí Riain gur tógadh ubháin tríd an bpas larbhach go dtí gur foirmíodh éisc óga. D'fhéadfaí leas a bhaint as na scileanna gorlainne agus na teicneolaíochtaí speisialta seo chun tionscal nua a chruthú in Éirinn. Teicneolaíocht chumasúcháin atá anseo a d'fhéadfaí a úsáid le speicis éisc eile d fhonn séasúracht chomhlántach agus rogha níos fearr a chruthú san áit mhargaidh. Tá deis shuntasach gnó ann cuideachta a bhunú chun éisc óga mara a thógáil don earnáil tráchtála". Is é Institiúid Mháirtín Uí Riain, OÉ Gaillimh, atá lonnaithe i gCarna, Co. na Gaillimhe i gcomhar leis na comhpháirtithe seo a leanas atá páirteach i dtionscadal EIRCOD - Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Grúpa Táirgeoirí Bia Mara na hÉireann agus an Dr Ashie Norris. Tá an tionscadal seo ag cur le hobair atá curtha i gcrích ag Institiúid Mháirtín Uí Riain agus Trosc Teo. le ceithre bliana anuas, obair a rinneadh le cabhair ó na gníomhaireachtaí stáit ábhartha, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Mara agus Bord Iascaigh Mhara. -críoch-

(Leagan Gaeilge) The first milestone has been reached in a new fish breeding research project with the transfer to sea off the west coast of over 20,000 juvenile cod. The project, led by NUI Galway's Martin Ryan Institute, has placed the specially bred juvenile cod into cages in the Trosc Teo. fish farm in Connemara, Co. Galway. The fish, bred from a specific Irish strain, will be further reared to reach market size. These are the first juvenile cod stocks produced under the research project which is called EIRCOD and funded by the Marine Institute and the Marine Research Sub-programme of the National Development Plan. The project came about in response to declining wild catches, caution over exploitation and depletion of fish stocks, and also the need to diversify the Irish aquaculture industry. The EIRCOD initiative's overall objective is to design, establish and operate a cod broodstock and breeding programme which is customised for the Irish environment and underpins the native fish farming industry. According to Dr Richard Fitzgerald, Senior Scientist with the EIRCOD project at the Martin Ryan Institute, NUI Galway, the release of the fish is a significant step: "This is the first time a native strain of cod has been bred and released in these numbers in Ireland. While similar concepts are exploited with cod in Norway, Canada and Iceland, this is the first occasion where a national breeding programme has been employed in this country. It represents a significant step forward and a major support for the Irish fish farming industry". The juvenile cod came from eggs collected from the Celtic Sea, off the South coast, and then hatched and further reared at the Martin Ryan Institute's facilities in Connemara, Co. Galway. The parentage of these fish is known and the growth performance of the different groups will be monitored up to market size with the better performing groups being selected for use in future breeding activities. Dr Fitzgerald added: "What we are doing, much as we do in cattle or sheep farming, is breeding the best stock we can. In this case, we are drawing on the genetic reservoir of local cod populations that are most suited to our coastal conditions. The objective is that these fish, when market size, will have been more disease resistant and have grown rapidly to market size". For the past four years, MRI Carna has been the major performer in Ireland in this area and has conducted a programme of applied research to develop a national capacity to produce and rear fish. John Kavanagh, Director of the Ignite Technology Transfer Office at NUI Galway, says the technologies developed by MRI have huge potential: "What we have seen at the Martin Ryan Institute is the rearing of ova through the larval phase, to juvenile fish. The associated hatchery skills and specialist technologies have the potential for a new industry in Ireland. This is enabling technology that can be applied to other fish species leading to complementary seasonality and greater choice in the marketplace. There is a significant business opportunity in establishing a company to rear marine juvenile fish for the commercial sector". The EIRCOD project is led by NUI Galway's Martin Ryan Institute in Carna, Co. Galway with partners UCC, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Irish Seafood Producers Group and Dr Ashie Norris. The project builds on work carried out by the Martin Ryan Institute and Trosc Teo. over the past four years with the assistance of the relevant state agencies Údarás na Gaeltachta, Marine Institute, and BIM. Éacht Suntasach Bainte Amach ag Clár Nuálach Síolraithe Éisc in Éirinn (View in English) Éacht suntasach a bhaineann leis an tionscadal taighde nua síolraithe éisc seo is ea go bhfuil breis is 20,000 trosc óg scaoilte amach san fharraige ar chósta an iarthair. Is í Institiúid Mháirtín Uí Riain in OÉ Gaillimh atá i mbun an tionscadail seo agus tá an trosc óg atá síolraithe go speisialta á stóráil i gcaighin i bhfeirm éisc Trosc Teo. i gConamara, Co. na Gaillimhe. Beathófar na héisc seo, atá síolraithe as tréithchineál sonrach Éireannach, go dtí go mbeidh siad oiriúnach don mhargadh. Is é seo an chéad stoc de throsc óg tairgthe faoin tionscadal taighde ar a dtugtar EIRCOD, tionscadal atá á mhaoiniú ag Foras na Mara agus a áirítear mar Fhochlár Taighde Mara den Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta. Forbraíodh an tionscadal seo le dul i ngleic leis an laghdú a bhí le sonrú sa líon gabhálacha, imní maidir le róshaothrú agus ídiú stoc éisc, le cois a chinntiú go gcruthaítear éagsúlacht i dtionscadal dobharshaothraithe na hÉireann. Is é príomhaidhm thionscnamh EIRCOD stoc troisc agus clár síolraithe a dhearadh, a bhunú agus a fheidhmiú - clár a oireann d Éirinn agus a thacaíonn leis an tionscal dúchasach feirmeoireachta éisc. Dar leis an Dr Richard Fitzgerald, Eolaí Sinsearach le tionscadal EIRCOD in Institiúid Mháirtín Uí Riain, OÉ Gaillimh, gur céim shuntasach chun cinn é go bhfuil na héisc seo scaoilte chun farraige: "Is é seo an chéad uair riamh a bhfuil tréithchineál dúchasach troisc síolraithe agus a bhfuil an oiread sin éisc scaoilte chun farraige in Éirinn. Cé go bhfuil coincheapa cosúla á gcur i bhfeidhm le trosc san Iorua, i gCeanada agus san Íoslainn is é seo an chéad uair riamh a bhfuil clár síolraithe náisiúnta curtha i bhfeidhm sa tír seo. Is cinnte gur céim shuntasach chun cinn atá ann mar aon le léargas ar an tacaíocht atáthar sásta a thabhairt do thionscadal feirmeoireachta éisc na hÉireann". Tháinig an trosc óg ó uibheacha a bailíodh ón Muir Cheilteach, amach ó chósta an Deiscirt, agus ansin goradh agus beathaíodh na huibheacha in áiseanna Institiúid Mháirtín Uí Riain i gConamara, Co. na Gaillimhe. Tá tuismíocht na n-iasc seo ar eolas agus déanfar comparáid idir fás na ngrúpaí difriúla go dtí go mbeidh siad feiliúnach don mhargadh agus na grúpaí a bhfuil ag éirí go maith leo agus atá á roghnú le húsáid i ngníomhaíochtaí síolraithe a bheidh ar bun amach anseo. Chomh maith leis sin dúirt an Dr Fitzgerald: "Go bunúsach is éard atá ar bun againn, díreach mar a dhéanaimid i gcás feirmeoireachta eallaigh nó caorach, an stoc is fearr agus is féidir linn a shíolrú. Sa chás áirithe seo, tá leas á bhaint againn as an daonra áitiúil troisc - na troisc is fearr a oireann dár gcoinníollacha cósta. Is é cuspóir na hoibre seo go mbeidh na héisc seo, nuair a bheidh siad feiliúnach don mhargadh, frithsheasmhach in aghaidh galair agus feiliúnach don mhargadh in achar gearr ama". Le ceithre bliana anuas, bhí MRI Carna ar thús cadhnaíochta in Éirinn sa réimse seo agus tá clár taighde fheidhmigh curtha i bhfeidhm ar mhaithe leis an acmhainn náisiúnta chun éisc a thairgeadh agus a bheathú a fhorbairt. Deir John Kavanagh, Stiúrthóir Oifig um Aistriú Teicneolaíochta Ignite in OÉ Gaillimh go mbaineann féidearthacht iontach leis na teicneolaíochtaí atá forbartha ag MRI Carna: "Is éard a tharla in Institiúid Mháirtín Uí Riain gur tógadh ubháin tríd an bpas larbhach go dtí gur foirmíodh éisc óga. D'fhéadfaí leas a bhaint as na scileanna gorlainne agus na teicneolaíochtaí speisialta seo chun tionscal nua a chruthú in Éirinn. Teicneolaíocht chumasúcháin atá anseo a d'fhéadfaí a úsáid le speicis éisc eile d fhonn séasúracht chomhlántach agus rogha níos fearr a chruthú san áit mhargaidh. Tá deis shuntasach gnó ann cuideachta a bhunú chun éisc óga mara a thógáil don earnáil tráchtála". Is é Institiúid Mháirtín Uí Riain, OÉ Gaillimh, atá lonnaithe i gCarna, Co. na Gaillimhe i gcomhar leis na comhpháirtithe seo a leanas atá páirteach i dtionscadal EIRCOD - Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Grúpa Táirgeoirí Bia Mara na hÉireann agus an Dr Ashie Norris. Tá an tionscadal seo ag cur le hobair atá curtha i gcrích ag Institiúid Mháirtín Uí Riain agus Trosc Teo. le ceithre bliana anuas, obair a rinneadh le cabhair ó na gníomhaireachtaí stáit ábhartha, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Mara agus Bord Iascaigh Mhara. -críoch-

(Leagan Gaeilge) Researchers to partner with 22 companies in a strategic €23.9 million collaborative investment Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan T.D., has today (Wednesday, 25 February, 2009) announced the establishment of five new Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Strategic Research Clusters (SRCs), representing a €23.9 million investment in ground-breaking, collaborative research activities involving seven academic institutions and 22 companies. A relatively new element in SFI's portfolio of supports, the SRC programme was first introduced in 2007 to link scientists and engineers in partnerships across academia and industry to address crucial research questions, foster the development of new and existing Irish-based technology companies, and to grow partnerships with industry. Making the announcement, the Tánaiste said: "Science, while engaging and exciting, is also a fiercely competitive arena, and it is increasingly clear that a country's economic fortunes are significantly dependent on its ability to conduct research that translates into economically-beneficial outcomes. The Government's 'Building Ireland's Smart Economy' framework prioritises continued investment in science and engineering infrastructure to assist with the creation of a thriving enterprise sector, high-quality employment and first-class infrastructure. The 170 highly skilled personnel involved in these SRCs, together with the 22 partner companies are central to achieving this," the Tánaiste stressed. Also present at the announcement the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Jimmy Devins T.D. said: "SRCs bring together academic and industrial expertise to create innovative research and entrepreneurial foresight that, in combination, will help to re-shape Ireland's economy, create employment opportunities, boost our reputation abroad and ultimately act as the engine that sustains all of these in the long-term". The Lead Principal Investigators of the five new SRCs are: 1. Professor Lokesh Joshi of NUI Galway - Alimentary Glycoscience Research Cluster (AGRC) 2. Professor Pádraig Cunningham of UCD - Clique SRC 3. Dr William Donnelly of Waterford Institute of Technology - Federated, Autonomic Management of End-to-end Communication Services (FAME SRC) 4. Professor Miles Turner of DCU - Precision SRC 5. Professor Brett Paul, also from DCU - Irish Separation Science Cluster Welcoming the announcement, Director-General of SFI, Professor Frank Gannon said: "SFI believes in supporting only top-level relevant research - subsidising mediocre research activity will not produce the outputs required to enhance Ireland's scientific and innovation landscape and re-energise Ireland's economy. These new SRCs, have successfully come through a lengthy and thorough peer review. From 40 proposals, I am confident that SFI is supporting the very best teams of researchers and industry-based experts that will help to provide a range of strategic economic benefits to Ireland". Funding announced today was approved by the SFI Board following a rigorous, multi-faceted assessment process. This encompassed international scientific peer review, 23 reviews participated in the pre-proposal panel, 27 international experts participated in the postal review process and 27 international experts participated in the five on-site reviews. In addition, a 'Strategic Value to Ireland' assessment was performed by key Government agency stakeholders, including IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Department of Taoiseach, Forfás, the Higher Education Authority and the Health Research Board. Fógraíonn an Tánaiste Cúig 'Ghrúpa Taighde Straitéiseacha' Fhondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann Taighdeoirí le hoibriú i gcomhar le 22 cuideachta mar chuid d'infheistíocht straitéiseach chomhoibríoch ar fiú €23.9 milliún í (View in English) D'fhógair an Tánaiste agus Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta, Mary Coughlan T.D., inniu (Dé Céadaoin, 25 Feabhra 2009) go bhfuil cúig Ghrúpa Taighde Straitéiseacha bunaithe ag Fondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann. Is ionann na grúpaí taighde straitéiseacha seo agus infheistíocht ar fiú €23.9 milliún i ngníomhaíochtaí úrnua, comhoibríocha taighde a bhfuil 7 n-institiúid acadúla agus 22 cuideachta páirteach iontu. Gné réasúnta nua d'obair Fhondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann é clár na nGrúpaí Taighde Straitéiseacha ar cuireadh tús leis in 2007. Tá sé mar aidhm leis an gclár seo eolaithe agus innealtóirí atá ag obair sa timpeallacht acadúil agus sa tionscal a thabhairt le chéile, le déileáil le príomhcheisteanna taighde, le cuideachtaí teicneolaíochta nua agus reatha Éireannacha a fhorbairt, agus le comhpháirtíochtaí a chruthú leis an tionscal. Ag fógairt an chláir di, dúirt an Tánaiste: "Cé gur ábhar iontach suimiúil agus spéisiúil í an eolaíocht, is réimse thar a bheith iomaíoch í freisin, agus tá sé ag éirí níos soiléire de réir a chéile go mbeidh rath geilleagrach na tíre ag brath go mór ar chumas na tíre taighde a dhéanamh a mbaineann torthaí a théann chun tairbhe an gheilleagair leis. Díríonn an foilseachán Rialtais 'Building Ireland's Smart Economy' ar infheistíocht leanúnach san eolaíocht agus san infreastruchtúr innealtóireachta ar mhaithe le hearnáil ghníomhach fiontair a chruthú, mar aon le fostaíocht ar ardchaighdeán agus infreastruchtúr ar ardchaighdeán. Beidh ról lárnach ag an 170 oibrí ardcháilithe atá páirteach sna Grúpaí Taighde Straitéiseacha seo, mar aon leis an 22 cuideachta comhpháirtíochta leis an aidhm seo a chur i gcrích." Bhí an tAire Eolaíochta, Teicneolaíochta agus Nuálaíochta, an Dr Jimmy Devins T.D. i láthair ag an ócáid freisin agus bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá aige: "Éiríonn leis na Grúpaí Taighde Straitéiseacha seo saineolas acadúil agus tionsclaíoch a thabhairt le chéile ar mhaithe le taighde nuálaíoch agus forbairt fiontraíochta a chabhróidh le geilleagar na hÉireann a athchruthú, deiseanna fostaíochta a chruthú, cur lenár gcáil thar lear agus na nithe seo ar fad a chothú sna blianta amach romhainn". Is iad na Príomhthaighdeoirí atá páirteach sna cúig Ghrúpa Taighde Straitéiseacha nua: 1. An tOllamh Lokesh Joshi, OÉ Gaillimh – Grúpa Taighde um Ghlioceolaíocht Bia (AGRC) 2. An tOllamh Pádraig Cunningham, An Coláiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath – Grúpa Taighde Straitéiseach Clique 3. An Dr William Donnelly, Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Phort Láirge – Bainistíocht Chónasctha, Uathnómach Seirbhísí Cumarsáide Ceann go Ceann (Grúpa Taighde Straitéiseach FAME) 4. An tOllamh Miles Turner, Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath – Grúpa Taighde Straitéiseach Precision 5. An tOllamh Brett Paul, Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath – Grúpa Taighde Eolaíocht Deighilte Éireannach Ag caint dó faoin dea-scéala seo, dúirt an tOllamh Frank Gannon, Príomh-Stiúrthóir Fhondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann, an méid seo a leanas: "Tá sé mar aidhm ag Fondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann tacú le taighde ábhartha ardleibhéil – ní chruthófar na torthaí inmhianaithe le timpeallacht eolaíochta agus nuálaíochta na hÉireann a fheabhsú agus geilleagar na hÉireann a thabhairt chun beochta arís trí mhaoiniú a chur ar fáil do ghníomhaíocht taighde lagmheasartha. Tá athbhreithniú piaraí déanta ar na Grúpaí Taighde Straitéiseacha seo. Ón 40 togra, táim muiníneach go bhfuil Fondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann ag tacú leis na taighdeoirí agus leis na saineolaithe tionscail is fearr a chabhróidh le raon tairbhí geilleagracha straitéiseacha a chruthú d'Éirinn". Cheadaigh Bord Fhondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann an maoiniú a fógraíodh inniu i ndiaidh próisis mheasúnaithe a bhí dian agus ilghnéitheach. Áiríodh sa phróiseas athbhreithniú eolaíoch idirnáisiúnta piaraí, bhí 23 athbhreithniú páirteach sa phainéal réamhthogra, bhí 27 saineolaí idirnáisiúnta páirteach sa phróiseas athbhreithnithe poist agus bhí 27 saineolaí idirnáisiúnta páirteach i gcúig athbhreithniú ar an láthair. Chomh maith leis sin, rinne lucht leasa gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais, an IDA, Fiontraíocht Éireann, Roinn an Taoisigh, Forfás, an tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas agus an Bord Taighde Sláinte measúnú air maidir leis an 'Luach Straitéiseach d'Éirinn'. -Críoch-

The first major competition to be held at NUI Galway's new 25 metre pool takes place this Friday and Saturday as the University hosts the Irish Water Polo Intervarsities. Some 100 athletes, representing up to ten third-level institutions from across the country, will participate. NUI Galway' Swimming and Water Polo Club have won the men's title four times and competition is expected to be fierce in what is known to be a great spectator sport. Water polo is the oldest Olympic team sport having been contested continuously at every modern Olympic Games since Paris 1900. An extremely demanding and physical sport, players may swim the equivalent of up to five kilometres in a singe game. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to touch the bottom of the pool while the rest of the players risk a foul if they do so. Kathy Hynes, Development Officer for Clubs and Participation at NUI Galway, has noted the growing interest in pool sports: "At NUI Galway, swimming and water polo have always been very strong, with very dedicated and talented club members. With the opening of the Sports Centre there has been a surge of interest in all water sports. The new pool provides an ideal opportunity for all students and staff to learn the lifelong skill of swimming. We are proud to host other universities at our state-of-the-art facilities". The six-lane pool at NUI Galway is equipped with a moveable floor, which can be adjusted to provide a perfect setting for various pool sports including water polo, kayaking or sub-aqua training. According to Kathy Hynes, "This is an exciting time for all involved in aquatic sport at NUI Galway. A Swimming Gala, which will hopefully become an annual event in the University calendar, is currently being planned by the Swimming and Water Polo Club". The Intervarsities will begin on Friday afternoon, 27 February, with the finals scheduled for Saturday evening. Kathy Hynes added: "Onlookers will be guaranteed a memorable few hours, as the competitors this year are of a particularly high standard". For more information on the event, email swimming@nuigalway.ie. -Ends-

A research project conducted by NUI Galway, in conjunction with the HSE West, has revealed that many postgraduate students who will go on to be involved in child protection have very little knowledge of the processes to be adhered to when reporting and following up on child protection concerns. The project explored knowledge of the existing processes in child protection services in Ireland among postgraduate students from various disciplines including general and mental health nursing, teaching and social work. Focus group interviews with participants revealed major inconsistencies between the disciplines in relation to knowledge of child protection issues and their respective roles. The report has been published by the multi-disciplinary Child Protection Education Group West. According to Sinead Hahessy, Lecturer in Nursing at NUI Galway, and co-author of the report with fellow Nursing lecturer Marcella Kelly: "The report's findings raise concerns as to whether professionals understand the importance of the multi-disciplinary roles needed to enact effective child protection and welfare practices. In essence, this threatens what is advocated as international best practice". Other key conclusions to emerge from the study included: - Those agencies that have the most frequent professional contact with children, such as teachers, nurses, social workers etc. are often not aware of each others professional responsibilities. - Reporting concerns was deemed to be a convoluted process by postgraduate students. - There is considerable ambiguity surrounding the identification of a first point of contact for professionals, with evidence of ad hoc approaches to reporting among students. - Multi-disciplinary approaches to child protection is continuously being threatened in service provision across the disciplines. Sinead Hahessy added: "Child protection has to become a fundamental building block in training nurses, social workers and educators. The alarming theme emerging from this report is the fact that students are not being comprehensively trained in how to best deal with child protection issues in a multi-disciplinary manner. There needs to be consistency and inter-connections in training to deliver a truly multi-disciplinary skill set and mindset among students which will best serve society's needs. Multi-disciplinary education is the way forward." It is envisaged that the findings of this study will inform the development of an educational framework that will encapsulate the ethos of multi-disciplinary approaches to child protection. This is to ensure that those involved in professional contact with children can work effectively in the spirit of collaboration in providing protection for vulnerable children and their families. Funding is being sought to develop a specialist training module and it is envisaged that this could be done in an e-learning format to facilitate access and dissemination for all involved. E-learning offers a flexible mode of delivery for learners. It also has the potential to allow updating of material as legislation evolves in this area. Multi-media resources will be developed using the specialist facilities at the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, NUI Galway. -ends-

Ms Mary Wallace, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with special responsibility for Health Promotion and Food Safety, today (24th February, 2009) published the results from the Mental Health and Social Well-being Report of the National Health and Lifestyle Survey (SLÁN 2007). This report, which was commissioned by the Department of Health and Children, is part of a series based on the main SLÁN 2007 survey which was carried out by a research consortium involving NUI Galway, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the Economic and Social Research Institute, and University College Cork. Involving face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 10,364 respondents, the study is the largest national survey to date on the extent of both positive and negative mental health and social well-being in the Irish adult population. "We are very pleased to launch this report, which provides important national level data to guide policy and service development in promoting mental health improvement at a population level. Promoting and protecting population mental health contributes to the functioning of individuals, communities and society and reduces the social and economic burden of mental disorders" said Minister Wallace. The research team from NUI Galway was led by Professor Margaret Barry, Director of the Health Promotion Research Centre, and included Mr Eric Van Lente and Dr Michal Molcho, also from the Health Promotion Research Centre. "This report provides the most comprehensive information to date on levels of positive mental health and mental health problems in the Irish adult population. The findings indicate that while the majority of people report reasonably high levels of positive mental health, respondents with low levels of education, low income, who are not in paid emploment and have lower levels of social support, all experience poorer mental health. The findings also indicate the importance of good mental health for our physical health and well-being and underscore the need to implement the recommendations of the national mental health policy Vision for Change", Professor Barry said on behalf of the team. The report is available on line at www.dohc.ie or www.slan07.ie ENDS

Rod Stoneman and James Finlan of NUI Galway's Huston School of Film & Digital Media are in Western Africa for the continent's largest film festival, FESPACO. Held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the film festival first started 40 years ago and has evolved into an internationally renowned event. The team from NUI Galway will continue a long-standing collaboration with the Imagine Film School in Ouagadougou, by running a newsreel workshop for its students. The resulting newsreels will be shown on television and in cinemas throughout Ouagadougou as part of the festival, which runs from 28 February to 7 March. Founded by leading African film director Gaston Kabore in 2005, the Imagine Film School has set an example in stimulating creative filmmaking across the African continent. The Huston School previously collaborated with the Imagine Film School on a script workshop in 2005. All workshops at Imagine are supported by NUI Galway's Community Knowledge Initiative, which promotes the ethos of civic engagement among students, staff and the wider community. Commenting on the trip to Burkina Faso, James Finlan co-ordinator of the M.A. in Production and Direction says: "Our involvement with the Imagine Film School and FESPACO festival continues our association with the continent of Africa. Last year, two of our production/direction students travelled to Nigeria to shoot their award-winning film FGM – No Way Home, which looks at the controversial topic of female genital mutilation. A current Huston student on the Public Advocacy and Activism course, Stephen Stewart also recently picked up a Digital Media award for his film Appeal to the people of Africa". The Huston School of Film & Digital Media runs a number of M.A. courses including Production/Direction, Screenwriting, Film Studies, Arts Policy & Practice, Digital Media, and Public Advocacy & Activism. Further information is available from: www.filmschool.ie -ends-

Acclaimed American pianist Dr Orin Grossman will give a free lunchtime piano recital at NUI Galway's Aula Maxima Upper on Tuesday, 3 March at 1pm. The hour-long programme 'SWonderful – the Music of George Gershwin and Friends will feature the music of George Gershwin, ragtime musician Scott Joplin, and novelty piano composer Zez Confrey. The free, ticketless concert is open to the public and all are welcome. Since his successful New York Carnegie Recital Hall debut, Dr Grossman has pursued a long-standing interest in American jazz and popular music. His innovative combination of classical pieces with his transcriptions of jazz piano solos; and his extraordinary ability to move through different idioms, has led to a growing number of exciting and unusual recitals in New York and elsewhere around the world. In recent years, Dr. Grossman has been particularly associated with the music of George Gershwin, performing concerts of his song transcriptions and classical pieces to critical praise around the world. Recent concerts have been held in Cairo, New York, Florence, and St Petersburg, where he performed Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and gave the Russian premiere of Gershwin's Second Rhapsody with the St Petersburg Philharmonic. The Gershwin element of the recital will include Gershwin's three preludes, his first extended composition, Rhapsody in Blue, and six songs from The Gershwin Songbook to include: 'SWonderful; I am Just a Little Girl; The Man I Love; and Someone to Watch Over Me. According to Fionnuala Gallagher, Arts Officer, NUI Galway: "This is a rare and marvellous opportunity to hear the music of Gershwin from the heart of a true aficionado. Orin Grossman performs this one-hour lunchtime as a special gift to NUI Galway and all music lovers, and is not to be missed". Orin Grossman began piano and theory instruction at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA at the age of five. He went onto Harvard College, where he graduated Magna cum Laude in Music and won the prestigious Concerto Competition. He continued his studies at Yale University, earning a Ph.D. in Music. In 1971, he toured France with the Yale Orchestra, winning particular acclaim in concerts in Paris and Lyon. Dr Grossman joined Fairfield University in 1975 as an Assistant Professor of Fine Arts. In 1991 he was appointed Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He is currently the Academic Vice-President at Fairfield University, where he is also Professor of Visual and Performing Arts. For further information, contact Deirdre Lydon at the Arts & Theatre office, NUI Galway on 091 495098 or deirdre.lydon@nuigalway.ie -ends-

Third-year NUI Galway medical student Kapil Sharma is in Las Vegas this week to present at the Orthopaedic Research Society s 55th meeting. His presentation 'Tracking Human Adult and Fetal Stem Cells during Segmental Bone Repair' resulted from research carried out at the Georgia Institute of Technology, during a UREKA International Exchange Programme. The UREKA International Exchange Programme is one of two summer undergraduate research fellowship programmes, funded by Science Foundation Ireland, at the National Centre for Biomedical Science, NUI Galway. The UREKA programme promotes active research participation by undergraduate students from science, engineering and medicine, in a challenging and enjoyable research environment. Kapil, who was born in Galway city but grew up in Ennis, Co. Clare, spent three months last summer working in the US on a project that is part of a longstanding research partnership between NUI Galway and Georgia Institute of Technology. Working with Professor Frank Barry of NUI Galway's Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) and Professor Robert Guldberg of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Kapil's research encompassed orthopedic biomechanics, and bone and cartilage tissue engineering. Kapil is currently based in Sligo, where along with 16 other NUI Galway medical students, he is undertaking a year of clinical training at Sligo General Hospital. For him, the UREKA programme has been a very positive experience: "Participating in the UREKA International Exchange programme in Georgia Tech has been one of the most academic and professionally fulfilling experiences of my life. I am truly excited about travelling to Las Vegas, this is a remarkable opportunity for me to present the research I did over the summer as well as to represent REMEDI and NUI Galway". Professor Frank Barry, Scientific Director, REMEDI, also praised the UREKA programme: "This is a perfect example of the immense value of the UREKA programme in providing training for talented young scientists. The time spent at Georgia Tech, the chance to participate in this compelling research project, and the podium presentation at the Orthopaedic Research Society s meeting, all provide great opportunities for new research insights. I congratulate Kapil on his achievements and wish him great success in his future career". Kapil will attend the meeting in Las Vegas along with a number of REMEDI scientists who will also be making presentations. The NCBES at NUI Galway will welcome its fifth cohort of students to the UREKA Programme in 2009 and applications will be accepted from undergraduate students worldwide. -Ends-

The EU's Water Framework Directive is the subject of an upcoming workshop at NUI Galway on 5 March, from 2.30-4.30pm. Speakers will include the Fulbright Scholar Dr Jon MacDonagh-Dumler of the Institute for Water Research at Michigan State University. Ireland has similar water management problems to the Great Lakes region, and Dr MacDonagh-Dumler is currently based at NUI Galway researching the workings of the Water Framework Directive and factors that influence its management and implementation in Ireland. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) brings together, in one management scheme, the regulations of 11 existing major EU directives, to which Member States must comply. Following public consultation, Ireland and other EU countries will implement the first water management plan at the end of 2009. According to Dr MacDonagh-Dumler: "I have observed that the WFD management plan is designed to coordinate and improve existing management programmes that impact water resources, thus making the whole effort more efficient and effective. It also introduces novel opportunities for collaboration among many different stakeholders, including the public". Dr MacDonagh-Dumler's research project is being hosted by Dr Brendan Flynn of the School of Political Science and Sociology at NUI Galway, who comments: "Ireland has much to gain from the four decade long American experience of clean water policy, but in my view that story is not really much understood by key policy actors or academics in Ireland. An authoritative American voice on these matters would add considerably to the Irish debate on clean water policies". Other perspectives at the seminar on 5 March, which is entitled 'The EU Water Framework Directive: Irish, European and American Perspectives' will come from speakers Francis Jacobs, Head of European Parliament Representations, and Sinead O'Brien, Chair of SWAN (Sustainable Water Network Ireland). The event is aimed at environmental researchers with a broad interest in water policy, and the general public with an interest in water quality and sustainability issues. According to Dr Martina Prendergast, Development Manager of the Environmental Change Institute at NUI Galway, which is supporting the event: "Dr MacDonagh-Dumler will be able to give us insights into the excellent 'state of the art' methodologies and academic traditions from the USA. Sinead O'Brien of SWAN will speak about the crucial question of public participation. This event offers a vital and timely contribution towards an issue of pressing concern in Ireland - our growing environmental problems". Registration for the event is free, for further information email brendan.flynn@nuigalway.ie -ends-

Three new research reports are released today by the Western Region Drugs Task Force addressing tranquillser and sedative misuse; drug use in the Traveller community; and drugs issues in new communities. The new data target key gaps in knowledge on drugs issues in the West of Ireland. Launching the three reports in Galway, John Curran Minister of State with special responsibility for Drugs Strategy and Community Affairs at the Department of Community, Rural, and Gaeltacht Affairs said: "I am delighted to be here today to launch these three research reports for the Western Regional Drugs Task Force. In our role as policymakers it is vital that we establish reliable information concerning the nature and extent of drug misuse among all groups in society and also emerging trends of drugs misuse. I know that this research will be used to inform the work of the Task Force and will help to provide a better response to the needs of the communities covered by the Task Force". Dr Saoirse Nic Gabhainn of NUI Galway's Health Promotion Research Centre, said: "This is an important milestone in the work of the Western Region Task Force, it emphasises the comittment working from the evidence and reinforces how important it is to work with communities and community groups to help address old and emerging problems". The three reports are: 1 Minor Tranquillsers and Sedatives: Use and Misuse in the West of Ireland, by Kealan Flynn of iWrite Consulting This report illustrates the huge pull on the public purse of inappropriately prescribed minor tranquillisers and sedatives. Between 2000 and 2007, national exchequer spending on these drugs was €168.9 million, of this €90 million was for drug costs and €79 million for professional fees. In this period almost 90,000 people received 1.5 million prescriptions in the western region – most of them older, female and medical card holders. This report clearly identifies how the national prescribing guidelines are not being followed - and recommends that this be addressed as a matter of urgency. 2. Substance Misuse in the Traveller Community: A Regional Needs Assessment, by Marie-Claire Van Hout of Waterford Institute of Technology This report highlights how changes within the Traveller community – including fragmentation of their traditional culture, poverty and experiences of marginalisation in Irish society - places them at increased risk of substance misuse. Although the evidence suggests that fewer Travellers use drugs than settled people, Traveller groups identified that illegal drug taking was most prevalent among young men in their community with very low levels being used by Traveller women. However, Traveller groups reported women most commonly abusing minor tranquillisers and sedatives. The report states that drug education and prevention for Travellers needs more attention, and recommends a community development approach to working with Travellers. 3. Substance Use in New Communities: A way forward, by Colette Kelly, Cliona Fitzpatrick and Saoirse Nic Gabhainn of the Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. This report describes how migrant workers, asylum seekers and refugees are often cut off from supports – especially those who are isolated from their families and have poor English language skills. Immigrants generally come from countries with lower levels of drug use than in Ireland, and are often forced to alter their cultural values and behaviours to adapt to the lifesytle of the Irish population. The report recommends that barriers to effective service utilisation must be tackled and minimised; requiring supports for new communities, service providers and communication between the two. All three reports will be available for download from: www.wrdtf.ie -ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) Following a lengthy standing ovation, Archbishop Desmond Tutu addressed a packed audience of over 1000 people at NUI Galway's Literary and Debating Society event on Sunday, 15 February. The Noble Peace Prize winner called for a sense of 'togetherness' in order that humanity might combat the challenges of climate change and economic meltdown. Archbishop Tutu, who led South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, was critical of the vast sums spent on military budgets, when so many lacked clean water, education and basic healthcare. Referring to the 'so-called war on terror', he said there was no way to win 'as long as there are conditions in the world that make people desperate'. The Archbishop was introduced by Sir Bob Geldof, who told the packed auditorium 'how privileged we are to be in the same room as an historic giant'. Sir Bob was making his first visit to NUI Galway in over 30 years, since he gigged in the college bar with the Boomtown Rats. Speaking about the spirit of volunteering at NUI Galway, the Archbishop praised the University's ALIVE volunteering programme which encourages civic engagement, describing it to media as 'fantastic'. He also reminded the audience that every human was family, and said 'you know you all come from Africa'. Dan Colley, Auditor of the Literary and Debating Society at NUI Galway, described the Archbishop's address and 'enlightening and lightening', referring to the South Africans humour. At the end of proceedings, Sir Bob Geldof presented the Literary & Debating Society's highest accolade, the President's Medal, to Archbishop Tutu. The medal has previously been awarded to such notable figures as philosopher and linguist Noam Chomsky, US Senator Mike Gravel, Congressman Bruce Morrison, and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Proceeds from the event have been pledged to two charities of Archbishop Tutu's choice, Tygerberg Children's Hospital and Philani Child Health and Nutrition project in South Africa. Ardmholadh Tugtha ag an Ardeaspag Tutu do Scéim Dheonach ALIVE in OÉ Gaillimh (View in English) I ndiaidh don slua seasamh agus bualadh bos fada a thabhairt dó, labhair an tArdeaspag Desmond Tutu leis an mbreis is 1000 duine a bhí sa lucht éisteachta ag ócáid Chumann Liteartha agus Díospóireachta OÉ Gaillimh, Dé Domhanigh, 15 Feabhra. D'iarr buaiteoir Dhuais Síochána Nobel go mbeadh 'aontacht' ann sa chaoi go mbeidh an cine daonna in ann aghaidh a thabhairt ar na dúshláin a bhaineann leis an athrú aeráide agus leis an ngéarchéim sa gheilleagar. Rinne an tArdeaspag Tutu, a bhí i gceannas ar Choimisiún Fírinne agus Athmhuintearais na hAfraice Theas, cáineadh ar na suimeanna ollmhóra airgid a chaitear ar bhuiséid mhíleata, nuair atá a oiread sin daoine gan uisce glan, gan oideachas ná cúram bunúsach sláinte. Ag tagairt dó don 'chogadh in aghaidh na sceimhlitheoireachta', mar a thugtar air, dúirt sé nach bhféadfaí an cogadh sin a bhaint 'fad atá cúrsaí ar domhan ag cur éadóchais ar dhaoine'. Chuir Bob Geldof an tArdeaspag Tutu i láthair, agus dúirt sé leis an slua 'gur phribhléid é bheith sa seomra céanna le fathach de chuid na staire'. Ba í céadchuairt Bob Geldof ar OÉ Gaillimh í le 30 bliain, ó bhí sé ag seinm i mbeár an choláiste leis na Boomtown Rats. Ag labhairt dó faoina thógtha atá OÉ Gaillimh le hobair dheonach, mhol an tArdeaspag Tutu scéim dheonach ALIVE a chuireann an comhpháirteachas poiblí chun cinn, agus dúirt sé leis na meáin go bhfuil an scéim seo 'thar barr'. Chuir sé i gcuimhne don lucht éisteachta gur gaol gach duine lena chéile, agus dúirt 'tá a fhios agaibh gurb as an Afraic sibh ar fad'. Dúirt Dan Colley, Reachtaire Chumann Liteartha agus Díospóireachta OÉ Gaillimh, go raibh aitheasc an Ardeaspaig 'lán eolais agus lán de chroí', ag tagairt dó d'acmhainn ghrinn fhear na hAfraice Theas. Bhronn Bob Geldof Bonn an Uachtaráin, buaicghradam an Chumainn Liteartha agus Díospóireachta, ar an Ardeaspag Tutu i ndiaidh na léachta. I measc na ndaoine ar bronnadh an gradam seo orthu go dtí seo bhí an fealsamh agus an teangeolaí Noam Chomsky, an Seanadóir Meiriceánach Mike Gravel, an Feisire Meiriceánach Bruce Morrisson, agus an t-iar-Thaoiseach Bertie Ahern. Bronnadh luach na dticéad ar dhá charthanas a roghnaigh an tArdeaspag Tutu, Ospidéal Leanaí Tygerberg agus tionscadal Sláinte agus Cothaithe Leanaí Philani san Afraic Theas. -Críoch-

NUI Galway student Stephen Stewart, from Rathcoole, County Dublin, has won the Connect-World Student Digital Story telling Award for his short film Appeal to the People of Africa at Digital Media Awards 2009. The film gives an insight into some the fortitude and dignity that Irish children could learn from their peers in Africa. This is the second year Stephen has won this award. Students of the Huston School of Film & Digital Media, NUI Galway, accounted for two out of three nominations in the student category at the awards. Richard Walsh from Ballybunion, County Kerry, and Julian Ulrichs from Galway City, were also nominated for their short documentary F.G.M. - No Way Home. The film deals with the issue of female genital mutilation and focuses on the story of Pamela Izevbekhai, a Nigerian woman living in Ireland, and her daughters. Last year, the documentary was awarded the Radharc Award for best short documentary. The Digital Media award for students is sponsored by Connect-World, the Irish organisation which promotes coverage of international development issues in the media. Entries were open to all third-level and higher education students, with the brief to tell a story of global development. Commenting on the award, Andrea Breslin of the Huston School of Film & Digital Media, NUI Galway, said: "We are thrilled that one of our students has won this prestigious award, for the second time, for such an original and engaging piece. The subject matter is directly related to the masters in Public Advocacy & Activism which he is currently studying at the Huston Film School. The Digital Media Awards are held in such high regard it's an honour for the school to have been represented this year, and to have the work of the students recognised in this way". Launched in 2003, The Digital Media Awards were engineered to raise awareness of the emerging digital media sector in Ireland and more importantly to act as a showcase for the varied dynamic works being created by companies and third-level institutions across a broad spectrum of categories in digital media. The Huston School of Film & Digital Media runs a number of M.A. courses including Production/Direction, Screenwriting, Film Studies, Arts Policy & Practice, Digital Media, and Public Advocacy & Activism. Further information available from: www.filmschool.ie -ends-

NUI Galway 2-10 UUJ 1-8 NUI Galway kept their best till last to leave University of Ulster Jordanstown (UUJ) reeling and out of the race to land this year's Sigerson Cup after a robust quarter-final at Kingspan/Breffni Park, Cavan. The semi-final line up for this year s Sigerson Cup was decided yesterday and NUI Galway will now face Cork IT on Friday 27, February. Although they won most of the battles, the NUI Galway students looked like losing the war until an unanswered 1-4 tally in the final 18 minutes ousted long-time leaders UUJ. The sides were level on just two occasions over the hour but NUI Galway's physical superiority, greater experience and Paul Broderick's 56th-minute penalty, following a foul on inter-county star Seán Armstrong, eventually wore the northerners down. Mark Gottsche's goal, after a terrific run by centre back Gareth Bradshaw, was just one of many features of a first half that finished 1-7 to 1-5 in favour of UUJ. Tony Regan, Head of Sport, NUI Galway, commented: "Considering we had such a poor start conceding 1-3 in the first five minutes, great credit must go to the team for holding their nerve and battling through to gain a merited five point win. To qualify for the semi-final in Cork IT next weekend gives a tremendous boost to Gaelic Games as a whole in the University and with yesterday's convincing win we are optimistic of our chances". UCD also overcame Garda College yesterday and will now face Dublin rivals DIT in the opposite semi-final. NUI Galway: L Grant; C McDonald, G Cafferkey, D Finnegan; N Ewing, P Domican, G Begley, G Bradshaw, K Conroy; C Kenny (0-2, one free), M Gottsche (1-0), S Armstrong (0-1), J Connellan (0-3); P Broderick (1-3, pen, two frees), C Healy. Subs: Conor Delaney for M Gottsche (58 mines); E Hoare (0-1) for C Healy (58 mines). UUJ: G Kelly; D McDermott, A Girvan, D Morgan (0-1); K Nolan, D Hughes, D Bate son; J Colgan, P Downey; C Donnelly (0-3, two frees), T McCann (0-3), R Muldrow (0-1); C Kavanagh (1-0), S Forcer, D Mulholland. Subs: P Hughes for D Mullholland (49 mins); C Murray for S Forker (51 mins). Referee: P Fox (Westmeath).

Adi Roche, Founder and CEO of Chernobyl Children's Project International, will deliver a seminar at NUI Galway on Thursday, 26 February at 1pm. Her presentation will focus on volunteerism in the context of her work with Chernobyl Children's Project International (CCPI). The event is being organised by NUI Galway's Community Knowledge Initiative, which runs the University's volunteering programme ALIVE. Adi Roche has spent decades campaigning for issues relating to the environment, peace and justice. While working full-time as a volunteer for the Irish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, she devised a Peace Education Programme and delivered it in over fifty schools throughout Ireland. In 1991 Adi Roche established the Chernobyl Children's Project International. CCPI has offices in Ireland, Minsk and the USA. Since then, the organisation has delivered over €76 million in direct and indirect humanitarian and medical aid to thousands of children and their families in the Chernobyl-affected regions. Lorraine McIlrath heads up the Community Knowledge Initiative at NUI Galway: "We are delighted to welcome Adi Roche to Galway and the University. Adi has been a national and international role model as an agent of social change, who has in a very short time focused national and international attention and action on the social consequences of Chernobyl. We know that her visit will do much to inspire and give confidence to our students and broader community to take local action on social injustice issues". The event, supported by Camp Claddagh, the Galway Based Outreach Group of Chernobyl Children's Project International, NUI Galway's Huston School of Film & Digital Media, and the University's J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics. The event will be held in the Siobhán McKenna Theatre, in the Arts Millennium Building, NUI Galway. To book a place please contact the Community Knowledge Initiative office on 091 493823 or email mary.bernard@nuigalway.ie -ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) NUI Galway is pleased to announce the appointment of former Irish Olympian, Gary Ryan as Sports Development Officer – Elite. This new role within the Sports and Recreation Unit of the University will provide support and assistance to individual elite performers and implement performance development programmes, support services such as sports science, strength and conditioning, and nutrition will also be offered. Gary Ryan is a former multiple Irish sprint record holder who represented Ireland at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games. He won a bronze medal for the 4x400m relay at the World Indoor Championships in 2004, as well as numerous Irish titles. Gary has for the past three years been the Director of Coaching for the Athletics Association of Ireland where he was responsible for the development of Coach Education and the high performance Junior and Youth achiever program, which is preparing athletes for the 2012 and beyond Olympic Games. Speaking about his appointment, Gary Ryan, said: "There is huge potential across a broad range of sports at NUI Galway and I look forward to playing a role in helping the elite sportspeople in the University reach their maximum potential, and achieve success nationally and internationally". NUI Galway has evolved into a modern centre for sporting excellence. The University has a state of the art Sports Centre which includes a 25m swimming pool, an elite performance gym and an international basketball arena as well as a number of external facilities. It has a sports development programme for elite athletes, a sports scholarship scheme and a growing academic portfolio of courses including the Sports and Exercise Engineering Degree Course. President of NUI Galway, Dr James J. Browne, said: "We are delighted to welcome Gary to this new post of Sports Development Officer - Elite. Here at NUI Galway we have recently invested very significantly in our sports infrastructure and this appointment is further proof of the University s commitment to supporting sport on campus, by providing dedicated resources to assist our elite athletes". Originally from Kilcommon, County Tipperary, Gary is a graduate of Waterford IT and the University of Limerick with an MSc in Sports Biomechanics. Oifigeach Nua d'Fhorbairt Spórt Éilíte in OÉ Gaillimh (View in English) Cúis áthais do OÉ Gaillimh a fhógairt go bhfuil an t-iar-lúthchleasaí Oilimpeach Éireannach, Gary Ryan ceaptha mar Oifigeach Forbartha Spóirt – Éilít. Is in Aonad Spóirt agus Áineasa na hOllscoile a bheidh Gary ag obair agus beidh sé de dhualgas air tacaíocht agus cúnamh a thabhairt do mhic léinn atá dírithe ar spóirt éagsúla agus cláir forbartha gníomhaíochta a chur i bhfeidhm. Chomh maith leis sin, beidh sé de dhualgas air seirbhísí tacaíochta cosúil le heolaíocht spóirt a sholáthar, treoracha a thabhairt maidir le láidreacht agus le cleachtadh, agus noda maidir le dea-chothú. Iar-ilchuradh rásaíochta ráibe na hÉireann é Gary Ryan agus rinne sé ionadaíocht thar ceann na hÉireann ag na Cluichí Oilimpeacha in Atlanta agus i Sydney. Bhuaigh sé bonn cré-umha sa rás sealaíochta 4x400m ag an gComórtas Domhanda faoi dhíon in 2004, mar aon le roinnt comórtas anseo in Éirinn. Le trí bliana anuas tá Gary ag obair mar Stiúrthóir Oiliúna do Chumann Lúthchleasaíochta na hÉireann. I measc na bhfreagrachtaí a bhí air bhí Oideachas Oiliúna a fhorbairt mar aon le clár gnóthachtála ardghníomhaíochta na Sóisear agus na nÓg, clár atá dírithe ar lúthchleasaithe a ullmhú do Chluichí Oilimpeacha 2012 agus na cluichí a bheidh ar siúl ina dhiaidh sin go deimhin. Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Gary Ryan faoina cheapachán: "Is léir go bhfuil go leor deiseanna forbartha ann i gcineálacha éagsúla spóirt in OÉ Gaillimh agus táim ag tnúth le ról lárnach a bheith agam i gcabhrú leis an spórt éilíte a chur chun cinn san ollscoil ionas gur féidir leis na mic léinn dul chun cinn a dhéanamh, agus aitheantas náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta a bhaint amach dóibh féin". Tá fás agus forbairt tagtha ar chúrsaí spóirt in OÉ Gaillimh in imeacht na mblianta agus tá ionad nua-aimseartha don fheabhas spóirt cruthaithe san ollscoil anois. Tá Ionad Spóirt den scoth san Ollscoil anois lena n-áirítear linn snámha 25 méadar, giomnáisiam den chéad scoth agus cúirt cispheile idirnáisiúnta mar aon le roinnt áiseanna seachtracha. Tá clár forbartha spóirt do lúthchleasaithe éilíte, le cois scéim scoláireachtaí spóirt agus portfóilió acadúil cúrsaí lena n-áirítear Céim sa Spóirt agus san Innealtóireacht Aclaíochta bunaithe san Ollscoil. Dúirt an Dr James Browne, Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh: "Cúis áthais dúinn fáilte chroíúil a chur roimh Gary mar Oifigeach Forbartha Spóirt Éilíte. Tá go leor airgid infheistithe againn anseo in OÉ Gaillimh in acmhainní spóirt agus dearbhú eile fós é an ceapachán seo ar thiomantas na hOllscoile tacú le cúrsaí spóirt go ginearálta ar an gcampas, trí acmhainní ar leith a sholáthar dár lúthchleasaithe éilíte". Fear de bhunadh Chill Chuimín, Co. Thiobraid Árann é Gary ó dhúchas. D'fhreastail sé ar Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Phort Láirge agus bhronn Ollscoil Luimnigh MSc i mBithmheicnic Spóirt air. -Críoch-

Feminist economist Dr Simel Esim will be in NUI Galway on Wednesday, 18 February, to present a lecture and film entitled Social Care on the Move: Women's Employment and Labour Migration in Arab States. Dr Esim works in Beirut, where she is a Gender Equality and Women Workers' Issues specialist with the International Labour Organisation's regional office for Arab States. An agency of the UN, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is the global body responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. The ILO promotes the 'Decent Work Campaign' to protect the rights of domestic workers in a changing economic climate. Dr Esim has worked extensively on migrant workers rights and issues relating to informal labour. Her visit to NUI Galway is being hosted by the University's Global Women's Studies Programme. According to Dr Esim: "Meeting the needs of social care is generally perceived as an issue of individual households with the burden falling primarily on women to resolve the gap through a 'double shift' or hiring domestic help". Dr Nata Duvvury, a Lecturer with NUI Galway's Global Women's Studies Programme, says: "A critical emerging global issue is the crisis in the care economy, in both developed and developing countries. Women have moved into the labour market, often relying on migrant workers to carry out domestic duties known as the 'care economy'. With the economic meltdown, we can expect women to go back into the home, dislodging migrant workers. At the same time, we envisage an increase in migration, as women emigrate in search of work in a domestic setting". Driven by extreme poverty, several million female migrant workers from countries such as Sri Lanka, the Philippines and areas of sub-Saharan Africa, work in domestic service in Arab States. In the lecture at NUI Galway Dr Esim will discuss the implications of relying on migration to resolve the crisis in the care economy in Lebanon in particular. The film Social Care on the Move: Women's Employment and Labour Migration in Arab States highlights both the tensions and bonds which form between the women who hire domestic workers and the domestic workers themselves. The event will take place at 4pm at NUI Galway's Huston School of Film and Digital Media which is based in Earl's Island. For further information or to RSVP please contact Gillian Browne, Gillian.browne@nuigalway.ie or 091 493450. -ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) NUI Galway will hold a Teaching Careers Fair on Wednesday, 18 February, from 5-7pm in the Atrium of the Orbsen Building, NUI Galway. Information stands will provide details on attaining a teaching qualification, while employers will also attend to recruit teachers. Over 16 exhibitors, including County Galway VEC, MPS Education, Verity Education and Uteach Recruitment will be showcasing their employment opportunities. NUI Galway staff will be on hand to provide information on the Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme. The one-year full-time programme for graduates is recognised as a qualification for post-primary teaching in Ireland and the EU, as well as other English speaking countries. Also on offer, taught entirely through Irish, is An Dioplóma Iarchéime san Oideachas. The one-year full-time postgraduate programme provides a qualification in post-primary teaching, with job opportunities in Ireland and abroad. At undergraduate level, NUI Galway's new B.A. in Mathematics and Education will be showcased. The four-year, full-time honours mathematics degree programme incorporates a concurrent second-level teaching qualification. The Teaching Careers Fair will also highlight the different entry routes into a career in teaching from both an Irish and UK perspective, with information sessions in the Bank of Ireland Theatre. Education providers from the UK, such as St Mary s College in Twickenham, will be available to discuss vacancies on Postgraduate Certificate in Education courses in the UK. Louise Ryan, Employment Officer with NUI Galway's Career Development Centre says: "This is an excellent opportunity for those considering undertaking a teaching qualification. For those already pursuing a teaching qualification, some of the employers will be taking CVs on the day, so we are advising people to come prepared". For a full list of exhibitors: www.nuigalway.ie/careers Aonach na gGairmeacha Múinteoireachta in OÉ Gaillimh (View in English) Beidh Aonach na nGairmeacha Múinteoireachta á reáchtáil ag OÉ Gaillimh Dé Céadaoin, 18 Feabhra, ó 5-7pm i bhForhalla Áras Oirbsean, OÉ Gaillimh. Beidh sonraí le fáil ag na seastáin eolais faoin gcaoi le cáilíocht mhúinteoireachta a bhaint amach, agus beidh fostóirí i láthair chomh maith a bheidh ag iarraidh múinteoirí a earcú. Beidh os cionn 16 eagraíocht - Coiste Gairmoideachais Chontae na Gaillimhe, Oideachas MPS, Verity Education agus Uteach Recruitment ina measc - ag tabhairt taispeántais de na deiseanna fostaíochta atá á dtairiscint acu. Beidh foireann OÉ Gaillimh ar fáil le heolas a thabhairt faoin gclár Postgraduate Diploma in Education. Glactar leis an gclár lánaimseartha bliana seo do chéimithe mar cháilíocht mhúinteoireachta iar-bhunscoile in Éirinn agus san AE, agus i dtíortha eile ina labhraítear Béarla. Chomh maith leis sin cuirtear Dioplóma Iarchéime san Oideachas ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge. Cuireann an clár iarchéime lánaimseartha seo cáilíocht sa mhúinteoireacht iar-bhunscoile ar fáil, agus tá deiseanna fostaíochta ar fáil in Éirinn agus thar lear dóibh sin a n-éiríonn leo an cháilíocht a bhaint amach. Ag leibhéal bunchéime, cuirfear B.A. nua OÉ Gaillimh sa Mhatamaitic agus san Oideachas i láthair. Cuimsíonn an clár céime onóracha lánaimseartha sa mhatamaitic, a mhairfidh ar feadh ceithre bliana, cáilíocht mhúinteoireachta dara leibhéal chomh maith. Léireofar na bealaí éagsúla atá ann le tabhairt faoi ghairm na múinteoireachta san Aonach na nGairmeacha Múinteoireachta ó thaobh na hÉireann agus na Ríochta Aontaithe de, agus beidh na seisiúin eolais ar bun in Amharclann Bhanc na hÉireann. Beidh soláthróirí oideachais ón Ríocht Aontaithe, amhail St Mary's College in Twickenham, ar fáil le folúntais a phlé ar na cúrsaí Teastais Iarchéime san Oideachas sa Ríocht Aontaithe. Deir Louise Ryan, Oifigeach Fostaíochta le hIonad Forbartha Gairmeacha OÉ Gaillimh: "Is deis iontach é seo dóibh sin atá ag smaoineamh ar thabhairt faoi cháilíocht mhúinteoireachta a bhaint amach. Maidir le daoine atá ag staidéar do cháilíocht mhúinteoireachta cheana féin, beidh cuid de na fostóirí ag glacadh le CVanna in áit na mbonn, mar sin táimid ag moladh do dhaoine a bheith réidh agus cóipeanna dá CV a bheith leo." Le liosta iomlán taispeántóirí a fháil féach: www.nuigalway.ie/careers -Críoch-

(Leagan Gaeilge) It has been announced that Sir Bob Geldof will join Archbishop Desmond Tutu at NUI Galway on Sunday, 15 February. The Archbishop's lecture on Aid, Justice and Charity will be introduced by 'Sir Bob' at 5pm in Áras na Mac Léinn, NUI Galway. The event is being organised by the University's Literary & Debating Society. Sir Bob Geldof will present the Literary & Debating Society's highest accolade, the President s Medal, to Archbishop Tutu after the lecture. The medal has previously been awarded to such notable figures as philosopher and linguist Noam Chomsky, US Senator Mike Gravel, Congressman Bruce Morrison, and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Dan Colley, Auditor of the Literary & Debating Society at NUI Galway, says: It's a real testament to the reverence felt for the Archbishop's work in the area of promoting human rights and democracy that Sir Bob Geldof is coming to the lecture in Galway". In 1984, Archbishop Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his anti-apartheid work in South Africa. That same year, Bob Geldof led Band Aid's release of the charity single 'Do they know its Christmas?'. Both men have since continued to play a role in Africa, with Archbishop Tutu heading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Nelson Mandela's government. Bob Geldof went on to organise Live Aid and Live8, supported the organisation Debt, AIDS, Trade in Africa (DATA), and became a member of the Africa Progress Panel. Student Dan Colley adds: "Sir Bob is the perfect person to put into context the importance of Desmond Tutu, one of the giants of human rights. Geldof has a talent for articulating to a wide audience the importance of things that might otherwise be ignored. So much of the success of Live Aid and Live8 was due to Sir Bob's charisma and open passion about the very real emergencies in Africa". Entry will be by ticket only. Tickets are available from the Socs Box in Áras na Mac Léinn for €5, or for €5.70 (inc. booking fee) from Zhivagos on Shop Street, Galway. Proceeds will go to a charity of Archbishop Tutu's choice. Bob Geldof mar Aoi Speisialta ag léacht an Ardeaspaig Tutu (View in English) Tá sé fógartha go mbeidh Bob Geldof in éineacht leis an Ardeaspag Desmond Tutu in OÉ Gaillimh Dé Domhnaigh, 15 Feabhra. Déanfaidh 'Sir Bob' an tArdeaspag a chur i láthair an tslua. Beidh an tArdeaspag ag tabhairt léachta faoi Chúnamh, Ceartas agus Carthanacht in Áras na Mac Léinn, OÉ Gaillimh ag 5pm. Tá an ócáid á heagrú ag Cumann Liteartha & Díospóireachta na hOllscoile. Bronnfaidh Bob Geldof Bonn an Uachtaráin, buaicghradam an Chumainn Liteartha agus Díospóireachta, ar an Ardeaspag Tutu i ndiaidh na léachta. I measc na ndaoine ar bronnadh an gradam seo orthu go dtí seo bhí an fealsamh agus an teangeolaí Noam Chomsky, an Seanadóir Meiriceánach Mike Gravel, an Feisire Meiriceánach Bruce Morrisson, agus an t-iar-Thaoiseach Bertie Ahern. Bhí an méid seo le rá ag Dan Colley, Reachtaire an Chumainn Liteartha & Díospóireachta in OÉ Gaillimh: "Is léiriú ar an meas atá ar shaothar an Ardeaspaig i réimse chosaint chearta an duine agus an daonlathais é go bhfuil Bob Geldof ag teacht chuig an léacht i nGaillimh". I 1984, bronnadh Duais Síochána Nobel ar an Ardeaspag Tutu as a chuid oibre frith-apartheid san Afraic Theas. An bhliain chéanna sin, eisíodh an tsingil charthanachta 'Do they know it's Christmas?' le Band Aid faoi stiúir Bob Geldof. Tá an bheirt acu ag saothrú ar son na hAfraice ó shin agus tá an tArdeaspag Tutu ina cheannasaí ar an gCoimisiún Fírinne agus Athmhuintearais faoi rialtas Nelson Mandela. Ó shin i leith d'eagraigh Bob Geldof Live Aid agus Live8, thacaigh sé leis an eagraíocht Debt, AIDS, Trade in Africa (DATA), agus rinneadh comhalta de ar an Africa Progress Panel (APP). Deir Dan Colley, ar mac léinn é: "Is é Bob Geldof an té is fóirsteanaí le tábhacht Desmond Tutu, duine d'fhathaigh chearta an duine, a chur i gcomhthéacs. Tá sé de bhua ag Geldof go n-éiríonn leis an tábhacht atá le nithe a ndéanfaí neamhaird díobh seachas sin a chur ar a súile do phobal mór. Bhain go leor den rath a bhí ar Live Aid agus Live8 leis an gcarasma a bhaineann le Bob Geldof agus lena phaiseanta atá sé go hoscailte faoi na fíorchásanna éigeandála san Afraic." Ní bheidh cead isteach ach ag daoine a mbeidh ticéad acu. Tá na ticéid ar fáil ón Socs Box in Áras na Mac Léinn ar €5 nó ó Zhivagos ar Shráid na Siopaí, Gaillimh ar €5.70 (táille áirithinte san áireamh). Tabharfar luach na dticéad do charthanas a roghnóidh an tArdeaspag Tutu. -Críoch-

A special performance of traditional Irish music, song and dance will be among the highlights of Múscailt, NUI Galway's Spring Arts Festival, which starts today and runs all week. An array of talented artists will take part in a special performance on Thursday, 12 February, in the Aula Maxima, NUI Galway, at 8pm. The Traditional Arts Concert will contain music, seán-nós dancing, and Irish-language poetry, with an opportunity to hear the artists describe their own artistic journey. Performers will include Ronan Browne (Uilleann Pipes), Máirtín O'Connor (accordion), Seamie O'Dowd (guitar), Roisín Elsafty (sean-nós singer), Lilis Ó Laoire (sean-nós singer), Roisín Ní Mhainín and Micheál Seoighe (sean-nós dancers), Mary McPartlan (traditional/contemporary singer) and Louis de Paor (Irish-language poet). The concert is presented by Arts in Action, a creative arts programme devised by the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies at NUI Galway. The Arts in Action programme runs throughout the college year with a programme of seminars, concerts and field trips inviting students to come closer to the creative arts. Professor Kevin Barry, Dean of Arts at NUI Galway, says Arts in Action adds to the student experience: "Creative arts are an important part of education at NUI Galway. The Arts in Action programme, through continued support from professionals within the arts world, enriches the curriculum for students. We are also opening up the possibilities of a future in the creative industries among our students. Arts in Action puts students on the other side of the foot lights". The Múscailt festival is produced by the Arts office and the Societies office at NUI Galway, and includes the best of the societies' events and exciting guest artists from around the world. For full programme details and further information about the festival visit www.muscailt.nuigalway.ie or www.socs.nuigalway.ie. For all ticket and further information contact the SocsBox the Hub, Áras na Mac Léinn, at 091 492852 or email socsbox@socs.nuigalway.ie. -ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) Dr Willie Golden has been appointed Dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law at NUI Galway. He will have responsibility for the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, and the School of Law. Dr Golden has been a lecturer in Business Information Systems at NUI Galway since 1992 and since 2006, has been Director of the Centre for Innovation and Structural Change (CISC) at the University. As Director, he led a team of researchers which secured €6 million of funding for social science research at NUI Galway. He has published extensively, co-authored a book, contributed 10 chapters to other texts and published 16 journal papers in the areas of Electronic Commerce and Information Systems. Speaking about his appointment, Dr Golden said: "I look forward to working with colleagues in both the School of Business and Economics, and the School of Law, to facilitate excellent and innovative teaching and to further enhance the national and international research reputation of both schools". The School of Business and Economics and the School of Law will now come under the responsibility of the new Dean and according to Dr Golden: "There are already signifiers between business and law as exemplified with our Bachelor of Corporate Law. We have two very strong traditions in the School of Business and the School of Law here at NUI Galway, where 25% of the student population are connected to these schools. The vast research areas within the College include Human Rights, Business Innovation, Disability Law and Social Gerontology. The research carried out in these areas is used to inform public policy with respect to the options available to enable a better economy and society". Commenting on Dr Golden's appointment, President of NUI Galway, Dr James J. Browne said: "I am confident that Dr Willie Golden, in his role as Dean, will provide the leadership necessary to optimise the opportunities and build on the many strengths of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law. I look forward to working with Dr Golden as we strive to achieve even greater levels of achievement and success for NUI Galway". Dr Golden, originally from Westport, Co Mayo, is a Commerce and Master of Business Studies Graduate of NUI Galway. His Ph.D. in Business to Business Electronic Commerce is from the Business School at the University of Warwick. Déan Choláiste an Ghnó, an Bheartais Phoiblí agus an Dlí ceaptha in OÉ Gaillimh (View in English) Tá an Dr Willie Golden ceaptha mar Dhéan Choláiste an Ghnó, an Bheartais Phoiblí agus an Dlí in OÉ Gaillimh. Beidh an Dr Golden freagrach as Scoil Ghnó agus Eacnamaíochta J.E. Cairnes, agus Scoil an Dlí. Tá an Dr Golden ag obair mar léachtóir le Córais Faisnéise Gnó in OÉ Gaillimh ó 1992 agus in 2006 ceapadh é mar Stiúrthóir ar an Ionad um Nuálaíocht & um Athrú Struchtúrtha (CISC) san Ollscoil. Le linn dó a bheith ag feidhmiú mar Stiúrthóir ar CISC bhí sé i gceannas ar fhoireann taighdeoirí ar éirigh leo maoiniú ar fiú €6 mhilliún é a fháil le tabhairt faoi thaighde ar an eolaíocht shóisialta in OÉ Gaillimh. Is iomaí alt atá foilsithe aige, is comhúdar leabhair é, tá 10 gcaibidil scríofa aige i bhfoilseacháin eile agus tá 16 páipéar foilsithe aige i réimse na Tráchtála Leictreonaí agus na gCóras Faisnéise. Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag an Dr Golden faoina cheapachán: "Táim ag súil le bheith ag obair le mo chomhghleacaithe i Scoil an Ghnó agus na hEacnamaíochta agus i Scoil an Dlí agus sártheagasc nuálaíoch a chur chun cinn le cois dea-cháil taighde náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta an dá scoil a fheabhsú". Tiocfaidh Scoil an Ghnó agus na hEacnamaíochta agus Scoil an Dlí faoi fhreagracht an Déin nua agus dúirt an Dr Golden: "Go bhfuil comhoibriú ar bun cheana féin idir an gnó agus an dlí san ollscoil, an Chéim Bhaitsiléara i nDlí Corparáideach mar shampla. Tá dea-cháil ar Scoil an Ghnó agus ar Scoil an Dlí anseo in OÉ Gaillimh le blianta fada anuas agus tá 25% de mhic léinn na hollscoile i mbun cúrsaí staidéir faoi scáth na scoileanna seo. I measc na réimsí taighde a ndírítear orthu laistigh den Choláiste tá Cearta Daonna, Nuálaíocht Gnó, Dlí um Míchumas agus Seaneolaíocht Shóisialta. Úsáidtear an taighde a dhéantar sna réimsí seo le cur le beartas poiblí agus é mar aidhm úsáid a bhaint as na deiseanna atá ar fáil chun geilleagar agus sochaí níos fearr a chruthú". Le linn d'Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an Dr James Browne, a bheith ag trácht ar an gceapachán nua dúirt sé: "Táim muiníneach go n-éireoidh leis an Dr Willie Golden, ina ról nua mar Dhéan, na scileanna ceannaireachta riachtanacha a léiriú chun an leas is fearr agus is féidir a bhaint as na deiseanna a thagann chun cinn mar aon le cur le láidreachtaí Choláiste an Ghnó, an Bheartais Phoiblí agus an Dlí. Táim ag tnúth le bheith ag obair leis an Dr Golden chun leibhéal feabhsaithe gnóthachtála a bhaint amach agus tuilleadh dul chun cinn a dhéanamh". Fear de bhunadh Chathair na Mart, Co. Mhaigh Eo é an Dr Golden agus rinne sé B.Comm agus Céim Mháistreachta i Staidéar Gnó in OÉ Gaillimh. Rinne sé Ph.D. i dTráchtáil Leictreonach ó Ghnó go Gnó i Scoil Ghnó Ollscoil Warwick. -Críoch-

The current pressure on public health resources and the related cost of health conditions will be discussed during a symposium at NUI Galway on Thursday, 5 February. The event is being organised by the Health Economics Association of Ireland, which was set up in 2001 to foster the sharing of information related to health economics. The symposium will welcome an audience from a wide variety of backgrounds, all with a particular interest in the economics of healthcare. Topics for discussion include economics of mental health, palliative care and heart disease. Professor of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) at NUI Galway, Ciaran O'Neill, will introduce the symposium with thoughts on the future of HTA in Ireland. Professor O'Neill comments: "As health and social care budgets come under increasing pressure, the need to assess and demonstrate the relative value for money of its alternative uses will become increasingly important. Ireland has followed most other European countries in developing processes by which to scrutinise the use of public monies in funding access to new technologies. Over the coming years these processes and their outcomes are likely to become increasingly influential in shaping health and social care in Ireland". Members of the Health Economics Association of Ireland come from public and private organisations as well as academic institutions. The group meets twice yearly to discuss developments in health economics including economic evaluations, monitoring techniques, policy initiatives, pharmacoeconomics and various other topics. Organiser of the symposium, Dr Brenda Gannon of the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology at NUI Galway says: "The number of health economists in Ireland has increased in recent years both in the academic and private sector. Experts such as Professor Eamon O'Shea, Director of the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology here at NUI Galway, have been leading the way in this field for many years. Hosting this meeting at NUI Galway reflects the growing number of health economists working in the University and the recognition of their expertise at national level". For further information on the next HEAI meeting, please contact Dr Brenda Gannon, NUI Galway, on tel 091 49 5459. -ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge)Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) and NUI Galway, have announced the opening of a Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility on the NUI Galway campus. Mass spectrometry is regularly used for testing athletes for banned substances, but it is also one of the key enabling techniques in chemistry and biology. Researchers in NUI Galway will take advantage of this technique to progress their research in areas such as cancer, infectious diseases and pain research. The state-of-the-art facility in NUI Galway is equipped with the latest accurate-mass quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) and triple quadrupole (QQQ) mass spectrometer platforms from Agilent. As part of the collaboration with Agilent, NUI Galway will provide application notes and data for key applications using the Agilent platforms. The facility will also be used to showcase new instruments to Agilent customers and to run samples for demonstration purposes. "The opening of this facility is a continuation of Agilent's drive to be a key technology partner for innovative research in academia," said Gustavo Salem, General Manager for Agilent's LC/MS business. "NUI Galway has some of the top primary investigators in Europe. We look forward to working closely with them to further their breakthrough research in the fields of metabolomics and proteomics". Professor Terry Smith, Vice-President for Research, NUI Galway, commented: "NUI Galway has recently made a substantial commitment to increase its capability in mass spectrometry, in particular targeting life sciences research. With our recent investment, sponsored by IDA, SFI and Agilent Ireland, NUI Galway now has this capability". Primary investigators Dr David Finn, Dr Niclas Karlsson and Brendan Harhen will run the mass spectrometers at the facility. Dr Niclas Karlsson, coordinator for the set up of the facility, said: "NUI Galway selected Agilent as a strategic partner since they provide a wide range of support for life science research in addition to their top end mass spectrometers". Dr Finn is a lecturer in pharmacology and therapeutics and co-director of the Centre for Pain Research at NUI Galway. The aim of Dr. Finn's research is to increase the understanding of the neurobiology of pain and anxiety and support the development of novel therapeutic agents for their treatment. Dr Karlsson is one of the top researchers in mass spectrometry and bioinformatics for sugar and protein identification. He established one of the first integrated bioinformatic platforms for this kind of research and collaborated with the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics for generating glycobioinformatic resources for the community. Mr Harhen is an honours biochemistry graduate from NUI Galway with a special interest in facilitating ultra-trace quantitation of biomolecules in complex matrices, such as bioactive lipid signalling molecules. He will support other quantitative needs at NUI Galway, such as quantitative proteomics. The collaboration between NUI Galway and Agilent is a result of Agilent's Academia Program, which facilitates collaborations with universities around the world. The programme assists universities with teaching, materials and creating research partnerships. Osclaíonn Agilent Technologies agus OÉ Gaillimh Áis Mhais-Speictriméadrachta Bitheolaíochta (View in English) Tá sé fógartha ag Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) agus ag OÉ Gaillimh go mbeidh Áis Mhais-Speictriméadrachta Bitheolaíochta ag oscailt ar champas OÉ Gaillimh. Úsáidtear mais-speictriméadracht go rialta chun tástálacha substaintí coiscthe a dhéanamh ar lúthchleasaithe, ach tá sé ar cheann de na príomhtheicnící cumasúcháin sa cheimic agus sa bhitheolaíocht chomh maith. Tapóidh lucht taighde in OÉ Gaillimh an deis an teicníc seo a úsáid lena gcuid taighde a bhrostú i réimsí amhail ailse, galair thógálacha agus taighde péine. Ar an trealamh den scoth a bheidh san áis nua-aimseartha seo in OÉ Gaillimh beidh na hardáin ama eitilte ceathairphoil cruinnmhaise (Q-TOF) is deireanaí agus na hardáin mhais-speictriméadrachta ceathairphoil thriaraigh (QQQ)* is deireanaí ó Agilent. Mar chuid den chomhoibriú le Agilent, cuirfidh OÉ Gaillimh nótaí feidhmithe agus sonraí na bpríomh-fheidhmchlár a bheidh ag úsáid ardán Agilent ar fáil. Úsáidfear an áis chomh maith le huirlisí nua a thaispeáint do chustaiméirí Agilent agus le trialacha samplacha a dhéanamh ar mhaithe leis an gcaoi a n-oibríonn sé a léiriú. "Tá oscailt na háise seo ag cur leis an gcuspóir atá ag Agilent a bheith ina phríomhpháirtí teicneolaíochta sa taighde nuálaíoch acadúil," a dúirt Gustavo Salem, Bainisteoir Ginearálta ghnó LC/MS Agilent. "Tá cuid de scoth-thaighdeoirí na hEorpa in OÉ Gaillimh. Táimid ag súil go mór le hoibriú i ndlúthchomhar leo lena dtaighde ceannródaíoch i réimse na meitibilíochta agus na próitéamaíochta a chur chun cinn". Bhí an méid seo le rá ag an Ollamh Terry Smith, Leas-Uachtarán um Thaighde OÉ Gaillimh: "Le tamall anuas tá gealltanas tábhachtach tugtha ag OÉ Gaillimh go gcuirfidh sí lena cumas mais-speictriméadrachta, ag díriú go háirithe ar thaighde i réimse na n-eolaíochtaí beatha. A bhuíochas leis an infheistíocht a rinneamar le déanaí, a ndearna an IDA, SFI agus Agilent Ireland urraíocht uirthi, tá an cumas seo ag OÉ Gaillimh anois." Is iad na príomhthaighdeoirí an Dr David Finn, an Dr Niclas Karlsson agus Brendan Harhen a bheidh i mbun na mais-speictriméadar san áis. Dúirt an Dr Niclas Karlsson, an comhordaitheoir a bhí ag plé le bunú na háise: "Roghnaigh OÉ Gaillimh Agilent mar chomhpháirtí straitéiseach de bhrí go soláthraíonn sé réimse leathan tacaíochta don taighde eolaíochta beatha agus de bharr a chuid mais-speictriméadar atá sármhaith." Is léachtóir le cógaseolaíocht agus le teiripic an Dr Finn agus tá sé ina chomhstiúrthóir ar an Ionad um Thaighde Péine in OÉ Gaillimh. Is é an aidhm atá le taighde an Dr Finn an tuiscint ar néaraibhitheolaíocht péine agus imní a mhéadú agus tacú le forbairt oibreán teiripeach nuálaíoch a bheadh ina gcóir leighis dóibh. Tá an Dr Karlsson ar dhuine de phríomhthaighdeoirí na mais-speictriméadrachta agus na bithaisnéisíochta a bhaineann le siúcra agus próitéin a aithint. Bhunaigh sé ceann de na chéad ardáin bithaisnéisíochta chomhtháite don chineál seo taighde agus d'oibrigh sé i gcomhar le hInstitiúid Bithaisnéisíochta na hEilvéise chun acmhainní glici-bithaisnéisíochta a ghiniúint don phobal. Is céimí onóracha le bithcheimic ó OÉ Gaillimh é Brendan Harhen a bhfuil spéis ar leith aige i gcainníochtú ultrairian bithmhóilíní a éascú i maitrísí coimpléascacha, amhail móilíní comharthaíochta lipidí bithghníomhacha. Tacóidh sé le riachtanais chainníochtúla eile in OÉ Gaillimh, amhail próitéamaíocht chainníochtúil. Is as Clár Acadúil Agilent a d'eascair an comhoibriú seo idir OÉ Gaillimh agus Agilent a éascaíonn comhoibriú idir iad agus Ollscoileanna ar fud an domhain. Cabhraíonn an clár le hollscoileanna ó thaobh teagaisc, ábhar agus ó thaobh comhpháirtíochtaí taighde a bhunú. CRÍOCH

The Aerosol Society, a UK-based scientific organisation that promotes the science of airborne particles, is to hold its annual conference at NUI Galway from 6-7 April. This is the first time this major event has been held outside of the UK, and the latest data from NUI Galway's Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station will feature. Mace Head, which is located near Carna, Co. Galway, is one of the most important sites for atmospheric research in the Northern Hemisphere. Operated by staff from the School of Physics at NUI Galway, Mace Head is the main location of experimental research carried out by the University s Centre for Climate & Air Pollution Studies - a centre within NUI Galway s Environmental Change Institute. Delegates at the Aerosol Society conference will learn about the latest findings from this scientific group at NUI Galway which concentrates on the physical and chemical properties of aerosols, clouds, and gaseous species in the marine environment and their ultimate role in global climate change. Professor Gerard Jennings of NUI Galway s Environmental Change Institute and School of Physics is used to the international interest Mace Head attracts: "Mace Head is a world class research facility which is available to support Irish research in high profile international research projects. The facility is central to the atmosphere-marine environment research undertaken by NUI Galway, and has been the perfect setting for a series of scientific projects over the years in studying the impacts of aerosols and climate change". In addition to a focus on atmospheric aerosol studies, the high-level conference will also address the impacts of air pollution on public health. Professor Luke Clancy, Director General of the Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society, which is based in Dublin, will discuss the correlations between air pollution and reduced death. According to Professor Clancy: "While it is intuitive to believe that the health of workers would be improved by the Workplace Ban on Smoking, as we saw in the ban on the burning of coal in the '90s, as scientists we need to demonstrate these beneficial effects. Many of the benefits such as a reduction in lung cancer in non-smokers will take a number of years to become measurable. Other conditions such as respiratory health occur much more quickly and have indeed done so". Some 70 academics, scientists and industry experts are expected to attend the two-day conference which is locally organised by Dr Miriam Byrne, School of Physics, NUI Galway. -ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) Over six hundred students at NUI Galway were awarded the ALIVE Certificate for Volunteering during a special ceremony on campus today (Monday, 30 March, 2009). The certificate recognises students' volunteering efforts during the academic year, and aims to reinforce the spirit of civic engagement among NUI Galway students. Over 2,300 students have received the certificate since its inception six years ago, with many ALIVE alumni moving into professional positions in major non-governmental organisations, at home and abroad. The ALIVE Programme - A Learning Initiative and the Volunteering Experience - was established in 2003 by NUI Galway to harness, acknowledge and support the contribution that its students make by volunteering. It is the first ever student volunteer programme to be embedded within an institution of higher education in Ireland and serves as a national model which other institutions look to for advice and support. The ALIVE programme draws on a strong tradition of student engagement both on and off campus and assists students who wish to actively volunteer while developing tangible and transferable skills alongside practical volunteering experiences. NUI Galway President, Dr James J. Browne, says: "Our University has always been close to community. We are in the middle of a city and we're in the middle of a very rich environment, both culturally and socially. That is something our students can benefit greatly from. It's a two-way street, the students give back to community but they get back much, much more in terms of learning from the experience and in terms of their own personal development". During his visit to NUI Galway earlier this year, the Noble Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu was enthused by the spirit of volunteering at NUI Galway, describing the ALIVE programme as 'fantastic'. Throughout the year NUI Galway students have given thousands of volunteer hours to community, from working with children in homework clubs, to building homes in Honduras, to working at the annual Teddy Bear Hospital. Among the 120 non-governmental organisations supporting the ALIVE programme are Ability West, Foróige, Childline, Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Big Brother Big Sister, Galway Hospice, ISPCC, Amnesty International, Enable Ireland and Special Olympics Ireland. -ends- (View in English) Bronnadh Teastas ALIVE as Obair Dheonach ar bhreis agus sé chéad mac léinn in OÉ Gaillimh ag searmanas speisialta ar an gcampas inniu (Dé Luain, 30 Márta 2009). Tugann an teastas aitheantas d'iarrachtaí na mac léinn agus iad ag gabháil d'obair dheonach i rith na bliana acadúla, agus tá sé mar aidhm aige spiorad an chomhpháirteachais phoiblí a athneartú i measc mhic léinn OÉ Gaillimh. Tá an teastas faighte ag 2,300 mac léinn ó bunaíodh an scéim sé bliana ó shin, agus tá go leor alumni de chuid ALIVE tar éis poist ghairmiúla a fháil in eagraíochtaí móra neamhrialtasacha sa bhaile agus thar lear. Bhunaigh OÉ Gaillimh Clár ALIVE – Tionscnamh Foghlama agus Taithí ar Obair Dheonach – in 2003 chun úsáid níos fearr a bhaint as an obair dheonach atá ar bun ag mic léinn, agus chun aitheantas agus tacaíocht a thabhairt don obair sin. Is é an chéad chlár deonach mac léinn é atá lonnaithe in institiúid ardoideachais in Éirinn agus is samhail náisiúnta é a mbíonn institiúidí eile ag tarraingt air le comhairle agus tacaíocht a fháil. Tá clár ALIVE bunaithe ar an traidisiún láidir comhpháirteachais i measc mac léinn ar an gcampas agus taobh amuigh de agus cabhraíonn sé le mic léinn ar mian leo obair dheonach a dhéanamh agus scileanna inláimhsithe agus so-aistrithe a fhoghlaim agus tugann sé taithí phraiticiúil dóibh ar obair dheonach. Dúirt an Dr James Browne, Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh: "Bhí gaol gairid i gcónaí idir an Ollscoil agus an pobal. Táimid i lár cathrach agus táimid i lár ceantair atá an-saibhir, go cultúrtha agus go sóisialta. Baineann ár gcuid mac léinn an-tairbhe as sin. Bíonn tairbhe le baint ag an dá thaobh as. Cuidíonn na mic léinn leis an bpobal ach faigheann siad a dheich n-oiread ar ais ó thaobh taithí de agus ón bhforbairt a dhéanann siad go pearsanta." Le linn a chuairte ar OÉ Gaillimh níos túisce i mbliana, bhí buaiteoir Dhuais Síochána Nobel, an tArdeaspag Desmond Tutu, an-tógtha leis an mbéim atá ar obair dheonach in OÉ Gaillimh agus dúirt sé go raibh clár ALIVE 'sármhaith'. Tá na mílte uaireanta deonacha tugtha ag mic léinn OÉ Gaillimh don phobal le bliain anuas; d'oibrigh siad le páistí i gclubanna obair bhaile, thóg siad tithe i Hondúras agus d'eagraigh siad Otharlann na mBéiríní a reáchtáiltear gach bliain. I measc an 120 eagraíocht neamhrialtais a thacaíonn le clár ALIVE tá Ability West, Foróige, Childline, Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Big Brother Big Sister, Ospís na Gaillimhe, ISPCC, Amnesty International, Enable Ireland agus Cluichí Oilimpeacha Speisialta na hÉireann. -críoch-

Airships, reminiscent of zeppelin planes, which operate at an altitude of 20km will be discussed at a meeting NUI Galway is hosting today (Monday, 30 March). The stratospheric airships are being used for communication infrastructure, remote sensing and other applications. The two-day technical meeting will bring together over 50 experts in the fields of radio communication, optical communication and aircraft design. The meeting is part of an EU project called HAPCOS, which is focussed on the development of high altitude platforms. Today's HAPCOS meeting is being hosted by the Applied Optics Group from NUI Galway, whose research is integral to the transmission of optical data through the atmosphere from high altitudes to the ground. According to Ruth Mackey, a researcher with the Applied Optics Group at NUI Galway: "Some of the main applications envisaged for this type of communications platform are for the deployment of immediate response communication networks in disaster recovery situations and to provide communications services to remote locations. These platforms are also being designed for remote sensing applications, for example for crop monitoring, traffic surveillance, or for security in areas such as monitoring the oceans for drug smuggling activity". The Applied Optics Group at NUI Galway is involved with the optical communication aspect of HAPCOS. Ruth Mackey explains: "Optical wireless communication is particularly useful for transmitting large quantities of data to and from remote locations, where it is not possible (or too expensive) to lay optical fibre. However, one of the obstacles to the successful use of this technology, are the adverse effects caused by propagation through the atmosphere, such as beam wander and beam spreading, that reduce signal quality". In its research, the Applied Optics Group use results from a 3km terrestrial optical link, which has been established across Galway City. The link allows researchers to measure the effects of atmospheric turbulence on optical wave propagation and to investigate methods to compensate the atmospheric disturbance of the signal in real time, using adaptive optics. Originally, adaptive optics was a technique developed for Astronomy, to correct the atmospherically degraded images from large Earth based telescopes. NUI Galway is heavily involved in finding use in medical and industrial applications for adaptive optics, in particular for in vivo imaging of the eye and for laser beam shaping. -ends-

(View in English) Rinne Seán Ó Neachtain, Feisire Eorpach, an cúrsa nua M.A. (Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála) – an chéad chúrsa dá chineál in Éirinn nó san Eoraip – a sheoladh go hoifigiúil Dé hAoine seo caite. Ag labhairt dó ag an seoladh, dúirt an Feisire Ó Neachtain: "Tá géarghá anois le daoine a bhfuil cáilíochtaí gairmiúla acu san ateangaireacht chomhdhála. Daoine óga as Éirinn a bhainfeas cáilíocht ateangaireachta sa nGaeilge agus sa mBéarla, beidh dhá oiread na seansanna fostaíochta acu agus iad ag iarraidh post a fháil san Aontas Eorpach. Níl mórán deiseanna chomh maith leis sin ann ar an aimsir seo." Mhínigh Eoin Ó Droighneáin, Ceannasaí an Aonaid Aistriúcháin agus Ateangaireachta, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh: "In 2007, ní raibh aon saor-ateangaire cáilithe le Gaeilge ar fáil le tabhairt faoi na dualgais nua ateangaireachta a bhain leis an teanga in institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh. Ar feadh dhá bhliain, mic léinn a bhí ag iarraidh an oiliúint chuí ateangaireachta a fháil, b'éigean dóibh dul chomh fada le hOllscoil sa mBreatain Mhór – Ollscoil Westminster i Londain. Sa dá bhliain sin, níor cháiligh ach cúigear mar ateangairí agus tá siad sin ag obair anois mar shaor-ateangairí. Ach tá i bhfad níos mó ateangairí cáilithe ag teastáil sa margadh fostaíochta." Ó tharla bearna mhór a bheith sa margadh fostaíochta, is tráthúil anois go bhfuil an cúrsa nua M.A. san Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála á chur ar fáil ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. Tá siollabas an chláir bunaithe ar an gCéim Mháistreachta Eorpach in Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála (EMCI) agus de thoradh an cúrsa seo a bheith ar siúl anois ag Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, ní gá do mhic léinn dul thar sáile chun cáilíocht aitheanta san ateangaireacht a bhaint amach. Dúblófar, in imeacht bliain amháin den chúrsa nua seo, an líon ateangairí cáilithe le Gaeilge a bheidh ar fáil d'institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh. Tríd an gclár máistreachta seo, tugtar an deis do na mic léinn súil ghéar a choinneáil ar chúrsaí reatha agus ar chúrsaí na hEorpa go háirithe. Tá tacaíocht láidir faighte ag an gcúrsa ó thosaigh sé ó institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh; ina measc sin tá an Ard-Stiúrthóireacht Ateangaireachta sa Choimisiún Eorpach – an tseirbhís ateangaireachta is mó ar domhan. Ní chuireann an Ard-Stiúrthóireacht féin cúrsaí oiliúna ar fáil, ach bíonn comhoibriú dlúth ar siúl idir í agus líon beag ollscoileanna lena chinntiú go gcuirtear oiliúint ghairmiúil den chaighdeán is airde ar mhic léinn ateangaireachta. Tá aíonna mór le rá ó Institiúidí an AE tar éis léachtaí a thabhairt ar an gcúrsa i mbliana; orthu sin tá Brian Fox, Ceannasaí na nAteangairí; agus David Smith, Ceannasaí Rannóg Ateangaireachta an Bhéarla agus na Gaeilge – an bheirt acu ó Ard-Stiúrthóireacht Ateangaireachta an Choimisiúin Eorpaigh. Pléitear le hábhair éagsúla sa chúrsa lánaimseartha bliana M.A. seo; orthu sin, tá cleachtaí cuimhne, scileanna um breacadh nótaí, comhdhálacha bréige, gluaiseanna le haghaidh cruinnithe teicniúla, glóroiliúint, agus béasaíocht sa bhoth ateangaireachta. Bíonn seans ag na mic léinn freisin cuairt a thabhairt ar institiúidí an AE le go bhfeicfidh siad féin ateangairí idirnáisiúnta i mbun a gcuid oibre. Dúirt Brian Fox, Ceannasaí na nAteangairí sa Choimisiún Eorpach: "Tá na deacrachtaí a bhí an AE go dtí seo ateangairí oilte le Gaeilge a earcú pléite go minic sna meáin chumarsáide sa tír seo. Le roinnt seachtainí anuas pléadh freisin sna meáin naisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta na deacrachtaí atá ann ateangairí le Béarla a earcú. Beidh deis faoi leith ag na mic léinn a thabharfas faoin M.A. san Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh – beidh an dá riachtanas teanga sin á gcomhlíonadh acu ach an cháilíocht a bhaint amach ón gcúrsa." Reáchtálann an tAonad Aistriúcháin agus Ateangaireachta in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge cláir léinn ag leibhéal Dioplóma, Bunchéime agus Iarchéime; tá éirithe thar cionn leis an M.A. (Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála) sa chéad bhliain den chúrsa agus is beart suntasach eile é seo san fhorbairt atá an tAonad a dhéanamh ar a chuid cláir léinn. Glactar le líon teoranta iarratas don chúrsa seo; daoine ar mian leor cur isteach ar áit ar an gcúrsa, ba choir dóibh teagmháil a dhéanamh le Susan Folan ag 091 869102 nó susan.folan@oegaillimh.ie le tuilleadh eolais a fháil. -críoch- (Leagan Gaeilge) Seán Ó Neachtain, MEP has officially launched NUI Galway's new Masters in Conference Interpreting (M.A. Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála) – the first if its kind in Ireland and in Europe. Speaking at the launch, Seán Ó Neachtain, said: "A demand now exists for professionals with recognised qualifications in conference interpreting. A qualification in interpretation including both the Irish and English language will double employment opportunities for young Irish people wishing to pursue a career in the European Union. Such opportunities are rare in the current climate". Eoin Ó Droighneáin, Head of the Translation and Interpreting Unit, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway, explained: "In 2007 there was not one single accredited freelance interpreter with Irish, which caused considerable recruitment difficulties for those seeking high level skilled interpreters. For the following two years prospective students with Irish had to travel to the University of Westminster in the UK to train in the hope of obtaining a qualification in the field of conference interpreting. In those two years, only five successfully qualified and are working as freelance interpreters, meaning the gap in the market is still sizeable". This gap in the market coincides with the introduction of the new M.A. in Conference Interpreting offered by NUI Galway's Irish language institute, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. This unique programme is the first of its kind in Ireland and Europe and means that students no longer need to travel to obtain a qualification recognised by the EU. The M.A. is based on the internationally recognised European Masters in Conference Interpreting (EMCI), a curriculum of the highest standard, the same as is followed in the University of Westminster. This year alone, it will match the number of interpreters that have emerged in the years since Irish became a recognised working language of the EU. The M.A. programme gives students the opportunity to follow current and European Affairs quite closely and there has been close cooperation between European Institutions and NUI Galway, including the European Commission's interpreting service Directorate General for Interpretation (DG Interpretation), the largest interpreting service in the world. The Directorate does not itself offer training courses, but cooperates closely with a small number of international Universities to ensure professionally focused training of the highest quality. Many esteemed visitors from European Institutions have lectured on the course throughout the year, among them Mr Brian Fox, Director of Interpreters, DG Interpretation and David Smith, Head of English and Irish Interpreting Unit, DG Interpretation. This full-time one-year M.A. programme covers various subjects including memory exercises, sight translation, note-taking skills, mock conferences, glossaries for technical meetings, voice coaching, and booth etiquette. Students also have the opportunity to visit EU institutions to see at first hand the work of international interpreters. Brian Fox, Director of Interpreters in the European Commission, said: "The Irish media has long since spoken of the difficulties the EU has experienced when seeking to recruit qualified interpreters with Irish. In recent weeks, the national and international media has also spoken of the difficulties being experienced when attempting to recruit English language interpreters. Students of NUI Galway's M.A. Conference Interpreting will have a unique employment opportunity in this case because they will fill both demands successfully by obtaining a qualification in the area". Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge s Translation and Interpreting Unit runs academic programmes at Diploma, Primary Degree and Postgraduate Degree levels; the success of the new M.A. in Conference Interpreting in its first year marks another milestone in the Unit s programme development. A limited number of applicants are accepted on the programme, and students wishing to apply should contact Susan Folan at 091 869102 or susan.folan@oegaillimh.ie for further information. -ends-

(English Version)Tá sé fógartha ag Ionad an Léinn Éireannaigh, OÉ Gaillimh, go bhfuil Seosamh Ó Neachtain ón Spidéal ceaptha mar an chéad Rinceoir Cónaitheach Sean-Nóis riamh san Ollscoil. Léiríonn a cheapachán an bheocht atá sa damhsa ar an sean-nós i gConamara faoi láthair agus an cumas iontach atá ag Ó Neachtain mar dhuine de na damhsóirí is fearr dá bhfuil ann. Chuir an Dr Louis de Paor, Stiúrthóir Ionad an Léinn Éireannaigh, fáilte roimh an gceapachán mar chuid de thiomantas na hOllscoile do na taibh-ealaíona, agus go háirithe do phobal ealaín thraidisiúnta Chonamara: "Is iontach an rud an borradh atá tagtha faoin damhsa sean-nóis le deich mbliana anuas, agus tá sé aitheanta anois ar an léiriú is cinnte agus is fearr de chultúr na hÉireann, anseo agus thar lear". Fuair Seosamh Ó Neachtain céim as OÉ Gaillimh agus tá sé ar dhuine de na rinceoirí is mó cáil atá tar éis damhsa ar an sean-nós a chur ar an ardán náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta. Sa bhliain 2000 fuair sé sparánacht ón gComhairle Ealaíon le staidéar a dhéanamh ar rince tap i Nua-Eabhrac. 'A wonderful improvisation of down-to-earth Irish tapping that showed the direct link between Irish roots dancing and American rhythm tap', a thug Ballet.Magazine ar an damhsa a tháinig as an staidéar sin. Fuair an rince a rinne sé leis an damhsóir Tamango ón Afraic moladh chomh hard céanna ó léirmheastóir an Irish Times a dúirt go raibh cosa Uí Neachtain 'like playful birds at the floor. He almost hovers, and you almost wonder if he might be able to dance across water'. Tá stáitsí ar fud an domhain roinnte ag Seosamh Ó Neachtain le cuid de na ceoltóirí traidisúnta is fearr dá bhfuil in Éirinn faoi láthair, Altan, De Danann, Máirtín O'Connor, Harry Bradley, Jesse Smith, Johnny Connolly agus Róisín Elsafty ina measc. Chomh maith leis sin, tá an clár a rinne sé sa tsraith Ceolchuairt do TG4 i ndiaidh gradam ag an bhFéile Scannán Ceilteach 2009 a bhaint amach. Tá sé ag gabháil do chéim MA le Ceol agus na Meáin Chruthaitheacha in Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Dhún Dealgan faoi láthair. Mar chuid den obair a bheidh ar siúl aige i gcaitheamh na bliana, múinfidh Seosamh Ó Neachtain sraith ceardlann damhsa ar an sean-nós in Amharclann Bhanc na hÉireann, OÉ Gaillimh. Tosóidh na ceardlanna ar 7.00in agus beidh an chéad cheann ar siúl Dé Máirt, an 7 Aibreán. The Dancer-in–Residence programme is supported by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and The Arts Council in association with the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway. -críoch- NUI Galway Appoints Sean-Nós Dancer-in-Residence The Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway is delighted to announce the appointment of Seosamh Ó Neachtain, from An Spidéal, as its first ever Sean-Nós Dancer in Residence. His appointment acknowledges the current vibrancy of sean-nós dancing in the Connemara Gaeltacht and Ó Neachtain's outstanding abilities as one of the most celebrated practitioners of his particular art form. Dr Louis de Paor, Director of the Centre for Irish Studies, welcomed the appointment as part of the University's commitment to the performing arts in general, and to the traditional community arts of the Connemara Gaeltacht in particular. 'The revival of sean-nós dancing over the past ten years has been quite extraordinary, to the point where it is now identified as one of the definitive and most popular expressions of Irish culture, at home and abroad.' A graduate of NUI Galway, Seosamh Ó Neachtain is one of a handful of performers who have rejuvenated the Gaeltacht tradition of sean-nós dancing, introducing the athleticism and sophistication of a dynamic but neglected art form to national and international audiences. He has performed on concert stages throughout the world with some of the finest exponents of traditional music, including Altan, De Danann, Máirtín O'Connor, Harry Bradley, Jesse Smith, Johnny Connolly, and Róisín Elsafty. In 2000, Seosamh was awarded a bursary from the Arts Council of Ireland to study aspects of tap dance in New York City. The resulting performance was described by Ballet Magazine as 'a wonderful improvisation of down-to-earth Irish tapping that showed the direct link between Irish roots dancing and American rhythm tap. In his collaboration with African dancer Tamango 'a dialogue expressed not in words but in physical exhilaration', Ó Neachtain's feet, according to the Irish Times, were 'like playful birds at the floor. He almost hovers, and you almost wonder if he might be able to dance across water …' His contribution to the TG4 series Ceolchuairt explored the influence of Irish dance on American tap dancing and has just won the entertainment category in the Celtic Film Festival 2009. Seosamh is also one the founding members of the traditional dance show Barr go Sáil/Heel to Toe which has performed at festivals such as Tonder Festival, Denmark, Celtic Connections, Glasgow and the International Dance Festival of Ireland. He is currently studying for a Masters Degree in Music and Creative Media at Dundalk Institute of Technology. Seosamh Ó Neachtain will conduct a series of dance workshops at NUI Galway beginning on Tuesday 7 April. The workshops, which are free of charge and open to the public, will take place in the Bank of Ireland Theatre, commencing at 7.00pm. The Dancer-in–Residence programme is supported by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and The Arts Council in association with the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway. -ends-