NUI Galway's Medical School is to join forces with the University of Ulster to provide increased opportunities for medical graduates in the north-western area. Proposed developments at the University of Ulster, focussed on its Magee campus in Derry will provide further impetus for the extension of healthcare education in the region. The Medical School at NUI Galway has also established links over many years with Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry and this has resulted in the formation of the western region education network incorporating all hospitals in the West and Northwest. With the expected permission of the State and the Higher Education Authority, NUI Galway intends to introduce graduate entry from 2006, doubling the number of places in its Medical school. It is the intention of the University that this development will provide places for 50 graduate students and 100 undergraduates annually. Graduate students will have an honours degree and will follow a four-year programme, in place of the six-year programme undergraduate students must complete and the University will continue to admit overseas students. "Clinical placement is crucial to medical education and while substantive links exist with affiliated hospitals in the Western region, there is potential for significant additional capacity at a clinical level for students in the these hospitals including Letterkenny, Sligo, Roscommon, Portiuncula and Castlebar," says Dr Phillip A Carney, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NUI Galway. The Faculty encompasses a School of Nursing and a School of Therapies, and it is anticipated that by 2007, it will accommodate over 1,400 students. St. Angela's College, Sligo has recently become a constituent college of NUI Galway and the University is also uniquely placed in that it is the only university within the EU-designated Border, Midlands and West (BMW) area. Dr Carney said: "NUI Galway and the University of Ulster believe that the provision of suitable doctors for the BMW region as well as the western half of Northern Ireland may best be achieved by expanding medical education opportunities in the locality. It has long been recognised that graduates in any discipline from a particular university are more likely to seek employment in the area where they are educated. A further benefit of a conjoint approach by the two universities to undergraduate medical education will be the development of cross-border research programmes, which will lead to more effective patient care in the region enhancing opportunities for continuing professional development for all professional groups in the Health Services in both institutions". The University of Ulster's commitment to enhancing the provision and quality of professional healthcare education in the North West was emphasised by Professor Bernie Hannigan, Pro-Vice Chancellor. "We are delighted to work closely with NUI Galway,' said Professor Hannigan. 'Improved medical education will bring many benefits to the standards of care available in the region and will be a new and important focus for economic development. Effective partnerships, both among universities and the health sector across the North West are essential for success." Ends

The National University of Ireland has awarded the Irish Historical Research Prize 2005 to Christopher Maginn for 'Civilizing' Gaelic Leinster: The Extension of Tudor Rule in the O'Byrne and O'Toole Lordships published by Four Courts Press in 2004. The Irish Historical Research Prize of €3,000 is awarded for the best work of original scholarship by an NUI graduate or student published in the past three years. Dr Christopher Maginn is a graduate of NUI Galway and Assistant Professor of History at Fordham University, New York. Special Commendation was given to Dr Nollaig O Muraíle for his mammoth five volume edition of Leabhar Mór na nGenealach: The Great Book of Irish Genealogies compiled (1645-66) by Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh, published by Eamonn de Búrca/Edmund Burke, Publisher 2004, which he considered "an enormous contribution to the study of Irish genealogy". Dr Ó Muraíle, is a member of the staff of the NUI Galway Scoil na Gaeilge. The last winner of the Irish Historical Research Prize was Nicholas P. Canny for,Making Ireland British 1580-1650 published in 2001 by Oxford University Press. The full list of NUI Galway graduates who were awarded NUI awards are as follows: Irish Historical Research Prize Dr Christopher R. Maginn NUI Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Humanities Dr Jane S. Grogan Travelling Studentship in Archaeology Mr John G. Malcolm Travelling Studentship in Medicine Dr Esther O'Sullivan Travelling Studentship in Mathematics Ms Brenda Ryan Travelling Studentship in Astrophysics Mr Damien Quinn Dr. Mary.L. Thornton Scholarship in Education Ms Elaine Keane Dr HH Stewart Literary Scholarship in French - 2nd Prize Ms Chloé Diskin Dr HH Stewart Literary Scholarship in German – 2nd Prize Ms Mairéad Una Ní Chatháin Dr HH Stewart Literary Scholarship in German - CommendationMs Chloé Diskin Dr HH Stewart Literary Scholarship in Italian – 3rd Prize Ms Cristina Ciamberlano Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Biochemistry – 3rd Prize Mr Chee Peng Hor Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Gynaecology and Obstetrics Ms Gabrielle Colleran Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Gynaecology and Obstetrics – 2nd Prize Mr Nigel Glynn Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Medical Microbiology Ms Rachel Fallon Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Medical Microbiology – 3rd Prize Ms Ciara Freeman Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Medicine, Ms Emma Harrington Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Paediatrics Mr Donal Sexton Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Pathology – 2nd Prize Mr Kevin Cronin Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Pharmacology Ms Maeve Ann O'Reilly Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Physiology – 2nd Prize Mr Patrick Gleeson Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Psychiatry – 3rd Prize Ms Éadaoin Ní Challaráin Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Psychiatry - Commendation Mr Donal Sexton Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Surgery – 2nd Prize Ms Michelle O'Shaughnessy NUI/Denis Phelan Scholarship in Electronic Engineering Mr Dermot Campbell NUI/Denis Phelan Scholarship in Science: in the "Numerative Sciences" Mr Connell Murphy NUI/French Government Medal and NUI Prize for Proficiency in French Ms Valeria Ballarotti

Best-selling author and journalist, Robert Fisk will deliver a public talk entitled "Into the wilderness: how to escape history in Iraq" in the Kirwan Lecture Theatre, Arts/Science Building, NUI Galway at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 18 October 2005. The event is a joint benefit for the Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway and Amnesty International (Ireland). Fisk, based in Beirut as Middle East Correspondent of 'The Independent,' has lived in the Middle East for almost three decades and holds more British and international journalism awards than any other foreign correspondent. His last book, "Pity the Nation," a history of the war in Lebanon, was published to great critical acclaim. His recent publication "The Great War for Civilisation: the Conquest of the Middle East," provides a narrative of how the bloodshed and cruelty unfolding in Iraq, Afghanistan, Algeria, Iran, Palestine and other battlefields, the carnage of September 11th, 2001 and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's brutal regime take on a new and frightening meaning. Dr Kathleen Cavanaugh, Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway said: "The role of the media in providing a fact finding mechanism and framework through which we can better understand geo-political events is crucial. Increasingly, however, significant questions have been raised regarding the independence of the media and whether many 'news' sources are, in fact, reporting on facts or increasingly tied to the political landscape. Robert Fisk has stood apart from this worrying trend and consistently provides a powerful and passionate commentary, which challenges, disturbs and pinpricks the conscience. We are delighted he has agreed to join us here in Galway to share his views of the tragedy that is today's Iraq." Seán Love, Executive Director of Amnesty International Irish Section said: "Robert Fisk is a true investigative journalist, utterly independent, fearless in where he is willing to go and what he is willing to write. His journalism and his books have exposed serious human rights issues in many parts of the world, and his ongoing willingness to expose injustice - no matter who it places in the dock - is a shining example to journalism, and to the very precious right and responsibility of freedom of expression." During his visit to NUI Galway on the 18th October, the Irish Centre for Human Rights (ICHR) will also host a book signing for Robert Fisk. This event will take place from 5.00pm to 6.30pm, at the Centre (located just across from the Cathedral in a two storey yellow stone building, near the University rowing club). Tickets for the public lecture will go on sale today (Monday) in Áras Fáilte, NUI Galway's Visitor and Information Centre and also in the Amnesty International Shop on Middle Street, Galway. Please note that there is a limited number of tickets available and these will be sold on a first come first served basis with ticket prices at €8 for students, unwaged and Amnesty members and €15 for all others. Ends

ICHEC, Ireland s first national high-performance computing facility, joins prestigious Top500 list at rank 205 Ireland s first dedicated supercomputing facility, the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC), has shot straight to the upper half of the Top500, a definitive listing of the world s fastest supercomputers. ICHEC s ranking at 205 is a major achievement for the Centre, which was officially opened just three months ago, to provide the vast computational facilities increasingly in demand by Irish researchers. "The Top500 list has been published semi-annually since 1993, and Irish computers have only appeared in the list twice, always near the bottom," said Dr. Andy Shearer, It Department of NUI Galway and Director of ICHEC. "ICHEC s ranking at 205 is a tremendous achievement, and shows the importance of the Government s investment into this kind of ICT infrastructure." Now in its 26th edition, the Top500 is recognised by the global IT industry as the world s most definitive listing of supercomputing facilities. The list is in a constant state of flux, as high-end computing facilities all over the world continue to expand their capacity. The facilities listed at 500 in the current list, for example, would have ranked at 73 just a year ago. "With this pace of development, it s essential that Ireland put sustained investment into high-performance computing resources, if we want to keep Irish scientists on a competitive footing with their international peers," said Dr. Shearer. "ICHEC s aim is to develop a proper infrastructure for Irish computational science, and this will only be possible if we invest in more powerful machines. I would like to see us reaching the top 50." Non-commercial Irish researchers are already using ICHEC facilities to undertake dozens of computationally intensive projects in areas including climate modelling, comparative genomics, molecular research, astrophysics modelling and simulation and medical implants research. ICHEC plays an essential role in fulfilling the Government s objective of substantially increasing Ireland s R&D activity by 2010, including a doubling of R&D undertaken in the higher education and public sectors. ICHEC is supported by a grant from Science Foundation Ireland and by contributions from two high-capacity computing projects funded by the Higher Education Authority s Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions -- TCD s Institute for Information Technology and Advanced Computation (IITAC) and CosmoGrid. "CosmoGrid is delighted with this ranking, which vindicates the decision to pool our own Higher Education Authority funds with those of ICHEC to obtain a substantially more powerful system than either of us could have obtained on our own," said Professor Luke Drury, Head of the School of Cosmic Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. Ends

Thousands of second-level students and their parents from all over the country are expected to attend NUI Galway's annual Open Day which will take place this year on Thursday 1st December, from 9.00am to 3.00pm. For students – whether they are Second-Level, Access or Mature – this day presents the ideal opportunity to obtain the kind of in-depth information about the courses and outcomes that they are looking for. Academic staff from the University's 52 departments will be available at the exhibition stands to answer queries and provide detailed subject and course information. "The range of courses on offer is immense, and Leaving Cert students often find it difficult to choose the options best suited to them," says Michael Howley, NUI Galway's Schools Liaison Officer. "Open Day provides the perfect opportunity for students to meet academic staff and postgraduate students, who will discuss course content, answer queries and provide advice at the stands in Áras na Mac Léinn/Student Centre and in the Arts/Science building." He explains why NUI Galway is the first choice option for many students when completing their CAO forms: "Prospective students will be made aware of our world-class teaching and research – the University takes pride in being student-centred. And what's more they will find out that student life in Galway is second to none!" "Galway is a relatively small city," he continues, "but big on atmosphere. The University campus is centrally located and accommodation is both plentiful and reasonably priced. Students who choose NUI Galway fall in love with the West and always treasure their student days here." On their arrival at NUI Galway on 1st December, students are requested to come to the assembly point in the Quadrangle Building. They will then go to the Martin Ryan Institute where they will register for the Open Day and enter a prize draw. Top prizes include Apple iPods. There will be introductory lectures and exhibition areas to enjoy. Guided tours of the campus will be provided throughout the day. Included are visits to the following: Clinical Science Institute (Medical School) Arts Millennium Building Áras na Gaeilge Student Accommodation Sports Facilities as well the University's newest buildings: the J.E. Cairnes Graduate School of Business and Public Policy and Áras Moyola, which accommodates the Centre for Nursing Studies, Therapies and the Department of Political Science and Sociology Laboratory demonstrations will be held in the Departments of Physics and Chemistry. Students will also have the opportunity to visit the Information Technology Labs, and the University's Applied Languages Centre. NUI Galway continues to provide the best academic options and facilities for its students, thus maintaining its position at the forefront of education in Ireland. Due for construction is a €53m. Engineering School, while plans are well advanced for the construction of a new Student Centre which will include a swimming pool. Ends