Intel's senior executive responsible for all government negotiations associated with site selection will address an international conference at NUI Galway on Thursday, 4 September. Nanci Palmintere, who is currently Vice-President of Finance and Enterprise and Director of Global Tax and Trade for Intel Corporation, will visit NUI Galway to deliver the keynote address entitled 'Tax and Business Aspects of Site Selection' at the 17th Annual Tax Research Network (TRN) Conference. The TRN is an interdisciplinary organisation set up to encourage research into all aspects of taxation. Its annual conference, which is being held in Ireland for the first time, will run from 4-5 September at NUI Galway's J.E. Cairnes Graduate School of Business and Public Policy. The event will bring together academics engaged in taxation research, as well as representatives from the accounting professional bodies, tax practitioners, tax executives in industry, the Irish and UK Revenue Authorities. Speaking ahead of the event, conference organiser Dr. Emer Mulligan, Department of Accountancy and Finance, NUI Galway, said: "Corporation tax is an important source of revenue for government and in times of global economic downturn issues surrounding taxation become ever more pertinent. The Irish government has made a guarantee that the 12.5% rate of corporation tax will remain. Consideration must be given however to how best the tax system can encourage economic activity, while funding necessary public services and assisting government in meeting its social objectives." Dr. Mulligan added: "Nanci Palmintere is an internationally recognised expert in taxation and will, I expect, deliver a very rich and thought provoking presentation. She is responsible for a broad range of activities including negotiation with the IRS and foreign tax authorities, tax planning for mergers and acquisitions, and negotiating with governments for tax incentives associated with site selection for Intel." Frank Daly, who heads up the recently formed Commission on Taxation in Ireland, will speak at the conference dinner. Areas being investigated by the Commission include the role of the tax system in encouraging long term savings to meet the needs of retirement, and fiscal measures needed to protect and enhance the environment. Other papers at the conference will cover a range of topics including tax avoidance, dividend tax capitalisation, the impact of a changed capital gains tax regime on dividend policy, procedural justice principles and tax compliance in Ireland, the plant/building distinction, and the impact of education and regulation on the quality of services offered by tax agents. For further information on the conference visit conference.ie Ends

The latest neuroscience research into diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis will be discussed during the 2nd National Meeting of Neuroscience Ireland at NUI Galway. The conference takes place from 28-29 August and will bring together leading neuroscientists, post-doctoral researchers and graduate students from all over Ireland, Britain and Europe. The organisation Neuroscience Ireland was set up to advance research and education in the neurosciences in Ireland. Conference organiser, Dr Karen Doyle, lecturer in the Physiology Department and Head of the Neuroscience Cluster within the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) at NUI Galway, commented: "Neuroscience is an emerging discipline of great strength in Ireland. The main themes of this conference are very topical and reflect areas of research strength within NUI Galway, and Ireland as a whole. For example, the first session focuses on the mechanisms of cell death in neurons, which may underpin the development of devastating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease." Professor Aviva Tolkovski from the University of Cambridge will present a paper on the mechanisms of neurodegeneration. The conference will also look at strategies to promote regeneration of neurons, which may advance the discovery of new therapies for degenerative diseases, enhancing the quality of life for huge numbers of patients and their families. Another session focuses on pain, which affects millions of people world-wide and has major implications to quality of life and economics. Dr Doyle added, "The conference also looks at emerging areas of neuroscience such as that of glial cells, which have been linked with the development of Multiple Sclerosis. Professor David Nutt from the University of Bristol will lead a discussion on the psychopharmacology of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression and schizophrenia and the mind altering effects of drugs. NUI Galway has a long association with the postgraduate training of neuroscientists. Its Neuroscience Graduate School enhances the international profile of neuroscience in NUI Galway. The Neuroscience Ireland conference will provide a focus for global neuroscience research within Irish research institutions. Ends

NUI Galway has created a special website to support the thousands of students accepting places at the University via the CAO. The 'Firstinfo' Web site (http://firstinfo.nuigalway.ie) provides information on topics including accommodation and registration. In addition, the NUI Galway Alumni Association is hosting its ninth annual series of information evenings for parents and students in counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare and Westmeath. At the evening sessions, NUI Galway Alumni Association Board Members and Students' Union representatives will advise students on what to expect when arriving at NUI Galway and will answer any questions relating to university life. The topics covered will include Accommodation, Finance and the Students' Assistance Fund, Safety, Careers, Counselling, Clubs and Societies, and the Students' Union. Information evenings or 'Student Send-Offs' will take place at 7pm in the following venues: Sligo, Tuesday, 26 August: Sligo Park Hotel, Pearse Road, Sligo Town. Clare, Wednesday, 27 August: Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare. Galway, Thursday, 28 August: Lecture Theatre MY001, Áras Moyola, NUI Galway. Donegal, Monday, 1 September: Pier One, Donegal Town. Mayo, Tuesday, 2 September: TF Royal Hotel & Theatre, Old Westport Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Westmeath, Wednesday, 3 September: Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Galway, Thursday, 4 September: Lecture Theatre MY001, Áras Moyola, NUI Galway. JB Terrins, Director of Alumni Relations at NUI Galway, says an information evening can prove a valuable introduction to the University: "For many, this will be their first time leaving home, making it an exciting and anxious time for both students and parents. This is an ideal opportunity to get first-hand advice on those first days of term and become familiar with the University's many student support services. It is also a chance to find out about the University's 85 societies and 40 sport clubs, which are a great way to meet new people with similar interests." For more information on the information evenings phone Emma Goode on 091 492721. -ends-

Beijing has welcomed the world to the Games of the 29th Olympiad. Among athletes from 205 National Olympic Committees to compete over the coming weeks are NUI Galway students and alumni, Paul Hession, Cormac Folan, Alan Martin and Olive Loughnane. Dr. Jim Browne, NUI Galway President, commented: "We are delighted and honoured to have students and alumni of NUI Galway representing Ireland on the world stage at the 2008 Olympic Games. On behalf of the University, I would like to wish Paul, Cormac, Alan and Olive the very best of luck and every success in Beijing". Paul Hession, Ireland's fastest man is a medical student at NUI Galway. Twice a World Student Games medallist, Paul was awarded an NUI Galway Sports Scholarship for Athletics in 2000 and is still an integral part of the scheme. Paul received the NUI Galway Sports Awards for Athletics four years in a row from 2002 – 2005. For the past couple of seasons he has taken the Athletics world by storm with world class performances in the three major sprints; the 60m dash, 100m & 200m. Last month Paul, a native of Athenry, produced a stunning double at the Cork City Sports recording the fastest 100m run in this country (10,21) before eclipsing a star- studded field in the 200m at the Mardyke. Paul also collected the American Trophy for the Outstanding Athlete at the meeting. Cormac Folan is a graduate in Engineering and will form part of the crew for the Men's Four Rowing team. Cormac, from Barna, was awarded an NUI Galway Rowing Sports Scholarship from 2003 to 2007. He was an outstanding member of the successful Men's Wylie Cup team here at NUI Galway winning the Intervarsity Championships between 2003 and 2007 completing four-in-a-row victories. Alan Martin, also a graduate in Engineering was awarded an NUI Galway Rowing Sports Scholarship from 2001 – 2006. He was also successful with NUI Galway Rowing Club capturing the Intervarsity Title Wylie Cup on no less than four occasions from 2002 to 2005. The Salthill rower was selected as the fifth member (substitute) of the Irish Heavyweight Coxless Fours in Beijing. Olive Loughnane is from Loughrea, Co. Galway and also a graduate of NUI Galway. Olive represented NUI Galway Athletic Club from 1993 to 1995 and was selected for a Sports Award in 1996. She also represented the Irish Universities on numerous occasions and was a member of the National Race Walking Squad. Olive became the first female Irish walker to win a senior title at the British Triple A's in Birmingham. Her times have continuously improved over the years and this is her third Olympic Games. Mr Tony Regan, Sports Officer, NUI Galway proudly said, "These people are world class athletes with outstanding talent and are the current generation of Irish Sporting Stars. They are wonderful role models and are an inspiration to us all and we are proud and honoured to have them as students and graduates of NUI Galway. We wish them the very best in their endeavours in Beijing over the next couple of weeks". The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games commenced on 8 August with the opening ceremony and will continue until 24 August, 2008. Schedule Rowing: Cormac Folan - 9, 13, 14 August Athletics: Paul Hession - Friday, 15 August – 100m. Monday, 18 August – 200m, 19 August – 200m. Athletics: Olive Loughnane - Thursday, 21 August – 20k Walk ENDS

NUI Galway Dramsoc members and friends acted as a wedding party for the recent episode of Fáilte Towers. In the RTÉ reality show, celebrities are running a hotel while raising money for charities of their choice. The 17 members of the Dramsoc team played the roles of bride, groom and wedding guests, descending upon the hotel and its unsuspecting celebrities. According to Riona Hughes, Societies Officer at NUI Galway: "The Dramsoc was delighted to be invited to participate in this charity event. NUI Galway Societies are no strangers to charity fundraising as in the last six years they have raised almost one and a quarter million euro for charity. With over 85 active societies here on campus there is literally something for everyone. As part of a society students can learn new skills, explore their interests, create a community of friends with similar interests and goals and of course have great fun." NUI Galway is also home to around 40 active and vibrant sports clubs. From Archery to Windsurfing, all sporting interests are covered and a brand new sports centre and swimming pool due to open shortly. Another integral part of student life at NUI Galway is volunteering. Over 1300 student volunteers registered with the University's ALIVE volunteering programme at NUI Galway during the last academic year. "Our students contribute significantly to the social fabric here in Galway - whether it's running homework clubs for local schools, fundraising for charities, or befriending people with a disability", says Lorraine Tansey, Student Volunteer Coordinator of ALIVE. To find out more about participating in societies, clubs and volunteering at NUI Galway, new and returning students should remember the following dates: Monday, 22 September, Volunteering Fair (www.nuigalway.ie) Tuesday, 23 September, Clubs Day (www.sports.nuigalway.ie) Wednesday, 24 September, Societies Day (www.socs.nuigalway.ie) -ends-