August 2008

NUI Galway's Department of Surgery will host the 33rd Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture and Surgical Symposium on 5-6 September 2008. Dr Ernest E. Moore, from Denver General Hospital, will deliver the Memorial Lecture at 5pm on the first day of the conference, in the University's Arts Millennium Building. Dr Moore is Chief of the Department of Surgery at Denver Health Medical Centre and Professor of Surgery at the University of Colorado, USA, and is presently the President of the World Society of Emergency Surgery. He is widely published on trauma, and serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Trauma and Journal of Emergency Medicine, as well as being Co-Editor of the benchmark textbook Trauma. His lecture will be called 'Role of the Gut in Post Injury Multiple Organ Failure'. Commenting on the upcoming lecture, Oliver McAnena of NUI Galway's Department of Surgery, said: "Dr Moore is widely recognised as the leading figure in the surgical management of trauma. The increase in incidence of penetrating trauma injuries in Ireland will ensure that his presentation will have national appeal to all surgeons who have to deal with such emergencies. Denver General Hospital has been used frequently as the focus for many trauma television programmes, particularly on the discovery channel." On Saturday, 6 September, Professor Frank Keane will present the State of the Art Lecture entitled 'Governing Ourselves'. Professor Keane is President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Consultant in General and Colorectal Surgery at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, incorporating The National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin. His predominant interest throughout his career has been in Gastrointestinal Surgery, particularly in minimally invasive techniques. As the largest surgical conference in Ireland, the Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture and Surgical Symposium hosted by Professor Michael Kerin and Mr Oliver McAnena provides a platform for healthcare professionals to present their research and clinical work and allows for the merging of both scientific and clinical information. It is named in memory of the Galway-born surgeon, Sir Peter Freyer, who performed the first successful surgical operation to remove an enlarged prostate in 1900. For further information on the Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture and Surgical Symposium, please contact Grace Clarke at 091-524390 or grace.clarke@nuigalway.ie -ends-

As Ireland's Olympic Team returned home, NUI Galway has applauded the tremendous talent its Olympians displayed during the world games. NUI Galway students and alumni competing on track and field were Paul Hession and Olive Loughnane, and from the heavyweight four team rowers Cormac Folan and Alan Martin. President of NUI Galway, Dr Jim Browne, commented: "We, at NUI Galway, are delighted with the performance of our students and alumni in the Beijing Olympics. Their achievements have brought lustre to Ireland and to this University and we look forward to honouring Paul, Olive, Cormac and Alan at a reception later in the year". Paul Hession (200m), Ireland's fastest man is a fourth year medical student at NUI Galway. Paul was third in his heat (20.59) and produced a heroic performance when he won his quarter final heat (20.32). The semi-final finish saw him finish at a time of 20.38 denying him a spot in the 200m final. The fastest man in Irish sprint history finished tenth overall from an original field of 63, missing the final by just .13 of a second or one place. Paul said: "It's not over. I'll keep racing until the legs fall off!" Olive Loughnane (20km Walk) is from Loughrea, Co. Galway, and a graduate of NUI Galway. Olive represented NUI Galway Athletic Club from 1993 to 1995 and was selected for a Sports Award in 1996. In this her third Olympic Games, Olive finished the 20k walk in seventh place (of 48 competitors) in a new personal best time of 1.27.45, over a minute inside the Olympic record. "If you told me last night I was going to walk to 87:45, I'd have said - hope you have the flag ready", Olive commented after the race. "There were eight people inside the Olympic record today and I was the seventh one. I did amazingly well. I could not have done anymore". Cormac Folan (Rowing) is a graduate in Engineering and formed part of the crew for the Men's Heavyweight Four Rowing team. Cormac, from Barna, Co. Galway, was awarded an NUI Galway Rowing Sports Scholarship from 2003 to 2007. Alan Martin, also a graduate in Engineering was awarded an NUI Galway Rowing Sports Scholarship from 2001 - 2006. The Salthill rower was selected as the fifth member of the Heavyweight Four Team in Beijing. The crew came third in their heat (6:02:85) to go straight to the semi-finals. They came sixth in the semi-final (5:58:14) and fourth in the B Final which left them tenth overall. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games commenced on 8 August with the opening ceremony and the closing ceremony took place on 24 August.

Welsh NUI Galway PhD student names new insect after Ireland NUI Galway's Dr Chris Williams has made a discovery of international significance by finding a new insect species. The Postdoctoral Fellow based at the Applied Ecology Unit and the Environmental Change Institute discovered a new species of parasitic wasp (genus Mesoleptus) while undertaking field investigations in Ardkill Turlough, Co. Mayo. This is the first time a parasitoid species new to science has been discovered in the genus Mesoleptus in this country and only three species of this genus are currently recorded for Ireland. A number of families of wasp lay their eggs inside fly larvae or pupae and are known as parasitoids. The wasp eggs then hatch out and feed on the maggot or pupa, eventually killing it. Subsequently, the wasp larvae pupate inside the maggot, or fly pupa, and emerge as adult wasps. Chris, originally from Wales, made the discovery while researching snails as part of his PhD research on snail-killing Marsh Flies under the supervision of Dr Mike Gormally, Director of NUI Galway's Applied Ecology Unit. Chris recalls, "I came across two little black Marsh Fly puparia [case of the pupa] and kept them in jam jars on my desk expecting that adult Marsh Flies might hatch but what emerged were two different species of parasitic wasp. Much scientific teamwork ensued with international experts including Dr Lloyd Knutson (Italy), Dr Gavin Broad (The Natural History Museum in London) and Drs Ilari Sääksjärvi and Reijo Jussila (Finland) becoming involved in the identification process. When we finally discovered that one of these insects had never been recorded before, the question then was what to call this creature. After resisting the temptation to name it after someone I know – who really wants to be named after a parasite? – we settled on naming it Mesoleptus hibernica in honour of the country where it was discovered." As a researcher, Chris is particularly interested in Marsh Fly pupae as the larval stages of the Marsh Fly feed on a range of aquatic snails. He explains, "Mud snails carry liverfluke and the larvae of Marsh Flies act as biological controls, having a positive impact on the instances of liverfluke by keeping the snail populations down. Any species impacting the Marsh Fly population will have a negative effect on the natural control that exists for the liverfluke carrying mud snails." NUI Galway has a team of people involved in ecological monitoring and biodiversity conservation in Ireland. Other biodiversity researchers are investigating topics such as seaweeds as invasive species and/or biomonitors, soil microbial communities, and factors affecting marine algae primary productivity. -Ends-

NUI Galway's brand new €22 million Sports Centre, is now open for students, staff and the general public. The 6,500 sq.m. sports and leisure complex includes a 25 metre 6-lane swimming pool with moveable floor, squash and racquetball courts, a three-court basketball hall, multipurpose studios, a substantial gym and a high-tech climbing wall. The facility, which is situated on campus near the Quincentennial Bridge, will be operated by Kingfisher Fitness Group. Mary O'Riordan, Vice-President for Student Services and Human Resources, NUI Galway, welcomed the opening of the Centre: "Sport contributes to the health, well-being and education of students here at NUI Galway. The new sports complex will serve a huge range of recreational and competitive sporting interests. The timing is also perfect, as early September is the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year. We look forward to new and returning students benefiting from all that the Sports Centre offers." The NUI Galway Sports Centre is part of a €400 million capital development programme, 'Campus of the Future', to provide the highest standards of physical infrastructure to support excellence in teaching and research. Funding for the new facility came partly from the student body at NUI Galway, who voted in 2003 to increase their student levy to support the project. Student membership rates are significantly discounted for this state-of-the-art facility. NUI Galway Students' Union President, Muireann O Dwyer says the new facilities will improve student life on campus: "This is a real example of co-operation between the student body and university management. We have over 40 active sports clubs on campus and those groups will be able to use this new centre. Also, all students will be able to become members for a reduced fee, as will alumni. Sport and leisure activities are good for mind and body, so the Sports Centre will take quality of life on campus to a new level." Greg Power, Planning and Projects Officer at NUI Galway, pointed out the eco-friendly aspects to the structure: "The building incorporates significant 'green energy' initiatives giving it a relatively low carbon footprint. Technology used includes a Combined Heat and Power unit, generating electricity for the facility and recycling the heat for re-use in the building." The team that worked on the building project included world-renowned architects Faulkner Browns, in conjunction with Holohan Design, and local builders Glenman Corporation. According to Joe Cosgrove, Managing Director of Kingfisher Fitness Group, who already run six successful leisure centres across the country: "We are delighted to be serving the vibrant community on campus here at NUI Galway, as well as with the wider public in the area. Whether it's signing up for a year's gym membership, or popping by for a 'Splash and Dash', we have offers to suit everyone's sporting and fitness needs. Our staff are available to answer any queries about possible membership, and the public are welcome to view our extensive facilities at any time. " To contact the NUI Galway Sports Centre call 091 570 800 or email nuigalwayinfo@kingfisherclub.com. For further information visit www.kingfisherclub.com Ends

Tá Ionad nua Spóirt OÉ Gaillimh, ar chostas €22 milliún, oscailte do mhic léinn, don fhoireann agus don phobal. Tá achar 6,500 m² san ionad ina bhfuil linn snámha 6-lána 25 méadar. Is féidir an t-urlár a ardú agus a ísliú inti. Tá cúirteanna scuaise agus raicéadaíochta, halla ina bhfuil trí chúirt cispheile, stiúideonna ilchuspóireacha, giomáisiam an-mhór agus balla dreapadóireachta ann chomh maith. Is ar an gcampas atá an t-ionad in aice leis an droichead, agus beidh sé á rith ag an Kingfisher Fitness Group. Chuir Mary O'Riordan, Leas-Uachtarán um Sheirbhísí do Mhic Léinn agus Acmhainní Daonna, OÉ Gaillimh fáilte roimh oscailt an Ionaid: "Cuidíonn spórt le sláinte, leas agus oideachas na mac léinn anseo in OÉ Gaillimh. Is iomaí cineál spóirt a bheas ar fáil san ionad nua, idir chaitheamh aimsire agus spórt iomaíochta. Tá sé iontach é a bheith ag oscailt anois freisin mar gurb é seo tús na bliana acadúla 2008-2009. Beidh mic léinn ag filleadh ar an Ollscoil agus mic léinn eile ag tosú anseo agus iad araon ag baint tairbhe as an Ionad nua Spóirt." Is cuid é an tIonad seo de chlár caipitil €400 milliún, 'Campas na Todhchaí', chun na caighdeáin is airde d'infreastruchtúr fisiciúil a éileamh ar mhaithe le tacú le feabhas sa teagasc agus sa taighde. Mhaoinigh mic léinn OÉ Gaillimh cuid den ionad, nuair a vótáil siad in 2003 tobhach mic léinn a mhéadú chun tacú leis an tionscadal. Faigheann mic léinn lascaine mhaith ar bhallraíocht san ionad. Dúirt Uachtarán Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn in OÉ Gaillimh, Muireann O Dwyer, go bhfeabhsóidh an t-ionad nua saol an champais do mhic léinn: "Léiríonn an áis nua seo comhoibriú maith idir na mic léinn agus bainistíocht na hOllscoile. Tá 40 club spóirt ar an gcampas agus féadfaidh siad úsáid a bhaint as an ionad nua. Gheobhaidh mic léinn agus alumni lascaine mhaith freisin. Tá spórt agus fóillíocht go maith don intinn agus don chorp, mar sin feabhsóidh an tIonad nua Spóirt saol an champais ar bhealach eile chomh maith." Dúirt Greg Power, Oifigeach Pleanála agus Tionscadal OÉ Gaillimh, go bhfuil an struchtúr seo éiceabhách: "Is foirgneamh glas é seo sa chiall gur beag dochar atá á dhéanamh aige don chomhshaol. Leis an teicneolaíocht atá in úsáid san Ionad tá leictreachas á ghiniúint agus á athchúrsáil le húsáid san fhoirgneamh arís." D'oibrigh na hailtirí cáiliúla Faulkner Browns ar an tionscadal, i gcomhar le Holohan Design, mar aon leis na tógálaithe áitiúla Glenman Corporation. Dúirt Joe Cosgrove, Stiúrthóir Bainistíochta Kingfisher Fitness Group, a bhfuil sé ionad áineasa acu cheana féin sa tír: "Tá an-áthas orainn freastal ar champas OÉ Gaillimh agus ar mhuintir an cheantair seo. Má fhaigheann tú ballraíocht bliana nó más fearr leat Íoc-mar-a-Úsáidtear, feilfidh an tIonad nua seo duit. Freagróidh an fhoireann anseo ceist ar bith faoi bhallraíocht agus tá fáilte roimh an bpobal breathnú ar na háiseanna anseo am ar bith. " Glaoigh ar Ionad Spóirt OÉ Gaillimh ar 091 570 800 nó seol ríomhphost chuig nuigalwayinfo@kingfisherclub.com. Tá eolas breise le fáil ar www.kingfisherclub.com críoch

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-

Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway, is delighted to announce the appointment of actor and director Diarmuid de Faoite as its new performing arts executive. Diarmuid is well known to the general public through his television work with TG4 (Ros na Rún), RTÉ, STV (Scotland) and through his stage work with The Town Hall Theatre, Druid, An Taibhdhearc, The Peacock, Project Arts Centre and his own company, POC productions. The performing arts unit of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge at NUI Galway runs two part-time courses and one full-time course as well as providing support and teaching services for other departments. The courses include the Diploma in Arts (Acting), a Higher Diploma in Theatre Studies, and the Diploma in Arts (Arrangement and Staging of Traditional Irish Music). De Faoite is a multi-award winning actor, writer and producer and has received many plaudits for his work in the field of theatre, television and performance. Most notably, he received: The Stewart Parker Trust/BBC NI Award for his play about Irish language writer, 'Pádraic Ó Conaire'; ESB Dublin FRINGE Best Production for POC productions' stage adaptation of 'Paris, Texas'; and most recently, Best Feature Documentary with Johnny White (Seanchas Productions) at the Celtic Media Festival 2008, for the documentary, 'Padraic Ó Conaire, An Fear'. De Faoite has taught drama from primary through to third level and on to the professional theatre and television industry for almost twenty years. He was education officer for Na Fánaithe theatre company for a number of years, organising and delivering workshops in Gaeltacht schools as well as national workshops. He worked with Trevor Ó Clochartaigh on 'Lasair', intensive residential theatre workshops in Ireland and Scotland and has provided acting, writing and personal development training for Learning Waves, Solas, Ros na Rún, Pléaráca, NUI Galway as well as various other interest groups and organisations. Diarmuid has provided various forms of performance training for Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge since its foundation, having taught many classes for visiting students, radio drama classes for the Diploma in Radio Skills and drama writing on the Higher Diploma in Drama. Since Diarmuid began performing in 1988 there has been great growth in the performing arts in general but especially in the West of Ireland and in Irish language arts. He sees huge potential for further growth in the areas of research, scripting, theatre in education and personal development. "If we look at drama as an example, said Diarmuid, it is now part of the primary schools' curriculum, and its use in the areas of linguistic development, therapy, the building of self-esteem and confidence, and the vast fields of social analysis is widely recognized. Drama can be communicative, participatory, creative and often transcendent, all in the one instant and, as a creative mirror, is one of the most powerful social tools we possess in our evolutionary arsenal." Diarmuid goes on to say that, "Aonad na dTaibhealaíon (Centre for Performing Arts) wishes to focus on the performing arts in this wider context so that greater opportunities can be made available to our students, not only in the traditional performing arts sectors but also in the academic, therapeutic and corporate sectors". Marianne Ní Chinnéide, the performing arts unit administrator, "Aonad na dTaibhealaíon is in continual contact with professional performing arts companies, Ealaín na Gaeltachta, funding bodies, art therapists and a host of individual musicians, dramatists, designers and performers to ensure that we provide the best possible service in terms of both education and employment opportunities to our students. Diarmuid's appointment further encourages this relationship". Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge is confident that Diarmuid's appointment will provide a major boost to arts and educational development within the University. Further information about any of these courses may be obtained by contacting Diarmuid on 091 869859 diarmuid.defaoite@oegaillimh.ie or Marianne on 091 869103 marianne.nichinneide@oegaillimh.ie ENDS

Tá an t-aisteoir cáiliúil, Diarmuid de Faoite, ceaptha ina fheidhmeannach drámaíochta ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, OÉ Gaillimh. Bhain Diarmuid cáil amach lena pháirt 'Jack' sa sobalchlár Ros na Rún, ar TG4, chomh maith le tréimhsí fada a bheith caite aige le RTÉ, STV (Albain), Amharclann na Cathrach, Gaillimh, Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe agus lena chomhlacht féin, POC Productions. Go deimhin, shílfeá gur beag comhlacht drámaíochta in Éirinn nár chaith Diarmuid seal ina dteannta agus é ag plé leis an aisteoireacht ghairmiúil ó 1988 i leith. Ag obair as lámh a chéile a bheas Diarmuid de Faoite agus Riarthóir Aonad na dTaibhealaíon, Máire Áine Ní Chinnéide, agus trí chúrsa faoina gcúram: Dioplóma san Aisteoireacht (cúrsa páirtaimseartha bliana); an tArd-Dioplóma sa Drámaíocht (cúrsa iarchéime, páirtaimseartha, thar dhá bhliain); agus an Dioplóma i gCóiriú agus Stáitsiú an Cheoil Thraidisiúnta (cúrsa nua lánaimseartha bliana). Ní mar aisteoir amháin atá cáil bainte amach ag Diarmuid. Mar scríbhneoir, bhuaigh a leaganacha stáitse agus teilifíse de shaol Phádraic Ó Conaire Gradam Stewart Parker/BBC NI, 2001, agus an 'Gnéchlár Faisnéise is Fearr', Féile na Meán Ceilteach, 2008, faoi seach. Anuas air sin, bhuaigh sé an 'Léiriú is Fearr' dá leagan stáitse de 'Paris, Texas' lena chomhlacht POC Productions, ESB Dublin Fringe Fest 2003, chomh maith le Duais Aitheantais an Oireachtais, 2002. Ní haon strainséir é Diarmuid don mhúinteoireacht ach an oiread. Agus é ag feidhmiú mar oifigeach oideachais leis an gcompántas dramaíochta, Na Fánaithe, reáchtáil sé cúrsaí drámaíochta sna bunscoileanna i gConamara agus i Maigh Eo Theas, chomh maith le ceardlanna lae do gach aoisghrúpa ar fud na tíre. Mhúin sé drámaíocht ar na dianchúrsaí aisteoireachta 'Lasair' in Éirinn agus in Albain agus tá ceardlanna drámaíochta agus forbairt phearsanta cumtha agus stiúrtha aige do Learning Waves, Ros na Rún, Solas agus POC, chomh maith le comhlachtaí agus eagraíochtaí eile. Deir Diarmuid go dtaispeánann an fás agus forbairt iontach atá tagtha ar chúrsaí drámaíochta trí Ghaeilge na deiseanna ollmhóra a bhaineann leis na healaíona chun athruithe dearfacha a chur i bhfeidhm sa tsochaí. "Má thógtar an drámaíocht, mar shampla", deir sé, "tuigtear anois a éifeachtaí is atá sí chun forbairt phearsanta, cumas teanga, cumarsáid agus féinmhuinín an duine a fheabhsú." I dtuairim Dhiarmada, "Trasnaíonn an ealaín gach teanga, inscne, aicme agus teideal; ach oiread leis an mbás, tá sí thar a bheith daonlathach!" "Is ar mhórphictiúr forbartha agus fostaíochta atá Aonad na dTaibhealaíon, OÉ Gaillimh, dírithe", a deir Diarmuid. "Úsáidtear eilimintí drámaíochta go rialta anois i gcúrsaí forbartha agus san earnáil chorparáideach chun smaointeoireacht úr a spreagadh. Freisin, tuigtear sa chóras bunscoile tábhacht na drámaíochta mar áis teagaisc agus foghlama agus é ar an gcúrsa léinn anois" a dúirt sé. Deir Máire Áine Ní Chinnéide, Riarthóir Aonad na dTaibhealaíon, OÉ Gaillimh, go mbíonn teagmháil leanúnach ag an aonad le gach ceann de na "comhlachtaí drámaíochta Gaeilge, le hEalaín na Gaeltachta, le féilte agus comhlachtaí léiriúcháin, chomh maith le healaíontóirí agus ceoltóirí aonaracha, lena chinntiú gur cúrsaí den chaighdeán is airde atá á soláthar againn agus deiseanna fostaíochta dá réir. Nasc breise leis an tionscal é ceapachán Dhiarmada". Tá gach dóchas ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge gur céim mhór ar son na healaíne agus cúrsaí oideachais tríú leibhéil i gcoitinne é ceapachán Dhiarmada. CRÍOCH

NUI Galway will hold a special examination in Mathematics on Wednesday, 20 August for students who have not achieved the required Leaving Certificate grade in this subject for entry to Undergraduate Engineering and Information Technology Degree Courses. The exam is aimed at students who have already applied for a degree at NUI Galway and have the points but who do not have the maths requirement. Students who pass this examination will be deemed to have satisfied the maths requirement and will then receive an additional CAO offer at Round 2. For more than 20 years, NUI Galway has provided this special entrance examination to help applicants who did not attain the required honours level in their Leaving Certificate. The normal entry requirement to accredited engineering degree programmes requires that students have a C3 or better in higher level maths. Passing the special exam allows students fulfill the requirement for entry to 1st year Engineering. The option of taking the special entrance examination has also been available to students applying for the B.Sc. Degree in Information Technology, which is also an accredited software engineering degree. The minimum entry requirement in maths is either: a C3 in higher level; an A2 in ordinary level; or a pass in the special entrance examination. The exam applies to all Engineering courses except the B.Sc. in Project and Construction Management. Professor Padraic O'Donoghue, Dean of Engineering and Informatics at NUI Galway reminded students: "This exam is in keeping with NUI Galway's policy of providing additional entry opportunities to students. In this instance, students have the points, but may have fallen short on the day in the Leaving Cert maths exam. The special exam provides students with a valuable second opportunity to achieve the mathematics requirement and may be particularly relevant this year with the difficulties in Leaving Certificate mathematics experienced by many students". The standard of the syllabus for the examination is relatively similar to that of the Leaving Certificate higher level but it is focused more on the mathematics that is required for Engineering/IT programmes. The examination will take place in the University on Wednesday 20th August. Further details and application forms may be obtained at http://www.nuigalway.ie/engineering/ or by calling the Admissions Office on 091 492199/492137 The Application form and past papers are available from the College of Engineering and Informatics website at: www.nuigalway.ie Applications will be accepted at the admissions office reception desk up to 9.00am the morning of exam. ENDS

On Saturday, 23 August David O'Leary, an NUI Galway Law student will have the honour of singing "The Star Spangled Banner" live on television and before a sell-out crowd of 55,000 people. In one of the last games at Shea Stadium, home of the New York Mets baseball team, the young Irish tenor will sing the American national anthem at the last "Irish Night" before the Mets move to their new home at Citi Field. It is the second time David has had the honour of singing for the New York team, the first having taken place last September, just as he was beginning his LLB at NUI Galway. A graduate of Legal Science and French, the 24 year-old Wexford man is spending his third summer in New York studying voice with internationally renowned vocal coaches and accompanists and, despite his impending conferral with the LLB, intends to pursue a professional career in opera. "It s a huge privilege for me to have the opportunity to perform the American national anthem for the Mets at one of the biggest games of the year. To be a small part of an historic evening will be a humbling experience". David successfully auditioned for the Irish Youth Choir and has been a guest soloist at many performances on radio and television with the NUI Galway Chamber Choir and with the Irish Sopranos. He also sings with the renowned Galway Baroque Singers. ENDS

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms. Mary Coughlan T.D., has today (Tuesday 5th August 2008) announced the re-appointment of Professor Patrick Fottrell as Chairperson of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). Chairman of SFI since 2003, Professor Fottrell is a former Professor of Biochemistry at NUI Galway, serving as President of the University from 1996-2000. Announcing the reappointment, Minister Coughlan said "Since becoming Chairperson in 2003, Professor Fottrell has spearheaded SFI's operations in helping to establish a world-class research environment in Ireland. His dedication and expertise have been an integral part of the major strides achieved to date by SFI. The range of research programmes and supports provided by SFI has expanded significantly under Professor Fottrell's tenure as Chairperson, and I am delighted that he has agreed to serve another 5 year term". Minister Coughlan added "The Government remains committed to placing the development of our knowledge-based economy at the very heart of Ireland's economic and social policy, and under Professor Fottrell's stewardship, SFI has been a key player in achieving this objective. I look forward to working with Professor Fottrell in further implementing the Government's Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) 2006-2013. Professor Fottrell is a Board Member of Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority and Chairman of the Teagasc Research Committee, he is also a Board Member of Safefood, the Irish Food Safety Promotion Board. He has served as Chairman of the Dublin Institute of Technology, the Irish Council of Bioethics and the Ireland-USA Fulbright Commission. Prof. Fottrell is currently Chairman of Westgate Biological. He is a member and former Vice-President of the Royal Irish Academy. Professor Fottrell has a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from University College Cork, a Ph.D. from the University of Glasgow, and a D.Sc. from the National University of Ireland. He is a recipient of the Conway Medal from Ireland s Royal Academy of Medicine, and has been a visiting Professor at Harvard, as well as in Germany and Japan. Ends

Roisín Shortall, T.D., Labour Spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs recently presented a group of Ballymun-based students, who participated in an NUI Galway law course through an interactive video link, with Certificates of Attendance at the Ballymun Civic Centre, Dublin. The Housing Law & Policy course was developed and presented by Dr Padraic Kenna of the Faculty of Law, NUI Galway in conjunction with the Ballymun Community Law Centre (BCLC). The lectures were video linked in real time to community volunteers, welfare staff, local authority tenants and their representatives, and other interested parties living in Ballymun. Over 12 weeks, the Ballymun group gathered in the Council Chamber Civic Offices to link via video with some 60 Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Civil Law students at NUI Galway for the interactive weekly classes. Dr Padraic Kenna, law lecturer at NUI Galway is the author of the definitive work Housing Law and Policy in Ireland. According to Dr Kenna; "An innovative use of the latest technology has enabled law students at NUI Galway to interact in their learning with people who are at the heart of a Dublin community, where housing law and policies have had such an impact". The course covered the traditional housing and property law areas, private rented housing, social housing and modern approaches to social inclusion in housing. There was also a significant focus on preparing presentations with proposals for a Housing Bill. Part of the course involved a field trip to BCLC and Ballymun Regeneration Project where students could assess at first hand the relevance of the course. This innovative link-up was facilitated by the Mr Pat Monaghan and the University Audio-visual unit. It was supported by NUI Galway's Community Knowledge Initiative, which promotes civic engagement among academics, students and the wider community. Since its inception, the Ballymun Community Law Centre has consistently sought to empower the residents and community workers of Ballymun. BCLC Solicitor Frank Murphy, a law graduate of NUI Galway, said at the presentation, "Dr. Kenna and the Law School at NUI Galway are to be congratulated on their continuing commitment to bringing law into the community. They have broken new ground by video linking their wonderful housing law and policy course direct from the groves of academe in the magnificent Galway campus into the heart of Ballymun. Through the years Ballymun has been deprived of access to justice, and indeed, access to law and legal education, but Padraic and NUI Galway are bringing legal education straight to the community. Once again the interactive participation of the students in Galway and in Ballymun was first class. Their joint contributions live on air to a new Housing Bill were breathtaking in their range, imagination and understanding. This was in no small part due to the inspirational delivery and content of Dr Kenna whom BCLC would wish to thank most sincerely." ENDS

Winners of an Inter-College Technology Development Competition led by NUI Galway were recently announced and presented prizes sponsored by Kernel Capital Partners. The HEA Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) project between NUI Galway, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and University College Cork (UCC) included multidisciplinary and cross university teams working together on the commercialisation of research and technology transfer. The aim of the HEA SIF programme is to enhance the commercialisation of research and other knowledge-based activity in an academic environment. As a core component of this programme a competition was set up to improve existing entrepreneurship and innovation training programmes through the intercollegiate exchange of approaches, materials, case studies, specific events, and workshops. Ms Fiona Neary, Business Development Manager, Ignite Technology Transfer Office, NUI Galway, said: "This programme provides for the embedding of entrepreneurship education and training with technology programmes, while establishing tangible links between academic schools, incubation centres and technology transfer offices. This premise and the willingness of students to increase their business skills and become an entrepreneurially minded graduate makes this a very worthwhile national collaboration". Ms Neary added: "The expert panel judging the competition made reference to some of the technology concepts submitted having a high probability of becoming a commercial success and programmes such as this one is exactly what is needed to encourage student's to think entrepreneurially". The competition winners from each campus were: Joseph Mackle, best NUI Galway presentation from the NCBES and REMEDI Research Centres; Suzanne Cloonan, best TCD presentation; and Ken Reynolds, best UCC presentation and overall winner. ENDS