The NUI Galway Open Day will take place from 9am to 3pm on Thursday, 9 October, 2008. Thousands of secondary school students from all over Ireland are expected to attend, along with their parents and teachers. Caroline Loughnane, NUI Galway's Director of Marketing and Communications and one of the organisers of the Open Day, says: "This is an excellent opportunity for anyone considering applying to NUI Galway to talk to staff and students, find out more about the course you are interested in, explore the campus and decide whether the University is right for you". "The Open Day also gives students the opportunity to experience university life first hand" she added. "Visitors can see our full range of subject specific exhibition stands in Áras na Mac Léinn, our student centre, and check out our programme of interactive taster sessions on a wide range of subjects that run throughout the day". Some of the newer programmes on offer at NUI Galway include: BEng/MEng in Engineering Innovation - Electronic. This programme aims to provide graduates with specialised multi-disciplinary skills to start their own business, centred on the development of innovative, niche, market-led, electronic products. BE (Hons) and MEngSc in Sports and Exercise Engineering. The first of its kind in Ireland, this programme will provide graduates with the skills and expertise to design systems and devices for the evaluation and execution of sport performance across a broad range of sports. BSC (Hons) in Podiatry. This course consists of the study and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, knee, leg and hip, the only such course available in the Republic of Ireland. The majority of study will be undertaken in the state of the art podiatry clinic which is to be developed by the HSE at the Merlin Park Hospital site. BA CONNECT Programme. With a radical departure from traditional Arts degrees, the BA CONNECT Programme offers seven four-year degrees designed to increase the employability of graduates by developing distinctive skills and creating connections with life beyond the campus. The degrees are: BA with Children's Studies; BA with Creative Writing; BA with Film Studies; BA with Human Rights; BA with Irish Studies; BA with Theatre and Performance; and BA with Women's Studies. Tours of the campus will give an insight in to university life, and the top class facilities offered at NUI Galway including the brand new €22 million Sports Complex located by the Quincentennial Bridge. The 6,500 sq.m. eco-friendly 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. Operators, the Kingfisher Fitness Group, who already run six successful leisure centres across the country, are offering NUI Galway students significant discounts for this state-of-the-art facility. Joe Cosgrove, Managing Director of Kingfisher Fitness Club, says: "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". With over 40 clubs and 85 societies at NUI Galway, there is something to suit all interests. Representatives from all clubs and societies will be available on the day in order for visitors to find out more. Representatives will also be at hand from the ALIVE Volunteering Programme, which aims to support and promote volunteering on campus, to talk about the wide range of volunteer opportunities available for students. Visitors can book a place at the Open Day and receive a programme in advance by logging on to www.nuigalway.ie/openday or you can just turn up on the day. For further information contact the Schools Liaison Office on 091 492814, email mary.coyle@nuigalway.ie or visit http://www.nuigalway.ie/openday/ -Ends-