News Archive

University of Galway is to join 18 international research and academic partners in a Horizon Europe funded project to develop new biodegradable vascular implants. The BIOMEND programme will be led by Dr Ted Vaughan, Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Principal Investigator in the Biomechanics Research Centre at the University of Galway, with his colleague Professor Peter McHugh, and in close partnership with Dr Alexander Kopp, founder of Meotec Gmbh, located in Aachen, Germany, a world-leader in the production of biodegradable metal alloys for medical applications. Biodegradable materials are a category of biomaterial that gradually degrade when implanted in the body and have the potential to form the basis for the next-generation of endovascular stents, as they can reduce long-term complications associated with existing devices. Together with the wider BIOMEND consortium, the research team will tackle key technological challenges in the area of biodegradable implants so that they can be safely used in the human body. Dr Ted Vaughan, Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering at University of Galway, said: "We are delighted to receive this funding, which allows us to bring together leading experts from across Europe to develop the next-generation of biodegradable implants. Our goal is to develop a range of endovascular stent implants that reduce the risk of long-term complications and improve patient outcomes." Funded through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions scheme, the BIOMEND project is structured as an integrated research and training programme. As the proposal lead and BIOMEND training coordinator, Dr Eva Barrett, School of Engineering at University of Galway, explains: “BIOMEND will deliver world-class interdisciplinary training to 15 PhD researchers, who will carry out industry-based doctorates across the BIOMEND network. This will significantly enhance the career development and employment prospects of these researchers, promoting their future development into leading innovators of medical technologies.” Ends

University of Galway’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics has hosted a leadership conference and reunion gala, as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations of its Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme.    During the event, the University announced plans to establish a new University of Galway MBA Alumni Network for more than 600 MBA graduates who have come through the programme, many of whom have gone on to senior leadership roles across sectors nationally and globally.   The leadership conference and reunion gala served as a platform to showcase the outstanding expertise and experiences of the MBA alumni who have contributed significantly to their respective industries over several decades.    The conference, opened by President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, featured panel sessions focusing on the impact of the MBA on business and society; talent development for future success; career reflections from alumni; and a CEO Leaders’ forum hosted by Danny McCoy, Director of Ibec.     Since it was founded in the 1972/73 academic year, University of Galway’s MBA has established itself as one of the leading programmes of its kind in the country, providing exceptional business education and preparing leaders for the challenges of the ever-evolving global marketplace.     Speaking at the event, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of University of Galway, said: “I would like to congratulate the University’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics on 50 successful years of the MBA programme. The programme, and more importantly our graduates have made a significant impact to the world in the last five decades, helping to create the capacity, talent and leadership that would not otherwise be here. “The establishment of programmes such as the MBA are inflection points, envisioned by the people involved, facilitated by the place, responding to the needs of the time. We are facing new challenges now, in social cohesion, health and wellbeing, and climate action. And University of Galway is stepping up again to identify and respond to future opportunities and challenges. “In fifty years’ time, what will people say we did now that made a positive difference across the decades?” Professor Alma McCarthy, Dean of J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at University of Galway, said: “Over the past five decades, our MBA has consistently produced exceptional business leaders who have made significant contributions to their organisations and the business community as a whole. The events that we have been able to hold as part of the 50 year celebrations are testament to the achievements of our graduates, our alumni, and the enduring impact of the University of Galway MBA.”    Professor Kate Kenny, MBA Programme Director at University of Galway, said: "As Programme Director, it was an honour and a pleasure to welcome so many MBA alumni, current students, faculty and even our founding Programme Director Professor Jim Doolan. During the day, I appreciated the rich insights from our panellists, on all manner of leadership learnings and challenges overcome since their time on campus as MBA students. But my stand-out memory is the strong sense of camaraderie and friendship among classes, past and present."   The University of Galway MBA is accredited by AMBA, the global mark of excellence for MBA education.    The two-year part-time executive leadership programme enables participants to prepare for accelerated career progression while also applying learning in their organisation from the start of the programme, with graduates going on to senior leadership roles across a broad range of sectors.     For further information about the MBA at University of Galway visit https://www.universityofgalway.ie/mba/.     Ends 

Researchers at University of Galway studying cell interactions in bowel cancer have identified innovative strategies to enhance how the body and drug treatments fight the disease. Colorectal, also known as bowel, cancer is a leading cause of death globally with increasing incidence in developing countries and in younger people. In Ireland alone, there are more than 2,500 newly diagnosed cases of bowel cancer every year, with limited treatment options for patients at advanced disease stage.  The findings of the research have been published in life science journal Cell Reports. Aideen Ryan, Associate Professor in Tumour Immunology at University of Galway’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, said: “Unfortunately, a high proportion of colorectal cancer patients do not respond to immunotherapy. We have identified sugar coated molecules with sialic acid, called sialoglycans, that are present on cells in tumours, known as stromal cells. These are associated with poor responses to immunotherapy. Targeting these molecules enhances the immune response in tumours that have high levels of these cells.” The research was carried out by University of Galway in collaboration with VUB, Belgium; Palleon Pharmaceuticals, Boston, USA; CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre based at University of Galway; Glasgow Beatson Institute for Cancer Research; Queen’s University Belfast.   What did the researchers investigate? Approximately 25% of bowel cancer patients have a high density of stromal cells, a type of cancer-supporting cell found in close proximity to cancer cells. These patients are the hardest to treat.  Stromal cells use a number of methods to inhibit or suppress immune cell responses, many of which are utilised by the cancer cells themselves, to promote tumour growth.  This leads to conventional anti-cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and, more recently, immunotherapies, having less than favourable results. The researchers studied a previously unknown mechanism of stromal cell immunosuppression. It occurs as sugar coated molecules expressed on the stromal cell surface binds to specific protein receptors expressed on the surface of immune T-cells.    What did the researchers discover? The sugars - sialic acids (or sialoglycans) – bind to receptors called Siglecs. The Siglecs stop the cancer killing T cells from working.  The research showed that stromal cells, when exposed to inflammatory molecules released by bowel cancer cells, express increased amounts of the sialoglycans - on their surface. It also showed that T cells could be re-activated by using specific drugs to disrupt the binding between the cells. The researchers tested the findings using stromal cells isolated from bowel cancer patient biopsies and got the same results, confirming that targeting the binding of sialic acid/Siglecs may represent an innovative strategy to enhance anti-tumour immunity in immunosuppressive tumour microenvironments.   Dr Ryan added: “Our plan now is to test the effects of combining this new targeting approach with clinically approved immunotherapies in the hope that the combination will improve immune responses to cancer.  “We are fortunate to have access to drugs, called sialidases, that target sialoglycans through our collaborators Palleon Pharmaceuticals to test these new combinations in our laboratory. These sialidase molecules derived from Palleon's EAGLE glyco-immunology drug development platform has recent clinical proof of mechanism.” Li Peng, chief scientific officer, Palleon, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Dr Ryan in studying the role of sialoglycans on tumour-associated stromal cells in inhibiting anti-tumour immune responses. Dr Ryan's ground-breaking research highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting stromal cell sialoglycans in the tumour microenvironment as a cancer treatment approach, utilising a sialidase molecule derived from Palleon's EAGLE glyco-immunology drug development platform that has clinical proof of mechanism." Ends

Three University of Galway graduates will be awarded for the impact of their start-up companies at this year’s MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 Europe festival.  The celebration of young European innovators takes place in Gaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal, on May 11-12, 2023. Each of the three Galway-based innovators co-founded medtech and health tech companies having graduated from University of Galway’s landmark BioInnovate programme.  Elle Sander - co-founder and chief executive of Lifelet Medical, a medical device start-up company innovating in heart valve replacement. Bárbara Oliveira - co-founder and clinical lead of Luminate Medical. The company's first product is a novel, pain-free and patient-centred medical device to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. Brendan Staunton - co-founder and chief executive of Amara Therapeutics, a spin-out which is revolutionising the treatment of pelvic health conditions by delivering digital support to patients’ smartphones. President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “Being nominated for the MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 Europe awards is great recognition. Elle, Bárbara and Brendan are among our brightest, young researchers and innovators and to see them being heralded among their peers in Europe is testament to University of Galway’s promotion of innovation and our determination to break new ground in research, all the while with a focus on the public good.”  MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 Europe is an annual list that recognises outstanding innovators who are younger than 35. The awards span a wide range of fields, including biotechnology, materials, computer hardware, energy, transportation, communications, and the Internet.  University of Galway is proudly partnering with the festival organisers, Údarás na Gaeltachta and other partners, to bring this year’s festival of innovation to Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal and to celebrate young European visionaries pursuing the same objective: innovation, ingenuity, and advances toward addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. More here on Innovators Under 35 https://emtecheurope.com/innovators-under-35-europe/ Read more about our university spin-outs here https://stories.universityofgalway.ie/spin-outs/index.html  Ends

The AtlanTec Festival, Ireland’s annual tech community festival, opens today May 8, 2023. The two-week festival is supported by University of Galway and organised by the non-profit association itag (Innovation Technology AtlanTec Gateway). Now in its ninth year, this year’s theme is "Connected Future – Unlocking the Potential of a Digitally Connected World". A packed programme of events are planned, including group meet-ups, talks, sporting events and an "unconference" which looks at equity of opportunity and urges the participants lead and drive the agenda.  Key highlights of the festival will also include the AI Summit, Cloud Native Summit and Tech Leaders’ Summit, which will be co-hosted by University of Galway on May 17 and 18, 2023. On the morning of May 17, the AI Summit will explore how Artificial intelligence is driving a wave of innovation in IT and everyday lives. The ever-evolving challenge for businesses to establish best practice in aligning AI with ethical and societal values will also be examined. On the afternoon of May 17, the Cloud Native summit will explore an area which promises more speed and agility to organisations and delve into where to start with cloud migration and how to avoid common pitfalls.  On May 18 , the Tech Leaders’ Summit will bring together industry leaders, academia and experts to discuss the latest trends, challenges and best practices in leadership, innovation and technology. There will be a focus on refining leadership for the ever-evolving future, enabling businesses to thrive in an environment of constant change and disruption. Over 300 business leaders and expert technology developers are expected to attend the University summits. Speakers across the three summits include: Dr Rachel Finn of Trilateral Research; Dr Adrian Byrne, Idiro Analytics; and former Ireland rugby player and leadership development consultant Philip Matthews. Professor Jim Livesey, Vice-President for Research at University of Galway, said: “Ireland is the second largest exporter of computer and IT services in the world. The west of Ireland is a vibrant hub for digital and technology innovation companies. The AtlanTec Festival is our annual opportunity to showcase this excellence and innovativeness while bringing our tech community together.” The festival is supported by Avaya, Cisco, Fidelity Investments, Genesys, HPE, itag Skillnet, University of Galway, Storm Technology, and others. For more information on the AtlanTec Festival visit https://atlantec.ie/ Ends

University of Galway has welcomed the significant investment in the region by US-based life sciences company Dexcom. Ahead of the announcement by Dexcom of the establishment of a new manufacturing base in Co Galway, senior executives from the company visited the University to learn about research activity. Barry Regan, Dexcom Executive Vice-President, Global Operations joined Adrian Furey, Dexcom Vice-President EMEA and alumnus, met Consultant Endocrinologist Professor Fidelma Dunne and Professor of Anatomy and Regenerative Therapies Garry Duffy to hear about clinical trials and transformative technologies being developed for diabetes treatment. Sinead Walsh, BioInnovate Director of Operations, briefed the executives on the BioInnovate Fellowship, a specialist medical device and digital health programme based at University of Galway. University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh said: “We are very pleased to have been able to host Barry Regan and Adrian Furey from Dexcom and give them the opportunity to hear first-hand about University of Galway’s focus on the public good in our research and our ambitions to take our work to new heights.” University of Galway Vice-President Engagement Dr Paul Dodd said: “The significant investment by Dexcom in Galway is testament to the region as a global medtech hub; a region which University of Galway is at the heart of with our ambitions for investment in research, our excellence in teaching and learning and our desire to ensure the highest standards of graduates. We wish Dexcom every success with the investment and we look forward to further developing our engagement in the future.”  Ends

D’ainmnigh an tAire Comhshaoil, Aeráide, Cumarsáide agus Iompair Eamon Ryan T.D. Ollscoil na Gaillimhe inniu mar Churadh náisiúnta SDG 2023-24.  Tugann an t-ainmniúchán aitheantas don ról ollmhór atá ag an Ollscoil chun Spriocanna Forbartha Inbhuanaithe (SDGanna) na NA a bhaint amach. Is í Ollscoil na Gaillimhe an chéad ollscoil a bhain an t-ainmniúchán seo amach. D’ainmnigh an tAire Ryan 21 Curadh eile agus ceithre iar-Churadh SDG ón saol tionscail agus earnálacha idir CLG, RTÉ, An Post, Tesco agus an FAI.  Is é an ról atá ag Curadh SDG feasacht an phobail ar SDGanna a mhéadú agus a bheith mar eiseamláir den chaoi ar cheart d’eagraíocht cur leis na SDGanna agus iad a chomhtháthú ina gcuid oibre agus ina gcuid gníomhaíochtaí.  Dúirt Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh: “Tá an-áthas ar Ollscoil na Gaillimhe a bheith ainmnithe mar Churadh SDG i mbliana. Tá sé ráite ag pobal na hollscoile seo gur inbhuanaitheacht agus oscailteacht an dá chroíluach atá againn, agus sa mheon seo bainfimid úsáid mhaith as ár stádas Curaidh SDG chun béim a leagan ar thábhacht na Spriocanna Forbartha Inbhuanaithe dár mic léinn, dár sochaí agus dár bpláinéad. As seo go ceann 12 mhí, leagfaimid béim ar an obair a dhéanaimid ar mhaithe le leas an phobail ar an gcampas agus ar bhonn níos ginearálta inár dteagasc, taighde agus rannpháirtíocht. Táimid ag tnúth freisin le dul i gcomhpháirtíocht le heagraíochtaí eile atá ar aon intinn linn chun na SDGanna a chur chun cinn.” Tugann bronnadh stádais Curaidh SDG aitheantas do na blianta fada d’obair chrua atá déanta chun na SDGanna a leabú ar leibhéil éagsúla ar fud na hOllscoile.  Tá cáil dhomhanda ar thaighdeoirí Ollscoil na Gaillimhe as teicneolaíocht leighis, mhuirí agus chomhshaoil, réitigh fuinnimh inbhuanaithe, anailísíocht sonraí, cultúr agus cruthaitheacht. Tá ról tábhachtach acu go léir i gcur i bhfeidhm na SDGanna.    Tá an inbhuanaitheacht á neadú ag léachtóirí sa churaclam agus tá uirlis rianaithe nua forbartha ag an Ollscoil chun ábhar SDG ár gcúrsaí a dhéanamh amach.     Ó 2006 i leith, sháraigh an Ollscoil spriocanna trí laghdú os cionn 50% a dhéanamh ar úsáid fuinnimh ar fud an champais.   Is áis tástála an campas agus na foirgnimh le haghaidh gníomhaíochtaí dearfacha inbhuanaithe agus is é ár gcampas i gcathair na Gaillimhe an campas ollscoile is mó a bhfuil bithéagsúlacht ag baint leis in Éirinn.    Bronnadh an Brat Glas ar an Ollscoil in 2019 agus 2022, agus tá an Chonair Bhithéagsúlachta ag cur an champais chun cinn mar acmhainn oideachais agus caithimh aimsire.  Tá tuarascáil aonair ar gach ceann de na 17 SDG sa Tuarascáil Inbhuanaitheachta Bhliantúil is déanaí agus soláthraítear samplaí dá ceannaireacht maidir le dul i ngleic leis na SDGanna ar thrí bhealach: Mic Léinn agus Foghlaim; Taighde; agus Rannpháirtíocht Pobail.  Dúirt an tOllamh Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Uachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí: “Mar churadh SDG, tá deis ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe anois feidhmiú mar urlabhraí ar Spriocanna na Náisiún Aontaithe, agus daoine eile a spreagadh, go háirithe iad siúd san ardoideachas, chun tiomantas a thabhairt d’Éirinn agus cur lena spriocanna a bhaint amach.” Dúirt Michelle O’Dowd Lohan, Oifigeach Inbhuanaitheachta Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Is deis iontach é bheith inár gCuradh SDG chun feasacht agus infheictheacht na SDGanna a mhéadú ar an gcampas agus níos faide i gcéin agus ár bpobal campais a spreagadh arís maidir le hiompraíochtaí réamhghníomhacha inbhuanaithe. Aithnímid an ról ríthábhachtach atá ag ár gcuid mac léinn i gcur chun cinn na SDGanna.   Mar chuid dár dtréimhse mar Churadh SDG, tá an-áthas orainn a fhógairt gur bronnadh Intéirneachtaí Inbhuanaitheachta Mac Léinn SDG ar bheirt mhac léinn ó Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, Adam Mullins agus Ciara Varley chun tionscadail agus taighde a bhaineann le SDG a chur chun cinn i rith an tsamhraidh.” Thug Ranguithe Tionchair an Times Higher Education 2022 aitheantas d’Ollscoil na Gaillimhe mar an Ollscoil is fearr in Éirinn agus sa 50 Ollscoil is fearr ar domhan as a cuid iarrachtaí na SDGanna a chur chun cinn. Tá sí sa 5ú háit ar domhan maidir le dul chun cinn i leith SDG 12: Tomhaltas agus Táirgeadh Inbhuanaithe.  Tá Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ina sínitheoir ar Chomhaontú SDG agus tá roinnt dár gcás-staidéir inbhuanaitheachta le fáil i dTuarascáil Idirnáisiúnta Chomhaontú SDG 2022. Tá cur chuige Ollscoil na Gaillimhe maidir le SDGanna ar cheann de na cás-staidéir sa Dara Plean Feidhmiúcháin Náisiúnta de chuid na hÉireann maidir le Spriocanna Forbartha Inbhuanaithe 2022-2024.  Tá Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ina ball den Chumann Inbhuanaitheachta san Ardoideachas a Chur Chun Cinn (AASHE) agus tá sí liostaithe mar Institiúid den scoth in Innéacs an Champais Inbhuanaithe AAHE 2022. I mí na Samhna 2021 bronnadh rangú órga STARS uirthi as a cuid éachtaí inbhuanaitheachta. Tá Tuarascáil Inbhuanaitheachta Bhliantúil Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ar fáil ag https://www.universityofgalway.ie/media/sustainability/files/Sustainability-Report-22.pdf  Críoch

University of Galway has today been designated as a national Sustainable Development Goal Champion for 2023-24 by Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport Eamon Ryan T.D.  The designation recognises the leading role the University is playing in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). University of Galway is the first university to hold this honour, joining 21 other newly appointed and four former SDG Champions announced by Minister Ryan across a range of industries and sectors, including the GAA, RTÉ, An Post, Tesco and the FAI.  The role of an SDG Champion is to raise public awareness of the SDGs and act as a good practice example of how an organisation can contribute to and integrate the SDGs into their work and activities.  University of Galway President Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “University of Galway is delighted to be designated as SDG Champion this year. Our university community has defined sustainability and openness as two of our core values, and in this spirit we will make good use of our SDG Champion status to highlight the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals for our students, our society and our planet. Over the next 12 months, we will highlight the work we do for the public good on campus and more generally in our teaching, research and engagement. We also look forward to partnering with other like-minded organisations to progress the SDGs.” The awarding of SDG Champion status acknowledges many years of hard work embedding the SDGs on multiple levels across the University.  Researchers at University of Galway have developed a global reputation for medtech, marine and environmental research, sustainable energy solutions, data analytics, culture and creativity, all having an important role to play in the implementation of the SDGs.    Lecturers are embedding sustainability across the curriculum and the University has developed a new tracking tool to determine the SDG content of our courses.     Since 2006, the University has exceeded targets by decreasing its energy usage across campus by over 50%.   Our campus and buildings are test-beds for positive sustainable actions and our Galway city campus is the most biodiverse university campus in Ireland.    The University was awarded the Green Flag in 2019 and 2022, and the Biodiversity Trail promotes the campus as an educational and recreational resource.  Our latest Annual Sustainability Report includes an individual report on each of the 17 SDGs and provides examples of its leadership in tackling the SDGs in three ways: Students and Learning;  Research; and Community Engagement.  Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Deputy President and Registrar, said: “As SDG Champion, University of Galway now has an opportunity to act as an advocate of the UN Goals, and inspire others, especially those in higher education, to commit and contribute to Ireland achieving its targets.” Michelle O’Dowd Lohan, Sustainability Officer at University of Galway, said: “Becoming an SDG Champion is an ideal opportunity for us to raise awareness and increase visibility of the SDGs on campus and beyond and to re-energise our campus community around proactive sustainable behaviours. We recognise the crucial role that our students play in advancing the SDGs.  As part of our SDG Champion tenure, we are delighted to announce that two University of Galway students, Adam Mullins and Ciara Varley have been awarded SDG Student Sustainability Internships to advance SDG-related projects and research over the summer.” University of Galway was recognised by the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022 as the No.1 University in Ireland and Top 50 in the World for its efforts in progressing the SDGs. It is also ranked 5th in the world for its progress on SDG 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production.  University of Galway is a signatory to the SDG Accord and a number of our sustainability case studies feature in the international SDG Accord Report 2022. The University’s approach to progressing the SDGs is featured as a case study in Ireland’s Second National Implementation Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals 2022- 2024.  University of Galway is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and is listed as a top performer in the AASHE 2022 Sustainable Campus Index. In November 2021 it received a STARS gold rating for its sustainability achievements. University of Galway’s Annual Sustainability Report is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/media/sustainability/files/Sustainability-Report-22.pdf  Ends

Construct Innovate, Ireland’s national research centre for construction technology and innovation hosted at University of Galway, have announced Technological University Dublin as a new academic member and 35 companies as the first associate members. Member companies will be supported by academic researchers and empowered to take ownership of the research, development and innovation activities required for their continued progression.  Construct Innovate provides access to a knowledge, business and innovation ecosystem to comprehensively deliver a broad agenda of strong innovation, engagement, excellence and impact in the Irish construction and built environment sector. Dr Magdalena Hajdukiewicz, co-director of Construct Innovate, said: “Construct Innovate was founded just over a year ago with official launch in December 2022 and six months later it is very exciting to see the growing network of Construct Innovate. We are designing Construct Innovate to be inclusive for all stakeholders in the Irish construction and built environment sector, which builds on its current capacity and accelerates research and innovation.” The announcement of the growing membership of Construct Innovate follows an Academic Industry Meeting day (AIMday), the first networking and workshop event where members posed business challenges and sought new knowledge and solutions through workshops with multi-disciplinary groups of academic research experts.  As a result, the first research themes have been identified with working groups now being formed around these themes that include research and industry partners. The research programme of Construct Innovate will be driven by those multidisciplinary and intersectoral working groups to ensure research is focused on industry needs. Colm McHugh, Construct Innovate Centre Manager said: “Seeing the positivity and engagement that our industry members and academics brought to the first AIMday was very encouraging. It clearly demonstrated the scale of the issues that industry faces in transitioning to a more modern, productive and sustainable sector, but also the appetite and energy that is being brought by stakeholders to overcome these challenges. Construct Innovate will work to continuously facilitate vital research to assist our industry in this process.” To coincide with the announcement of growing membership of Construct Innovate, University of Galway has launched a new Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Innovation, which starts in September 2023.    Professor Jamie Goggins said: “The Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Innovation was developed in response to critical and proven skills needs in the construction and built environment sector. It is one-year, part-time, that aims to equip students with key knowledge and skills needed to develop sustainable technological solutions to the challenges facing the construction and built environment sector in Ireland and elsewhere.”  The course is funded through the Government’s Human Capital Initiative to provide 90% funding towards fees and fees are fully covered for those unemployed. The Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Innovation will enable prospective students to: Develop skills in digital adoption, sustainability and modern methods of construction (MMC) Develop critical thinking, curiosity and problem solving to manage the innovation process Identify opportunities (and challenges) for innovation in the construction sector, Create novel construction technology solutions to previously unmet, under-met and unrecognised problems Continue their professional development for meet the future needs of the construction sector. Nuala McGuinn, Director in Centre for Adult Learning & Professional Development at University of Galway, said: “The Postgraduate Diploma is designed with busy professionals in mind who wish to upskill or reskill to meet the critical demand for skills in innovation, digital adoption, sustainability and modern methods of construction, as identified. Course delivery is flexible, combining online learning with periodic onsite workshops.  Course assessment is focused on the workplace enabling students to immediately apply their learning to the workplace.” For more information visit https://constructinnovate.ie/about-us/members/.  Ends

Lambcam were named overall winners with Glow by Chlo Cosmetics recognised as the ‘One to Watch’   University of Galway IdeasLab has concluded the 2023 edition of its highly acclaimed Start100 programme, showcasing the innovative ideas of 12 teams of aspiring student entrepreneurs. The final showcase event on campus saw teams pitch their unique ideas to an expert panel of judges from academia, research, industry, and enterprise in front of an audience of students, mentors, enterprise and University of Galway staff. The winning entry for the 2023 Start100 programme was LambCam for their software to help farmers monitor sheep’s behaviour on camera during lambing season, securing €5,000 in funding. Glow by Chlo Cosmetics was recognised with the One to Watch award of €1,000, affirming their potential for future success. The Start100 programme is an intensive six-week programme run out of University of Galway’s IdeasLab – the student innovation hub, open to all disciplines, located at the heart of the campus. Start100 connects students into a thriving community of innovators and entrepreneurs across Ireland and culminates in the showcase event, where each team present their ideas. This year, the varied group of student entrepreneurs had ideas ranging from an app designed to improve your rowing capabilities to beauty and skincare products. Teams underwent a transformative entrepreneurial journey, nurturing their ideas and focusing on how to best leverage their network and funding opportunities for future success. With the guidance and support of mentors, speakers and the vibrant start-up ecosystem in Galway and across the country, the students developed and validated their business models, developed their networking skills and built a peer-to-peer community to support one another to develop and grow. Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar, said: “University of Galway is committed to transforming our values of excellence, respect, sustainability and openness into actions and deeds. Today we witnessed that first hand through our students in their pursuit of societal impact through enterprising ideas. The University, in partnership with our business community, plays a crucial role in nurturing their growth and supporting our people and our planet and we are incredibly proud of our student entrepreneurs.” Dr Natalie Walsh, Director of Entrepreneurial Development at University of Galway, said: “We are excited to see a surge in interest in entrepreneurship across our campus. The Start100 teams have truly impressed us with their exceptional quality and innovative ideas, serving as a testament to the remarkable success of the programme. We are committed to leveraging our achievements and exploring new collaborative partnerships to maximize opportunities for our student entrepreneurs." The judging panel for the final event included: University of Galway Vice-President Engagement Dr Paul Dodd; Chief Executive of Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) and scientist Evelyn O’Toole: one of Ireland’s leading financial advisors and internationally recognised Certified Financial Planner Paul Merriman; one of the Top 100 Women in STEM in Ireland and Partner at Atlantic Bridge - Kauffman Fellow Helen McBreen; and Aerogen Chief Executive and founder John Power. Ends

Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins T.D. joined a special reception in Washington DC to celebrate University of Galway’s network of higher education institution partnerships in North America.   The reception was part of the annual NAFSA conference, the largest annual international education conference in the US, which drew close to 10,000 delegates.    University of Galway used the occasion to recognise its closest and most enduring US and international partnerships, as well as a number of new collaborations that it is working with.   The attendance of and contributions by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and Education in Ireland were also acknowledged at the NAFSA conference.   At the event, Minister Collins spoke about the core values of respect, excellence, openness and sustainability at University of Galway. “These values are the DNA of University of Galway and form the foundation for students to grow good citizenship, independent critical thinking, and capacity to make positive contributions to both society and economy.   “Partners of University of Galway are not only securing a quality education for their students, but they are also being exposed to a set of values which are common between our countries.”   Dr Andrew Flaus, Vice-Dean for Internationalisation in Science and Engineering, underlined this message, emphasizing: “Galway's shared values with partners has led to a longevity and creativity in partnerships and to rich interactions for both visiting and Galway students and colleagues.”   Nuala McGuinn, Director of Summer Schools at University of Galway, explained how the University is keen to be responsive to its partners: “We are offering a wide variety of ways of working together, ranging from faculty-led hosting and joint conferences, to semester-long Study Abroad programmes. These are all infused by the core values of University and showcase the distinctive and special place that is our city and region.”   Ends

First compelling evidence for low-frequency gravitational waves announced   The European Pulsar Timing Array joins teams worldwide in announcing compelling evidence for gravitational wave signals of cosmological origin   University of Galway astronomers and international collaborators have published the results of more than 25 years of astronomical observations using the world’s most powerful radio telescopes demonstrating evidence for the detection of ultra-low-frequency gravitational waves. Such waves, first predicted by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, are believed to be produced by supermassive black hole binaries - pairs of black holes with masses billions of times that of the sun – in the centres of distant galaxies, stirring up gravitational waves in space-time as they orbit one another. These waves spread away - like ripples across a pond - changing the properties of space and time as they pass by.  The way in which these gravitational waves affect time itself forms the basis for work of Sai Chaitanya Susarla, astronomy PhD researcher in University of Galway, School of Natural Sciences. Along with collaborators in the European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA) and colleagues in Japan and Indian, they studied the way in which these gravitational waves – the ripples on the universe - affect the most accurate clocks known, extinguished stars called pulsars.  These pulsars – collapsed stars the size of Galway Bay – spin tens to hundreds of times a second, with their lighthouse beams of radio emission yielding ultra-regular pulses, easily detectable with radio telescopes. A remarkable prediction of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity is that these regular pulses will be subtly distorted as ultra-low-frequency gravitational waves wash over these pulsars, and astronomers realised that by studying and identifying the way in which these cosmic clocks change their tempo, we could confirm the existence of these bizarre gravitational waves for the first time, and furthermore start to study the Universe anew by in effect constructing a Galaxy-sized gravitational wave detector.  In a series of papers published today, Sai Chaitanya Susarla and his colleagues show for the first time that their data are indeed consistent with a ‘background hum’ of low-frequency gravitational waves. Sai Chaitanya Susarla said: “The evidence for nano-hertz gravitational waves represents a scientific milestone in our understanding of the universe. They offer a remarkable avenue for unraveling the mysteries of our universe, enabling us to explore its history, study black holes and dark matter, and probe the cosmological structure. The insights gained from these discoveries have the potential to reshape our understanding of the cosmos, deepening our knowledge of fundamental physics and providing invaluable insights into the workings of the universe at its grandest scales.” Dr Aaron Golden, School of Natural Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway and Sai Chaitanya Susarla’s co-PhD supervisor, said: “This is a fabulous outcome for all the relentless hard work Sai has put into his doctoral studies. It also speaks to the continuing tradition of research excellence in the physical sciences at University of Galway, where the cold hard practicalities of instrumentation and data analytics combined with boundless human curiosity are training the next generation of outstanding scientists and engineers.” University of Galway alumnus Professor Evan Keane, Associate Professor of Radio Astronomy in Trinity College Dublin’s School of Physics, Head of the Irish LOFAR Telescope and co-PhD supervisor, described the results as “the start of something big”.  Professor Keane added: “Pulsars are basically super clocks in space. By monitoring the ‘ticks’ from these clocks, which are spread throughout our galaxy, we can see the impact of passing gravitational waves making the pulsar signals arrive earlier or later.”  The European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA) announcement is coordinated with similar publications from other teams across the world, namely the Australian (PPTA), Chinese (CPTA), Indian Pulsar Timing Array (InPTA), and North-American (NANOGrav) collaborations. This same evidence for gravitational waves is seen by NANOGrav and is consistent with the results reported by the CPTA and PPTA.  The analysis is in line with what astrophysicists expect.  Professor Alberto Vecchio from the University of Birmingham, points out: “The gold-standard in physics to claim the detection of a new phenomenon is that the result of the experiment has a probability of occurring by chance less than one time in a million. The results reported by EPTA – as well as by the other international collaborations – do not yet meet this criterion. However, combining all of the world-wide datasets, as part of what is termed the International Pulsar Timing Array, should allow the astronomers to obtain irreproachable proof and indeed to achieve further understanding of the history of the universe using gravitational waves.” One of Sai Chaitanya Susarla’s collaborators, Dr Caterina Tiburzi, researcher at the Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari, Italy, puts it: “We are opening a new window in the gravitational wave universe”.  Ends

Displacement, internally or across borders, and statelessness heighten risks of trafficking in persons, a UN expert said today, urging States to prevent trafficking and ensure effective protection of victims.    “Limiting access to asylum and other forms of international protection is likely to increase the risks of trafficking in persons, by forcing people into risky, precarious situations,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Professor Siobhán Mullally, in a report presented to the Human Right Council today.    Professor Mullally was particularly concerned about the adoption of legislation and policy by States to prevent trafficking in persons, which fail to comply with international law.    “The increasing use of accelerated refugee status determination procedures, transfer of refugee status determination procedures to third countries, and the phenomenon of ‘push-backs’ following interceptions at sea or land borders, undermine States’ ability to comply with their obligations to identify, assist and protect victims of trafficking, and to respect the principle of non-refoulement,” Professor Mullally said.    She recalled that States have obligations to identify and protect victims of trafficking or persons at risk of trafficking also in the context of interceptions at sea, and in the context of duties to rescue persons in distress at sea.   “Expanding safe, regular migration opportunities, and providing resettlement opportunities and other complementary pathways for the admission of persons with international protection needs, as well as effective access to asylum and international protection, are essential to prevent trafficking and ensure protection of victims,” she said.    Professor Mullally noted that States hosting the highest numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons have limited capacity to assist and protect trafficked persons or to prevent trafficking: “Where the rights of refugees to freedom of movement, to decent work and to access education or training are limited, the risks of exploitation increase.   “Stateless persons are exposed to increased risks of trafficking linked to their precarious legal status as persons deprived of their right to a nationality, and consequential violations resulting from limited access to civil documentation, education, employment, social protection, and restrictions on freedom of movement.”    Professor Mullally also raised the risks of trafficking faced by unaccompanied and separated children: “I am concerned that adolescent refugee children are often not given equal protection by States. States have an obligation to respect and ensure the rights of all children without discrimination.”    The full report is available here.   Ends

Tá na Saw Doctors díolta amach – ach beidh ticéid le fáil ag imeacht eisiach alumni Beidh na ticéid ar díol Dé hAoine, an 30 Meitheamh ag 9am   D’fhógair Ollscoil na Gaillimhe agus Féile Ealaíon Idirnáisiúnta na Gaillimhe sonraí inniu faoina gcomhpháirtíocht do 2023, agus san áireamh iontu tá imeacht eisiach d’alumni na hOllscoile, an amharclann féile is mó ariamh á tógáil ar an gcampas, agus clár oideachais don chéad ghlúin eile ealaíontóirí, bainisteoirí ealaíon agus fiontraithe cruthaitheacha. Agus í ag ceiliúradh 13 bliana mar Chomhpháirtí Oideachais na féile, beidh an Ollscoil ag dul i gcomhar le Féile Ealaíon Idirnáisiúnta na Gaillimhe ar raon imeachtaí lena n-áirítear: Imeacht eisiach d’alumni na hOllscoile lena n-áirítear ticéid do na Saw Doctors ar an 29 Iúil atá díolta amach. Tugtar cuireadh do chéimithe na hollscoile teacht le chéile an athuair ag cóisir a thabharfaidh síos bóithrín na smaointe iad agus dul chuig ceolchoirm na Saw Doctors ina dhiaidh sin ag Príomhionad na Féile sa Ghort Iascaigh, agus na ticéid ar díol Dé hAoine, an 30 Meitheamh ag 9am. An clár SELECTED ina dtairgfear eispéireas acadaimh laistigh de choicís do mhic léinn Ollscoil na Gaillimhe chun taispeáint dóibh cén chaoi a gcuirtear féile chomh mór seo le chéile, agus cíoradh a dhéanamh ar gach gné, ón taithí phraiticiúil go forbairt ealaíne. Tionscadal staire béil chun príomhghlórtha na féile 2023 a ghabháil. Tá cartlann Fhéile Ealaíon Idirnáisiúnta na Gaillimhe i seilbh Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ó 1978 i leith agus tá stair bhéil le healaíontóirí ar cuairt á mbailiú freisin, rud a fhágfaidh go gcruthófar cartlann dhigiteach d’imeachtaí na féile do na glúnta atá le teacht. Reáchtálfar sraith turas grianghrafadóireachta ar an gcampas chomh maith, a bheidh in aisce agus a mbeifí in ann iad chur in áirithe ón 30 Meitheamh.  Rachaidh grianghrafadóirí fón póca mór le rá i gcomhar le saineolaithe Ollscoile chun turais de champas na hOllscoile a threorú. Tabharfaidh sé sin deis dóibh siúd ar spéis leo an ghrianghrafadóireacht foghlaim faoi champas iontach na hOllscoile agus ag an am céanna comhairle a fháil faoin gcaoi feabhas a chur ar a scileanna grianghrafadóireachta. Reáchtálfar sraith cainteanna ar an gcampas, First Thought, áit a dtabharfaidh cainteoirí, ina measc cainteoirí ón Ollscoil, aghaidh ar mhórcheisteanna agus ar dhúshláin an tsaoil chomhaimseartha trí ardán ceannaireachta smaointeoireachta na féile. Déanfar leathnú ar ról na hOllscoile mar cheann de phríomhionaid na Féile nuair a dhéanfar amharclann, The Pulse, a mbeidh 1,200 duine in ann suí inti, as ionad spóirt na hOllscoile. I measc na n-imeachtaí eile a bheidh ar an gcampas áirítear Bedbound le Enda Walsh, You’ll See, léiriú de Ulysses atá curtha in oiriúint do pháistí, Strings Attached le Finghin Collins agus an ConTempo Quartet, agus an tsraith cainteanna First Thought. Leanfaidh Ollscoil na Gaillimhe lena tacaíocht do Chlár Oibrithe Deonacha Fhéile Ealaíon Idirnáisiúnta na Gaillimhe faoinar earcaíodh breis agus 600 oibrí deonach d’Fhéile Ealaíon Idirnáisiúnta na Gaillimhe 2023 go dtí seo. Tá Ionad na nOibrithe Deonacha lonnaithe ar an gcampas i mbliana freisin. Tá ról lárnach á chomhlíonadh ag an Ollscoil freisin maidir le leathnú thionscnaimh inbhuanaitheachta Fhéile Ealaíon Idirnáisiúnta na Gaillimhe.   Seo mar a labhair Leas-Uachtarán don Rannpháirtíocht Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an Dr Paul Dodd: “Baineann fíorthábhacht lenár gcomhpháirtíocht le Féile Ealaíon Idirnáisiúnta na Gaillimhe agus tá fás suntasach tagtha ar an gcaidreamh le blianta beaga anuas agus tionchar na comhpháirtíochta sin le haireachtáil anois ar ghnéithe éagsúla den fhéile. Baintear an-tairbhe agus leas as an gcomhpháirtíocht agus soláthraíonn sí deiseanna do mhic léinn, do alumni agus don phobal trí chéile cuairt a thabhairt ar ár gcampas agus taitneamh a bhaint as an bhféile. Tá tábhacht faoi leith ag na tionscail chruthaitheacha i gcás na Gaillimhe agus tá an-áthas orainn a bheith inár gComhpháirtí Oideachais d’Fhéile Ealaíon Idirnáisiúnta na Gaillimhe agus an deis a thapú chun ár ndaoine sároilte a chur ar taispeáint don domhan mór.” Dúirt John Crumlish, Príomhfheidhmeannach Fhéile Ealaíon Idirnáisiúnta na Gaillimhe: “Tá an chomhpháirtíocht le hOllscoil na Gaillimhe an-tábhachtach dúinn agus chabhraigh sí go mór an fhéile a fhorbairt le blianta beaga anuas. Bhí an ollscoil an-chabhrach agus thug go leor tacaíochta dúinn i roinnt réimsí lena n-áirítear éascaíocht a dhéanamh d’Fhéile Ealaíon Idirnáisiúnta na Gaillimhe maidir le forbairt cláir, cuidiú léi a ról féin a chothú i dtaca le forbairt ealaíontóirí agus dul i gcomhar léi ar roinnt cuspóirí a bhaineann le Comhionannas, Éagsúlacht agus Cuimsiú.” Tá tuilleadh eolais faoi na himeachtaí a bheidh ar siúl le fáil anseo: www.universityofgalway.ie/giaf Críoch    

Exclusive alumni event includes tickets to sold out Saw Doctors show Tickets will go on sale on Friday June 30 at 9am   University of Galway and Galway International Arts Festival today announced details of their partnership for 2023, including an exclusive event for University alumni, the largest ever festival theatre being built on campus, and an education programme for the next generation of artists, arts managers and creative entrepreneurs. Celebrating the 13th year as Education Partner of the festival, the University will collaborate with Galway International Arts Festival on a range of events including:  An exclusive event for University alumni including tickets to the sold out Saw Doctors show on July 29. Graduates of the university are invited to relive their glory days at a reunion party followed by the Saw Doctors concert at the Festival Big Top, with tickets going on sale on Friday June 30 at 9am. The SELECTED programme, offering University of Galway students a two-week whirlwind academy to see how a festival of this magnitude is put together from practical experience to artistic development. An oral history project to capture key voices of the 2023 festival. The University Library holds Galway International Arts Festival’s archive from 1978 through to the present day and oral histories with visiting artists are also being collected, creating a digital festival archive for future generations. A series of free campus photo tours will also be open for booking on June 30.  Taking place on July 28 and 29, leading mobile phone photographers will join with University experts to guide tours of the University campus, offering photography enthusiasts of all levels the chance to learn about the University’s wonderful campus while getting tips on how to elevate photography to the next level.  The First Thought Talks series on campus, featuring a number of University personnel, exploring the big issues and challenges of the day through the festival’s thought leadership platform. The expansion of University’s role as a key Festival venue hub, with the hosting of The Pulse, which will transform the University’s sports centre into a 1,200 seat theatre. The campus will also host Enda Walsh’s Bedbound, You’ll See, the adaptation of Ulysses for children, Strings Attached featuring Finghin Collins and ConTempo Quartet, and the First Thought Talks series. University of Galway will continue to support Galway International Arts Festival’s Volunteer Programme, which has recruited over 600 volunteers for Galway International Arts Festival 2023 to date. The Volunteer Hub is also located on campus this year.  The University is also playing a key role in the expansion of Galway International Arts Festival’s sustainability initiatives.  University of Galway Vice-President Engagement Dr Paul Dodd said: “The partnership with Galway International Arts Festival is hugely important to us and, over the last number of years, the relationship has grown significantly and now impacts across a number of different areas of the festival. The partnership offers something for everyone, with opportunities for students, alumni, and members of the public to visit our campus and enjoy the festivities. The creative industries are vital to Galway and we are delighted to act as Education Partner to Galway International Arts Festival to showcase our local talent to a global audience.” CEO of Galway International Arts Festival John Crumlish said: “The partnership with the University of Galway is a very important one for us which has played a significant role in the recent development of the festival. The university has been hugely helpful and very supportive across a number of areas including facilitating GIAF in terms of its programming ambitions, helping it develop a role in artist development and partnering with it on a number of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity objectives.” For more information on the events taking place visit www.universityofgalway.ie/giaf  Ends     

A consortium of 10 European academic, clinical and enterprise partners led by University of Galway has been formed in a special project to test new treatments for rare eye diseases. In Europe, approximately 30 million people suffer from blindness and visual impairment. Rare Eye Diseases are a major cause that can result in blindness in children and young adults, and affect adults and the ageing population. Current management is expensive, has low efficacy, and significant side effects.  The consortium - RESTORE VISION - aims to address this clinical need by formulating novel treatments and repurposed drugs that have been validated in different disease indications.  The project will target seven rare eye diseases: aniridia-associated keratopathy; neurotrophic keratopathy; limbal stem cell deficiency; ocular cicatricial pemphigoid; EEC syndrome; ocular graft versus host disease; and corneal neovascularisation. By targeting the overlapping mechanisms of these seven different conditions, the probability of discovering new sight-restoring therapies to treat ocular surface diseases is greatly enhanced. Professor Thomas Ritter, Professor of Medicine at, the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway and Science Foundation Ireland Funded Investigator at CÚRAM, is leading the consortium. “Leading this consortium is a great honour as it brings together key players in Europe on rare eye diseases to advance the field and test novel and repurposed compounds directly with the patients who need them now. Using repurposed and previously validated compounds will expedite our progress, leading to the rapid development of novel therapeutics,” Professor Ritter said. Combined, the rare eye diseases being targeted through the RESTORE VISION consortium are estimated to affect more than 500,000 people, representing 1.7% of the total visual impairment and blindness population in Europe.  The project combines expertise from eye disease leaders with six leading research institutions - University of Galway; Linköping University, Sweden; Ospedale San Raffaele, Italy; Universidad Miguel Hernandez De Elche, Spain; INSERM, France; University Hospital Cologne, Germany. It also involves enterprise partners with three SMEs - Cell2Cure, Denmark; Laboratoires KÔL, France; Catalyze, the Netherlands. A European patient organisation is also partnering - Aniridia Europe, Norway. The ground-breaking approach being taken by the consortium seeks to improve eye health by verifying disease mechanisms, using cutting-edge models for each rare disease to test novel and repurposed compounds; formulating safe eye drop suspensions or subconjunctival drugs; and performing first-in-human trials of novel therapies.  Impaired wound healing at the cornea and ocular surface; excessive inflammation; nerve degeneration; stem cell dysfunction; and aberrant vessel ingrowth are the common denominators in many rare eye diseases, representing a critical medical problem and an area of unmet medical need.  Drugs that have been extensively tested in preclinical studies by the RESTORE VISION academic and pharma partners or treatments that are already on the market will be used in the project. This will significantly reduce the usually lengthy and complex regulatory and drug development processes ensuring rapid translation of these innovative treatments into the clinic. Professor Neil Lagali, Linköping University, Sweden is leading the provision of specialised research models of rare disease. He said: “This is an exciting time, as our models of rare corneal diseases have now reached a level of sophistication that allows us to reliably evaluate therapeutic compounds to determine their effects in restoring the cornea’s function, using standard outcome measures that will facilitate the transition into clinical trials.”   Aniridia Europe is a patient association that connects people with aniridia and their families all around Europe and promotes international collaboration on aniridia.  President Barbara Poli said: “We are honoured and happy to be part of this consortium, as we consider the possibility to create a link with the researchers and clinicians as a fundamental opportunity to bring the voice and the needs of patients to those who are dedicating their work and commitment in developing new knowledge on rare eye diseases, new treatment options and the hope for a better quality of life of all patients in all countries.”  Professor Conor Murphy, Key Opinion Leader and Professor of Ophthalmology at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, said: “RESTORE VISION is a unique and ambitious project which brings together experts from a range of specialist fields to expand our understanding of a group of rare, blinding diseases of the surface of the eye. New therapeutic approaches will be developed and expedited into patient care using existing EU regulatory frameworks enabling rapid access to newly discovered treatments.” Ends

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton T.D. today opened the international Health Promotion Conference at University of Galway.   The conference, Strengthening intersectoral health promotion action: Building healthy communities, brought together practitioners, policymakers and researchers to discuss current and future directions for strengthening the health promotion foundations that support and enhance communities and intersectoral innovations.    Delegates heard from international and national experts on implementation, developments and challenges to building health communities and intersectoral health promotion, with the themes of discussion including youth and education, community, health service delivery, sexual and mental health, and addressing lifestyle for disease prevention.   The conference analysed the current landscape of intersectoral health promotion action and explored opportunities and challenges for further strengthening intersectoral engagement within and between communities.    In particular the conference explored community assets, discussed the roles of people, leadership or structures in supporting the building of healthy, sustainable communities and examined innovative health promotion initiatives as examples of building intersectoral action.   Minister Naughton T.D. said: “We all play a role in protecting our health and wellbeing, but it is essential that individual efforts are supported by robust policies and guided by initiatives that help us all to live healthier lives. Programmes such as Sláintecare Healthy Communities are vital in addressing health inequalities and demonstrate the effectiveness of cross-government collaboration. We have discussed the next steps, looking at how knowledge can be translated into action in order to further improve the long-term health and wellbeing of the population.”   Chief Medical Officer and Professor of Public Health Medicine at University of Galway Dr Breda Smyth said: “It is well recognised internationally that intersectoral action is critical for health and wellbeing in order to address the determinants of health and improve population health. We need to work beyond the health sector, to make meaningful progress to improve the health of the population and I welcome the commitment and vision of all our stakeholders to this agenda.”   Gígja Gunnarsdóttir, Directorate of Health in Iceland, discussed her country’s experience: “Health is a result of complex interactions between individuals and their immediate environment and conditions. The health sector is therefore only one player of many needed to promote and protect health and wellbeing of all people and the planet. Easier said than done but with practical, innovative, data driven approach things can move in the right direction.”   Professor Mark Gamsu, Leeds Beckett University, UK spoke on strengthening the voice of the voluntary and community sector: “We are at an important cross roads. Health inequalities in the west are certainly not reducing, and for some communities have worsened. The impact of the pandemic has shown us the importance of community led responses in partnership with the state.    “We have a real opportunity to build from the pandemic experience and develop more collaborative relationships with people experiencing health inequalities - but professionals and the state need to look critically at the cultures they work in and how these need to change.”   The conference is the 27th Annual Health Promotion conference at University of Galway, co-hosted with the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Association for Health Promotion Ireland.   Full programme is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hpconference/   Ends 

Infheistíocht mhór i sláinte réigiúnach agus tuaithe le trí chlár nua: Cógaisíocht, Leigheas Iontrála do Chéimithe agus Altranas Iontrála do Chéimithe    Méadú ar theagasc agus ar fhoghlaim mar fhreagra díreach ar riachtanais cúraim sláinte agus ar ghanntanas foirne     Tá fáilte curtha ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe roimh fhaomhadh an Rialtais do thrí chéim nua i gcúram sláinte a leagann béim ar leith ar chúram pobalbhunaithe agus a thugann aghaidh ar riachtanais lucht saothair i gceantair thuaithe agus réigiúnacha.   Rinneadh an fógra tar éis don Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta Simon Harris T.D. iarradh ar an Údarás um Ard-Oideachas a fháil amach cén chaoi a bhféadfaí acmhainn bhreise a sholáthar i gcúram sláinte.   Tá na trí chlár céime cúraim sláinte nua in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – Cógaisíocht, Leigheas Iontrála do Chéimithe, agus Altranas Iontrála do Chéimithe – ag freastal go díreach ar riachtanais na hearnála cúraim sláinte agus ar éileamh ar fhoireann, go háirithe i gceantair thuaithe.   Cheadaigh an Rialtas freisin leathnú na gclár céime cúraim sláinte atá san Ollscoil cheana féin lena chinntiú go nglacfar le 24 mac léinn gach bliain san Altranas Ginearálta & Cnáimhseachas agus go mbeidh ochtar ar an Ard-Dioplóma sa Chnáimhseachas.            Seo mar a labhair Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh: “Tá Ollscoil na Gaillimhe tiomanta do leas an phobail.  Is é an misean atá againn athrú ó bhun a dhéanamh do dhaoine agus do na pobail ina mairimid. Cinnteoidh infheistíocht an Rialtais ar an scála seo na huaillmhianta seo agus déanfaidh sé fíordhifríocht do shláinte agus d’fholláine na n-othar inár réigiún san am is mó a dteastaíonn sé uathu. Táimid ag tnúth leis an lá, i gceann cúpla bliain, nuair a bheidh 150 céimí breise ag tosú ar ghairmeacha i gcúram sláinte tar éis dóibh ár gcláir nua a chur i gcrích. Is fís inspioráideach í do thodhchaí an chúraim in Éirinn. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Rialtas as a dtacaíocht dár n-uaillmhian chomhroinnte ar mhaithe le leas an phobail.”   Dúirt an Dr Martina Ní Chuláin, an Stiúrthóir Forbartha Straitéisí i gColáiste an Leighis, an Altranais agus na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Tá traidisiún fada ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe maidir le hoideachas cúraim sláinte den scoth a sholáthar. Tógann ár dtrí chlár nua ar an mbunús láidir sin, tá siad oiriúnach chun céimithe a réiteach do sheirbhís cúraim sláinte na todhchaí agus deartha chun freastal ar riachtanais córais sláinte atá níos pobalbhunaithe. Príomhfhócas dúinne agus na cláir seo á bhforbairt againn freisin ba ea aghaidh a thabhairt ar riachtanais ár réigiúin ó thaobh sláinte agus socheacnamaíochta de. Meallfaidh an chéim nua sa Chógaisíocht, mar shampla, níos mó mac léinn ón iarthar agus ón iarthuaisceart isteach sa ghairm. Feabhsóidh sí an líon cógaiseoirí cáilithe sa réigiún agus ar fud na tíre, agus cuirfidh sí borradh faoi ghníomhaíochtaí taighde nua in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe a mbeidh tionchar suntasach acu ar fhorbairt an bhoinn tionscail laistigh den réigiún seo. Ligfidh an infheistíocht shuntasach seo ón Rialtas dúinn cláir den scoth a chruthú, laistigh de thimpeallacht foghlama nua-aimseartha, áit ar féidir le mic léinn a bheith rathúil agus a bheith ina gceannairí bunathraithe cúraim sláinte sa todhchaí.”   Dúirt an tOllamh Martin O’Donnell, Déan Choláiste an Leighis, an Altranais agus na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Tá curaclaim shainfhorbartha ag céimeanna nua Ollscoil na Gaillimhe atá deartha chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar easnaimh reatha, agus ag an am céanna atá ag ullmhú d’fhorbairtí cúraim sláinte amach anseo. Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil an-bhéim acu ar aghaidh a thabhairt ar dhúshláin cúraim sláinte réigiúnacha, go háirithe lenár gcéim nua leighis iontrála do chéimithe atá deartha chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar an easpa dochtúirí tuaithe. Léiríonn fianaise idirnáisiúnta gur mó an seans go dtabharfaidh mic léinn ar cuireadh oiliúint orthu sa réigiún faoi ghairm bheatha amach anseo i dtimpeallachtaí dá leithéid, agus cuideoidh na forbairtí a fógraíodh inniu go mór lena chinntiú go mbeidh Ollscoil na Gaillimhe go maith in ann aghaidh a thabhairt ar an riachtanas sin.”   Dúirt Tony Canavan, Príomhfheidhmeannach Ghrúpa Cúraim Sláinte Ollscoile Saolta: “Cuideoidh méadú ar líon na mac léinn altranais, cógaisíochta agus leighis go mór le riachtanais cúraim sláinte san iarthar agus san iarthuaisceart. Tacaíonn an fhorbairt seo ónár gcomhpháirtí acadúil le múnla Sláintecare seirbhís sláinte shábháilte ardchaighdeáin a fhreastalaíonn ar riachtanais ár ndaonra atá ag dul i méid a sheachadadh, agus an cúram ceart a sholáthar san áit cheart ag an am ceart.”   Trí chlár céime nua i gcúram sláinte Beidh na trí chlár céime nua atá deimhnithe ag an Rialtas ag glacadh le beagnach 150 mac léinn in aghaidh na bliana. Beidh áit ag Altranas Iontrála do Chéimithe do 20 mac léinn in aghaidh na bliana.  Beidh áit sa Chógaisíocht do 40 mac léinn sa chéad bhliain agus 75 mac léinn gach bliain ina dhiaidh sin.  Beidh áit ag Leigheas Iontrála do Chéimithe do 24 mac léinn i mbliain a haon agus 48 mac léinn ina dhiaidh sin.    Cógaisíocht Clár cúig bliana atá á bhunú chun a chinntiú go mbíonn rogha ag mic léinn staidéar a dhéanamh ar chógaisíocht san iarthar/iarthuaisceart.  Féachann an Máistir Cógaisíochta comhtháite (MPharm) le dul i ngleic leis an nganntanas cógaiseoirí a bhíonn ag plé le hothair, go háirithe i réigiúin tuaithe. Gheobhaidh mic léinn a gcuid oideachais i suímh ghéarchúraim agus phobail, le béim ar oideachas tuaithe.    Leigheas Iontrála do Chéimithe Tuaithe agus Iargúlta  Céim ceithre bliana, bunaithe ar chláir idirnáisiúnta sheanbhunaithe agus daingnithe i bhfoghlaim bunaithe ar chásanna le béim ar shocrúcháin chliniciúla fhadama iargúlta agus tuaithe.  Beidh socrúcháin chliniciúla Bhliain 3 agus 4 bunaithe i gceann de na hAcadaimh Leighis atá ag Scoil an Leighis i Leitir Ceanainn, Sligeach, Caisleán an Bharraigh agus Portiuncula.  I measc na ngnéithe breise tá tumoideachas fada sa chleachtas ginearálta; socrúcháin sna moil chúraim chomhtháite nua; agus béim ar fhorbairt inniúlachtaí feabhsaithe caighdeáin ón tús.    BSc Altranas Iontrála do Chéimithe  Céim dhá bhliain shainiúla náisiúnta atá deartha chun rogha nua a thairiscint chun mic léinn ar leith a mhealladh chuig an altranas.  Is iad na trí phríomhchuspóir: Líon na gcéimithe altranais a mhéadú, go háirithe iad siúd a fhanfaidh sa ghairm níos faide. Oiliúint nuálaíoch a fhorbairt a chuireann leis na scileanna agus na hinniúlachtaí a theastaíonn le haghaidh cúram éifeachtach d’othair; a fhreagraíonn don athrú i seachadadh cúraim sláinte; agus a thugann scileanna do chéimithe le haghaidh cúram comhtháite agus suíomhanna pobail, a forbraíodh go sonrach don tsamhail Sláintecare.   Líon na n-altraí fireanna a mhéadú, toisc go bhfuil sé cruthaithe go méadaíonn an tsamhail iontrála do chéimithe éagsúlacht an lucht saothair, rud a fhreastalaíonn ar riachtanais othar níos fearr.   Críoch

Major investment in regional and rural health with three new programmes: Pharmacy, Graduate Entry Medicine, and Graduate Entry Nursing    Expansion of teaching and learning in direct response to healthcare needs and staff shortages     University of Galway has welcomed Government approval for three new healthcare degrees with a specific focus on community-based care and addressing workforce needs in rural and regional areas.   The expansion has been unveiled after Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris T.D. requested the Higher Education Authority to establish how additional capacity might be provided in healthcare.   The three new healthcare degree programmes for University of Galway - Pharmacy, Graduate Entry Medicine, and Graduate Entry Nursing - are in direct response to the needs of the healthcare sector and demand for staff, particularly in rural areas.   Government also approved the expansion of existing healthcare degree programmes at the University to ensure General Nursing & Midwifery has an intake of 24 students each year and the HDip in Midwifery has eight students each year.            President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “University of Galway is committed to the public good.  Our mission is to be a driver of transformational change for people and the communities in which we live. Government investment of this scale will make these ambitions manifest and make a real difference for health and well-being of patients in our region in their time of profound need. We look forward to the day, a few years from now, when 150 additional graduates are embarking on careers in healthcare after coming through our new programmes. It is an inspiring vision for the future of care in Ireland. I thank the Government for their support of our shared ambition for the public good.”   Dr Martina Ní Chuláin, Director of Strategic Development at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway, said: “University of Galway has a long tradition of delivering excellent healthcare education. Our three new programmes build on that strong foundation, are tailored to equip graduates for the healthcare service of the future and are designed meet the needs of a more community-based health system. A key focus for us in developing these programmes was also to address the needs of our region from health and socio-economic perspectives. The new Pharmacy degree, for example, will attract more students from the west and northwest into the profession. It will enhance the supply of qualified pharmacists into the region and nationally, and it will ignite new research activities within University of Galway that will have a significant impact on the evolution of the industry base within this region. This substantial investment from the Government will allow us to create excellent programmes, within a modern learning environment, where students can thrive and become the transformational healthcare leaders of the future.”   Professor Martin O’Donnell, Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway, said: “University of Galway’s new degrees have purpose-developed curricula designed to address current deficits, whilst laying the foundations for future healthcare developments. Importantly they have a strong focus on addressing regional healthcare challenges, particularly with our new graduate entry medicine degree designed to address the lack of rural doctors. International evidence demonstrates that students trained in the regions are more likely to pursue future careers in such environments, and the developments announced today will go a long way to ensuring that University of Galway is positioned to address that need.”   Tony Canavan, chief executive of Saolta University Health Care Group, said: “Increasing the numbers of nursing, pharmacy and medicine students will make a significant contribution to healthcare needs across the west and northwest. This welcome development from our academic partner supports the Sláintecare model of delivering a safe, quality health service that meets the needs of our growing population, providing the right care in the right place at the right time.”   Three new healthcare degree programmes The three new degree programmes confirmed by Government will build to a student intake of almost 150 students a year. Graduate Entry Nursing will have places for 20 students per year.  Pharmacy will have places for 40 students in year one and 75 students in each year following that.  Graduate Entry Medicine will have places for 24 students in year one and 48 students following that.    Pharmacy A five-year programme being established to ensure students have the option of studying a pharmacy in the west-northwest.  The integrated Master of Pharmacy Degree (MPharm) seeks to address the shortage of patient-facing pharmacists, particularly in rural regions. Students will receive their education within acute and community settings, with a focus on rural education.    Rural and Remote Graduate Entry Medicine  A four-year degree, informed by established international programmes and anchored in case-based learning with a focus on remote and rural longitudinal clinical placements.  Year 3 and 4 clinical placements will be based in one of the existing School of Medicine’s Medical Academies in Letterkenny, Sligo, Castlebar and Portiuncula.  Additional features include prolonged immersion in general practice; placements in the new integrated care hubs; and an emphasis on development of quality improvement capabilities from an early stage.    Graduate Entry Nursing BSc  A nationally distinctive two-year degree designed to offer a new option to attract a distinct type of student into nursing.  The three main objectives are: To increase the number of nursing graduates, particularly those who will remain in the profession longer. To develop innovative training that augments the skills and competencies required for effective patient care; that responds to the changing landscape of healthcare delivery; and that equips graduates with skills for integrated care and community settings, purpose developed for the Sláintecare model. To increase the number of male nurses, as the graduate entry model has been proven to increase workforce diversity, in turn better serving patient needs. Ends

The President of Villanova University, USA, and a senior delegation have visited University of Galway to mark 38 years of partnership and formally renew the arrangement.     President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, welcomed the party to the Quadrangle for a signing ceremony, formalising the continuation of student and academic exchanges that over the year has brought 615 students from Villanova, Pennsylvania to spend a semester at Galway.    Reverend Peter M Donohue, President, Villanova University was joined by Dr Adele Lindenmeyr, Dean of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Dr Joseph Lennon, Associate Dean, International and Interdisciplinary Initiatives, Center for Irish Studies; Jennifer Joyce, Acting Head of Irish Studies; Fr David Cregan, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs; and Dr Mary O’Malley Madec, Director, Villanova Study Abroad Programme at University of Galway.   President of University of Galway Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “Our relationship with Villanova University spans back to 1985, owing much to Dr James Murphy, Emeritus Professor and founding director of the Center for Irish Studies at Villanova and University of Galway’s Dr Seamus O’Grady. The longevity and opportunities that it has afforded staff and students, makes this one of our most enduring partnerships with a rich history of engagement in each of five consecutive decades.” Ends

Tá cuairt tugtha ag Uachtarán Ollscoil Villanova, SAM, agus toscaireacht shinsearach ar Ollscoil na Gaillimhe chun comóradh a dhéanamh ar an gcomhpháirtíocht eatarthu ar cuireadh tús léi 38 bliain ó shin, agus chun athbhreithniú foirmiúil a dhéanamh ar an socrú.  Chuir Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, fáilte roimh an ngrúpa chuig an gCearnóg, áit a raibh searmanas sínithe chun leanúint leis na malartuithe mac léinn agus acadúla a chur ar bhonn foirmeálta, ar socrú é sin faoinar tháinig 615 mac léinn as Villanova, Pennsylvania chun seimeastar a chaitheamh i nGaillimh i gcaitheamh na mblianta.  In éineacht leis an Urramach Peter M Donohue, Uachtarán, Ollscoil Villanova bhí an Dr Adele Lindenmeyr, Déan Choláiste na nEalaíon Liobrálach agus Eolaíochtaí; an Dr Joseph Lennon, Déan Comhlach, Tionscnaimh Idirnáisiúnta agus Idirdhisciplíneach, an tIonad Léann Éireannach; Jennifer Joyce, Ceann Feidhmeach an Léinn Éireannaigh; an tAth. David Cregan, Déan Comhlach Gnóthaí Acadúla; agus an Dr Mary O’Malley Madec, Stiúrthóir, Clár Staidéir thar lear Villanova in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Seo mar a labhair Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh: “Cuireadh tús lenár gcaidreamh le hOllscoil Villanova sa bhliain 1985, agus go leor den chreidiúint as sin ag dul go dtí an Dr James Murphy, Ollamh Emeritus agus stiúrthóir bunaidh an Ionaid Léann Éireannach in Ollscoil Villanova agus an Dr Seamus O’Grady, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Ceann de na comhpháirtíochtaí is buaine dá bhfuil againn an ceann seo i bhfianaise a fhad is atá sí ar an bhfód agus na deiseanna atá curtha ar fáil aici don fhoireann agus do mhic léinn le beagnach dhá scór bliain anois. Críoch

University of Galway will host the Government’s Consultative Forum on International Security Policy on Friday June 23.  The Forum aims to build public understanding and generate discussions on Ireland’s foreign, security and defence policies. It will focus on a wide range of issues, including Ireland’s efforts to protect the rules-based international order through peacekeeping and crisis management, international humanitarian law, and conflict prevention and peacebuilding as well as allowing for a discussion on Ireland’s policy of military neutrality. The Forum opens on Thursday June 22 in Cork, before coming to University of Galway, and then moving on to Dublin Castle for two days, Monday and Tuesday, June 26 and 27. All four days are open to the public and will involve panel discussions with civilian and military experts and practitioners. The Forum is being live streamed and people can have their say on the issues being discussed by using the public consultation process. Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Micheál Martin TD, opens the event at University of Galway in conversation with Professor Louise Richardson DBE. The day will also see Professor Ray Murphy, University of Galway School of Law and Irish Centre for Human Rights, engage in discussions around Ireland and peacekeeping, while Professor Siobhán Mullally, Professor of Human Rights Law and Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at University of Galway, will moderate a discussion on Ireland’s foreign policy including conflict resolution, peacebuilding, international law and accountability. Professor Lokesh Joshi, Stokes Professor of GlycoSciences at University of Galway, will take part in a discussion on Irish research and innovation in security and defence.  Announcing the Forum, the Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Micheál Martin TD, said: “The Consultative Forum on International Security Policy is the first time any Irish government has established such a debate. It will discuss a wide range of issues relating to the global and European security environment and how Ireland’s defence policy is responding. The Forum will allow for an open and informed discussion on the issues involved and I look forward to the engagement in Galway and over the course of the four days.”  Professor Martin Hogg, Dean of the School of Law at University of Galway, which has been liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Defence to organise the Forum, said: "In the wake of the invasion and war in Ukraine and other geopolitical developments in the world, as well as Ireland’s tradition as a neutral country with a valued approach to peacekeeping, the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy is an important opportunity to engage in a national conversation on these and related issues. At University of Galway we encourage action on our values, one of which is openness, and we place great store in being able to support discourse in this way.” The Forum will involve a wide range of stakeholders, with participation from civilian and military experts and practitioners representing a breadth of experience and views. For more information on the live stream and the public consultation process, please visit the Forum website here. Ends

University of Galway has presented certificates of achievement to 174 Galway City primary school pupils who took part in this year’s UNI 4 U programme. UNI 4 U is a primary schools initiative run by University of Galway’s Access Centre, which works with Scoil Bhríde in Shantalla, Radharc na Mara in Mervue, Scoil Chroí Íosa in Newcastle, and this year, for the first time, Merlin Woods Primary School in Doughiska. Over the course of 10 weeks, sixth class pupils took part in a range of activities and were given a taste of University of Galway campus and life. Workshops ranged from engineering, science, law, creative writing and zoology, to the Irish language, coding and visits to the Library archive.  Dr Mary Surlis, Senior Manager with University of Galway’s Access Centre, said: “The UNI 4 U programme empowers primary school children and their families, giving them confidence that our university and third level education is accessible. For the past two months, inviting the children to our campus has given them the skills and belief that they can go far in their own academic journeys.” Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, said: “The UNI 4 U programme embodies University of Galway’s beliefs that third level education should be accessible to all. As these pupils prepare to take the next big leap in their education from primary to secondary school, our message is that the leap to third level education thereafter is achievable. This programme shows them the way, and let’s them know that the University of Galway is open and welcoming.” The UNI 4 U initiative began in 2005, stemming from the University’s commitment in its strategic plans to advancing the social, economic, educational, and cultural needs of the Western region and more recently the National Access plan which aims to increase equality of opportunity and increase diversity across universities in Ireland. Ends

University of Galway hosts symposium showcases achievement of Fellows    BioInnovate Ireland – University of Galway’s specialist health technology innovation programme – has announced three new advisory board members.  Located at University of Galway and established in 2011, BioInnovate Ireland is co-funded by University of Galway and Enterprise Ireland and is formally affiliated to Stanford BioDesign. The announcement was made to coincide with the BioInnovate Ireland Symposium which took place at University of Galway campus to showcase the achievements of the 2022/23 BioInnovate Ireland Fellows as they conclude their programme.  The new BioInnovate Ireland Advisory Board members are Robert (Chip) Hance, Chief Executive, Regatta Medical; John O’Brien, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive, S3 Connected Health; and Dr Ian Purdy, Senior Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance at Intuitive. Supported by funding from Enterprise Ireland, 142 Fellows have completed the BioInnovate Ireland programme to identify unmet healthcare needs and develop innovative solutions to address those needs, while more than 3,000 patients have been treated with innovations which were developed in the programme, with that number rapidly growing. President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “The success and reputation of BioInnovate Ireland is immense in the medtech and healthcare sector and growing. University of Galway has a distinct focus on working for the public good, and with one of our core values being excellence, BioInnovate epitomises the strategic outlook of the University. The programme itself is very much solutions-oriented where our research is focussed on addressing real needs. Patients in profound need benefit as a result which is a testament to those who have driven this agenda for the public good.” Professor Martin O’Halloran, Director of BioInnovate Ireland and Techrete Professor of Medical Electronics and Director of the Translational Medical Device Lab, University of Galway, said: “The BioInnovate Ireland Symposium is a great occasion whereby we showcase the achievements of our Fellows as they conclude their programme. Along with that, and reflecting a changing medical innovation landscape, we are delighted to announce the addition of three new Board members to the BioInnovate Advisory Board - Robert (Chip) Hance, John O’Brien and Dr Ian Purdy. Each of our new advisory board members brings a wealth of expertise and experience in medical devices, connected health and integrated digital care, and will future-proof the programme direction for years to come.” Speaking at the BioInnovate symposium, Maura Glennon, Senior Commercialisation Specialist, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Ireland is recognised as a being a leading, global, life sciences and medtech hub, with our community of pioneering leaders playing a pivotal and transformative role in the delivery of innovative healthcare solutions around the world. The BioInnovate Ireland programme and the impressive results is a testament to that. Enterprise Ireland is proud to support the BioInovate Ireland programme and wish every success to the three new Board members who are being announced today.” The event featured pitches from current Fellows, outlining unmet healthcare needs that have been identified by them and validated as commercial opportunities over the course of the 10 month programme.  Attendees will also hear from several of the BioInnovate Ireland start-up companies and get insights on the future of medtech from thought-leaders in the sector. With additional funding from Enterprise Ireland, through its Commercialisation Fund, graduates from the programme have created 30 start-up companies, of which 20 are high potential start-ups (HPSUs). These companies have raised more than €240 million in private and public funds to commercialise their innovative healthcare solutions in the western region since 2014. Ends

National sexual consent education and research initiative set for a new five-year cycle  Active* Consent marks scale of work since 2013 and outlines expansion plans using multidisciplinary approach to promote healthy relationships and foster a culture of respect   Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris T.D. has today officially launched University of Galway’s Active* Consent programme 2023-27. Active* Consent is an innovative sexual consent education and research initiative, which began at University of Galway. Now a national programme, it has been at the forefront of promoting healthy relationships and fostering a culture of respect since its inception in 2013.  Active* Consent marked the launch of the 2023-27 programme with the publication of a report reviewing the scale of work undertaken during its first large scale programme 2019-2022 and an outline of goals to expand the work over the next five years. More than 70,000 first year college students took part in consent workshops between 2019-2022, and more than 1,500 staff member and student leaders have been trained in delivering workshops.  More than 4,000 post-primary pupils took part in consent workshops during the first 12 months of the Active* Consent for School Communities programme in 2021-2022, while 750 teachers have been trained in delivering these workshops and 1,000 parents have attended online seminars. The new programme sets goal to take Active* Consent international by engaging with universities, forming partnerships with practitioners and researchers, and adapting programming to meet the needs of students outside of Ireland Partnered with Rugby Players Ireland on the delivery of consent programming in the organisation’s Academy Programme since 2019, with ambitions to build on that by offering the Active* Consent model of awareness raising, skills development, and culture change to other sporting bodies.  Plans to initiate new research that focuses on how ideas and roles concerning consent evolve for teenagers and young men.  Minister Harris expressed Government support for the programme and Active* Consent's commitment to addressing the issue of sexual consent in Ireland: “It is essential we equip the next generation with the skillset and the knowledge needed on consent. This programme has already been incredibly successful in schools and further and higher education institutions across the country. The launch of this Active* Consent Programme is another step towards tackling an extremely serious issue that can have lifelong consequences for the victims. It is one of my top priorities to ensure that we create campus cultures which are safe, respectful, and supportive for all staff and students." President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “The past decade has brought considerable learning on consent for all of us. Now there is an active national conversation on consent, which our history teaches us is healthier, preferable to silence. This is pioneering work, led by University of Galway. It is symbolic not only of the focus we place here on our university being here for the public good, but also symbolic of our core value of respect. All of us at University of Galway look forward to the expansion of the work of Active* Consent and in continuing to make a difference in and for society.” Dr Siobhán O’Higgins, University of Galway senior researcher and Co-Lead on Active* Consent, said: “Our programming promotes the ethos that consent is ongoing, mutual, and freely given - that consent is for everyone, in all relationships, across genders and sexual orientations, and for all types of intimacy, if someone ever chooses to engage with a partner.”             Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said: “To contribute to reducing levels of sexual violence we need to raise awareness of the importance of consent in healthy sexual relationships. And as part of our national Strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, we are working to change societal thinking about what is acceptable in terms of attitudes and behaviours around respectful sexual and intimate behaviour. “We also recognise that there is a need to equip people with the tools to react appropriately if someone tells them they’ve been a victim of sexual harassment or assault.  Active* Consent is, and has been, doing fantastic work in these areas. My Department supports the work of Active* Consent and other campaigns such as We Consent from Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, and is actively considering other options to inform the public as we collectively work towards a national, shared understanding of what healthy sexual consent is.” Active* Consent is supported through funding and philanthropy by Lifes2good Foundation; Rethink Ireland; University of Galway, Government of Ireland; and the Dormant Accounts Fund. The 2019-2022 programme was led by Dr Pádraig MacNeela, Dr Charlotte McIvor, and Dr Siobhán O’Higgins. Active* Consent developed a novel initiative to bring the topics of sex and consent to wider youth audiences, with Dr Charlotte McIvor working with more than 40 drama students and graduates since 2014 to write and produce four successive versions of the play ‘The Kinds of Sex You Might Have at College’. It toured 19 Irish college campuses in 2022, reaching 2,300 students and staff.  The play allows audiences to see what positive, active consent and non-consent look like, how they impact individuals and peer groups, and what can be done to respond to scenarios that young people might experience. Of the 850 college students who completed the post-show survey, 87% agreed that the play improved their understanding of sexual consent. 82% agreed that it increased their confidence negotiating sexual boundaries. 81% agreed that after the performance they knew where to find information on how to report sexual assault. A grant from the Community Foundation of Ireland enabled Active* Consent to adapt the drama to post-primary school audiences. ‘How I Learned About Consent’ was performed to 1,300 pupils from 16 schools in 2022. Of the 800 school pupils who completed the post-show survey, 83% of pupils agreed that the play represented the range of sexual issues and situations that young people face. 79% of pupils agreed that they felt more confident responding as an active bystander to help a friend or family member. 85% of pupils agreed that the play delivered important messages.  Ends

University of Galway today conferred degrees on more than 400 graduates. The day’s events something of a family affair with mother and daughter Róisín Hill from Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo and Aoife Hill from Letterkenny, Co Donegal conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Also, following the line of academia through the University’s history books was Dr Caoimhe Newell from Moylough, Co Galway, who was conferred with an Honours Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Obstetrics (MB, BCh, BAO). Dr Newell is the great grand-daughter of Dr Martin Ó Tnuthail, President of the University (then University College Galway) from 1960-1975. Dr Caoimhe Newell celebrated with her uncles Dr Micheál Newell, lecturer with the School of Medicine and Professor John Newell, lecturer with the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. Among those at the summer celebrations, more than 70 were conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).   The largest cohort of students to graduate came through the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences were almost 180 future doctors received their Honours Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and Bachelor of Obstetrics (MB, BCh, BAO) degree. During the ceremony, University of Galway presented 15 Final Medical Medals to 11 graduates, with Dr Dominic Butler receiving four medals for his outstanding academic performance. Every year the University presents the medals to graduates of the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences who earned the highest grade in each subject area. Speaking at the ceremony, President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “On behalf of the entire community of University of Galway, I congratulate every one of our graduates. Summer conferring always brings with it a sense of the immediacy of our graduates making a difference, as so many of them are setting off for careers in healthcare and in research. It is inspiring to see our university so clearly demonstrating its role for the public good. I wish each and every graduate success as they embark on the next step on their journey of achievement.” Ends

Bronnadh céim ar bhreis is 400 céimí inniu in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Ócáid mhór teaghlaigh a bhí sa lá i gcás máthar agus iníne, Róisín Hill as Béal Átha hAmhnais, Co. Mhaigh Eo agus Aoife Hill as Leitir Ceanainn, Co. Dhún na nGall ar bronnadh Dochtúireacht i bhFealsúnacht (PhD) orthu. Chomh maith leis sin, ag leanúint lorg a sinsear sa saol acadúil trí stair na hOllscoile bhí an Dr Caoimhe Newell as Maigh Locha, Co. na Gaillimhe, ar bronnadh Baitsiléir Onóracha Leighis, Baitsiléir Máinliachta agus Baitsiléir Cnáimhseachais (MB, BCh, BAO) uirthi. Ba é an Dr Máirtín Ó Tnuthail, Uachtarán na hOllscoile (Coláiste na hOllscoile, Gaillimh ag an am) ó 1960-1975 sin-seanathair an Dr Newell. Rinne an Dr Caoimhe Newell ceiliúradh lena beirt uncailí, an Dr Micheál Newell, léachtóir i Scoil an Leighis agus an tOllamh John Newell, léachtóir i Scoil na nEolaíochtaí Matamaitice agus Staitistice. Ina measc sin a bhí i láthair ag an gceiliúradh samhraidh, bhí breis agus 70 duine ar bronnadh Dochtúireacht i bhFealsúnacht (PhD) orthu.   Tháinig an grúpa is mó mac léinn a bhain céim amach ó Choláiste an Leighis, an Altranais & na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte, áit a bhfuair beagnach 180 ábhar dochtúra a gcéim Baitsiléara Onóracha Leighis, Baitsiléir Máinliachta, agus Baitsiléir Cnáimhseachais (MB, BCh, BAO). Le linn an tsearmanais, bhronn Ollscoil na Gaillimhe 15 Bhonn Leighis Deiridh ar 11 chéimí, agus fuair an Dr Dominic Butler ceithre bhonn as a shárfheidhmíocht acadúil. Gach bliain bronnann Coláiste an Leighis, an Altranais agus na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte na boinn ar na mic léinn a fhaigheann an grád is airde i ngach réimse ábhair. Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, ag an searmanas: “Thar ceann phobal iomlán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, tréaslaím le gach duine dár gcéimithe. Tugann bronnadh an tsamhraidh le tuiscint i gcónaí nach mbeidh i bhfad ann sula mbeidh ár gcéimithe ag déanamh a gcion féin ar mhaithe leis an tsochaí, mar go mbíonn go leor acu ar tí tabhairt faoi ghairm i gcúram sláinte agus i dtaighde. Is ábhar spreagtha é ár n-ollscoil a fheiceáil ag léiriú go soiléir a ról ar mhaithe le leas an phobail. Guím gach rath ar na céimithe ar fad agus iad ag tabhairt faoin gcéad chéim eile ar a dturas gnóthachtála.” Críoch

A new project is underway in Galway city this summer to identify hedgehog “hot-spots”. Many people are surprised to learn that hedgehogs are found in cities and towns, but urban gardens and parks are very important habitats for these charming mammals and a whole host of other wildlife.  There have been reports from England and other countries warning of dramatic reductions of hedgehog populations in rural areas over the last couple of decades. However, the decline is much slower in urban areas, as gardens and green areas act as a refuge for the animals. Researchers from University of Galway lead the All-Ireland Hedgehog Survey, which was established in 2020.  To date more than 7,000 records of hedgehogs have been received from all over the country, with more than half of these recorded in people’s gardens. Now the scientists want to take a closer look at city-dwelling hedgehogs and, thanks to the All-Ireland Hedgehog Survey, they have pinpointed parts of Galway City which have hedgehog populations.  Elaine O’Riordan, from the School of Natural Science at University of Galway, said: “We are learning a lot about how hedgehogs use gardens. Many householders have reported that hedgehogs visit regularly, or nest in their garden. Many people enjoy watching their night time visitors and some supply food and even hedgehog houses to encourage them to hang out. “Renmore, Mervue and Rahoon all have several reports of hedgehogs every year, which would indicate that they have good hedgehog numbers. We want to look at the gardens and talk to people in these areas to learn more about how hedgehogs are using gardens and estates and how people are interacting with them.” For the Hedgehogs in the City project, the researchers are asking people from these three areas - Renmore, Mervue and Rahoon - to take part in an online survey to gather information about what kind of gardens people have and whether hedgehogs use them or not.  The online survey can be accessed through the Hedgehog Survey website here https://www.irishhedgehogsurvey.com/hedgehogs-in-the-city  It is a very simple, short questionnaire. The researchers would like as many people as possible to take the survey - even if you have never seen a hedgehog before.  Later in the summer, the hedgehog team plan to visit some of the gardens and green spaces in the three areas of the city to search for hedgehogs using wildlife cameras and footprint tunnels. If anyone is interested in having their garden surveyed, they can sign up when they do the online survey. Anyone with questions can contact Elaine O’Riordan at elaine.oriordan@universityofgalway.ie Ends

Fidelity Investments and University of Galway are delighted to announce the launch of a new partnership that will impact more than 2,500 female students in the next two years. With females accounting for less than 20% of ICT graduates over the last seven years in Ireland, it is evident that more needs to be done to encourage young females to explore the world of STEM and the career opportunities available to them in this space. To bridge the gap in the west of Ireland, Fidelity Investments and University of Galway will work together under a national project to inspire female students to consider working in technology.  As stated at a recent Oireachtas Education Committee meeting by University of Galway Associate Professor Cornelia Connolly: “Ireland is working to become a digital leader at the heart of European and global development. Digital skills and a flourishing Computer Science education ecosystem are essential to our national digital transformation. To grow our digital economy, Ireland needs an advanced workforce ready to take advantage of the opportunities the transformation will bring.”  This meaningful industry-academia partnership involving Fidelity Investments and University of Galway will support CodePlus, a nationwide outreach engagement project, involving Trinity College Dublin, Lero/University of Limerick and University of Galway, aimed at overcoming this gender imbalance that exists in Computer Science and ICT courses at third level in Ireland. Through a range of workshops, company visits, and career talks which take place over a 20-hour program, CodePlus uses interactive learning and real-life experiences to inspire female students to embrace STEM and consider technology and computer science subjects at third level.  Lorna Martyn, Fidelity Ireland Regional Chair and SVP Technology, shared her thoughts on this exciting new partnership: “CodePlus is an innovative accessible pathway signposting opportunities in Computer Science careers to young women.  It intentionally addresses the gender imbalance in participation across Ireland’s third-level institutions.  As a personal advocate for greater female participation in technology careers and directly aligned to Fidelity Investment’s strategic commitment to education at every level and fostering new diverse talent pipelines, I am thrilled to announce Fidelity’s new two-year partnership with the University of Galway on the CodePlus programme.  “Presently, only 15% of Irish schools offer Computer Science as a subject, with 22% of females studying the subject in those schools. There is an urgent need to bridge the participation gap and provide equitable, inclusive, and real-world opportunities to encourage young Irish females to be the next generation of technology leaders and innovators.  Fidelity Investments Ireland is looking forward to supporting the programme through company visits, workshops and career talks from female role models working at Fidelity. By providing real-life experiences to the students in partnership with CodePlus, we believe we can have a positive impact on the students’ understanding, outlook, and attitude to careers in STEM and most particularly careers in technology and software engineering.”  Cornelia Connolly, Associate Professor at University of Galway, said: “Over the past number of years, partnerships with tech companies have been particularly useful in increasing the participant engagement with CodePlus and giving the students an insight to the IT industry.  “For many of our students, there are few opportunities to visit tech companies and or indeed to meet with female role models working in the industry. This aspect of the programme creates an authentic way for students to see the potential career paths open to them in the field of computing.  “We are delighted to have Fidelity on board as a partner for the next two years and we are looking forward to working with them to continue to grow and develop the CodePlus project and inspire young females in the West to look at careers in technology as exciting and attainable career opportunities.” Ends 

University of Galway has welcomed the announcement that two academics, a student and a member of the alumni are Fulbright Irish Awardees for 2023-24. They were presented with awards by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and US Chargé d'Affaires to Ireland Mike Clausen at a ceremony in the US Ambassador’s Residence.  Professor Becky Whay, Vice-President International at University of Galway, said: “The tradition of Fulbright is one which builds on the unique and deep bonds between Ireland and the US, as well as affording some of our keenest and brightest researchers an opportunity to further their academic excellence and cultural collaboration. University of Galway is delighted to see our academics, student and alumnus feature in the programme and we look forward to their return, as they add to transatlantic academic and cultural links.”   University of Galway awardees are:   Fulbright Irish Scholar Dr James Britton is an Irish Research Council Enterprise Partnership Scheme Postdoctoral Fellow in Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Galway. This project is co-supported by Epilepsy Ireland. As a Fulbright-NUI Scholar at the Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, James will investigate the use of Sonogenetics, to modulate the electrical firing of neurons and how this technique can be used to treat neurological conditions. Fulbright Irish Scholar in Residence  Tom Felle, Associate Professor of Journalism at University of Galway. His research interests encompass digital news, verification, data-driven journalism, fake news and disinformation, and democracy-related topics such as trust, transparency, and accountability. He has provided advice and testimony to national governments and the EU, and collaborated with the United Nations migration agency, IOM, as the lead academic partner for the Global Migration Media Academy from 2020-2022. His Fulbright award will see him work on creative writing, journalism and internationalisation projects with East Los Angeles College, California. Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants  Shauna Ní Dhochartaigh is a BA in Gaeilge and History student and native of Rann na Feirste, in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht. She was the 2022 Gaeltacht Mary in the Mary from Dungloe International Arts Festival. Shauna was Debating Officer of the Cumann Gaelach in the University and guided the society’s debating team to victory in Gael Linn’s Debating Competition at Oireachtas na Samhna 2022. She will be a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. Seán Ó Coistealbha is a native of An Spideal, Connemara. He is a graduate of Irish and history from the University. He taught in Dublin from 1979-80; worked as a language and cultural officer at Údarás na Gaeltachta from 1980-81; and was Youth Manager at Muintearas Teo and subsequently chief executive until January 2023. He is a published poet and has had numerous stage and film appearances as an actor. He is passionate about the Irish language, archaeology, heritage, culture and the Irish diaspora. Sean will be a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. The Fulbright bilateral exchange program is known for selecting outstanding candidates from across the island of Ireland to study and work with US institutions across all disciplines ranging from health, science, technology and business to the arts and culture. As the Fulbright Awardees forge ahead on these exciting opportunities, the breadth of their US engagement is diverse and impressive. Fulbright Irish Scholars, Students, and Foreign Language Teaching Assistants will also engage with US society and share their knowledge and expertise when they return home. U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Ireland, Mike Clausen said: “The Fulbright Program represents the US government’s preeminent international educational and cultural exchange initiative. It plays a crucial role in sustaining and advancing the unique and close relationship between the United States and Ireland. Fulbright awardees exchange research, knowledge, ideas, and culture and contribute to solving important global problems. I congratulate this year’s awardees and wish them success in the United States and beyond.” The next round of applications for Fulbright Irish Awards will open on 28th August 2023. Interested candidates should visit www.fulbright.ie for more information. Ends