News Archive

Galway's first International Dance Festival will be held at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Galway, on Thursday, 16 April. The event is a fundraiser for the Galway division of the Special Olympics and the money raised will be used to fund 22 clubs throughout the county of Galway. Dancing from countries including Mexico, Malaysia, Slovakia, Peru, Cuba, Argentina, South Africa, Guatemala, India and Ireland will be featured. The International Dance Festival promises to be a lively event, according to chief organiser, Gloria Avalos, who works at the School of Medicine and Health Science at NUI Galway: "People from different countries will be performing their traditional dances in traditional costumes. It's a unique opportunity to see a variety of cultures in the one place". The event will begin with a parade led by the athletes and members of the Garda Síochána who will be carrying the Special Olympics torch. This will be followed by various dance exhibitions, from a Mexican 'Dance of the Deer' to an Argentinean Tango. The dancing exhibitions will be followed by live music from Galway's well known salsa band, Cuba Libre, and finishing off with a D.J. playing world music. Gloria Avalos is organising the event along with other colleagues from NUI Galway and the Sisters of La Retraite, Galway. The Festival was launched on Monday by NUI Galway President Dr James J. Browne. Tickets are available in advance from the Socs Box, in Áras na Mac Léinn at NUI Galway, and at the Radisson SAS Hotel on the night, where doors open at 7.30pm. All proceeds from the event will go to the Special Olympics clubs in Galway. -ends-

An effort to understand the 'boom and bust' cycles of financial markets has seen the launch of a Virtual Stock Market experiment at NUI Galway. The Virtual Stock Market will provide a platform to conduct a series of experiments with both automated computer agents and humans. The aim is to understand the factors that underpin 'boom and bust' cycles, as well as human and software agents' interactions. The Virtual Stock Market is the result of a multi-disciplinary research collaboration between the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, the Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI) and the Computer Integrated Manufacturing Research Unit (CIMRU) at NUI Galway. The Virtual Stock Market lists ten companies and has four types of computer agents trading in the market. NUI Galway students are invited to trade on the stock market and each participant will be given an initial endowment of 10,000 Airgead (virtual currency) and an equivalent amount of shares. Dr Srinivas Raghavendra, an Economics lecturer at NUI Galway, Dr Laurentiu Vasiliu, a group leader in DERI/CIMRU, and PhD student Daniel Paraschiv in CIMRU/DERI are behind the experiment. Dr Raghavendra comments: "The main objective of our research is to understand the generating processes that underlie the empirical facts of the real world financial markets. We approach this problem from an experimental economics point of view as we believe that experiments with human agents could provide us with insights or testable hypotheses to further our understanding of the dynamics of financial markets". Human traders on the virtual stock market are welcome to try out their own investment strategies, technical trading strategies or other hybrid strategies. The high-frequency data (real time data) of the virtual market can be directly downloaded to a spreadsheet, which will allow participants to try out various technical trading rules. Dr Laurentiu comments: "It is envisioned by the DERI commercialisation team to move the concept forward towards a potential future professional stock exchange testing environment, where novel strategies and financial products can be tested by interested financial houses. This would ensure a basis for evaluating new financial approaches as well as IT technologies that are currently developed by NUI Galway and other Irish universities. At the same time it can be shown how a very close cooperation between IT and Economics researchers provides a safe and needed financial testing ground, particularly in the current economic climate". There is also a teaching benefit to be had from NUI Galway's new stock exchange. According to Dr Raghavendra: "As a teaching tool, the Virtual Stock Market provides an excellent opportunity for students, at all levels, to understand the basic functioning of a stock market. For advanced students, it provides a platform to test their own investment strategies. For students of computer science and IT, this platform provides a unique opportunity to understand the interface between human agents and computer agents (algorithms), and its implications for the dynamics of financial markets". The scope of the Virtual Stock Market can be extended to Futures Trading and Monetary Policy experiments. Dr Raghavendra adds: "Even the anticipation of a monetary policy swings the markets, let alone the post announcement effect. The experiments in this area would be useful to study the dynamic between monetary policy rules and instruments, and human agents' expectation formation, which is one of the fundamental issues in understanding the stability of markets". The results of the experiment with the virtual stock market will be presented in July to the Society for Computational Economics at the 15th International Conference on Computing in Economics and Finance in Sydney, Australia. -ends-

Topics including multiculturalism, racism, social inclusion and family rights will be discussed by a range of experts during Equality and Inclusion Week at NUI Galway. Organised by the University's Law Society, Equality and Inclusion Week runs from 23-26 March and will feature a series of free public lectures. On Tuesday, 24 March, Fr Peter McVerry will share his thoughts on social inclusion, drawing on his 30 years of experience of working with young homeless people in Dublin. During this time he has campaigned tirelessly for the rights of these young people and in 1983 he set up the Peter McVerry Trust which provides a wide range of services catering for the diverse needs of young homeless people through supported accommodation, drug detox, education and training. The talk will take place at 8pm in the IT Building, Room IT250. On Wednesday, 25 March, there will be a discussion on the need for the law to recognise the diversity of Irish family life and to ensure that all family types in Ireland have equal opportunities. Panellists will include: Geoffrey Shannon, family lawyer and children's rights expert; Margaret Dromey, CEO of the unmarried parents group Treoir; Brian Sheehan, Managing Director of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network; and Dr Anne Egan, lecturer in Family Law at NUI Galway. The discussion will take place at 8pm in the Cairnes Theatre. On Thursday, 26 March, a multiculturalism and anti-racism evening will feature Niall Crowley, former CEO of the Equality Authority, Chinedu Onyejelem, Editor and Publisher of the multicultural newspaper, Metro Éireann, and Robin Hannan, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, as guest speakers. The discussion will take place at 8pm in the Cairnes Theatre. The public lectures will take place at 8pm each evening in the Cairnes Theatre, in the Arts and Science Building at NUI Galway. Several other societies and a number of charity organisations will also organise equality and inclusion themed events during the week. Highlights will include a multicultural fair, an art exhibition and a film night. Commenting on the week student Karla Sheerin-Griffin, who is director of Equality Week for the NUI Galway Law Society, said: "The purpose of Equality Week is to promote awareness and positive change. We want to encourage people to embrace and support diversity. With all the attention focused on surviving the recession and saving the economy, we seem to be ignoring what really matters, which is people. We need to recognise the inequalities in Irish society and take positive action to remove them. I really hope students take part and help us send the message across that students care and want to help Irish society to change for the better". All events will be run on a first come first served basis and will not be ticketed so arrive early to avoid disappointment. For further information on any of the week's events contact Karla Sheerin-Griffin on 0864051400, or email nuiglawsociety@gmail.com -ends-

(Sligo School to Represent Connaught) The national finals of the 2009 Debating Science Issues competition, which is co-ordinated by the Regenerative Medicine Institute at NUI Galway, takes place on Thursday, 2 April, in the Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin. Four teams of secondary school students will represent the provinces of Connaught, Ulster, Leinster and Munster in the debating competition final. The public are invited to attend. This year, there were almost 40 entries in the Debating Science Issues competition, which encourages young people to engage in debate on the cultural, societal and ethical implications of advances in biomedical science. Participating students took part in a series of three-hour workshops designed to facilitate discussion and learning about biomedical science - from stem cell research to nanotechnology - in an informal round table forum. Competition organiser Danielle Nicholson, from the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at NUI Galway, comments: "The debating science competition concept was initially run on a regional basis and due to its success went national last year. Workshops provide an open and impartial environment, and challenge students to think about the ethical and societal impact of biomedical research and stimulate them to learn more about this important area of research. The debates themselves reflect the level of insight and interest among 15-18 year olds in the field of biomedicine". Kathleen Kelly is a teacher at Ballincollig Community School, Co. Cork, which won the national final of Debating Science Issues 2008. Ms Kelly commented: "The competition has opened students' eyes to scientific issues in newspapers, for example, that may not have been explored without Debating Science Issues". Funded by the Wellcome Trust, Debating Science Issues is co-ordinated by REMEDI at NUI Galway in conjunction with fellow Science Foundation Ireland Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology: UCC's Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and DCU's Biomedical Diagnostics Institute. The event is also supported by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, along with W5 Science Centre in Belfast and Tyndall National Institute at UCC. -ends-

The distinguished Cambridge University mathematician Professor Tom Körner, author of The Pleasures of Counting, will deliver a free public lecture at NUI Galway on Monday, 6 April, at 6pm in the Kirwan Lecture Theatre. Professor Tom Körner in his lectures, books and publications uses Mathematics to help people understand the world around them, and his lecture is designed to engage the general public with the subject. In The Pleasures of Counting, Professor Körner uses examples as diverse as the outbreak of cholera in Victorian Soho and the Battle of the Atlantic, to show some of the real-life problems with which mathematicians engage. Entitled 'Mathematics and Smallpox', his hour-long lecture at NUI Galway will explain in simple terms how Mathematics is used to understand disease epidemics. In the 18th century a new technique of inoculation was introduced for smallpox. The idea was controversial since, in effect, the process deliberately gave an uninfected person a form of the disease. Professor Körner will explain how in 1776, Daniel Bernoulli tried to use early statistical ideas to see whether the case for inoculation was valid. Many of his Bernoulli's ideas still resonate today. The lecture coincides with NUI Galway hosting the 61st British Mathematical Colloquium, from 6-9 April, which is being held outside of the UK for the first time. The Colloquium is a joint meeting with the Irish Mathematical Society and is expected to attract some 250 mathematicians. Plenary speakers will include: Professor David Eisenbud, University of Berkeley, California; Professor Ben Green, University of Cambridge; Professor Ron Graham, San Diego University, California; Professor Rostislav Grigorchuk, Texas A&M University; and Professor Frances Kirwan, University of Oxford. Professor Ted Hurley of the Mathematics Department at NUI Galway believes the world of Mathematics is more engaging and applicable than most people realise: "The upcoming Colloquium is a very prestigious event in the Mathematics calendar and while there will be lots of 'deep end' Mathematics discussed, the public lecture will be very accessible to anyone with a basic interest. Tom Körner is a storyteller of the Mathematics world. He demonstrates that every part of the world around us can be understood through the lens of mathematics. Mathematics is all about questioning, investigating and fulfilling curiosity". Professor Hurley added: "Mathematics develops keen thinking and problem solving skills and whatever the economic climate, those qualified in the field will be in demand, not only in obvious fields such as finance, science and computer science -particularly information theory, communications and security - but in new areas from computer game generation, through medical imaging to climate change analysis, all of which require highly numerate graduates who can understand and work with the sophisticated mathematical systems now in use in these areas". Admission to the free public lecture by Professor Tom Körner is by ticket only. For further details or to book a ticket, e-mail Mary.Kelly@nuigalway.ie or telephone (091) 492332. -ends-

Health economics will be the subject of a new intensive course at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, NUI Galway, from 26-27 March. With total expenditure on health expected to be in the region of €15 billion in Ireland this year, the programme organisers say it is vital that resources are allocated in a way that ensures the best outcome for the patient or service user. The two-day 'Executive Education Programme in Health Economics' will concentrate on a range of analytical techniques that can be used to inform health care decision-makers about the costs and consequences of healthcare programmes. The programme will provide participants with an introduction to the value and techniques of the emerging discipline of Health Technology Assessment and its use in informing budgetary decisions and wider government policy. Health Technology Assessment is not limited to new equipment or drugs, but covers any method used to promote health, prevent and treat disease, and improve rehabilitation and quality of life. Through health technology assessment, decision makers can assess the desirability and effectiveness of investing in new therapies, drugs, equipment and health promotion activities. NUI Galway is the only university in Ireland with a dedicated Chair in Health Technology Assessment. The holder of the Chair, Professor Ciaran O'Neill, is one of the organisers of the programme and commented on its target audience: "This executive education programme will be of interest to people with responsibility for strategic decision making in both the public and private health care sectors. It will also be of interest to people wishing to pursue further study in health economics. We will make extensive use of real-world examples to illustrate concepts and techniques, and include a discussion on the interpretation, presentation and dissemination of results". The course will be delivered by staff from the Department of Economics at NUI Galway and by visiting Professor from the University of Maryland, Daniel Mullins. Professor Mullins is a health economist and head of the Pharmaceutical Health Services Research Department of the University of Maryland. His research focuses on pharmaeconomics, health outcomes research and equity in health. Professor Mullins's visit is supported by the Fulbright Commission under its Senior Specialist Programme. A new Masters in Health Economics will be offered by the Department of Economics at NUI Galway in September 2009 and participants in the Executive Education programme will be eligible to apply for this Masters. A small number of places are still available on the Executive Education programme. For more information please contact Professor Ciaran O'Neill at 091 492409 or by email at ciaran.oneill@nuigalway.ie. -ends-

The first ever Galway Health Services Information Fair will be held in the Orbsen Building at NUI Galway, from 11am to 4pm, on Wednesday, 25 March. Some 50 different health-related organisations will attend to provide information on services available to people living in Galway City and county. Groups in attendance will include Ability West, Age Action West, AIDS West, Arthritis Ireland, Citizens' Information, COPE, Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Integrating Ireland and SpunOut.ie. Information on a range of topics will be available, including mental health, sexual health and complementary health, as well as fitness, health checks and health screening. This free public event is open to the general public, and people new to Galway are particularly welcome. Cindy Dring, NUI Galway Heath Promotion Officer, said: "We hope that this event will meet the needs of students, locals and people who have just moved to the area. Personal health is very much about being informed and making the right choices. This is a great opportunity to visit a 'one-stop shop' for health information and to find out about the kinds of services and supports available on your doorstep". For a number of years Galway Refugee Support Group (GRSG) has been involved in building the capacity of the refugee and asylum seeker populations to identify and advocate their health needs and concerns as part of a long-term integration strategy. Helen Bartlett, Community Development Worker of the GRSG, said: "The Galway Health Services Information Fair is significant as it will bring together education providers, health service providers, health advocacy organisations and health service users. Many people may be unfamiliar with all the health services and health advocacy organisations available in Galway". The event is a collaborate venture between NUI Galway and the GRSG, and is supported by the University's Community Knowledge Initiative. It is hoped that the Health Services Information Fair will become an annual event, increasing awareness about a wide range of health issues. For further information contact Helen Bartlett at 091 480 095. -ends-

The next in the series of NUI Galway Dublin alumni group events will feature a presentation by Declan Kelly, Executive Vice President, FTI & US Board Chair, Galway University Foundation on Wednesday, 25 March, 7.30pm at the Davenport Hotel, Merrion Square, Dublin 2. A graduate of NUI Galway, Declan Kelly is Executive Vice President and Chief Integration Officer of FTI and Chairman of FD US and FD Ireland. With more than two decades of experience in journalism and strategic consulting, Declan is recognised as one of the leading crisis communications counsellors in the U.S., working globally across multiple industries advising large-scale corporations on a variety of reputational issues. He has been named by PR Week magazine as one of the leading communications professionals in the U.S. and has been recognized on numerous occasions for his professional achievements globally. For the past five years he has been named by Irish America magazine as one of the Top 100 Irish American business leaders in the U.S. In 2008, he became the youngest ever recipient of the American Irish Historical Society's gold medal. As part of a series of social and cultural events organised by the Dublin-based group, on Wednesday, 25 March, Kelly will present to NUI Galway alumni and invited guests offering insights into FTI's role in the management of some of the world's biggest financial and political crises, including Lehman Brothers, AIG and Northern Rock. FTI are also advisors to many governments, including several in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, on a diverse range of issues affecting their economies. The NUI Galway Dublin alumni group runs several events annually, aimed at bringing together graduates of NUI Galway. Tickets for the event will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to graduates of NUI Galway who apply via email to: colm.odwyer@nuigalway.ie or by phone to Colm O'Dwyer at: 091 493750 -Ends-

Over 200 delegates are expected to attend NUI Galway's 2nd International Nursing and Midwifery Conference from 6-7 April. The event, 'Building and Promoting Excellence in Practice', is organised by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway, and will give healthcare workers an opportunity to share their experiences of clinical care and research. The conference will provide a forum for debate around issues concerning the promotion of excellence in practice and will focus on five main themes: Chronic Illness; Older People; Maternity Care and Women's Health; Community and Population Health; and Teaching and Learning Practice. According to Professor Kathy Murphy of NUI Galway's School of Nursing and Midwifery: "Continuous learning and professional development is an integral part of the nursing profession. The opportunity for nurses to come together to discuss best practice is vital in the face of the new research, demanding protocols and HR constraints. Thoughtful practice is at the heart of making a difference and this conference supports this approach by providing an opportunity to share ideas, research and innovations". The conference will feature many national and international speakers with a keynote address by Dr Loretta Sweet Jemmott opening the conference. Dr Jemmott, from the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, will deliver a paper on 'How Research has Informed Effectiveness of HIV Education and how it is Delivered'. Dr Jemmott has been involved in a number of research projects focusing on designing and testing culturally sensitive, developmentally appropriate, and theory-based strategies to reduce HIV risk- associated sexual behaviours. Along with her husband, Dr John B. Jemmott III, she has secured extensive funding of $92.5 million to conduct HIV risk-reduction trials in various settings, including schools, community based organisations, housing developments, clinical settings, and churches. 'Sexuality and Nursing Practice; Unveiling the Elephant' will be the subject of a presentation by Professor Agnes Higgins, Associate Professor in Mental Health Nursing at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin. Professor Higgins will discuss the often ignored issue of sexuality and mental health, and the resulting challenges in a healthcare setting. Professor Mike Clarke, Director of the UK Cochrane Centre and Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Oxford will discuss 'Evidence for Evidence Based Practice Research and Reality'. Professor Clarke works on more than twenty systematic reviews across a wide range of areas of health care, in particular breast cancer. The School of Nursing and Midwifery offers a range of postgraduate nursing courses which are taught entirely through blended learning requiring only 12 days of face-to-face teaching per year. Programmes include Intensive Care, Accident and Emergency, Orthopaedics and Gerontology. Full or part-time options are available as well as the option of studying individual postgraduate modules, which may be built up to an entire programme over time. For more information on the conference visit www.nursingmidwifery.ie -Ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) The recipients of the annual NUI Galway Sports Awards were presented by NUI Galway President, Dr James J. Browne and guest of honour, Irish Gold Medal Olympian, Dr Ronnie Delaney, at a special ceremony recently in the Ardilaun House Hotel, Galway. This year s Sports Awards recipients are: Athletics: Aileen Ruane, Knocknahur, Co. Sligo. Basketball: Cian Nihill, Moycullen, Co. Galway. Boxing: Stephen Bailey, Tír an Fhia, Co. na Gaillimhe. Camogie: Lorraine Ryan, Athenry, Co. Galway. Handball: Caitriona Casey, Tralee, Co. Kerry. Hurling: Stephen Molumphy, Ballyduff Upper, Co. Waterford. Ladies Gaelic Football: Una Carroll, Tuam, Co. Galway. Ladies Soccer: Michelle Glynn, Ballybane, Galway. Ladies Rugby: Carol Staunton, Westport, Co. Mayo. Men s Gaelic Football: Gareth Bradshaw, Moycullen, Co. Galway. Men s Soccer: Michael Creane, Sligo Town. Mountaineering: Joan Mulloy, Westport, Co. Mayo. Rowing: James Wall, Limerick. Surfing: Elisha Hickey, Breeogue, Co. Sligo. Swimming: Dairne Ryan, Castlegar, Co. Galway. Tae Kwon Do: Oliver McCarthy, Kilrush, Co. Clare. Team Award: Surfing Club. Team Award: Archery. Announcing the awardees, Tony Regan, Head of Sports, NUI Galway, said: "These awards are in recognition of the outstanding performance of our NUI Galway athletes in a variety of sports at both national and international level. They have really excelled in their chosen sport and the university is extremely proud of their achievements". "Here tonight we are extremely proud and privileged to have in our midst a true icon of Irish sport as our guest of honour. In the history of Irish sport, the single stand out achievement remains the triumph of Ronnie Delaney in the 1500m in Melbourne in 1956. His name will be forever etched into the lore of Irish sport", added Regan. Dr Ronnie Delaney is a graduate of Villanova University and established a marketing consultancy in 1988 following a successful executive career in the transport/tourism sector in Ireland. The NUI Galway Sports Awards are given out each year in recognition of the NUI Galway students who excelled in the world of sport. Duaiseanna Spóirt OÉ Gaillimh bronnta ag Ronnie Delaney (View in English) Bhronn Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an Dr James J. Browne agus an t-aoi speisialta, an Dr Ronnie Delaney, Buaiteoir Bonn Óir d'Éirinn sna Cluichí Oilimpeacha, Duaiseanna Bliantúla Spóirt OÉ Gaillimh ar na buaiteoirí ag searmanas speisialta in Óstán an Ard Oileáin, Gaillimh aréir. I measc bhuaiteoirí na bliana seo tá: Lúthchleasaíocht: Aileen Ruane, Cnoc na hIora, Co. Shligigh. Cispheil: Cian Nihill, Maigh Cuilinn, Co. na Gaillimhe. Dornálaíocht: Stephen Bailey, Tír an Fhia, Co. na Gaillimhe. Camógaíocht: Lorraine Ryan, Baile Átha an Rí, Co. na Gaillimhe. Liathróid Láimhe: Caitriona Casey, Trá Lí, Co. Chiarraí. Iománaíocht: Stephen Molumphy, An Baile Dubh Uachtarach, Co. Phort Láirge. Peil na mBan: Una Carroll, Tuaim, Co. na Gaillimhe. Sacar na mBan: Michelle Glynn, An Baile Bán, Gaillimh. Rugbaí na mBan: Carol Staunton, Cathair na Mart, Co. Mhaigh Eo. Peil na bhFear: Gareth Bradshaw, Maigh Cuilinn, Co. na Gaillimhe. Sacar na bhFear: Michael Creane, Baile Shligigh. Sléibhteoireacht: Joan Mulloy, Cathair na Mart, Co. Mhaigh Eo. Rámhaíocht: James Wall, Luimneach. Tonnmharcaíocht: Elisha Hickey, Breeogue, Co. Shligigh. Snámh agus Póló Uisce: Dairne Ryan, An Caisleán Gearr, Co. na Gaillimhe. Tae Cuan Dó: Oliver McCarthy, Cill Rois, Co. an Chláir. Duais Foirne: An Club Tonnmharcaíochta Duais Foirne: Boghdóireacht. Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Tony Regan, Ceann an Spóirt, OÉ Gaillimh ag an ócáid: "Is ann do na duaiseanna seo le haitheantas a thabhairt d'éachtaí lúthchleasaithe OÉ Gaillimh a dhéanann an-dul chun cinn i gcineálacha éagsúla spóirt ar leibhéal náisiúnta agus ar leibhéal idirnáisiúnta. Tá fíoréacht déanta acu sna spóirt éagsúla agus tá an ollscoil fíorbhródúil as a bhfuil bainte amach acu". "Cúis áthais agus bróid dúinn go bhfuil réalta mhór spóirt inár measc mar aoi speisialta. Tá éacht suntasach amháin i stair spóirt na hÉireann nach ndéanfar dearmad air choíche – an lá ar bhuaigh Ronnie Delaney bonn óir i Melbourne sa rás 1500 méadar sa bhliain 1956. Fear a bhfuil a rian fágtha aige ar chúrsaí spóirt in Éirinn". Céimí de chuid Ollscoil Villanova é an Dr Ronnie Delaney agus bhunaigh sé cuideachta margaíochta sa bhliain 1988 i ndiaidh dó a shaol oibre go dtí sin a chaitheamh ag obair san earnáil iompair/turasóireachta in Éirinn. Bronntar Duaiseanna Spóirt OÉ Gaillimh gach bliain chun aitheantas a thabhairt do mhic léinn OÉ Gaillimh a bhfuil dul chun cinn déanta acu ina rogha spóirt. -Críoch-

Former chief executive officer of the Equality Authority Niall Crowley delivered a public talk to a full lecture theatre at NUI Galway on 12 March. Speaking about 'a deepening equality crisis' in Ireland, Mr Crowley described how the statutory infrastructure developed over 20 years to promote equality has been dismantled in a matter of months. Mr Crowley was joined by Michael D. Higgins T.D., Donncha O' Connell of NUI Galway's School of Law, Dr Vinodh Jaichand from the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway, and a panel of civil society groups, including shOUT!, the Galway Traveller Movement, the Galway Refugee Support Group, the Community Platform, and Action for Equality. The event, which was attended by a cross-section of the public, brought attention to the assertion that the Government is sidelining equality issues and the protection of human rights. For Galway based group shOUT!, this has serious implications as they see the cuts adding to young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people's experience of discrimination. Hannagh McGinley from the Galway Traveller Movement said that Travellers still continue to face high levels of discrimination and that such marginalised groups very much need independent agencies such as the Equality Authority. Mr Crowley cited the experience of the Combat Poverty Agency which was 'subsumed' into the Department of Social and Family Affairs; the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission both left unviable by drastic budget cuts; and the recently abolished National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism. Calling for a 'strategic response to the economic crisis that is founded on the values of equality, diversity and non-discrimination', Mr Crowley said Ireland needed to defend marginalised groups, monitor the watchdogs and hold bodies like the Equality Authority to account. The event was organised by NUI Galway's Development Education and Research Network (DERN). Development education promotes an international development and human rights perspective, with an emphasis on equality and non-discrimination. The event linked local and national issues and debates on inequality with the broad challenges of development and inclusion in a time of global economic crisis. -ends-

The prestigious psychology society, Psi Chi, has established its first chapter outside of the US at NUI Galway. Since 1929, the society has encouraged excellence in academic psychology and in furthering psychology as a science. Famous members include TV's Dr Phil and publishing's Hugh Hefner. Members must have excelled academically before being eligible for acceptance and once inducted hold a lifetime membership of the Society. The mission of Psi Chi is to produce well-educated, ethical, and socially responsible members committed to contributing to the science and profession of psychology and to society in general. Dr Ian Stewart, School of Psychology, NUI Galway, said: "The recent inauguration and addition of the NUI Galway Psi Chi Chapter is a great achievement for both the students and staff. I have no doubt, given our enthusiastic membership, that the NUI Galway chapter will make a significant contribution both to the society and to the cause of scientific psychology in the years ahead". At NUI Galway, the B.A. Psychology is one of the most sought after undergraduate courses, with the subject of psychology also popular among Bachelor of Arts students. Dr Stewart added: "Most people find psychology intrinsically interesting. Even a little knowledge of psychology is useful in most career paths, whether in applied areas such as clinical psychology and the health services, or more general areas such as the media, IT or management". It is hoped that the NUI Galway chapter of Psi Chi will forge the way for many new international chapters that we can share the aims and success of our North American colleagues. -Ends-

A special interactive exhibition is being organised by NUI Galway scientists from 19-20 March as part of Brain Awareness Week. The exhibition, which will be situated on the ground floor of the Eyre Square Shopping Centre, aims to raise public awareness of the importance of brain health, and neuroscience research in Ireland. The exhibition will feature a 3D brain model, and visitors will be able to use a computer based test to determine which side of their brain is dominant – the left or right hemisphere. Informative drawings for children to colour will be provided, along with puzzles to test visitors of all ages. Also available will be literature on various brain illnesses, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease, and video footage of a neuroscience researcher talking about stroke research. An art exhibition will showcase colourful and dramatic neuroscience research images, giving close-up pictures of some of the brain's billions of nerves cells and trillions of synaptic connections. The event is being organised by NUI Galway's Neuroscience Research Cluster, led by Dr Karen Doyle: "We hope this exhibition will be fun and interesting for all who attend, young and old. We'll have tips and advice on simple things that everyone can do to look after their brain, from eating right and exercising to wearing a helmet when cycling. Awareness of our brains' needs can help us live long and healthy lives, free from brain injuries and disorders". In Ireland, disorders of the brain affect some one million people and Health Service Executive data shows that it spends some €216 million annually on drugs, medicines and appliances. Disorders that are traditionally regarded as psychiatric account for approximately two thirds of the total costs, while neurological and neurosurgical disorders account for the final third. The expansion of the aged population and the inevitable rise in numbers of those suffering from age-related brain disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease has placed increased pressure on researchers to identify new therapies. Dr Doyle adds: "Science is making huge progress in understanding how the amazing human brain works. It is sobering to think that there are around 6,000 people suffering from Parkinson's disease in Ireland and as many as 35,000 who have been diagnosed with senile dementia. Disorders such as anxiety and migraine, due to their high prevalence, are also very costly to society. The need for further research and development in disorders of the brain is obvious and in the long-run it might well pay for itself by easing the burden on healthcare systems". The exhibition is funded by the Dana Foundation, through the Federation of Neuroscience Societies in Europe. -Ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) Following a substantial increase of 8.5% in first preference CAO applications, NUI Galway has announced details of a second Open Day on Saturday, 25 April. With almost double the national average for first preferences, the University is responding to continuing interest in new and existing courses. Professor Jim Ward, Deputy-President and Registrar at NUI Galway, commented on the increase in CAO applications: "We are delighted that NUI Galway is once again featuring strongly with CAO first preferences. Programmes on offer at NUI Galway are designed to develop students academically and personally, and our partnerships with industry and community play a huge part in the overall design of these courses". Almost all subject areas experienced increases in CAO applications, with large increases in Science, Arts and Commerce applications, and and a major rise in Engineering (including IT) and Medicine. NUI Galway s continuing popularity across a broad range of subject areas include new programmes in Sport and Exercise Engineering and a Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering Innovation – Electronic). At the Open Day in April, a variety of interactive taster sessions will be available on new and existing courses. Parents are also welcome to attend and Student Ambassadors will be on hand to answer questions about life at NUI Galway. The upcoming Open Day has been organised for second-level students who are interested in studying at NUI Galway. The event is an excellent opportunity to speak to lecturers and current students, and to find out more about the courses and campus. Visitors can book a place at the Open Day and receive a programme in advance by logging on to www.nuigalway.ie/openday. For further information contact the Schools Liaison Office on 091 492814, email mary.coyle@nuigalway.ie or visit www.nuigalway.ie Beagnach dúbailt na nIarratas CAO ar OÉ Gaillimh ná an Meán Náisiúnta (View in English) Tá ardú 8.5% tagtha ar líon na ndaoine a roghnaigh OÉ Gaillimh mar chéad rogha ina n-iarratais CAO. Mar thoradh air sin, beidh an dara Lá Oscailte ar siúl san Ollscoil Dé Sathairn, an 25 Aibreán. Roghnaigh beagnach a dhá oiread daoine an Ollscoil seo mar chéad rogha seachas aon áit eile agus tá suim léirithe ag daoine i gcúrsaí nua agus i gcúrsaí atá seanbhunaithe. Labhair an tOllamh Jim Ward, Meabhránaí agus Uachtarán Ionaid OÉ Gaillimh, ar an méadú atá tagtha ar iarratais CAO: "Tá an-áthas orainn go bhfuil OÉ Gaillimh chun cinn in athuair i gcéadroghanna an CAO. Is ann do na cláir in OÉ Gaillimh chun mic léinn a fhorbairt go hacadúil agus go pearsanta agus tá ról lárnach ag an gcomhoibriú a bhíonn idir an Ollscoil, an tionscal agus an pobal i leagan amach na gcúrsaí sin". Tháinig méadú ar líon na n-iarratas CAO i bhformhór na n-ábhar. Tháinig méadú mór ar líon na n-iarratas san Eolaíocht, sna Dána agus sa Tráchtáil, agus méadú an-mhór sna hiarratais Innealtóireachta (IT san áireamh) agus Leighis. Bhí tóir ar leith ar ábhair éagsúla in OÉ Gaillimh ó chláir nua in Innealtóireacht Spóirt agus Aclaíochta go Baitsiléir Innealtóireachta (Nuálaíocht Innealtóireachta – Leictreonach). Beidh blaiseadh le fáil de chúrsaí nua agus seanbhunaithe ag Lá Oscailte an Aibreáin. Tá fáilte roimh thuismitheoirí agus beidh mic léinn ar fáil le ceisteanna a fhreagairt faoi shaol na hOllscoile anseo i nGaillimh. http://www.nuigalway.ie/openday/ Tá an Lá Oscailte eagraithe do dhaltaí dara leibhéal a bhfuil suim acu staidéar in OÉ Gaillimh. Is iontach an deis í seo le labhairt le léachtóirí agus le mic léinn agus níos mó eolais a fháil faoi chúrsaí agus faoin gcampas. Is féidir áit a chur in áirithe ag an Lá Oscailte agus clár a fháil roimh ré ach dul chuig www.nuigalway.ie/openday. Tá tuilleadh eolais le fáil ón Oifig um Idirchaidreamh le Scoileanna ag 091 492814, nó trí ríomhphost a sheoladh chuig mary.coyle@nuigalway.ie nó trí chuairt a thabhairt ar www.nuigalway.ie CRÍOCH

Breast cancer research in Ireland has received a major boost with the announcement of more over half a million euro of funding by leading British research charity Breast Cancer Campaign. In a first for the charity, the funding of three projects in Ireland, including one at NUI Galway, forms part of €3 million awarded to 29 research projects throughout the UK and Ireland and represents a fantastic opportunity to tap into a talented group of researchers who can make a real difference to the lives of people with breast cancer. Dr Adrienne Gorman, NUI Galway, has received more than €100,000 for a three year study into why a particular molecule, nerve growth factor (NGF), which is produced in 80 per cent of breast cancers, may prevent some people from responding well to chemotherapy. NGF kick-starts a chain of events that enable cancer cells to avoid destruction by chemotherapy and Dr Gorman aims to fully understand this process in order to develop ways to prevent it from happening. Dr Gorman said, "I am grateful to Breast Cancer Campaign for funding my research and to be the one of the first scientists in Ireland to receive a grant from the charity is very exciting. I hope my project will provide vital information on how breast cancer evades chemotherapy so that we are able to overcome this resistance, giving patients the best chance of survival." Frank Fahey TD said: "The National Breast Cancer Institute in Galway under the directorship of Dr Michael Kerrins has been doing wonderful work in breast cancer research. The fact that such a prestigious group such as Breast Cancer Campaign has awarded a research grant to Dr Adrienne Gorman at NUI Galway is a significant recognition of the wonderful work being done at University College Hospital and NUI Galway." Arlene Wilkie, Director of Research and Policy, Breast Cancer Campaign said, "We are delighted to fund our first three projects in Ireland and we hope they are the first of many. "Each year in Ireland more than 2,300 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed and around 700 women will die from the disease. We hope that people in Ireland will raise funds to support even more of these talented scientists with innovative research ideas to ensure progress is made in finding a cure for breast cancer. "Research is already making a huge difference to the lives of those with breast cancer and we hope that by funding high quality, innovative projects, such as Dr Gorman's, it will bring us ever closer to beating this disease." -Ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) NUI Galway's 2009 Alumni Awards were presented at the tenth annual Gala Banquet and Alumni Awards ceremony on Saturday, 7 March, 2009 in the Radisson SAS Hotel, Galway. The Alumni Awards recognise individual excellence and achievements among the University s more than 65,000 graduates worldwide. At the Gala Banquet, eight alumni awards were presented to: Aer Arann Alumni Award for Sports Achievement and Leadership Ciaran FitzGerald BComm 1973 International Rugby Captain and Triple Crown Winner AIB Alumni Award for Literature, Communication and the Arts Dr Brendan O Connor BSc 1982, PhD 1985 Founder, Cois Cladaigh Choir Bank of Ireland Alumni Award for Business and Commerce Mike Higgins BComm 1982 Managing Director, CIBC Real Estate Finance Group Duais Hewlett-Packard don Ghaeilge Pádraig Ó Ceithearnaigh HDip in Education 1976 Leas-Ardstiúthóir Chomhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge Medtronic Alumni Award for Healthcare and Medical Science Professor Michael O Brien MB, BCh, BAO 1971, BSc 1973 Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine; Chief, Department of Anatomic Pathology, Boston Medical Center NUI Galway Alumni Award for Law, Public Service and Government John Hegarty BSc 1969, PhD 1976 Provost, Trinity College Dublin Alumni Award for Engineering, IT and Mathematics Finian O Sullivan BSc 1976 Founder and Former CEO, Burren Energy Seavite Alumni Award for Natural Science Dr Catherine Caulfield BSc 1976, HDip in Ed 1977, PhD 2008 Chief Executive - Charles River Laboratories Preclinical Services Irl. The awards programme boasts an impressive roll call of 57 outstanding graduates who have gone on to honour their alma mater, including, for example, Michael D. Higgins, the late Seamus Brennan, Sean O Rourke, Professor Frank Gannon and Dr Luke Clancy. Special guest and NUI Galway graduate Siún Nic Gearailt was compère for the evening. (View in English) Bronnadh deichiú Duaiseanna Alumni 2009 OÉ Gaillimh ag Mórfhéasta agus Searmanas na nDuaiseanna Alumni, Dé Sathairn, an 7 Márta 2009 in Óstán an Radisson SAS, Gaillimh. Tugann na Duaiseanna Alumni aitheantas do chéimithe a bhfuil éachtaí suntasacha déanta acu as breis is 65,000 céimí de chuid na hOllscoile atá lonnaithe ar fud na cruinne. Ag Mórfhéasta na bliana seo, bronnadh Duais Alumni ar na daoine seo a leanas: Duais Alumni Aer Arann d'Éachtaí agus do Cheannaireacht Spóirt Ciaran Fitzgerald BComm 1973 Captaen Fhoireann Rugbaí Idirnáisiúnta na hÉireann agus Buaiteoir Chorn na dTrí Náisiún Duais Alumni AIB don Litríocht, an Chumarsáid agus na hEalaíona An Dr Brendan O'Connor BSc 1982, PhD 1985 Bunaitheoir, Cór Chois Cladaigh Duais Alumni Bhanc na hÉireann don Ghnó agus an Tráchtáil Mike Higgins BComm 1982 Stiúrthóir Bainistíochta, CIBC Real Estate Finance Group Duais Hewlett-Packard don Ghaeilge Pádraig Ó Ceithearnaigh Ard-Dioplóma san Oideachas 1976 Leas-Stiúrthóir Chomhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge Duais Alumni Medtronic don Chúram Sláinte agus an Eolaíocht Mhíochaine An tOllamh Michael O'Brien MB, BCh, BAO 1971, BSc 1973 Ollamh le Paiteolaíocht agus Leigheas Saotharlainne, Scoil an Leighis, Ollscoil Bhostúin; Príomhoifigeach, Roinn na Paiteolaíochta Anatamaíche, Ionad Leighis Bhostúin Duais Alumni OÉ Gaillimh don Dlí, an tSeirbhís Phoiblí agus an Rialtas John Hegarty BSc 1969, PhD 1976 Propast, Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath Duais Alumni don Innealtóireacht, an Teicneolaíocht Faisnéise agus an Mhatamaitic Finian O'Sullivan BSc 1976 Bunaitheoir agus iar-Phríomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin, Burren Energy Duais Alumni Seavite don Eolaíocht Dúlra An Dr Catherine Caulfield BSc 1976, HDip in Ed 1977, PhD 2008 Príomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin – Charles River Laboratories Preclinical Services Irl. Go dtí seo tá duais alumni bronnta ar 57 céimí den scoth – céimithe a bhfuil a n-alma mater fíorbhródúil astu – Michael D. Higgins, Seamus Brennan nach maireann, Sean O'Rourke, an tOllamh Frank Gannon agus an Dr Luke Clancy ina measc. Ba í céimí OÉ Gaillimh, Siún Nic Gearailt, a bhí ina hóstach don oíche. -Críoch-

'Integrated Approaches to Offshore Renewables' is the subject of an upcoming lecture at NUI Galway by Seamus Garvey, Professor of Dynamics at the University of Nottingham. During his talk, Professor Garvey will propose that a collaborative approach should be adopted in relation to the research and development efforts of Ireland and the UK in the area of offshore renewables. The lecture takes place at 1pm, on 13 March, in Room AC204, Arts and Science Building, NUI Galway. Professor Garvey argues that not only do Ireland and the UK have abundant marine renewable resources, they have much more in common besides. While neither country has sufficient fossil-fuel resources to make them energy-secure even if climate change were not an issue, both have impressive engineering capabilities that are not fully exploited at present. In addition, Ireland and the UK have high aspirations for the proportion of energy to be sourced from renewables by 2020, yet neither has any substantial indigenous renewable-energy industry - compared with countries such as Denmark, Germany and the USA. Professor Garvey also proposes that wind, wave and tidal resources not be used to directly generate electricity, but to collect available power in the form of compressed air. That compressed air can be stored and later expanded to develop electrical power in large-scale, cost-effective, and efficient generators. According to Professor Garvey: "The deep Atlantic waters accessible from the west coast make this particular energy-storage scheme especially attractive to Ireland. Far from Ireland potentially using the UK as a major component in resolving its future energy-intermittency issues (as has been suggested), it is entirely likely that Ireland can provide precisely this service to the UK". The event will be attended by several engineering experts and representatives from Irish industry. Sean Leen, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at NUI Galway says: "Galway's Atlantic coast location provides an excellent opportunity to act as a hub for ocean and renewable energy technology development. The University plans to work closely with local industry and research institutes to facilitate this. One example of this is the collaboration with successful global subsea engineering consultancy, MCS, which is a spin-out company from NUI Galway". With headquarters in Galway, MCS offers advanced engineering and software solutions to the subsea industry. NUI Galway is already active in developing a number of sustainable energy technologies. For example, researchers at the Power Electronics Research Centre have developed novel battery charging and monitoring principles with engineers from Convertec Limited in Wexford, funded by Enterprise Ireland. This new technology plays a key role in improving safe and reliable operation of wind turbines in the North Sea. The recently established Energy Research Centre at NUI Galway, which operates within the University's Environmental Change Institute, provides an ideal framework for energy research at the University. For further information, contact Professor Sean Leen, sean.leen@nuigalway.ie -ends-

A technology to enable integration between hospital IT systems has been developed by researchers at the Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI), NUI Galway. The breakthrough technology has now been licensed to Irish company Slidepath, which specialises in software solutions for capturing clinical research data. The integration of electronic patient records in a healthcare setting has so far proved problematic. Healthcare professionals have long been concerned that electronic patient record systems have become islands of information, with little or no interoperability. DERI's solution is called Plug and Play Electronic Patient Records (PPEPR) and uses the latest application of semantics, in which over 100 researchers at DERI specialise. It is planned to utilise PPEPR to optimally interface between Slidepath's Distiller solution and other Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems in the live clinical setting. Slidepath's Distiller is a web-enabled clinical research solution which is ideal for the requirements of clinical research data management and hospital led clinical trials. "Slidepath is very excited by this technical collaboration", says Donal O Shea, CEO of Slidepath. "As a rapidly developing technology company in the clinical research support domain, this development will enable Slidepath to optimally capture clinical data from existing laboratory information management system and electronic patient record environments. It is a great development to collaborate with DERI, one of Ireland s leading research institutes, to help commercialise part of the innovative technologies under development at NUI Galway". Ronan Fox, leader of the Health Care and Life Sciences research group in DERI, NUI Galway, said: "Solutions to date have been shown to be technological dead-ends, limiting the reuse of the business knowledge inherent in integration projects. With PPEPR, not alone is codeless integration possible, knowledge is encapsulated through the use of semantics, enabling its reuse in other applications. Funding by Enterprise Ireland has brought PPEPR to this stage of maturity and through our association with Slidepath we will continue to advance the use of semantics as a valuable tool in the provision of healthcare". -ends-

NUI Galway will host the Irish University Sailing Association intervarsity competition in Oranmore's Galway Bay Sailing Club this weekend. The four-day event, starting on Thursday, 5 March, will bring together over 200 students, from 13 third-level institutions, to compete in the team racing event. The weekend will provide NUI Galway's Sailing Club with a chance to take to the water ahead of May's Volvo Ocean Race in which the Club will be playing a supporting role. The round the world yacht race stops off in Galway toward the end of May, and NUI Galway's Sailing Club has volunteered to help in ensuring a safe and enjoyable racing fortnight. According to Kathy Hynes, Development Officer for Clubs and Participation at NUI Galway: "The intervarsity is a great event for NUI Galway. It gives our Sailing Club a chance to illustrate their skills in what will be a hotly contested event. The growth and success of Irish sailing is assured if the tenacity and dedication of the Galway students involved in this club is as prevalent in all the other university clubs. We are also really looking forward to the arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race, which is such a prestigious round-the-world competition". NUI Galway's Sailing Club has around 30 active members and takes advantage of the many local sailing facilities, including those on Lough Corrib. Student Charlie Carlisle is a member of NUI Galway's Sailing Club: "Anybody with an interest in sailing, whether as a beginner or regular ocean-goer, is advised to pay a trip to Galway Bay Sailing Club this weekend. We are inviting people to meet the teams and find out about the best ways to get involved in this summer's highlight sport in Galway". The intervarsity will feature fancy dress nights out and a black tie dinner reception. For more information email sailing@clubs.nuigalway.ie. -ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) President of Ireland, Mary McAleese will today (Wednesday, 4 March) visit NUI Galway to officially launch the UNESCO Chair for Children, Youth and Civic Engagement. The UNESCO Chair is the first awarded in the Republic of Ireland, and President McAleese described it as a 'fitting endorsement by peers worldwide of the important work that is being done at NUI Galway to help solve the real problems experienced by young people and families in our communities'. The Chair is hosted at the Child and Family Research Centre (CFRC) in the University's School of Political Science and Sociology. Professor Pat Dolan, Director of the CFRC, with over 20 years experience in family support, policy and research, is the Chairholder. Referencing writer John McGahern at the launch, Professor Dolan told an audience of over 200 guests: "While many young people thrive during childhood, others sadly do not experience life as good or safe and some more tragically can say they rarely have a 'calm journey through the day'". Professor Dolan said that supporting children who experience adversity and disadvantage through encouraging civic participation had crucial benefits in terms of improved self-esteem, self-efficacy and wellbeing. He said: "I have come to the conclusion, that civically engaging children and youth produces benefits for all children. Particularly in the case of children who are experiencing severe difficulties, their civic engagement can lead to significant improvement and help rebuild key relationships in their lives". Koïchiro Matsuura, Director–General of UNESCO has said: "NUI Galway has a longstanding commitment to civic engagement. The creation of this Chair is an opportunity to expand and share this expertise for the benefit of children and young people everywhere, in particular the most vulnerable and marginalised. Funded under the UNESCO University Education Twinning and Networking Scheme, the programme of work associated with the Chair, will focus on an exchange of learning among international University partners and affiliated centres for children, which work on civic engagement programmes in countries including Bulgaria, Lithuania and Zambia. NUI Galway's President, Dr James J. Browne, speaking at the launch, said: NUI Galway is particularly honoured to be awarded the first UNESCO Chair in the Republic of Ireland. The establishment of a formal mechanism for knowledge creation and exchange in the area of Children, Youth and Civic Engagement across, and between, institutions of higher education and non-governmental organisations particularly with developing countries and countries in transition will bring a new dimension to the work of the University. We look forward to fruitful cooperation with UNESCO and are delighted to have this opportunity to enhance the role of the University in building civil society partnerships". Professor Dolan's team will work with two key partners in Ireland: the Community Knowledge Initiative at NUI Galway, a forum through which the University plays a leading role in the development of civic leadership skills in students. The second partner is Foróige, Ireland's leading voluntary youth organisation, whose CEO Seán Campbell said: "This is indeed a proud day for Ireland". He added "I am certain that the meeting of theory, practice and policy that will result from this partnership will transform the lives of young people the world over". Seolann an tUachtarán Máire Mhic Ghiolla Íosa Cathaoir UNESCO go hoifigiúil in OÉ Gaillimh (View in English) Beidh an tUachtarán Máire Mhic Ghiolla Íosa in OÉ Gaillimh inniu (Dé Céadaoin, 4 Márta) chun Cathaoir UNESCO le Leanaí, Óige agus Comhpháirteachas Poiblí a sheoladh go hoifigiúil. Is é seo an chéad Chathaoir UNESCO a bronnadh i bPoblacht na hÉireann, agus dúirt an tUachtarán Mhic Ghiolla Íosa gur "dearbhú tráthúil é Cathaoir UNESCO ó phiaraí ar fud na cruinne ar an obair thábhachtach atá ar bun ag OÉ Gaillimh leis na fadhbanna atá ag daoine óga agus a dteaghlaigh a réiteach". Is san Ionad Taighde um Leanaí agus Teaghlaigh, cuid de Scoil na hEolaíochta Polaitiúla agus Socheolaíochta san Ollscoil, atá Cathaoir UNESCO bunaithe. Is ar an Ollamh Pat Dolan, Stiúrthóir an Ionaid Taighde um Leanaí agus Teaghlaigh, fear ag a bhfuil breis is 20 bliain caite aige i mbun tacaíochta, beartais agus taighde teaghlaigh, a bronnadh Cathaoir UNESCO in OÉ Gaillimh. Thug an tOllamh Dolan focail an scríbhneora John McGahern chun cuimhne ag an seoladh agus é ag caint leis an 200 aoi a bhí i láthair: "While many young people thrive during childhood, others sadly do not experience life as good or safe and some more tragically can say they rarely have a 'calm journey through the day'". Deir an tOllamh Dolan go mbaineann buntáistí iontach tábhachtach le tacú le leanaí atá ag déileáil le cruatan agus le míbhuntáiste trí chomhpháirteachas poiblí a spreagadh ar mhaithe le féinmheas, le féin-éifeachtúlacht agus le folláine a fheabhsú. Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá aige: "Táim féin den bharúil anois go dtéann comhpháirteachas poiblí chun tairbhe gach uile linbh. Go háirithe i gcás leanaí atá ag déileáil le deacrachtaí dáiríre, is minic a bhíonn comhpháirteachas poiblí mar bhonn le feabhas suntasach agus mar bhonn le gaolmhaireachtaí lárnacha a chruthú i saol na leanaí seo". Dúirt Koïchiro Matsuura, Stiúrthóir Ginearálta UNESCO: "Tá OÉ Gaillimh tiomanta don chomhpháirteachas poiblí le blianta fada anuas. Deis í Cathaoir UNESCO an saineolas seo a fhorbairt agus a roinnt ar mhaithe le leanaí agus daoine óga i ngach áit, go háirithe na leanaí is éislinní agus is imeallaithe". Mar chuid de Scéim Nasctha agus Líonraithe Oideachais Ollscoile UNESCO, beidh gníomhaíochtaí Chathaoir UNESCO dírithe ar mhalartú foghlama i measc comhpháirtithe idirnáisiúnta Ollscoile agus ionaid chleamhnaithe do leanaí atá i mbun oibre ar chláir comhpháirteachais phoiblí i dtíortha cosúil leis an mBulgáir, an Liotuáin agus an tSaimbia. Ag an seoladh dúirt an Dr James Browne, Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh: "Is mór an chúis onóra do OÉ Gaillimh go bhfuiltear ag bronnadh na chéad Chathaoireach UNESCO i bPoblacht na hÉireann uirthi. Bunófar meicníocht fhoirmiúil le heolas a chruthú agus a mhalartú i réimse na Leanaí, na hÓige agus an Chomhpháirteachais Phoiblí i measc institiúidí ardoideachais agus eagraíochtaí neamhrialtasacha, go háirithe le tíortha atá i mbéal forbartha agus le tíortha atá ag dul trí thréimhse athraithe agus idir na hinstitiúidí agus na heagraíochtaí sin, rud a chuirfidh gné nua le hobair na hOllscoile. Táimid ag súil le comhoibriú go rathúil le UNESCO agus tá ríméad orainn an deis seo a bheith againn cur le ról na hOllscoile i mbunú comhpháirtíochtaí sochaí sibhialta". Oibreoidh an tOllamh Dolan agus a fhoireann le beirt chomhpháirtithe in Éirinn: an Tionscnamh Eolais Phobail in OÉ Gaillimh – fóram na hOllscoile le ról lárnach a ghlacadh i bhforbairt scileanna ceannaireachta i measc na mac léinn. Is é Foróige an dara comhpháirtí, príomheagraíocht dheonach an aosa óig in Éirinn. Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Seán Campbell, Príomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin Fhoróige: "Lá iontach bródúil é seo d'Éirinn. Táim cinnte go n-athróidh an nasc a chruthóidh Cathaoir UNESCO idir teoiric, cleachtas agus beartas saol an aosa óig ar fud na cruinne". -críoch-

The development of a central online health information resource for third-level students is recommended by a report from the Health Promotion Research Centre at NUI Galway. According to the report, there appears to be a gap in information provision specifically targeting young adults facing health issues. A range of health issues affect third-level students, with alcohol misuse, mental health and sexual health foremost. The feasibility study, entitled 'Exploring the Feasibility of Developing Internet Based Health Promotion Materials for Third-Level Students' was developed in conjunction with medical, research and health promotion professionals at UCC, Trinity and the Health Service Executive. The report found that the provision of easily accessible, up-to-date, accurate and relevant information about key health issues, as well as information on available local services, is crucial to better support students' health. The report concluded that third-level institutions offer a key setting to promote better health, as places where students develop personally and socially. Cindy Dring, Health Promotion Officer at NUI Galway, said: 'We need to go some way to tackling health issues among young adults, and providing information is a fundamental step. Third-level education is the perfect setting for online health communication. Students have the communication network and infrastructure. They are also constantly online, whether for their studies or for social networking". While there is an immense variety of health websites available, there are credibility issues with many of them, according to the report. Results indicate that students use the internet, specifically the Google search engine, to find health information. However they also expressed a sense of mistrust with this. The report's proposed desktop resource would be ideally placed to address these concerns, and the involvement of the HSE and third-level institutions would confer credibility upon the project. "We already know that similar resources have worked in other countries, like in Scotland, for example", said Dr David McGrath, Director of the Trinity Health Service. "What we didn't know, was what Irish students would want from such a service, or what was possible from a technical point of view, since each university has its own systems in place. This project has answered some of these questions for us". The project explored the appropriateness of existing online health resources for this cohort, assesses the views of students, includes input from IT staff from each college on technical issues and gives recommendations to move the project to from planning to execution stage. Dr Michael Byrne, Head of the Student Health Service at UCC commented: "It is the first step towards developing one central online health resource that could be localised by each University and that would be potentially available to all Irish students. The next step is to develop a prototype and to try to gain further support and funding for this important project". "We want to provide Irish students with an accessible way to engage with their health and to be able to assess their own risky behaviours. We feel that a shared resource for universities would provide a 'value for money' way of addressing student health and we welcome this partnership with the University Health Services", said Brian Neeson from Population Health, Health Promotion in the HSE. -ends-

NUI Galway's School of Health Sciences is to host Ireland's largest ever conference focussed on Podiatry, the healthcare profession specialising in diseases and disorders of the lower limb and foot. From 7-8 March the University will host a Podiatry Symposium in association with the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists of Ireland. Podiatry is a popular new degree at NUI Galway, where the country's first cohort of undergraduate podiatry students is currently being trained. The four-year Bachelor of Science honours degree fills a gap where previously those wishing to become a podiatrist had to enrol in a UK-based course. The conference will highlight the skills and scope of practice for podiatrists, and discuss the latest developments in areas including diabetes, wound management, surgery and arthritis. The two-day podiatry conference reflects the profession's commitment to providing a high standard of continual professional development. Renowned national and international speakers will deliver up to date information on a wide range of core subjects. The event will also feature an extensive trade exhibition, poster presentations, workshops and awards ceremony. According to Dr Caroline McIntosh, Head of Podiatry, NUI Galway: "The escalating prevalence of diabetes and obesity, in conjunction with an ageing population, means Ireland needs more podiatrists. Podiatry is currently a very small profession within Ireland which is highlighted by the fact that there is currently only the equivalent for one full-time professional for every 35,000 people. The recommended ratio, for the over 65 population for example, is one podiatrist for every 2,000 people. This imbalance is set to change with the establishment of the Podiatry Course at NUI Galway and with more practitioners graduating within Ireland in the future". Dr McIntosh added: "The conference will provide an excellent forum to network with national and international colleagues and celebrate the coming on-stream of the first degree in Podiatry here at NUI Galway, which is an exciting development for the profession". Up to 150 healthcare professionals are expected to attend the event. For further information and a full programme visit www.nuigalway.ie/podiatry/ -ends-

Dr James J. Browne, President of NUI Galway, and Mr Mike McDonnell, Director of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Ireland, have officially launched the editorial office of the Human Resource Management Journal (HRMJ) at the Centre for Innovation and Structural Change (CISC), NUI Galway. This follows the appointment of Dr David Collings and Dr Tony Dundon (both at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, NUI Galway) as Editors of the HRMJ. Drs Collings and Dundon join Professor Mick Marchington of Manchester University at the helm of the Journal. The editorial office manages the day to day operation of the Journal and manages the review process for papers submitted. The HRMJ is a leading international outlet in the field of human resource management. Published by Wiley-Blackwell, it is in its 19th year of publication and publishes four times annually. The Human Resource Management Journal publishes well-written, well-researched and well-informed articles on any aspect of employment studies but especially those focused on issues related to the management of people at work. Published articles appeal both to practitioners and academics by virtue of the Journal's focus on contemporary issues, the sound use of theory and research and well-founded conclusions and practical implications. HRMJ is accessible through some 5,000 libraries and institutions worldwide, with 110,000 individual papers downloaded in 2008. The HRMJ is the only journal officially endorsed by the CIPD and CIPD members can avail of a 50 per cent discount on the standard subscription rate. The Journal has a strong international profile with almost half of the papers published in 2008 authored by academics outside of Ireland and the UK. The Editorial Board consists of representatives from 19 countries internationally representing the top scholars in the field. Professor Paddy Gunnigle at the University of Limerick and Professor Bill Roche at University College Dublin represent the Irish academic community of the Board. Attracting this high profile international journal to the NUI Galway is recognition of the high quality research being undertaken at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics. Their appointment as Editors is also reflective of Drs Collings and Dundon's individual contribution to research in the field of human resource management and their standing as scholars in the international community. NUI Galway President Dr James J. Browne, said: "This is a most significant development for our University, reflecting as it does the emphasis on the output of high quality, international research, which is a key institutional priority. In this context I am particularly pleased to celebrate the significance which this development has for the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics in further advancing the strategic vision of the School, the College and the University". Mike McDonnell, Director, CIPD, said: "Now more than ever it is essential for HR practitioners to develop effective manpower strategies as the recession deepens. On the one hand managers must establish recession proof industrial relations while at the same time maintaining a sense of positive employee engagement amongst those remaining at work. This challenge of leading organisations through crisis and ambiguity requires real intellectual support from HR thought-leaders. Here is where the Human Resource Management Journal really comes into its own by providing a route-map for people managers and their line colleagues through this difficult economic landscape". ENDS

Over 150 delegates from Ireland, Europe and the US today attended the 2nd annual GlycoScience Ireland Conference held in NUI Galway. The aim of the event is to bring Irish researchers together to provide visibility and collaborative opportunities for Irish glycoscientists with international academic and industrial communities that will be responsible for the translation of glycoscience discoveries into commercial and clinical realities. The conference involved a number of presentations from distinguished speakers from industries, regulatory agencies and academia from the US and Europe and highlighted that Ireland is rapidly becoming a centre of excellence in glycosciences with a wealth of expertise that is directly relevant to the Biopharmaceutical and Food Industries in Ireland and abroad. Commenting on the conference, Lokesh Joshi, SFI Stokes Professor of Glycosciences, at NUI Galway said "Building on the success of last year's event, this conference continues to look at trends in Glycosciences taking a broader international view that highlights Irish science internationally and facilitates Irish based scientists in networking with many global leaders in this field". "Glycoscience is a rapidly emerging science that studies complex sugars in the body and is fundamental to clinical research and biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. However, with the global competition in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical research continually shifting, Ireland needs to harness the synergy of existing skills and strengthen it with talent in order to gain a competitive edge to remain in the leadership position in this field ," he concluded. Dr Ruth Freeman, Head of Industry-Research Development at SFI, added: "GlycoScience Ireland continues to play a significant role in furthering Ireland's international reputation as a centre of excellence in glycosciences. In a very short space of time it has attracted significant attention from the industrial sector and has received support and research funding from biopharmaceutical, biotechnology and high-end instrument developer companies that will be responsible for the translation of glycoscience discoveries into commercial realities. GlycoScience Ireland was established in 2007 with the aim to provide a forum for communication and interaction between Irish glycoscientists and industry representatives in Ireland and further abroad that will be responsible for the translation of glycoscience discoveries into commercial and clinical realities. -Ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) When performing the official opening of this year's Féile Joe Éinniú (Joe Heaney Festival) on Friday, 1 May 2009, Máire Nic Fhinn will donate material relating to famous singer, Joe Éinniú, to the archive at NUI Galway's Gaeltacht centre Áras Shorcha Ní Ghuairim in Carna, Co. Galway. Born in Áird Thoir, Carna, Connemara in 1919, Joe Éinniú is considered the finest exponent of sean-nós singing of his generation. Máire Nic Fhinn knew Joe well from the time she worked for Gael Linn, who published many of his recordings, and through organising cultural events in which Joe participated. As a result Máire has compiled a valuable collection comprising of audio-visual material, sound recordings, images, and documents that give important and interesting insights into the work and life of Joe Éinniú. "I am delighted that the material will be available in the Áras Shorcha Ní Ghuairim Archive in Carna, Joe's home place, for access by the local community," says Máire Nic Fhinn. This new material will augment the extensive Joe Éinniú collection already in the possession of the Áras in Carna. This includes a music and song archive that was compiled in University of Washington, USA, where Joe spent his later years lecturing in Irish culture and traditional music. Joe died in Seattle in 1984. The Joe Heaney Festival Organising Committee, headed by Mícheál Ó Cuaig, bestowed this particular archive on Áras Shorcha Ní Ghuairim, NUI Galway, so that the local community and Irish scholars could have access to it. "We are delighted to accept this valuable material and we are very grateful to Máire for this act of the utmost generosity," said Áras Shorcha Ní Ghuairim Administrator, Séamas Ó Concheanainn. "The whole Joe Éinniú collection at Áras Shorcha Ní Ghuairim will be digitised and made available in accessible formats to the local community and to those pursuing studies at Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge and NUI Galway". Ábhar Luachmhar ar an Bhfonnadóir Clúiteach Joe Éinniú le Bronnadh ar Champas OÉ Gaillimh i gCarna (View in English) Bronnfaidh Máire Nic Fhinn ábhar a bhaineann leis an bhfonnadóir clúiteach Joe Éinniú ar chartlann OÉ Gaillimh i gCarna; Áras Shorcha Ní Ghuairim, tráth a mbeidh Féile Joe Éinniú na bliana seo á hoscailt go hoifigiúil aici ar an Aoine, an 1 Bealtaine 2009. Meastar gurbh é Joe Éinniú, a rugadh san Aird Thoir i gCarna i 1919, sár-fhonnadóir sean-nóis a linne féin. Bhí aithne mhaith ag Máire Nic Fhinn ar Joe le linn di a bheith ag obair le Gael Linn, a d'fhoilsigh amhráin dá chuid, agus trí bheith ag eagrú imeachtaí cultúrtha a mbíodh Joe páirteach iontu. Dá bharr sin tá cnuasach luachmhar, á áiríonn ábhar fuaime agus físe, taifeadtaí fuaime, pictiúir agus doiciméid, bailithe ag Máire a thugann léargas tábhachtach agus spéisiúil ar shaothar agus ar shaol Joe Éinniú. "Is cúis mhór áthais domsa go mbeidh an t-ábhar seo lonnaithe i gCartlann Áras Shorcha Ní Ghuairim i gCarna, baile dúchais Joe féin, agus go mbeidh sé ar fáil do phobal na dúiche gar go bhaile," a deir Máire. Cuirfear an t-ábhar úr seo i dtaisce le cnuasach cuimsitheach ábhair ar Joe Éinniú atá i seilbh an Árais i gCarna cheana. Áirítear ar an ábhar atá sa chartlann i gCarna cheana féin cartlann cheoil agus amhrán a cuireadh i dtoll a chéile in Ollscoil Washington i Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá, áit ar chaith Joe tréimhse mar léachtóir ar chultúr agus ar cheol dúchais na hÉireann. Bhásaigh Joe i Seattle i 1984. Bhronn Coiste Reáchtála Fhéile Joe Éinniú, faoi stiúir Mhíchíl Uí Chuaig, an chartlann seo ar Áras Shorcha Ní Ghuairim, OÉ Gaillimh ar mhaithe leis an ábhar a bheith ar fáil do phobal na háite agus do scoláirí Éireannacha. "Is cúis mhór áthais dúinn an t-ábhar luachmhar seo a bheith á bhronnadh orainn agus tá muid go mór faoi chomaoin ag Máire as an mbeart fíorfhlaithiúil seo," a deir Riarthóir an Árais Séamas Ó Concheanainn. "Beidh an bailiúchán uile a bheas idir lámha ag an Áras ar Joe Éinniú á dhigitiú agus á chur ar fáil i mbealaí a bheas áisiúil do phobal na háite agus do spriocphobail Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge agus Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh". -Críoch-

Almost 3,000 prospective students and their parents visited NUI Galway's campus for the Spring Open Day on Saturday, 25 April. A massive Open Day marquee housed a full range of subject-specific exhibition stands where information was provided by lecturers and students on programmes and subjects. There was also information on practical issues such as university accommodation, scholarships, and general support services available to students. Student ambassadors were on hand to assist with all queries about student life at NUI Galway. A programme of taster sessions ran throughout the day, designed to give a real insight in to university life, including Student Life and the Focus on your Career talks. Current NUI Galway students were also available to discuss the vibrant societies and sports clubs on campus, and the University's unique volunteering programme ALIVE. Caroline Loughnane, organiser of NUI Galway s Spring Open Day, said: "With an increase of almost double the national average for first preferences in CAO applications, we have continuous requests for information from prospective students. The University's first Spring Open Day provided all information first hand, from our lecturers and current students, and was a huge success". The range of courses available at NUI Galway is vast and varied and many are unique to the University. A new B.E. in Energy Systems Engineering is now on offer in response to the identification of Ireland s future energy needs as a national priority. The four-year honours degree will have its first intake in September and will produce professional accredited engineers, qualified to drive the emerging energy related industries. Engineering Innovation - Electronic is also in its first year and will provide graduates with specialised multi-disciplinary skills to start their own business, centered on the development of innovative, niche, market-led, electronic products. The Sports and Exercise Engineering degree is in its second year of accepting applicants and is the first of its kind available in Ireland. With a radical departure from traditional Arts degrees, BA CONNECT offers seven four-year degrees designed to increase the employability of graduates by developing distinctive skills and creating connections with life beyond the campus. At present, NUI Galway is the only Irish university offering a denominated degree in marine science and it now has the highest concentration of marine scientists of any institution in Ireland. This degree also offers training on board national training vessels in the third year of study. NUI Galway offers the only Podiatry degree in the Republic of Ireland. Podiatry is a healthcare profession that specialises in the management of disease and disorder of the foot, angle, knee, leg and hip. Throughout the Open Day, tours of the campus gave an insight into university life and the top class facilities offered at NUI Galway, including the brand new €22 million Sports Complex. The Centre s facilities include an international standard swimming pool, a national league basketball arena, 100 piece cardiovascular gym, an elite training gym for professional athletes and a climbing wall. -Ends-

The role played by NUI Galway in training a new generation of ocean leaders, diplomats and lawyers was highlighted at an international meeting of Law of the Sea Alumni in Tokyo. This training is carried out under the auspices of the United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme which aims to promote capacity building in law of the sea and ocean affairs for mid-career professionals from developing countries. Since 2004 the programme has trained 50 government officials from 41 countries by collaborating with 38 prestigious universities worldwide with expertise in the field of oceans law. NUI Galway has participated in the programme since its inauguration and has hosted career diplomats from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh, Mozambique and Myanmar over a three year period. On completion of their training in NUI Galway under the supervision of Dr Ronán Long at the University's School of Law, the research fellows undertake advanced training at the United Nations Legal Division in New York prior to returning to their government posts. The primary purpose of the Tokyo meeting was to share experience regarding the training programme as well as to review international best practice on the implementation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The meeting was hosted by the Nippon Foundation of Japan and co-organised by the Ocean Policy and Research Foundation with briefings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and at Tokyo University. The meeting was opened by the Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, Mr Yohei Sasakawa, who shared his vision for greater international collaboration to ensure the peaceful and sustainable use of the oceans. In his address the Chairman underlined the importance his foundation placed on the training and education of a future generation of ocean leaders capable of addressing the pressing challenges faced in the ocean environment. This was followed by detailed briefings on the current law and policy challenges faced in the region including piracy, continental shelf delimitation, fisheries and coastal zone management. The new Director of the Ocean Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Koichi Ai, addressed the group on Japanese foreign policy concerning the oceans and placed special emphasis on the key role played by the participating educational institutes in the fellowship programme. The group received an in-depth briefing from the Executive Director of the Ocean Policy and Research Foundation, Mr Hiroshi Terashima, on the innovative and pragmatic approach taken by Japan in formulating the recently enacted Basic Act on Ocean Policy. Former Assistant Director-General of the FAO and eminent scholar Professor Emeritus Moritaka Hayashi provided an overview of the progress made by Japan in implementing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Dr Ronán Long from the School of Law at NUI Galway briefed the group on recent developments in European law and policy and reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to the next phase of professional development of the young diplomats through the establishment of a network of legal experts for the Asia Pacific region. The four days of meetings concluded with the participants from 15 countries agreeing a plan of action aimed at enhancing international cooperation on critical ocean law issues in the Asia Pacific Ocean region. -ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) NUI Galway will hold an Open Day for students considering applying or those who have already applied to NUI Galway, and for their parents or guardians. The event will be held on Saturday, 25 April, from 10am to 3pm at the NUI Galway Campus. A unique Open Day marquee will house a full range of subject-specific exhibition stands where information will be provided by lecturers and students on programmes and subjects, as well as practical issues such as university accommodation, scholarships, and general support services available to students. Student ambassadors will also be on hand to assist all queries about student life at NUI Galway. A programme of taster sessions will also run throughout the day, designed to give a real insight in to university life, including interactive demos with the latest gadgets including X-boxes and Lego Mindstorm kits to becoming a stock market trader on NUI Galway's virtual stock market. Also highly recommended is the 'Student Life Talk' and the 'Focus on your Career Talk'. Caroline Loughnane, organiser of NUI Galway's Spring Open Day, emphasised the crucial role played by parents in helping students choose what to study at third-level: "Choosing a university is one of the most important decisions a student will ever make. We recognise the key role that parents play in supporting students as they take this important next step, and are keen to ensure that access is available to all of the information needed to support sons and daughters through their university career. This event is an excellent opportunity to speak to lecturers and current students and to find out more about the courses and campus". The range of courses available at NUI Galway is vast and varied and many are unique to the University. A new B.E. in Energy Systems Engineering is now on offer in response to the identification of Ireland s future energy needs as a national priority. The four-year honours degree will have its first intake in September and will produce professional accredited engineers, qualified to drive the emerging energy related industries. Engineering Innovation – Electronic is also in its first year and will provide graduates with specialised multi-disciplinary skills to start their own business, centered on the development of innovative, niche, market-led, electronic products. The Sports and Exercise Engineering degree is in its second year of accepting applicants and is the first of its kind available in Ireland. With a radical departure from traditional Arts degrees, BA CONNECT offers seven four-year degrees designed to increase the employability of graduates by developing distinctive skills and creating connections with life beyond the campus. At present, NUI Galway is the only Irish university offering a denominated degree in marine science and it now has the highest concentration of marine scientists of any institution in Ireland. This degree also offers training on board national training vessels in the third year of study. Podiatry is a healthcare profession that specialises in the management of disease and disorder of the foot, angle, knee, leg and hip. The only such course available in the Republic of Ireland, Podiatry as a career can be extremely rewarding and fulfilling and can give immense job satisfaction. Tours of the campus on the day will give an insight in to university life, and the top class facilities offered at NUI Galway, including the brand new € 22 million Sports Complex. The Centre's facilities include an international standard swimming pool, a national league basketball arena, 100 piece cardiovascular gym, an elite training gym for professional athletes and a climbing wall. If you would like to learn more, visitors can book a place at the Open Day and receive a programme in advance by logging on to www.nuigalway.ie/openday. For further information contact 091 493664 or email visit@nuigalway.ie Fáilte roimh thuismitheoirí ag Lá Oscailte OÉ Gaillimh (View in English) Beidh Lá Oscailte ar siúl in OÉ Gaillimh do dhaltaí a rinne iarratas nó ar mian leo iarratas a dhéanamh ar áit in OÉ Gaillimh agus beidh fáilte roimh a dtuismitheoirí nó a gcaomhnóirí. Beidh sé ar siúl Dé Sathairn, an 25 Aibreán, idir 10am agus 3pm ar champas na hOllscoile. Beidh ollphuball ann don lá agus seastáin do gach ábhar. Tabharfaidh léachtóirí agus mic léinn eolas ar na cláir agus ábhair éagsúla chomh maith le heolas eile cosúil le lóistín, scoláireachtaí agus seirbhísí ginearálta tacaíochta atá ar fáil do mhic léinn. Beidh mic léinn ar fáil chomh maith chun ceisteanna a fhreagairt faoi shaol an mhic léinn in OÉ Gaillimh. Ar feadh an lae, beidh blaiseadh le fáil de chláir éagsúla, agus léargas le fáil ar shaol na hollscoile trí thaispeántais idirghníomhacha de na giúirléidí is nuaí ar nós X-box agus Lego Mindstorm agus eolas maidir le bheith i do thrádálaí ar stocmhargadh fíorúil OÉ Gaillimh. Moltar freastal ar na cainteanna faoi shaol an mhic léinn agus faoi ghairmeacha beatha. Chuir Caroline Loughnane, an té a d'eagraigh Lá Oscailte an Earraigh, béim ar an ról lárnach atá ag tuismitheoirí cuidiú le daltaí ábhar a roghnú sa tríú leibhéal: "Ceann de na roghanna is tábhachtaí a dhéanfaidh dalta ar bith ná ollscoil a roghnú. Tuigimid an ról atá ag tuismitheoirí cuidiú le daltaí agus iad ag tógáil na céime seo, agus táimid ag iarraidh a chinntiú go bhfuil fáil ar an eolas ar fad a theastaíonn chun tacú le do mhac nó d'iníon agus é/í ar an ollscoil. Is iontach an deis í seo le labhairt le léachtóirí agus le mic léinn agus níos mó eolais a fháil faoi chúrsaí agus faoin gcampas". Is iomaí cúrsa éagsúil atá ar fáil in OÉ Gaillimh, go deimhin níl cuid de na cúrsaí ar fáil in aon Ollscoil eile. Tá B.E. nua in Innealtóireacht Córas Fuinnimh á chur ar fáil ag OÉ Gaillimh de thairbhe go n-aithnítear gur tosaíocht náisiúnta riachtanais fuinnimh na hÉireann san am atá le teacht. Glacfar leis na chéad mhic léinn ar an gcéim onóracha ceithre bliana i mí Mheán Fómhair agus cuirfidh an cúrsa innealtóirí creidiúnaithe gairmiúla ar fáil a bheidh cáilithe le tionscail fuinnimh atá ag teacht chun cinn a dhreasú. Tá Nuálaíocht Innealtóireachta – Leictreonach ar fáil den chéad uair agus é mar aidhm leis sainscileanna ildisciplíneacha a thabhairt do chéimithe le cur ar a gcumas tús a chur lena ngnó féin; gnóthaí a bheidh dírithe ar tháirgí nuálaíochta, nideoige, táirgí faoi chinnireacht an mhargaidh, agus táirgí leictreonacha a fhorbairt. Is í seo an dara bliain a bhfuiltear ag glacadh le hiarratasóirí ar an gcéim cheannródaíoch Spóirt agus Innealtóireachta Aclaíochta. Fearacht gnáthchéimeanna sna Dána, tá seacht gcéim cheithre bliana in BA CONNECT a fheabhsóidh infhostaitheacht na gcéimithe trí scileanna a fhorbairt agus naisc a chruthú taobh amuigh den champas. Faoi láthair, is í OÉ Gaillimh an t-aon ollscoil in Éirinn a bhfuil céim ainmnithe aici sa mhuireolaíocht agus is san institiúid seo is mó atá eolaithe mara le fáil. Sa tríú bliain den chúrsa tugtar deis do na mic léinn oiliúint a fháil ar bord bhád náisiúnta oiliúna. Gairm í an chosliacht a dhíríonn ar ghalair agus ar neamhoird sa chos, rúitín, glúin agus corróg. Níl an cúrsa seo le fáil in aon áit eile sa Phoblacht agus bíonn an-sásamh le fáil as post mar choslia. Gheobhaidh daltaí léargas ar shaol na hollscoile trí dhul ar thuras mórthimpeall an champais ar an lá, mar aon le léargas ar na háiseanna atá ar fáil in OÉ Gaillimh lena n-áirítear an tIonad Spóirt a chosain €22 milliún. Tá linn snámha ar chaighdeán idirnáisiúnta, cúirt cispheile sraith náisiúnta, giomnáisiam cardashoithíoch le 100 píosa trealamh, giomnáisiam traenála den scoth do lúthchleasaithe gairmiúla agus balla dreapadóireachta le fáil san Ionad. Má tá tuilleadh eolais uait, is féidir áit a chur in áirithe ag an Lá Oscailte agus clár a fháil roimh ré ach dul chuig www.nuigalway.ie/openday. Glaoigh ar 091 493664 nó seol ríomhphost chuig visit@nuigalway.ie chun eolas breise a fháil. -Críoch-

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Eamon Ryan, T.D., made his first visit to NUI Galway yesterday, where he was welcomed to the Environmental Change Institute (ECI) by its Director, Professor Gerard Jennings. Researchers from the ECI's Energy, Environmental Technology and Environmental Informatics areas provided an overview to the Minister of active and ongoing research projects which are funding the next generation of 4th level environmental graduates. According to Professor Jennings, "Galway and the Western Region is an ideal location to conduct research on environmental and climate change to allow base-line studies to be performed on major global issues such as transboundary air pollution". Minister Ryan emphasised to environmental researchers the importance of making their research relevant by "taking it out into the real world through enterprise-led opportunities and patents but not just for the sake of strengthening the economy but for valid and sound environmental reasons". The 40 minute session with academic researchers was followed by a one-hour Question and Answer Session with the Minister chaired by the ECI's Development Manager, Dr Martina Prendergast. The session attracted over 80 key partners from local industry, business, local authorities, city council officials and representatives from national agencies such as Teagasc. Dr Martina Prendergast also welcomed the announcement by ESB of a series of initiatives to create and sustain up to 3,700 jobs in the new green economy. She stated that: "The majority of the jobs will be created in the areas of Smart Networks, Smart Metering, Electric Vehicles, Wind Energy and new Environmental Technologies. Such initiatives will require skilled graduates in areas such as Environmental Engineering. "According to an announcement by Minister Ryan at this session, "Ireland is in the top 3 or 4 countries in the world that can deliver initiatives such as Smart Grid Technologies, Cleaner Greener Energy, and Energy Efficiency". -Ends-

SPIE, the international optics and photonics society, is to honour Thomas Glynn of the School of Physics, NUI Galway as Fellow of the Society for his achievements in laser materials processing and optics education. SPIE will honour 59 new Fellows of the Society this year. Fellows are members of distinction who have made significant scientific and technical contributions in the multidisciplinary fields of optics, photonics, and imaging. They are honoured for their technical achievement, for their service to the general optics community, and to SPIE in particular. More than 600 SPIE members have become Fellows since the Society's inception in 1955. "The annual recognition of Fellows provides an opportunity for us to acknowledge outstanding members for their service to the general optics community," says María Yzuel, SPIE President. Professor Glynn's research centres on the optical properties of materials, and throughout his career, he has made numerous contributions to studies of the optical properties of a wide range of materials, to the applications of laser systems in materials processing, and to optics education. Just as important is his work in optics education and its broader dissemination of the principles and applications of photonics. Glynn is an active member of SPIE. He was elected to the SPIE Board of Directors for the term 2005-2007. He also was an organizer and chair of the Lasers & Optical Engineering conference (1997), and of the SPIE OPTO-Ireland regional conference (2002), both held in Galway. President of NUI Galway, Dr James J Browne, said: "It is a well deserved honour which reflects on the work of Professor Glynn, on the success of the National Centre for Laser Application (NCLA), the School of Physics and indeed on NUI Galway". -ends-