October 2005

"Students are at the core of everything NUI Galway does, from the provision of top-class facilities to promoting research, from recognising the importance of teaching to fostering social inclusion and encouraging diversity", stated Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, President of NUI Galway at the first of a series of conferring ceremonies today (Monday), that will see more than 4,000 students graduate by the end of the week. NUI Galway campus has experienced major infrastructural development with the investment of €200 million in new buildings. Dr Ó Muircheartaigh announced further developments, which include the imminent openings of the €16 million J.E. Cairnes Graduate School of Business and Public Policy and a €23 million Nursing and Therapies Building. Plans are at an advantaged stage for a proposed €55 million Engineering School and a major €21 million Sports Centre will commence in Spring 2006. During this week's conferring ceremonies, Dr Ó Muircheartaigh will also present the inaugural President's Awards for Teaching Excellence, in recognition of the many dedicated and inspirational teachers among Academic Staff, whose outstanding efforts ensure that students of NUI Galway receive the highest quality learning experience. Referring to NUI Galway's significant success in attracting research funding, which has amounted to €100 million since 1999, Dr Ó Muircheartaigh said this had enabled research centres to be established on campus which will "provide post-graduate opportunities for many of this week's graduates, opportunities which previously would only have been available abroad." He went on to urge the Government "to continue to invest in this research and education infrastructure, so that generations of graduates will have a future of economic prosperity and opportunity." Dr Ó Muircheartaigh stressed NUI Galway's commitment to social inclusion, saying that the University is "continuing to develop and expand educational programmes to enhance access for the widest population from the regional level to the international level." Through Adult Education and life-long learning opportunities, and through Access and Foundation courses for both school leavers and mature learners, especially for less advantaged students, NUI Galway continues to support the education needs of the wider population. The growing participation of students from abroad which brings increased cultural diversity to the campus, is an important dimension of student life and Dr Ó Muircheartaigh said that the recently established International Scholarship Programme, would enable talented students from the developing world to undertake post-graduate studies at NUI Galway. Ends

At a reception today, the Conference of Heads of Irish Universities (C.H.I.U), the representative body of the seven Irish Universities, announced the change of its name to the Irish Universities Association (IUA). Also unveiled was the organisation's new website www.iua.ie. The new name better represents the objectives of the organisation and its work on behalf of the seven universities. The IUA provides a forum for the Presidents and senior officers of the universities to identify the strategic challenges facing the university system and to agree on the policies and plans for tackling them and developing the sector. As well as representing the universities, the IUA has undertaken substantive work on behalf of the universities in areas such as the following – Establishing expertiseireland.com with the financial assistance of InterTradeIreland which now has online profiles of over 3,700 experts from the nine universities north and south, and a growing number from the Institutes of Technology. Operating the National Office for the Marie Curie Scheme –the most successful programme for Irish Research under the EU6th Framework Programme with funding of €42m already secured Setting up the Irish Researchers' Mobility Office & Portal with financial support from the European Commission and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Speaking at the launch, Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski, President of DCU said: "The change of name is timely, and will allow us to focus our efforts more effectively. We know that Ireland's growth and competitiveness depends on the universities being effective and coherent in acting together. We know that universities are critical in securing a succesful economy, a vibrant cultural life and a stable society. The universities must improve the international ranking of the system, but also exercise leadership within Ireland during these challenging times." Professor von Prondzynski used this opportunity to call on action by the government to deal with the critical issue of university funding as recommended by the OECD Report published over a year ago. He stated: "The present financial position of the sector is totally unsustainable. It's a problem that can be solved, but it needs to be solved right now, not next year, not some time in the future". He said that the IUA will continue to work in partnership with the government, its departments and agencies, the European Commission and other stakeholders. He said: "The objective is to make Ireland a leading knowledge society. It cannot be done without us. We are here to help." Ends

NUI Galway will confer Honorary MA degrees next week on PJ Curtis, Pádraic Breathnach and Ollie Jennings for their outstanding contribution to the Arts in Ireland. The ceremonies will take place Monday 24th October and Tuesday 25th October 2005. PJ Curtis, broadcaster, author, record producer and lecturer, will be recognised for his significant contribution to many aspects of Irish cultural life throughout a career that has spanned 30 years. A native of Kilnaboy, County Clare, Mr Curtis has won numerous awards for his radio documentaries which include the 1980 ground-breaking 'The House of R&B', the first programme on Irish radio to regularly feature authentic Blues, Cajun, African and World Music. Having produced 53 albums, he has worked with Ireland's finest artists and as a music historian, has lectured at home and throughout the US. Mr Curtis will be conferred with an honorary MA degree on Monday, 24th October at 11.00am. Padraic Breathnach, will be honoured for his immense contribution to cultural life in Galway and Ireland. A fluent Irish speaker, Pádraic grew up in Carna, Connemara. As a student in NUI Galway, he was deeply involved with An Cumann Drámaíochta and Dramsoc, where he teamed up with Ollie Jennings in a series of groundbreaking cultural initiatives in and out of college. He worked with An Taibhdhearc and Druid Theatres and became the first manager of Galway Arts Centre, before co-founding Macnas with Ollie Jennings. As both performer and Artistic Drector, Padraic Breathnach became the most visable face of Macnas, which as well as presenting the annual Galway parade, toured the US and with U2, over 40 cities in Europe. Macnas represented Ireland on the world cultural stage in Seville 1992 and was invited to usher in the new Millennium in New York in December 1999. As an actor, Pádraic has worked in several films and television programmes and now presents his own arts programme 'Soiscéal Phádraic' on TG4. Pádraic Breathnach will receive his honorary MA degree on Tuesday, 25th October at 11.00am. Ollie Jennings will also be honoured for his outstanding contribution to the Arts in Galway and Ireland. He worked alongside his friend Padraic Breathnach from his student days at NUI Galway, developing the Arts Festival into one of the most innovative and outstanding arts and cultural events in Europe. The two are synonomous with Galway's cultural renaissance in the last three decades. This artistic relationship was strengthened further when they co-founded the Macnas group. Ollie continued to develop and guide both organisations until 1990 when he joined the Sawdoctors as manager. Jennings will be conferred with an honorary MA degree on Tuesday, 25th October at 2.00pm. Ends

NUI Galway's Medical School is to join forces with the University of Ulster to provide increased opportunities for medical graduates in the north-western area. Proposed developments at the University of Ulster, focussed on its Magee campus in Derry will provide further impetus for the extension of healthcare education in the region. The Medical School at NUI Galway has also established links over many years with Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry and this has resulted in the formation of the western region education network incorporating all hospitals in the West and Northwest. With the expected permission of the State and the Higher Education Authority, NUI Galway intends to introduce graduate entry from 2006, doubling the number of places in its Medical school. It is the intention of the University that this development will provide places for 50 graduate students and 100 undergraduates annually. Graduate students will have an honours degree and will follow a four-year programme, in place of the six-year programme undergraduate students must complete and the University will continue to admit overseas students. "Clinical placement is crucial to medical education and while substantive links exist with affiliated hospitals in the Western region, there is potential for significant additional capacity at a clinical level for students in the these hospitals including Letterkenny, Sligo, Roscommon, Portiuncula and Castlebar," says Dr Phillip A Carney, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NUI Galway. The Faculty encompasses a School of Nursing and a School of Therapies, and it is anticipated that by 2007, it will accommodate over 1,400 students. St. Angela's College, Sligo has recently become a constituent college of NUI Galway and the University is also uniquely placed in that it is the only university within the EU-designated Border, Midlands and West (BMW) area. Dr Carney said: "NUI Galway and the University of Ulster believe that the provision of suitable doctors for the BMW region as well as the western half of Northern Ireland may best be achieved by expanding medical education opportunities in the locality. It has long been recognised that graduates in any discipline from a particular university are more likely to seek employment in the area where they are educated. A further benefit of a conjoint approach by the two universities to undergraduate medical education will be the development of cross-border research programmes, which will lead to more effective patient care in the region enhancing opportunities for continuing professional development for all professional groups in the Health Services in both institutions". The University of Ulster's commitment to enhancing the provision and quality of professional healthcare education in the North West was emphasised by Professor Bernie Hannigan, Pro-Vice Chancellor. "We are delighted to work closely with NUI Galway,' said Professor Hannigan. 'Improved medical education will bring many benefits to the standards of care available in the region and will be a new and important focus for economic development. Effective partnerships, both among universities and the health sector across the North West are essential for success." Ends

The National University of Ireland has awarded the Irish Historical Research Prize 2005 to Christopher Maginn for 'Civilizing' Gaelic Leinster: The Extension of Tudor Rule in the O'Byrne and O'Toole Lordships published by Four Courts Press in 2004. The Irish Historical Research Prize of €3,000 is awarded for the best work of original scholarship by an NUI graduate or student published in the past three years. Dr Christopher Maginn is a graduate of NUI Galway and Assistant Professor of History at Fordham University, New York. Special Commendation was given to Dr Nollaig O Muraíle for his mammoth five volume edition of Leabhar Mór na nGenealach: The Great Book of Irish Genealogies compiled (1645-66) by Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh, published by Eamonn de Búrca/Edmund Burke, Publisher 2004, which he considered "an enormous contribution to the study of Irish genealogy". Dr Ó Muraíle, is a member of the staff of the NUI Galway Scoil na Gaeilge. The last winner of the Irish Historical Research Prize was Nicholas P. Canny for,Making Ireland British 1580-1650 published in 2001 by Oxford University Press. The full list of NUI Galway graduates who were awarded NUI awards are as follows: Irish Historical Research Prize Dr Christopher R. Maginn NUI Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Humanities Dr Jane S. Grogan Travelling Studentship in Archaeology Mr John G. Malcolm Travelling Studentship in Medicine Dr Esther O'Sullivan Travelling Studentship in Mathematics Ms Brenda Ryan Travelling Studentship in Astrophysics Mr Damien Quinn Dr. Mary.L. Thornton Scholarship in Education Ms Elaine Keane Dr HH Stewart Literary Scholarship in French - 2nd Prize Ms Chloé Diskin Dr HH Stewart Literary Scholarship in German – 2nd Prize Ms Mairéad Una Ní Chatháin Dr HH Stewart Literary Scholarship in German - CommendationMs Chloé Diskin Dr HH Stewart Literary Scholarship in Italian – 3rd Prize Ms Cristina Ciamberlano Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Biochemistry – 3rd Prize Mr Chee Peng Hor Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Gynaecology and Obstetrics Ms Gabrielle Colleran Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Gynaecology and Obstetrics – 2nd Prize Mr Nigel Glynn Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Medical Microbiology Ms Rachel Fallon Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Medical Microbiology – 3rd Prize Ms Ciara Freeman Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Medicine, Ms Emma Harrington Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Paediatrics Mr Donal Sexton Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Pathology – 2nd Prize Mr Kevin Cronin Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Pharmacology Ms Maeve Ann O'Reilly Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Physiology – 2nd Prize Mr Patrick Gleeson Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Psychiatry – 3rd Prize Ms Éadaoin Ní Challaráin Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Psychiatry - Commendation Mr Donal Sexton Dr HH Stewart Medical Scholarship in Surgery – 2nd Prize Ms Michelle O'Shaughnessy NUI/Denis Phelan Scholarship in Electronic Engineering Mr Dermot Campbell NUI/Denis Phelan Scholarship in Science: in the "Numerative Sciences" Mr Connell Murphy NUI/French Government Medal and NUI Prize for Proficiency in French Ms Valeria Ballarotti

Best-selling author and journalist, Robert Fisk will deliver a public talk entitled "Into the wilderness: how to escape history in Iraq" in the Kirwan Lecture Theatre, Arts/Science Building, NUI Galway at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 18 October 2005. The event is a joint benefit for the Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway and Amnesty International (Ireland). Fisk, based in Beirut as Middle East Correspondent of 'The Independent,' has lived in the Middle East for almost three decades and holds more British and international journalism awards than any other foreign correspondent. His last book, "Pity the Nation," a history of the war in Lebanon, was published to great critical acclaim. His recent publication "The Great War for Civilisation: the Conquest of the Middle East," provides a narrative of how the bloodshed and cruelty unfolding in Iraq, Afghanistan, Algeria, Iran, Palestine and other battlefields, the carnage of September 11th, 2001 and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's brutal regime take on a new and frightening meaning. Dr Kathleen Cavanaugh, Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway said: "The role of the media in providing a fact finding mechanism and framework through which we can better understand geo-political events is crucial. Increasingly, however, significant questions have been raised regarding the independence of the media and whether many 'news' sources are, in fact, reporting on facts or increasingly tied to the political landscape. Robert Fisk has stood apart from this worrying trend and consistently provides a powerful and passionate commentary, which challenges, disturbs and pinpricks the conscience. We are delighted he has agreed to join us here in Galway to share his views of the tragedy that is today's Iraq." Seán Love, Executive Director of Amnesty International Irish Section said: "Robert Fisk is a true investigative journalist, utterly independent, fearless in where he is willing to go and what he is willing to write. His journalism and his books have exposed serious human rights issues in many parts of the world, and his ongoing willingness to expose injustice - no matter who it places in the dock - is a shining example to journalism, and to the very precious right and responsibility of freedom of expression." During his visit to NUI Galway on the 18th October, the Irish Centre for Human Rights (ICHR) will also host a book signing for Robert Fisk. This event will take place from 5.00pm to 6.30pm, at the Centre (located just across from the Cathedral in a two storey yellow stone building, near the University rowing club). Tickets for the public lecture will go on sale today (Monday) in Áras Fáilte, NUI Galway's Visitor and Information Centre and also in the Amnesty International Shop on Middle Street, Galway. Please note that there is a limited number of tickets available and these will be sold on a first come first served basis with ticket prices at €8 for students, unwaged and Amnesty members and €15 for all others. Ends