NUI Galway students whose performance at their pre-degree examinations in 2004-05 was outstanding were honoured at a special ceremony today (Wednesday) at 11.00 in Áras na Mac Léinn. The President, Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, conferred the title 'University Scholar', together with a cheque for €250 and a specially designed scroll, on 391 students to mark their achievement in reaching First-class Honours standard at their examinations.

The occasion also marked the award of 155 other Prizes across all Faculties, including 27 NUI Scholarships and Prizes won by NUI Galway students.

Dr. Ó Muircheartaigh said that the ceremony highlighted for students the remarkable number and range of opportunities provided by this University for recognition of academic performance – a total of some 546 individual awards in 2004-05.

"As an institution dedicated to academic excellence", he said, "the University is happy to mark today in this way the dedication of each of you students to developing your academic potential. The public recognition accorded you by this title of University Scholar will, I hope, encourage you further in that direction without neglecting the many other opportunities for personal development offered you by the University in the social and sporting arenas."

He added that they were obviously, also well capable of going on in due course to do postgraduate research here and, for that purpose, to avail of the major research funding won by NUI Galway in recent years in all Faculties.

Speaking of the Prizes, he said that the number and variety of these awards were a striking testimony of the support enjoyed by the University from industry and companies and private donors, all of whom he thanked for their generosity.

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