(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-