June

Portráid nochta in Aula Maxima na hOllscoile mar chomhartha ómóis dá bhfuil déanta ag an iarbhreitheamh don institiúid sin  Tugadh ómós don Bhreitheamh Catherine McGuinness in OÉ Gaillimh nuair a nochtadh portráid choimisiúnaithe di san Ollscoil. Bhí an breitheamh Cúirte Uachtaraí atá ar scor ina Cathaoirleach ar Údarás na hOllscoile ó ceapadh í i mí Feabhra 2013 go dtí Eanáir 2021. Rinneadh coimisiúnú ar leith ar an ealaíontóir mór le rá Hetty Lawlor le portráid den Bhreitheamh McGuinness a tharraingt, mar cheiliúradh ar a raibh déanta aici do OÉ Gaillimh. Bhí Catherine McGuinness ina Cathaoirleach ar Údarás na hOllscoile ar feadh ocht mbliana agus threoraigh sí an Ollscoil trí thréimhse shuntasach forbartha. Faoina stiúir, rinneadh athrú ó bhonn ar champais OÉ Gaillimh, cuireadh go leor áiseanna nua teagaisc agus taighde ar fáil, tháinig méaduithe suntasacha ar líon na mac léinn agus fás tapa ar fheidhmíocht agus ar phróifíl taighde na hOllscoile go hidirnáisiúnta.  Agus é ag nochtadh an tsaothair ealaíne, thréaslaigh Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, a gairm bheatha agus a cuid abhcóideachta leis an mBreitheamh McGuinness. “Léirítear sa phortráid seo cineáltas agus eagna Catherine McGuinness, tréithe a roinn sí linne in OÉ Gaillimh agus a léirigh sí ina saol agus ina gairm bheatha. In OÉ Gaillimh is mór againn ár gcuid luachanna - meas, oscailteacht, barr feabhais agus inbhuanaitheacht. Is é an aidhm atá againn ná go mbeadh na luachanna sin dár dtreorú inár gcuid oibre mar phobal agus ar mhaithe le leas an phobail. Is mór an phribhléid é a bheith ag obair le duine ar léiriú cruthanta ar na luachanna sin a saol agus a gairm bheatha,” a dúirt an tOllamh Ó hÓgartaigh. “Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an mBreitheamh McGuinness as an tacaíocht mheáite a thug sí agus as a léargas fíorluachmhar - an cineáltas agus an ghaois - nuair a bhí Údarás na hOllscoile faoina stiúir ar feadh blianta fada." Bhí an méid seo le rá ag an mBreitheamh McGuinness: “Ba mhór an onóir é a bheith ag obair le OÉ Gaillimh agus cúnamh beag a thabhairt don dul chun cinn iontach atá déanta ag an Ollscoil le blianta beaga anuas. Is mór an onóir dom freisin aitheantas buan a bheith léirithe dom leis an bportráid seo. Táim buíoch díobh siúd ar fad a raibh sé d’ádh orm oibriú leo agus guím gach rath ar an ollscoil sa teagasc agus san fhoghlaim, sa saol acadúil agus sa taighde agus san obair ar son leas an phobail.” Bhí an méid seo le rá ag an Dr Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Cathaoirleach reatha Údarás na hOllscoile, OÉ Gaillimh: “Bhí taithí uathúil ag an mBreitheamh McGuinness agus í ag tabhairt faoina ról mar Chathaoirleach Údarás na hOllscoile. Bhain sí éachtaí amach ina gairm bheatha sular ceapadh í ar Údarás na hOllscoile. B’iarSheanadóir í agus bhí sí i mbun gníomhaíochais ar feadh a saoil. Rinne sí a cuid oibre go críonna mar Bhreitheamh sa Chúirt Chuarda, san Ard-Chúirt agus sa Chúirt Uachtarach. Cheap an tUachtarán Pádraig Ó hIrghile agus an tUachtarán Micheál D. Ó hUigínn araon í ina ball den Chomhairle Stáit. D’fheidhmigh sí ar an nGníomhaireacht um Chomhionannas Fostaíochta, ar an bhFóram um Shíocháin agus Athmhuintearas agus bhí sí ina pátrún ar Chomhairle Teifeach na hÉireann.  Bhí taithí ar leith aici agus léirigh sí cumas breithiúnais ar leith agus í i ról an Chathaoirligh. Tá an Ollscoil faoi chomaoin aici as an obair agus an tiomantas a léirigh sí dá lán den fhorbairt atá déanta inti ó 2013 i leith.” Tá Údarás na hOllscoile, Údarás Rialaithe OÉ Gaillimh, freagrach as maoirsiú a dhéanamh ar ghnóthaí na hollscoile agus tá sé freagrach as rialachas iomlán na hOllscoile, de réir Acht na nOllscoileanna, 1997. Tugann sé ceannaireacht agus treoir straitéiseach leanúnach chun go n-éireoidh leis an Ollscoil a misean oideachais agus taighde a chur i gcrích. Críoch

Portrait unveiled at University’s Aula Maxima to mark former judge’s contribution to the institution  Judge Catherine McGuinness has been honoured by NUI Galway with the unveiling of a specially commissioned portrait at the University.  The retired Supreme Court judge served as Chair of Údarás na hOllscoile – the University’s Governing Authority – from her appointment in February 2013 until January 2021. Judge McGuinness’s portrait, by award-winning artist Hetty Lawlor, was specially commissioned to mark her exceptional contribution to NUI Galway. Catherine McGuinness served as Cathaoirleach of Údarás na hOllscoile for eight years and guided the University through a significant period in its development. Under her stewardship NUI Galway saw the transformation of its campuses, with the addition of many new facilities for teaching and research, significant increases in student numbers and rapid growth in the University’s research performance and profile internationally. Unveiling the artwork, President of NUI Galway Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh paid tribute to Judge McGuinness’s career and advocacy. “This portrait captures the kindness and wisdom of Catherine McGuinness, attributes which she brought to us at NUI Galway and to her life and career. At NUI Galway our values - respect, openness, excellence and sustainability - are important to us. Our aim is that they are the lodestar for all our work as a community and for the public good. It is a privilege to have worked with someone whose life and career is the very embodiment of the essence of those values,” Professor Ó hÓgartaigh said.  “I want to thank Judge McGuinness for the steady support and invaluable insight - the kindness and wisdom - she brought to the role and the stewardship of Údarás na hOllscoile -  our Governing Authority - for many years.” Judge McGuinness said: “It has been a huge honour to have worked with NUI Galway and to have helped in a small measure with the tremendous progress the University has made in recent years. I am also honoured to be permanently recognised with a portrait. I am grateful to all those I was fortunate enough to work with and I wish the university every success in teaching and learning, in academia and research and working for the public good.” Dr Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, current Chairperson of Údarás na hOllscoile, NUI Galway, said: “Judge McGuinness brought a unique experience to her role as chair of Údarás na hOllscoile. She came to the Údarás after a stellar career. She was a former Senator and a lifelong activist. She served with distinction as a Judge of the Circuit, High and Supreme Courts. She was appointed as a member of the Council of State by both President Patrick Hillery and President Michael D. Higgins. She served on the Employment Equality Agency, the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation and became patron of the Irish Refugee Council.  She brought a unique breadth of experience and judgement to the role of Cathaoirleach and the University is indebted to her for the work and dedication she showed to so much of its development since 2013." Údarás na hOllscoile, the Governing Authority of NUI Galway, is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the university and is charged with the overall governance of the University, in accordance with the Universities Act 1997. It provides active strategic direction and leadership to enable the University to succeed in its mission of education and research. Ends 

NUI Galway has selected six projects by current and retired staff to showcase the breadth of the history of the institution.  NUI Galway was established in 1845 as Queen’s College Galway, and following construction of the iconic Quadrangle building, the University opened its doors four years later to the first cohort of just 68 students.   The six projects selected aim to draw on the history and heritage of the institution and to deepen its connection to the community and its focus on working for public good. Following the announcement of the six projects NUI Galway President Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “I am particularly pleased that these research projects are rooted in our university community in all of its diversity. They include research on the history of LGBTQ in our university, as well as that of the Irish Traveller community here. They draw on the collective memory of our retired staff, who hold so much institutional knowledge and social history of this place.  “The projects include the beginning of Irish language scholarship in the university through the figure of Tomás Ó Máille, as well as the development of our Library and archives – both of which set this university apart. And they engage students in using the most up-to-date technologies to record our current shape and size for future scholars.” The initiative to select six projects follows on from the celebration of the university’s 175th anniversary in 2020.  They are:  Culture and Citizenship: Tomás Ó Máille by Professor Lillis Ó Laoire and Dr Deirdre Ní Chonghaile  This exhibition celebrates the life and work of Professor Tomás Ó Máille (1880-1938), Galway's first Professor of Irish from 1909 to 1938. A folklore collector, linguist, newspaper editor, one-time Irish Volunteer and founding member of An Taibhdhearc, he is best known for his books An Béal Beo and An tIomaire Rua.  Ó Máille recorded hundreds of wax cylinders - recently digitized - of songs and stories from Irish speakers from every county west of the Shannon.  A key figure in the emergence of the modern Irish state, culture and citizenship are the cornerstones of Ó Máille's legacy.  The exhibition will run in the Hardiman Research Building from September 16 until December before touring. Exploring LGBTQ+ Lives at NUI Galway by Dr Declan Coogan and NUI Galway LGBT+ Staff Network Committee The key question this project will seek to answer is who/what were the people, places and events within or led by our university that influenced progress on human rights for LGBTQ+ people?  The project will also ask about the issues that remain to be resolved and co-develop strategies the university and partners might adopt to promote future progress.  MincéirsArchive – An Online Digital Archive of the Irish Travelling Community by Owen Ward, the Traveller History and Culture Sub-Working Group, Mincéirs Misl'd in Education Committee, Mincéirs Whiden Society, and Kieran Hoare, NUI Galway Library This is a digital archive of a growing collection of all types, complemented by historical documents and scholarly texts.  It will illustrate NUI Galway’s positive relationship with the Irish Traveller community, enhancing our university’s reputation as a champion for equality, inclusion and diversity.  The collection will include items from numerous archives and the team are making a public call for donations of historical materials linked to Traveller culture. History of the Library in 100 Objects by Marie Boran, Caitriona Cannon, Geraldine Curtin, Patricia Ffrench and Emma Goode, with assistance from Eimhin Joyce and NUI Galway Library The Library opened in 1849, with the distinguished scholar and historian, James Hardiman, as the first librarian.  One hundred objects will be chosen from collections - including books, manuscripts, archival collections, letters, photographs, newspaper issues, library furniture, stationery or artefacts - to tell its story. A Virtual and Tactile Record of the NUI Galway Campus Today by Eileen Kennedy and MakerSpace student volunteers Drone photography and photogrammetry will be used to generate a snapshot of the University campus as it stands, 177 years since its founding, and create a 3d virtual campus map. A Visual History Archive for NUI Galway: The Retired Staff Collection by Professor Jane Conroy, Professor Gerard Jennings, and Dr Séamus Mac Mathúna on behalf of the Retired Staff Association/Agallamh na Seanórach Drawing on private collections of photographs and film, this project will create a visual record of the University’s past. It will be the first university in Ireland to document and preserve its history and the history of its people and community in this way.  Ends

Tá sé thionscadal roghnaithe ag OÉ Gaillimh a raibh baint ag comhaltaí foirne reatha agus comhaltaí foirne atá ar scor leo chun stair na hinstitiúide a léiriú.  Bunaíodh OÉ Gaillimh sa bhliain 1845 mar Choláiste na Banríona, Gaillimh agus nuair a tógadh an Chearnóg aitheanta osclaíodh doirse na hOllscoile ceithre bliana ina dhiaidh sin don chéad chohórt de 68 mac léinn. Tá sé mar aidhm ag na sé thionscadal a roghnaíodh tarraingt ar stair agus oidhreacht na hinstitiúide agus a nasc leis an bpobal agus a fócas ar oibriú ar son leas an phobail a neartú. Tar éis na sé thionscadal a fhógairt dúirt Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh: “Tá áthas faoi leith orm go bhfuil na tionscadail taighde seo fréamhaithe i bpobail éagsúla na hollscoile. Áirítear leo taighde ar an stair LGBTQ san ollscoil, chomh maith le pobal Taistealaithe na hÉireann anseo. Tarraingíonn siad ar chuimhní ár gcomhaltaí foirne ar scor a bhfuil an oiread sin eolas institiúideach faoin áit seo agus faoin stair shóisialta acu.  Áiríonn na tionscadail chomh maith spléachadh ar thús léann na Gaeilge san ollscoil trí shaol agus saothar Thomáis Uí Mháille, chomh maith le forbairt na Leabharlainne agus na gCartlann – ar gnéithe uathúla an dá cheann acu den ollscoil seo. Anuas air sin, déanfaidh siad spéis ár gcuid mac léinn a spreagadh trí úsáid a bhaint as na teicneolaíochtaí is nuaí chun go mbeidh taifead ar chuma agus cruth reatha na hollscoile ann do scoláirí na todhchaí.” Tagann an tionscnamh chun sé thionscadal a roghnú sna sála ar an gcomóradh 175 bliain den ollscoil in 2020.  Seo a leanas na tionscadail:  Cultúr agus Saoránacht: Tomás Ó Máille leis an Ollamh Lillis Ó Laoire agus an Dr Deirdre Ní Chonghaile Déanann an taispeántas seo saol agus saothar an Ollaimh Tomás Ó Máille (1880-1938) a cheiliúradh, arbh é an chéad Ollamh le Gaeilge i nGaillimh é idir 1909 agus 1938. Is fearr an aithne atá air as a leabhair An Béal Beo agus An tIomaire Rua agus bhí sé ina bhailitheoir béaloidis, ina theangeolaí, ina eagarthóir nuachtáin, ina bhall d’Óglaigh na hÉireann tráth, agus ar dhuine acu siúd a bhunaigh an Taibhdhearc.  Rinne Ó Máille amhráin agus scéalta ó chainteoirí Gaeilge ó gach contae taobh thiar den tSionainn a thaifeadadh ar shorcóirí céarach, agus tá digitiú déanta ar na sorcóirí sin le gairid.  Bhí Ó Máille ar dhuine de cheannródaithe stát nua-aimseartha na hÉireann, agus cultúr agus saoránacht ina mbunchlocha dá oidhreacht.  Reáchtálfar an taispeántas in Áras Taighde Uí Argadáin ón 16 Meán Fómhair 2022 go dtí mí na Nollag 2022, sula dtéann sé ar camchuairt. Iniúchadh ar an Eispéireas LGBTQ+ in OÉ Gaillimh leis an Dr Declan Coogan agus Coiste Líonra Foirne LGBT+ OÉ Gaillimh Féachfaidh an tionscadal seo leis an bpríomhcheist seo a fhreagairt: cé hiad na daoine, nó céard iad na háiteanna nó na himeachtaí laistigh dár n-ollscoil, nó a raibh an ollscoil i gceannas orthu, a raibh tionchar acu ar an dul chun cinn atá déanta ag daoine LGBTQ+ maidir le cearta an duine?  Déanfaidh an tionscadal cíoradh ar na saincheisteanna atá fós le réiteach agus forbróidh sé straitéisí a bhféadfadh an ollscoil agus comhpháirtithe eile glacadh leo chun dul chun cinn sa todhchaí a éascú.  Cartlann Mincéirs – Cartlann Dhigiteach ar Líne de Phobal Taistealaithe na hÉireann le Owen Ward, Foghrúpa Oibre Stair agus Chultúr na dTaistealaithe, Coiste Mincéirs Misl'd in Education, Cumann Mincéirs Whiden, agus Kieran Hoare, Leabharlann OÉ Gaillimh Cartlann dhigiteach í seo ina bhfuil bailiúchán ilchineálach ábhair. Táthar ag cur leis an mbailiúchán i gcónaí, agus san áireamh ann tá cáipéisí stairiúla agus téacsanna scolártha.  Féachann an chartlann le caidreamh dearfach OÉ Gaillimh le pobal Taistealaithe na hÉireann a léiriú, rud a chuirfidh le cáil na hollscoile mar eiseamláir den chomhionannas, den chuimsitheacht agus den éagsúlacht.  San áireamh sa bhailiúchán beidh míreanna ó chartlanna go leor agus tá glao poiblí á dhéanamh ag an bhfoireann ábhair stairiúla a bhaineann le cultúr an phobail Taistealaithe a fháil. Stair na Leabharlainne in 100 Réad le Marie Boran, Caitriona Cannon, Geraldine Curtin, Patricia Ffrench agus Emma Goode, le cúnamh ó Eimhin Joyce agus Leabharlann OÉ Gaillimh Osclaíodh an Leabharlann in 1849 nuair a bhí an scoláire agus staraí iomráiteach, Séamus Ó hArgadáin, ina chéad leabharlannaí.  Roghnófar 100 réad ó bhailiúcháin na leabharlainne, lena n-áirítear leabhair, lámhscríbhinní, bailiúcháin chartlainne, litreacha, grianghraif, nuachtáin, troscán leabharlainne, stáiseanóireacht nó déantáin, chun a scéal a insint. Taifead Fíorúil agus Tadhaill de Champas OÉ Gaillimh Inniu le Eileen Kennedy agus mic léinn Chúinne na Cruthaitheachta Úsáidfear grianghrafadóireacht dróin agus fótagraiméadracht chun íomhá a ghiniúint de champas na hOllscoile mar atá sé 177 bliain tar éis a bhunaithe, agus chun mapa fíorúil tríthoiseach (3T) a chruthú. Cartlann Amharc-Staire do OÉ Gaillimh: Bailiúchán na Foirne ar Scor leis an Ollamh Jane Conroy, an tOllamh Gerard Jennings, agus an Dr Séamus Mac Mathúna thar ceann Chumann na gComhaltaí Foirne ar Scor / Agallamh na Seanórach Ag tarraingt ar bhailiúcháin phríobháideacha grianghraf agus físeán cruthóidh an tionscadal seo taifead físiúil de stair na hOllscoile. Beidh OÉ Gaillimh ar an gcéad Ollscoil in Éirinn a dhéanfaidh a stair agus stair a comhluadair agus a pobail a chur ar taifead ar an gcaoi sin.  Críoch

New research by NUI Galway has found that cost of purpose-built student accommodation is a barrier to full participation in third level from prospective students.  The research compares rents and availability of university provided student accommodation in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England and some European Universities.  The 68 page report shows that purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) offered by Irish universities is relatively costly, compared with universities in Northern Ireland and some European universities.  The report is available here. The research noted that the cost and extent of PBSA is of major concern to Student Unions and prospective students, and that it acts as a barrier to full participation from potential students, including those with disabilities, as well as some international students. The development of high cost, private, tax relief driven, investor-led PBSA is driving higher rents and lowering space and accommodation standards. This research was conducted Áine Dillon, BCL Law Student, and Professor Padraic Kenna at the Centre for Housing Law, Rights and Policy, NUI Galway over the past year. It found that single occupancy rooms make up less than half the accommodation provided by Irish universities, with shared occupancy rooms most common in NUI Galway and University College Cork. Professor Kenna said: “It is a surprising finding that rents for university provided purpose-built student accommodation are so high in Ireland. These could rise even further due to current development costs. Without a capital subsidy to the university providers, it will be increasingly difficult to provide affordable new student accommodation. With that in mind, our report recommends the establishment of Student Housing Associations (Approved Housing Bodies) to provide affordable student accommodation.” The report advocates for low-cost, socially inclusive, disability friendly, digitally advanced, student housing. Access to affordable and good quality PBSA is a significant public interest issue, and one which will be highlighted as the new Technological Universities in Ireland begin to provide student accommodation. Ends

School of Health Sciences becomes ninth school in the University to achieve Athena Swan Bronze Award All three schools in NUI Galway’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences now hold Bronze awards  NUI Galway has reached a new level in advancing gender equality, with the School of Health Sciences securing the ninth Athena Swan Bronze Award for the University. The award recognised the commitment to advancing gender equality in health sciences for both staff and students, and in creating cultural change within the University.  NUI Galway Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Helen Maher, said: “All of us at NUI Galway are sharing in the congratulations for the School of Health Sciences. We are greatly encouraged by the progress our university has made on gender equality, particularly in the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences – where all three schools have secured bronze awards”.  “This latest award demonstrates that our efforts and our commitment on this unfinished journey are embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in our culture and our collective responsibilities.”  The Athena Swan Bronze Award represents the commitment to equality in the School of Health Sciences and highlights the work which has been undertaken to identify gender equality issues, such as the underrepresentation of men and understaffing in some areas and the ongoing impacts of the pandemic. Professor Martin O’Donnell, Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at NUI Galway, said: “We would like to congratulate the School of Heath Sciences in attaining the Bronze medal award, particularly the work of the self-assessment team. All three Schools in our College have now attained Bronze Awards, which demonstrates an important but initial step in our commitment to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion in our College and wider community.”   Professor Caroline McIntosh, Head of the School of Health Sciences at NUI Galway, said: “I am very proud to have the School of Health Sciences awarded the Bronze Athena Swan award. I look forward to supporting the implementation of our action plan to foster an environment where all staff feel that they have ample prospects to reach their potential.  “Our action plan lays the foundation for embedding equality, inclusion, and support within our School. A particular challenge for our School is the extreme gender imbalance- our professions are predominantly female with low male representation, which is clearly reflected in our own academic and student profile. Through the implementation of our action plan we aim to work towards greater gender representation in our professions while also addressing the more well-known gender equality issues associated with a predominantly female School.” Ends

Minister for State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan T.D. has today opened the international Health Promotion Conference at NUI Galway. National and International experts are presenting on topics under the theme of this year’s event - “Health Inequality: Action for Change”. The annual Health Promotion Conference at NUI Galway is in its 26th year and is co-hosted by the Health Service Executive, the Department of Health, the Association for Health Promotion Ireland and the Institute of Public Health.  Minister Feighan addressed the conference, saying: “The annual conference provides a great opportunity for more cutting-edge health promotion research, as well as expanding links between knowledge and implementation and broadening connections between researchers, policy makers and practitioners. Ultimately in society, everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.” The aim of the conference is to address health inequalities associated with socio-economic factors in Ireland and internationally, and the impact these factors have on life expectancy rates, mortality, chronic conditions depending on education, employment, income level, living environment and ethnicity.  The conference will hear how these factors have been exposed and amplified by the pandemic. This will be specifically addressed by Sir Michael Marmot, keynote speaker from the Institute of Health Equity in University College London.  Professor Margaret Hodgins, Conference Co-Chair, Health Promotion Research Centre and Discipline of Health Promotion, NUI Galway, said: “This conference is bringing together the best of NUI Galway and national and international experts on health inequalities to look to highlight cutting-edge research and innovation initiatives as well as to expand links between research and action, and to broaden connections among a diverse community of researchers, policymakers and practitioners. It will provide the opportunity to discuss meaningful action for change and to learn from the experiences of international colleagues.”  The conference will focus on reframing lifestyle approaches to health improvement to ensure they are underpinned by an approach that recognises and addresses the wider determinants of health. This is consistent with the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme, launched by the HSE in 2021 to address health inequity, a place-based approach that aims to focus on local areas in which health and wellbeing risk factors are particularly concentrated.  International and national keynote addresses include  Sir Michael Marmot, Professor of Epidemiology at University College London since 1985, Director of the UCL Institute of Health Equity and advisor to the WHO Director-General on social determinants of health.  Professor Jane South, Professor of Healthy Communities at Leeds Beckett University, UK and the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, will explore the importance of community-centred approaches as a way of reducing health inequity. Professor Jennie Popay, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Public Health at Lancaster University. Dr Helen McAvoy. Director of Policy, Institute of Public Health, Ireland. Greg Straton. Assistant Principal Officer, Health and Wellbeing Unit, Department of Health, Ireland. For further information on the conference and full programme details, visit: www.nuigalway.ie/hpconference  Ends

ICHEC (Irish Centre for High-End Computing) welcomes EU support for supercomputing  The Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) at NUI Galway has been selected by the EU as the home for a new supercomputer. Ireland is one of five successful countries, along with Germany, Hungary, Greece and Poland, chosen to operate the next generation of European High Performance Computing. The announcement of EU funding is the first step in a process which will be completed subject to national co-funding arrangements.  President of NUI Galway Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “The key benefit of a super-computing technology of this excellence is its capacity to model complexity and to radically expand our research opportunities. “Our core values at NUI Galway include openness and respect and computing infrastructure of this capacity will be a significant asset in that regard as it futureproofs our approach to research, respecting the evidence and making a major contribution to openly supporting the scientific research community in Ireland. It also fits with so many aspects of our research strategy, using data to support research and policy-making in the environment, marine, healthcare, and in supporting a good society.” Commenting on the successful bid Professor. J-C Desplat, ICHEC, said: “A new supercomputer, expected to be around 25 times more powerful than the current national supercomputer Kay, would provide a national competence development platform for both numerical modelling and for the next generation of data-centric techniques and platforms and, as such, accelerate the adoption of powerful new hybrid techniques embedding machine learning within mainstream computational science models and Grand Challenges.”  Professor Jim Livesey, Vice President Research and Innovation, NUI Galway, said: “The key feature of machine of this nature is its capacity to model complexity. As weather patterns change, as the future of distributed energy networks change, as we attempt to predict food supply needs of the future, we need a totally new kind of computing capacity to support our endeavours in these areas for the public good.” EuroHPC supercomputers will be available to serve a wide range of European users, including  the scientific community, industry and the public sector, powering new applications in a wide range of areas, from designing medicines and new materials to fighting climate change, they will advance science, boost the innovation potential of enterprises while ultimately improving the citizens’ quality of life. Ends

Honorary doctorate awarded to world renowned creator of music scores for hit films and video games as university celebrates summer conferring  World renowned composer and conductor Eímear Noone was today awarded an honorary doctorate by NUI Galway.  The award-winning artist and creator of scores for 26 film and video game titles was conferred a Doctor of Music honoris causa at the university’s summer conferring. Almost 300 NUI Galway students were conferred at the ceremony. The largest cohort included more than 180 doctors who received their Honours Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and Bachelor of Obstetrics (MB, BCh, BAO) degree. Eímear Noone said: “I am delighted to be getting this honorary Doctorate of Music and it’s particularly poignant that it’s the same year that the first students of the university’s Bachelor of Music are graduating from NUI Galway.  “To be honoured in my own home county, in Galway, is so meaningful and overwhelming. If I was to offer any advice to the graduates of today it’s this -  take the ‘don’t be bold’ that we are told as kids, and turn it on its head, and go out there and be bold.”  A world-renowned conductor and award-winning composer, Eímear Noone is based out of Los Angeles and Dublin. Originally from Kilconnell, Co Galway, she made history in 2020 when she became the first woman to conduct the orchestra at the Academy Awards.  Eímear Noone has composed extensively for film and video games. Her portfolio of scores for 26 film and video-game titles has reached more than 100 million people worldwide and has won multiple industry accolades including the Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Video Game Score. The honorary conferring took place at a special graduation celebration for more than 150 former students who completed studies in 2021 and whose winter conferring was postponed, along with graduates who completed studies in 2020 and were conferred in absentia due to public health restrictions during the pandemic.  President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “On behalf of NUI Galway, I congratulate each of the graduates on their hard work and achievement in challenging times. We in NUI Galway are determined that this University will continue play its full part in developing graduates who make a profound difference in the world and for the world, and shape the future needs of our society. “I would also like to extend my congratulations to Eímear Noone. We are delighted to be able to recognise her outstanding contribution to the world of music and gaming.” Twelve Final Medical Medals were presented to seven graduates for their outstanding academic performance in the studies, with Dr Róisín Thornton from Corcullen, Co Galway receiving five medals. Every year the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences presents the medals to students who receive the highest grade in each subject area.  Ends

Dochtúireacht oinigh bronnta ar dhuine a chuir ceol le mórscannáin agus le cluichí físeáin a bhfuil an-tóir orthu ag searmanas bronnta an tsamhraidh san Ollscoil  Bhronn OÉ Gaillimh dochtúireacht oinigh inniu ar Eímear Noone, cumadóir agus stiúrthóir a bhfuil clú agus cáil uirthi ar fud an domhain. Bronnadh Dochtúireacht le Ceol honoris causa ar an ealaíontóir seo a bhfuil go leor duaiseanna bainte aici agus a chuir ceol le 26 scannán agus cluiche físeáin ag searmanas bronnta an tsamhraidh san Ollscoil. Bronnadh a gcéim ar nach mór 300 mac léinn de chuid OÉ Gaillimh. Ina measc bhí breis agus 180 dochtúir ar bronnadh Baitsiléir Onóracha sa Leigheas, Baitsiléir sa Mháinliacht agus Baitsiléir sa Chnáimhseachas (MB, BCh, BAO) orthu. Is in Los Angeles agus i mBaile Átha Cliath atá cónaí ar Eímear Noone, stiúrthóir agus cumadóir a bhfuil go leor duaiseanna bainte aici. Is as Cill Chonaill, Co. na Gaillimhe, di ó dhúchas agus rinne sí gaisce in 2020 nuair a bhí sí ar an gcéad bhean a stiúir an cheolfhoireann ag ócáid bhronnta Ghradaim Acadamh Ealaíon agus Eolaíochtaí na Scannán (Academy Awards). Tá ceol cumtha ag Eímear Noone do réimse leathan scannán agus cluichí físeáin. Tá níos mó ná 100 milliún duine ar fud an domhain tar éis a portfóilió de scóir scannán agus cluichí físeáin a chloisteáil agus is iomaí gradam de chuid an tionscail sin atá buaite aici, Gradam Hollywood Music in Media don Scór is Fearr do Chluiche Físeáin ina measc. Rinneadh an bronnadh oinigh ag searmanas bronnta céime ceiliúrtha ar leith do níos mó ná 150 iar-mhac léinn a chríochnaigh a gcuid staidéir in 2021 agus ar cuireadh a mbronnadh geimhridh ar athló, agus do chéimithe a chríochnaigh a gcuid staidéir in 2020 agus ar bronnadh a gcéim orthu in absentia mar gheall ar shrianta poiblí le linn na paindéime.  Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh: “Thar ceann OÉ Gaillimh, déanaim comhghairdeas le gach céimí as an obair chrua a rinne siad agus as a bhfuil bainte amach acu ainneoin na ndúshlán a bhí le sárú le tamall anuas. Táimidne in OÉ Gaillimh diongbháilte de go ndéanfaidh an Ollscoil seo a cion féin le céimithe a oiliúint a fhágfaidh a lorg ar an domhan trí chéile, agus a bheidh in ann freastal ar riachtanais ár sochaí amach anseo. “Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le hEímear Noone chomh maith. Is mór againn a bheith in ann aitheantas a thabhairt don obair mhór atá déanta aici i saol an cheoil agus na gcluichí físeáin.” Bronnadh dhá cheann déag de Bhoinn don Bhliain Deiridh Leighis ar sheachtar céimithe as a fheabhas a d’éirigh leo i mbun staidéir. Bronnadh cúig cinn de na boinn sin ar Róisín Thornton as Corr Chuilinn, Co. na Gaillimhe.  Gach bliain bronnann Coláiste an Leighis, an Altranais agus na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte na boinn ar na mic léinn a fhaigheann an grád is airde i ngach réimse ábhair. Críoch

NUI Galway is celebrating the success of seven academics, researchers and graduates named among the 40 Fulbright Irish Awardees for 2022-2023. The Fulbright Programme in Ireland was established in 1957 and annually awards grants for Irish citizens to study, research, or teach in the US and for American citizens to do the same in Ireland. The seven NUI Galway Fulbright awardees are: Dr Sharon Glynn - Associate Professor in Pathology at the Lambe Institute for Translational Research at NUI Galway, and a Funded Investigator in CÚRAM. Dr Glynn’s Fulbright Scholar Award with be hosted at Houston Methodist Hospital Weill Cornell and is linked to breast cancer research. Dr Glynn will explore the use of multiplex spatial digital pathology to understand tumour microenvironment in patients with breast cancer responds to cancer therapy, and to identify factors that contribute to successful treatment response. She will also visit the Harper Cancer Center at Notre Dame University to build new collaborations.  Dara Kerins - Social scientist with a BSc (Applied Social Sciences) and Higher Diploma (Economic Science) from NUI Galway. Dara Kerrins has worked as a community development officer, a director/trustee of a marine conservation organisation, and an award-winning fundraiser for the humanitarian-aid organisation Concern, and has founded, and currently coordinates a sustainability initiative at NUI Galway entitled Glassary. Building upon his passion to help people through the development of a more safe, sustainable, and equitable world, he will use his Fulbright-EPA Award to undertake a Master’s programme in financial economics, before embarking upon a PhD in public policy in the years to come.  Dr Jenny Mc Sharry - Chartered Health Psychologist, lecturer in the School of Psychology and Assistant Director of the Health Behaviour Change Research Group at NUI Galway. As a Fulbright-HRB HealthImpact Scholar at City University New York, she will complete “Student Experiences of Health Psychology in the US (STEP-US): A mixed methods study with US Health Psychology doctoral students and programme leads”. The project will facilitate the development of international recommendations to support students from a diversity of backgrounds in training as Health Psychologists and to become the future leaders needed to address global healthcare challenges.  Dr Ruth Melia - Senior Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead at HSE Mid-West, and a researcher on the use of mobile health technology in suicide prevention at NUI Galway. She is Principal Investigator on the SafePlan trial, a National Office for Suicide Prevention-funded study of mobile-based safety planning within Irish mental health services. Ruth is an Adjunct Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at NUI Galway, and provides teaching and research supervision to psychologists across institutions. As a Fulbright-HRB HealthImpact Scholar, Ruth will further her work on the use of Artificial Intelligence in Suicide Prevention with researchers at the Joiner Lab, Florida State University.  Aoibhín Sheedy - PhD student in Biomedical Engineering and CÚRAM at NUI Galway. Her PhD is funded by the SFI LiFTETIME CDT Programme and investigates advanced immunotherapy and delivery strategies to treat ovarian cancer. As a Fulbright-Enterprise Ireland Awardee at the University of Minnesota, she will investigate the currently developed therapeutics at the Miller Lab through the device developed at the Dolan Lab in NUI Galway.  Ciara Shortiss - PhD student in the Anatomy Department and Regenerative Medicine Institute, NUI Galway. Funded by the Irish Research Council her research investigates viral gene therapy vectors to reduce the production of molecules in spinal cord injury scarring. The scar that forms after injury is one obstacle stopping nerve re-growth, preventing signals from being transmitted to and from the brain. Therapies that target multiple obstacles preventing regeneration show the most promise in treating spinal cord injury. As a Fulbright-Enterprise Ireland Awardee at the Neurobiology Lab, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, Ciara will investigate combining her gene therapy with a biomaterial scaffold developed in the Mayo Clinic to further promote nerve growth after spinal cord injury.  Dr Eoin Whelan - Professor of Business Analytics and Society at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics in the NUI Galway. He is also a visiting professor at the Institute d’Economie Scientifique et de Gestion, France, and a visiting researcher at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. His research explores the psychology underlying engagement with interactive digital media. As a Fulbright-TechImpact Scholar in the summer of 2023, he will work alongside colleagues at the University of Colorado Boulder to determine if an abstinence from social media, commonly known as a digital detox, is an effective intervention strategy for promoting a healthy way of life for teenagers.  Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, NUI Galway President, said: “I would like to commend the seven awardees on their achievement. NUI Galway has a proud history of excellence in education and research, and the internationally-recognised Fulbright Awards are associated with excellence and prestige. We are proud to have them represent our university. Fulbright made a big difference to my academic, research career and, as a Fulbright alumnus, I wish our awardees the very best of success in the United States.” The Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Joe Hackett and the Deputy Chief of Mission, Alexandra McKnight, announced the Fulbright awardees on behalf of US Ambassador to Ireland Clare Cronin.  The next round of applications for Fulbright Irish Awards will open on August 31, 2022. Interested candidates should visit www.fulbright.ie for more information. Ends