October

INTERSTROKE study is one of the largest international studies of risk factors for stroke Research included people from high, middle and lower income countries with varying levels of education and cardiovascular risk profiles High and moderate drinking was associated with increased odds of stroke Study showed no convincing link between low alcohol consumption and stroke, but the risk varied by region of the world Research also assessed whether different types of alcohol have a bearing on stroke risk A global study, co-led by University of Galway, into causes of stroke has found that high and moderate alcohol consumption was associated with increased odds of stroke. The study also found that there was no link between low level drinking and stroke.  The INTERSTROKE research looked at the alcohol consumption of almost 26,000 people worldwide, of which one quarter were current drinkers, and two-thirds were teetotal.  The study involved people from a range of ethnic backgrounds in 27 countries, including Ireland and the UK. The findings have been published in Neurology, the most read and highly-cited neurology journal.  Professor Martin O’Donnell, Professor of Neurovascular Medicine at University of Galway and Consultant Stroke Physician at Galway University Hospitals, co-led the international INTERSTROKE study in partnership with Professor Salim Yusuf from the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University, Canada. Professor O’Donnell said: “Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability globally. Each year, approximately 7,500 Irish people have a stroke, and around 2,000 of these people die. An estimated 30,000 people in Ireland are living with disabilities as a result of stroke. The INTERSTROKE study was designed to look at the key risk factors for stroke in different regions of the world, to inform approaches to population-level prevention. In this paper, we focused on the role of alcohol intake and stroke risk. “While high alcohol intake is known to increase stroke risk, there is some uncertainty about whether low-moderate alcohol intake affects stroke risk and whether the association of alcohol intake with stroke varies by region and population." This study explored these associations in a large scale across 27 countries. Stroke can occur due to clot (ischaemic) or bleeding (intracerebral haemorrhage). Professor Andrew Smyth, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at University of Galway, Director of the Health Research Board-Clinical Research Facility Galway and a Consultant Nephrologist at Galway University Hospitals, was the lead researcher on the study.  Professor Smyth said: “Overall, our findings indicate that high and moderate intake of alcohol were associated with increased odds of stroke, while we found no convincing link between low intake and stroke. “However, the effects of alcohol intake are complex as they are linked with socioeconomic factors such as education and many lifestyle factors including smoking, diet and physical activity. The potential impact of what is commonly classed as ‘binge drinking’ is important to consider. The adverse risk of having seven drinks one day per week are likely to be greater than having one drink each day per week. “In this study we also looked at the differences between types of alcohol. Predominant beer consumption was linked with a 21% increase in risk of stroke; this was significantly higher (73%) for intracerebral haemorrhage. Predominant wine consumption was not linked with risk of stroke – there was no increase or decrease. This may reflect a difference in risk by type of alcohol, or may reflect differences in the social context of consumption patterns.” Included in the INTERSTROKE research was an analysis of people who had previously been drinkers but had stopped. The study found that they were not at increased risk of stroke.  Other findings from this research included: Current drinkers were linked with a 14% increase in odds of all stroke, and 50% increase in odds of intracerebral haemorrhage (stroke due to bleeding), but no increase in risk of ischaemic stroke (stroke due to clots).  Heavy episodic or formerly termed ‘binge drinking’ – defined as more than 5 drinks in one day at least once a month - was linked with a 39% increase in all stroke; 29% increase in ischaemic stroke; and 76% increase in intracerebral haemorrhage.  High alcohol intake - defined as more than 14 drinks/week for females and more than 21 drinks/week for males - was linked with a 57% increase in stroke. Professor Michelle Canavan, Established Professor of Older Adult Health and Consultant Geriatrician, added: “Most previous research was completed in high-income countries, with limited cultural diversity whereas the global INTERSTROKE study took a different approach by including participants from high, middle and lower income countries with varying levels of education and cardiovascular risk profiles.  “Worldwide there are differences in alcohol intake by gender, age, social class, education and occupation, as well as differences in type of alcohol consumed and the pattern of drinking. “Current drinking was linked with reduced risk of stroke in Western Europe and North America, but increased risk of stroke in India and South America. The greatest increases in stroke risk were seen for binge drinkers in South America, Africa and India and with those who have high levels of alcohol consumption in China and South East Asia. Therefore, targeted interventions to manage high intake at population level may help reduce stroke risk particularly for males in these regions who are more likely to binge drink.” Ends

Public concerns being put to the test in search for solutions to local issues The public’s input is to be sought as part of a European project involving University of Galway which aims to put creative and cultural minds to work on solutions to key local and development issues in Galway and the west of Ireland. UrbanLab Galway is a new research initiative at the University, which is part of a consortium in 12 countries exploring cultural and creative industries in what are classed as non-urban areas of the EU. Its goal is to act as a public facing research centre that promotes a ‘place-based’ approach to development in the local context.   The project, IN SITU - Place-based innovation of cultural and creative industries in non-urban areas, has €4million funding from the European Commission under the Horizon Europe programme and is coordinated by the Centre for Social Studies at the University of Coimbra in Portugal.  The research will run over four years and aims to contribute to increasing the capacity of Cultural and Creative Industries to act as drivers of innovation, competitiveness and sustainability in their local region.   Principal Investigator, Dr Pat Collins of UrbanLab Galway and the School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies at University of Galway, said: “At the core of this project is a recognition that culture and creativity exist everywhere. They are not just the domain of New York, Milan and Paris; but exist beyond the big city. What we are looking at here is how we can use culture and creativity as a legitimate developmental tool for places like the west of Ireland. “Beyond the research aspect, there is an important practical element to this project. We will be inviting members of the public and local creatives to join with us in looking at how culture can help us address some key issues at the local level in the west of Ireland.”  University of Galway is recruiting publicly engaged researchers for the project. The intention is to commence interesting conversations about key local development issues facing Galway and the west and highlighting the past and future roles of culture and creativity in addressing placemaking.   Last summer UrbanLab Galway teamed up with the Galway International Arts Festival to bring Luke Jerram’s Mars exhibition to Persse’s Plaza on Nuns’ Island to inspire the people of Galway to consider new uses for the old distillery.  The IN SITU project consortium brings together 13 institutional partners in 12 countries, and is accompanied by a number of outreach partners within Europe and internationally.  The core defining aspect of IN SITU is the interlinking of research and practice through place-based hubs for networking, capacity building and monitoring case studies in six regions across Europe, located in Ireland, Portugal, Iceland, Finland, Latvia, and Croatia.  The project also includes capacity-building programme to enable Cultural and Creative Industries to address some of the key issues in their communities and regions. IN SITU seeks to provide a better understanding of the contribution of the Cultural and Creative industries across all sectors of the economy and society in order to provide better supports for their future development.  Ends

Fifty postdoctoral research positions to be created across ten Science Foundation Ireland partner institutions CÚRAM, the SFI research centre for medical devices at University of Galway, has been awarded almost €14 million to create 50 postdoctoral fellowship opportunities to develop future leaders in medical device research.  The co-funding programme involves €7.1m from the European Union and €6.8m from CÚRAM to launch MedTrain+, an enhanced innovative Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action training programme. CÚRAM is hosted by University of Galway, with academic partners at 10 higher education institutions across Ireland. The new postdoctoral research positions will be based across all the partner institutions.  This award adds to the substantial funding generated by researchers at CÚRAM who have attracted more than €70 million in EU investment during its first eight years. Professor Abhay Pandit said: “CÚRAM is perfectly positioned to coordinate MedTrain+ given its innovative strengths, active industry collaborations, and its missions to continue to train and empower the next generation of researchers who can engage with the public and stakeholders to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines and CÚRAM outputs. The 50 postdoctoral researchers will join our large team of multidisciplinary researchers working at the cutting edge of medical devices.” The MedTrain+ programme duration is 60 months, with fellows free to choose any research area within CÚRAM’s remit, as well as their supervisor and secondment organisation. This unique postdoctoral training program is structured so that researchers will be provided with a unique skill set that will give them an option of a multitude of career choices. In January 2021, CÚRAM began its second phase of work with a further investment of €46.3m from SFI to bring new treatments from the laboratory to patients. This came as part of the Government’s re-investment in SFI Research Centres across the country. Professor Abhay Pandit added: “The MedTrain+ funding supports CÚRAM’s vision to be a global leader in creating and translating clinic-ready and patient-focused medical devices; to develop the next generation of industry-relevant, publicly engaged researchers and to become an anchor for industry applicable research.” MedTrain+ research outputs will benefit outcomes for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and musculoskeletal diseases. It also offers fellows the unique opportunity to work in Europe’s first certified Green Lab at University of Galway. MedTrain+ will combine the expertise across CÚRAM’s academic network to host and train fellows with existing partnerships with SME and multinational companies in the medical device, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors based in Ireland and abroad. These non-academic secondment visits will provide the training ground for designing and manufacturing next-generation devices and implants, some of which can be developed with strong clinical collaborations to enable rapid translation to clinics.  Ends

‘How I Learned About Consent’ uses the format of drama to educate senior cycle students in ways to navigate positive and negative sexual scenarios they or their friends may encounter or experience A sexual consent education play is to be rolled out for secondary schools across Ireland as part of the University of Galway-based Active* Consent for School Communities programme, it was announced today (24.10.22). A premiere of the play ‘How I Learned About Consent’ was staged today at the University of Galway’s O’Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance, attended by students and teachers from a number of secondary schools. ‘How I Learned About Consent’ uses the format of a stage play and features a cast of actors to educate secondary students in communication skills along with methods for navigating positive and negative scenarios around sexual consent. The narrative of the play tackles topics ranging from sex education in schools, image-based sexual abuse, gender and sexual identities, to supporting a friend following a negative sexual experience. The play addresses these topics through age-appropriate humour and satire, drama and direct engagement with issues that young people may face concerning sexual harassment and assault. Announcing the launch of the play today, Dr Charlotte McIvor, Active* Consent programme lead and director-creator of ‘How I Learned About Consent’, said: “The play is designed to equip secondary students with a proactive understanding of consent for them to apply to their future sexual encounters as well as out in the world, as possible bystanders to sexual violence and/or harassment. “It uses drama to bring to life stories and scenarios in order to address the barriers to consent communication, which secondary school students told us they were experiencing in our 2021 Active* Consent for School Communities report, including awkwardness or embarrassment, shyness, lack of knowledge or skills, and feeling pressurised.” Also commenting, Dr Siobhán O’Higgins, Active* Consent programme lead and secondary schools programme outreach coordinator, said: “’How I Learned About Consent’ also allows us to stage positive examples of consent communication in an age-appropriate manner, sharing stories of young people experiencing solidarity and support from peers and/or partners as they develop a clear and strong sexual identity. “We do this by using drama to also stage scenarios that deal with what young people told us about what positive consent communication looks like in our 2021 Active* Consent for School Communities report, including having trust and openness with your partner, communication, confidence, awareness and education.”  Active* Consent for School Communities Resources ‘How I Learned About Consent’ is the latest part of the Active* Consent for School Communities programme for senior cycle pupils. The play was created using learning from the Active* Consent for School Communities 2021 report, as well as ongoing work in the School Communities programme. ‘How I Learned About Consent’ links with the other components of the Active* Consent for School Communities programme, which include a sexual consent workshop, the ‘Sex on Our Screens’ eLearning resource on sexual media, and support for teachers and parents. Since it launched one year ago, more than 500 teachers have been trained to deliver the Active* Consent workshop, nearly 1,000 parents have attended information webinars, and approximately 4,000 pupils have taken part in the workshop. Among pupils who have taken part in the workshop, 76% agreed that they were more aware of the importance of sexual consent after taking part, 79% agreed that the workshop showed how they could communicate with a partner, and 82% would recommend the workshop to other young people. ‘How I Learned About Consent’ is supported by a funding award from The Community Foundation for Ireland’s Youth Fund. The roll-out of ‘How I Learned About Consent’ to secondary schools follows on from the current all-Ireland tour of Active* Consent’s version of the same play for third-level students, titled ‘The Kinds of Sex You Might Have at College’, which is touring 19 higher education institutions this autumn.  For contact information for Active* Consent, see the official website at www.consenthub.ie/contact. Ends

Hallows comes to the University of Galway on October 27th. The Societies and Students’ Union have teamed up to create an event to celebrate Halloween and also the return to campus of the students. It will be the biggest on campus student celebration to date and marks the return of great student events to the university. The event includes seven venues and a wide variety of entertainment that includes music, spectacle, performance and seasonal games. It is all happening in Sult (College Bar) and in and outside Áras na Mac Léinn and the Bailey Allen Hall from 7pm. There will be music and performance including the very popular Dirty Circus with a spectacular live show of Burlesque and Cabaret, high energy rock band Transmitter, talented singer-songwriter Eve Belle, Rock Soc has 6 young bands battling it out for a day in a recording studio plus guest DJs, members of DJ Society and a silent disco. The societies have been very busy preparing for the event and have so many great tricks and treats in store. Art soc have been busy since September with mask making and their troup of performers will bring the spirits of Halloween to life, Dramsoc presents an intriguing murder mystery, ‘Macdeath’ a 15 minute who-done-it interractive show, Witches Call Society will be looking to convict someone of witch craft at their Salem Witch Trials, Psychological Society will lure you into their terrifying Clown Asylum and see just how much you can remember. Zoosoc are challenging attendees to face their fears with snakes, insects, a tarantula and their very friendly gecko.  Anime and Manga Society are hosting a model UN, after the zombie apocalypse. If it's zombies you are after, stop by the Zombie Triage Tent hosted by Bród and Style Societies and be transformed into a zombie and join the Dansoc thriller flash mob. There will be lots of opportunities for transformations with Style Socs’ glam Halloween and Día de los Muertos face painters. Do come in costume as the Style and Bród scouts will be on the lookout for the best fancy dress to participate in the fancy dress costume show ‘Skeletons in the Closet’ hosted by the guest Drag Queens with prizes. There will be Irish traditional games and food at the Samhain celebrations and Mexican students and staff will bring colour, music and dance as they share the festive traditions of Día de los Muertos (Day of the dead). You won't go hungry as Baking soc will be busy preparing goodies for the event, as well as food trucks on site. Take some great photos and enter Photo soc competition on instagram and win a prize for the best photo #HallowsCompetition Tickets €5 + €1 booking fee on https://eventmaster.ie/event/RpyjhL5h76 More information on https://www.students.universityofgalway.ie/

University of Galway partners with Zoan BioMed to test coral biomaterials University of Galway are collaborating with Irish medtech company Zoan BioMed to design a novel way of tracking and measuring the formation of bone in a lab. The project is funded by Zoan BioMed and Enterprise Ireland through the Innovation Partnership scheme. Zoan BioMed grow tropical coral, sustainably, in their cutting-edge facility in Galway. Coral shares many chemical and physical properties with bone, making for an excellent bone substitute, or “scaffold”.   The researchers on the project aim to test the potential of coral scaffolds to treat people with bone injuries or other damage, for example from tumour removal.  The partnership with University of Galway will substantially speed up the evaluation of new scaffolds for Zoan BioMed, and for the orthopaedics industry more widely, by developing high throughput rapid assessment methods for biocompatibility and bone forming potential, which will shorten the time to clinical trials for new orthopaedics scaffolds. Such new methods are also important in the phasing out of animal testing for new medical devices. Dr Martin Johnson, head of Research and Development and product development at Zoan BioMed, is excited about the opportunities this project provide. “Creating enhanced laboratory screening methods at University of Galway will help to eliminate or substantially reduce expensive, elongated, ethically challenging animal testing through reliable predictive capability in the laboratory.  This will revolutionise orthopaedic material development in the coming decade. “The global bone grafting market is part of a global $54 billion market that continues to grow at pace, driven by the goal of providing a pain-free lifestyle for our aging population. “With the abundance of small and large orthopaedic companies throughout the country, Ireland is uniquely placed to launch high-quality products into this market, bettering the health of the world-wide population.  “Critical to evaluating the potential of a new scaffold as it enters the market is the evaluation of its compatibility with human cells and its bone-forming potential.  Dr Cynthia Coleman, a cellular manufacturing and therapy expert at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway, a long-time collaborator with Zoan BioMed, has expertise in using cells to make bone in the laboratory. Her research focuses on using these cells to understand the biologic pathways underpinning bone formation.   Dr Coleman explains: “Collaborating with Zoan BioMed means that we can create new ways of working to advance both research into bone health and regeneration, and help speed the development of orthopaedic devices into the clinic.   “Developing this technology is incredibly exciting because it will allow us to see the cells as they move through different stages of bone formation and enable us to measure these changes. “This method will help us understand the process by which individual cells become bone tissue and give us the tools to support collaborating academics and industrial partners as they develop technology to support bone formation in the clinic. It will make the evaluation of new scaffolds, quicker and more reliable.” Stephen Wann, Chief Executive Officer of Zoan BioMed, said: “Zoan BioMed recognises the importance of the development of new methods. This technology is particularly relevant to Zoan BioMed at its current stage of development, where it aims to rapidly develop a pipeline of future products for the orthopaedic market including 3D printed coral-based bone substitutes.  “Further medical applications are in development, in particular using novel combinatorial scaffolds, containing coral and other materials mixed together.  These combined scaffolds could be 3D printed to create a particular shape or to perfectly fit into a patient’s injury.  “The cost and time delays associated with current methods of evaluating how well cells can attach to and survive on scaffolds and make bone means the development of orthopaedic products from coral or other biomaterials is slow.” Ends

The BSc Business Information Systems (BIS) at J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics has been awarded the maximum five-year European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Programme Accreditation, an international benchmark of excellence. EFMD Accreditation is a comprehensive programme quality assurance system for business and/or management degrees and courses. Currently, there are 140 EFMD Accredited programmes from 108 institutions in 40 countries. The accreditation covers all facets of programme provision including: the institutional, national and international environment, curriculum, design and delivery, and quality assurance processes. EFMD Accreditation emphasises academic rigour, practical relevance, internationalisation, ethics and sustainability. Dr David Kreps, BSc BIS Programme Director said: “The Business Information Systems academics and support staff, and the School Accreditation’s Team, are immensely pleased with this fantastic recognition for all their efforts this year in preparing for the quality review. We are overjoyed that our students, past, present, and future, can continue to be proud that their degree is one of the finest in the world.” The BSc BIS programme is a four-year undergraduate degree programme providing students with a grounding in the fundamentals of business, together with a specific expertise in information systems for business. The programme has close links with the corporate world including work placement for all students, site visits to leading multi-national companies, and industry led student projects and is part of both the SAP and Microsoft Alliance.  Feedback from employers has been consistently positive regarding the quality of graduates from the programme, which maintains strong graduate recruitment records. The programme has a tradition of innovation and dynamic response to changes in the information systems (IS) sector and places a strong emphasis on international issues and preparing graduates for work in an inherently multinational and globally connected environment.  The programme gives students a one-year global experience option to study or work internationally. It benefits from the BIS group’s international reputation and the school’s central importance in the West of Ireland region and in particular, the concentration of world-renowned technology and technology-related companies that have established bases in the region. Professor Alma McCarthy, Head of J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics said: “We are delighted that the University of Galway BSc BIS programme has successfully attained EFMD Programme Accreditation for a period of five years. The reaccreditation is testament to the efforts and hard work of colleagues across the broad remit of activities at Discipline and School level against which such an accreditation is assessed and awarded.”  Susan Laurenson, Chair of the EFMD Programme Accreditation Board said: “The Accreditation Board commends the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, University of Galway for its clear strategy, the priority placed on resourcing the BSc BIS programme, and the high quality and employability of the programme’s graduates.” To find out more about EFMD visit: https://www.efmdglobal.org/ Ends

University of Galway has launched the first Civic Engagement Scholarship in an Irish higher education institution, cementing its position as a centre for excellence in engaging students in societal change, social impact and building civic skills. Directed at new entry undergraduate students, the scholarship is valued at €1,500 per academic year for the duration of their degree programme and is open to all students in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Europe. The aim of the scholarship is to contribute to building global citizenship skills among students by enabling them to take on community action at Ireland’s leading campus for civic engagement.   Along with the financial support the scholarship provides, the successful candidate will also avail of: Training and hands-on skills development workshops; access to specialised conferences and networking; internship experience with the ALIVE Volunteering programme; insight across a wide range of non-profit, humanitarian and social justice programmes. Lorraine Tansey, Student Volunteering Coordinator at University of Galway, said: “As a University for the public good, we are keen to recognise the community engagement activities of students as an indication of personal determination and commitment to communities. Just as there are academic, cultural and performing and sport scholarships to recognise student commitment to their passion, we feel that volunteering and community engagement demonstrates dedication for social change and impact." Dr Paul Dodd, Vice President Engagement at University of Galway, said: “The University of Galway is committed to nurturing the development of a sustainable society and through this new opportunity we are delighted to reach out to prospective students offering them leadership opportunities. The University of Galway is particularly proud of the extensive campus programmes that will grow and develop the successful applicant’s civic skills. Opportunities for social entrepreneurship, sustainability and engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals will be a key aspect of the scholarship programme.” For more information on the Civic Engagement Scholarship and the application process visit https://bit.ly/3CaWfjy.  Ends

An dara céim de chlár trasteorann, arna thacú ag an mBord Taighde Sláinte, agus táthar á fhorbairt chun oiliúint chliniciúil agus taighde comhtháite a thairiscint do na dochtúirí, tréidlianna agus fiaclóirí is éirimiúla le bheith ina n-eolaithe cliniciúla den chéad scoth  Sheol an Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. an dara céim den chlár trasteorann de chuid Oiliúint Acadúil Chliniciúil na hÉireann (ICAT) le hinfheistíocht €21.3 milliún chun oiliúint a chur ar 42 comhalta sa leigheas, fiaclóireacht agus tréidliacht. Tabharfar tacaíocht do 81 comhalta san iomlán thar an dá thimthriall den chlár. Bhronn an Bord Taighde Sláinte (HRB) an clár ICAT ar shé ollscoil chomhpháirtíochta – Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, Ollscoil na Banríona, Béal Feirste, Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath, Coláiste na hOllscoile, Corcaigh, an Coláiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath, Ollscoil Leighis agus Eolaíochtaí Sláinte RCSI. Is ann don chlár ICAT chun tacú le cuid de na daoine is éirimiúla i gcúrsaí sláinte agus cúraim shóisialta ar oileán na hÉireann chun cur leis an gcúram sláinte atá bunaithe ar thaighde d’fhonn sláinte daoine agus ainmhithe a fheabhsú. Seoladh an tionscnamh uile-oileáin seo mar chuid de chlár dhá lá in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an gcéad Fhóram Cúraim Sláinte i gColáiste an Leighis, an Altranais agus na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte san Ollscoil, ag scrúdú thodhchaí an oideachais sláinte, taighde agus comhoibrithe tionscail.  Is é seo an dara céim den ICAT. Tá an clár á thionól ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe agus tá pacáiste maoinithe €21.3 milliún i gceist leis, lena n-áirítear €11m ón HRB, chomh maith le €10 milliún ó na hollscoileanna comhpháirtíochta, Oiliúint agus Pleanáil Dochtúirí Náisiúnta FSS, an Rannán Forbartha agus Taighde Sláinte agus Cúraim Shóisialta (TÉ), Coláiste Ainéistéiseolaithe na hÉireann, an Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara, agus Gníomhaireacht Oiliúna Leighis agus Fiaclóireachta Thuaisceart Éireann (TÉ). Cuireadh tús le Céim 1 den ICAT in 2016 agus ba é Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath a rinne an clár a thionól le pacáiste maoinithe €17 milliún ar an iomlán. Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag an Taoiseach Micheál Martin: “Tá ár Rialtas an-tiomanta don taighde agus don nuálaíocht agus dá ról i dtodhchaí an chúraim sláinte. Cabhróidh infheistíocht chomh mór seo agus an dearcadh straitéiseach seo le hÉirinn a bheith áirithe i measc na n-áiteanna ina dtugtar an deis do thaighdeoirí agus do nuálaithe den chéad scoth a ndícheall a dhéanamh chun athrú buanseasmhach agus éifeachtach a bhaint amach a théann i ngleic le dúshláin ár linne. “Is deis atá sa Chlár ICAT do roinnt de na daoine is éirimiúla i gcúram sláinte agus tá lúcháir orm an dul chun cinn a fheiceáil sa dara céim den chlár iontach seo.” Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Príomhthaighdeoir an Chláir ICAT, an tOllamh Conall Dennedy, Ollamh Comhlach le Teiripic in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Is deis atá sa dara céim seo de chlár Oiliúna Acadúla Cliniciúla na hÉireann do 42 comhalta ar fud réimse an leighis, na fiaclóireachta agus na tréidliachta a bheith ina dtaighdeoirí den chéad scoth i gcomhthráth lena n-oiliúint chliniciúil, laistigh de thimpeallacht líonraithe agus chomhoibríoch. “Is í fís an chláir sláinte daoine in Éirinn agus i dTuaisceart Éireann a fheabhsú, chomh maith le leas ainmhithe, ag glacadh le prionsabail One Health. Tá an infheistíocht mhór seo ón HRB, sé ollscoil chomhpháirtíochta agus comhlaigh ríthábhachtach chun sláinte ár náisiún a chosaint don todhchaí.” Dúirt an Dr Mairéad O’Driscoll, príomhfheidhmeannach an Bhoird Taighde Sláinte: “Tá an HRB dírithe ar thacaíocht a chur ar fáil d’éiceachóras taighde bisiúil a fheabhsaíonn seirbhísí cúraim sláinte agus shóisialta in Éirinn agus a dhéanann difríocht mhór do shaol na ndaoine. “Léiríonn an clár ICAT é seo, agus tá áthas orainn an chéad bhabhta maoinithe den chlár a leathnú amach go céim a dó a áiríonn anois fiaclóirí agus tréidlianna mar aon le dochtúirí agus lucht leighis. “Meallfaidh an clár ildisciplíneach, comhoibríoch, uile-Éireann seo glúin nua taighdeoirí den chéad scoth i sláinte chliniciúil, a chuirfidh an taighde agus an fhianaise chomhtháthaithe chun cinn i bpolasaí agus i gcleachtas, agus a fheabhsóidh cinnteoireacht agus torthaí sláinte.” Tacaíonn ICAT le comhaltaí rannpháirteacha taighde fíor-nua a dhéanamh trí leas a bhaint as líon mór stiúrthóirí a bhfuil taithí acu, ag éascú soghluaisteacht shimplí de chomhaltaí ICAT idir Thuaisceart Éireann agus Éire. Is léir go n-éiríonn leis an gcur chuige seo mar is léir ó iar-chomhaltaí agus comhaltaí reatha an ICAT. Is céimí ICAT é an Dr David Mongan ó Ollscoil an Leighis agus na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte RCSI agus Cláraitheoir Speisialtachta le Síciatracht. Tá suim aige in idirghabhálacha nua a aimsiú a d’fhéadfadh síocóis agus riochtaí meabhairshláinte eile a chosc. Dúirt an Dr Mongan: “Nuair a thosaigh mé ar an gclár ICAT chaith mé mo chéad bhliain in Ollscoil na Banríona, Béal Feirste ag forbairt mo thionscadal PhD, sular bhog mé go dtí an RCSI i mBaile Átha Cliath le tabhairt faoi PhD 3 bliana. Dhírigh mo PhD ar mharcóirí a aimsiú ar féidir leo cuidiú leo siúd atá i mbaol riocht síocóise a thabhairt faoi deara. Thug ICAT an deis agus an tsoghluaisteacht dom mo chuid spéiseanna taighde a shainiú agus líonra taighdeoirí a bhfuil taithí acu a fhorbairt ar fud oileán na hÉireann, a raibh ról tábhachtach ag gach duine acu san oiliúint agus sa mheantóireacht chomhaltachta a fuair mé. Tá mo chomhaltacht críochnaithe agam anois agus críochnóidh mé m’oiliúint chliniciúil agus leanfaidh mé leis an taighde atá ar bun agam mar Léachtóir Acadúil Cliniciúil in Ollscoil na Banríona, Béal Feirste.” Is Sainoiliúnaí í an Dr Claire Potter le Síciatracht Ghinearálta Aosach agus Seanaoise. Rinne sí a cuid taighde ar fud TÉ agus Éireann a chomhtháthú ag úsáid dhá bhunachar sonraí taighde mhóra a dhíríonn ar an daonra atá ag dul in aois, is iad sin bunachar sonraí TILDA agus NICOLA. Le linn a PhD san Ionad Sláinte Poiblí in Ollscoil na Banríona, Béal Feirste, déanann an Dr Potter staidéar ar conas is féidir le heispéiris ar bhain strus leo le linn a n-óige ‘aois’ a chur ar dhaoine aonair níos tapa. Mar chuid dá PhD, tá taighde ar bun ag Claire maidir le leanaí a raibh eispéiris go leor acu ar bhain strus leo agus iad ag fás aníos le linn na dTrioblóidí i dTuaisceart Éireann agus iad ag déanamh níos measa nó mar a chéile i dtrialacha cuimhne agus iad níos sine. Bronnadh dámhachtain Fulbright ar an Dr Potter freisin le linn a comhaltachta ICAT agus leanfaidh sí lena taighde in Ollscoil Michigan ag breathnú ar bhunachar sonraí le daonra éagsúil. Tá an Dr Stephanie Bollard ina Comhalta ICAT i gColáiste na hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath agus ina Cláraitheoir Speisialtachta le Máinliacht Phlaisteach, Athchruthaitheach agus Aeistéitiúil. Léirigh sí a cuid taighde ag seoladh Chéim 2 den ICAT in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Dúirt an Dr Bollard: “Tá suim ar leith agam i meileanóma, ar foirm an-ionsaitheach d’ailse chraicinn é. Tá sé an-deacair a thuar conas a mbeidh an ailse ag dul chun cinn i ngach othar. Tá mo PhD dírithe ar thorthaí a fheabhsú d’othair a bhfuil meileanóma orthu trína gcúram a chur in oiriúint dóibh féin. Tá meileanóma coitianta freisin i madraí agus baineann mo staidéar leis an gcur chuige ar leith maidir le sláinte madraí agus daoine araon le meileanóma a fheabhsú trí mo chuid scileanna i leigheas daonna a chomhcheangal le scileanna tréidlianna agus eolaithe ginearálta.” Críoch

Cross border programme, supported by the Health Research Board, enters second phase and is expanded to offer integrated clinical and research training to the brightest doctors, vets and dentists to become world class clinician scientists   Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. has today launched the second phase of the cross border Irish Clinical Academic Training (ICAT) programme with an investment of €21.3 million to train 42 fellows in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine.  A total of 81 fellows will be supported over both cycles of the programme. The ICAT programme has been awarded to six equal stakeholder partner universities by the Health Research Board (HRB) - University of Galway, Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. ICAT is designed to support some of brightest minds in health and social care on the island of Ireland to enhance research-informed healthcare to improve human and animal health. This all-island initiative was unveiled as part of a two-day programme at University of Galway, marking the inaugural Healthcare Forum at the University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, exploring the future of health education, research and industry collaborations.   This is the second phase of ICAT. The programme is hosted by University of Galway and involves a funding package of €21.3 million, which includes €11m from the HRB, as well as €10 million from the partner universities, the HSE National Doctors Training and Planning, the Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (NI), College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NI).  Phase 1 of ICAT began in 2016 and was hosted by Trinity College Dublin with an overall €17 million funding package.  Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “Our Government is deeply committed to research and innovation and its role in the future of healthcare. Investment of this scale and with this strategic outlook will help to position Ireland as a place where top-class researchers and innovators are afforded the opportunity to strive for lasting, impactful change which tackle challenges of our time.  “The ICAT Programme has proven to be a catalyst for some of the brightest minds in healthcare and I am delighted to see the ambition in phase 2 of the programme.” Principal Investigator of the ICAT Programme, Professor Conall Dennedy, Associate Professor of Therapeutics at University of Galway, said: “This second phase of the Irish Clinical Academic Training programme is an opportunity for 42 fellows across medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine to become world class researchers in parallel with their clinical training, within a networked and collaborative environment. “It is the vision of the programme to enhance the health of people in Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as animal welfare, embracing the principles of One Health. This large investment by the HRB, six partner universities and associates is critical to futureproofing the health of our nations.” Dr Mairéad O Driscoll, chief executive of the Health Research Board, said: “The HRB is committed to supporting a thriving research ecosystem that improves health and social care services in Ireland and makes a real difference to people's lives. “The ICAT programme exemplifies this, and we are delighted to extend its first round of funding into an expanded phase two that now includes dentists and veterinarians alongside doctors and medics. “This multidisciplinary, collaborative, all-Ireland programme will attract, train and retain a new generation of world-class clinical health researchers that will drive the integration of research and evidence into policy and practice, and improve decision-making and health outcomes.” ICAT supports participant fellows to undertake truly novel research by availing of a large networked pool of experienced supervisors, facilitating an easy mobility of ICAT fellows between Northern Ireland and Ireland. The success of this approach is evident from past and current ICAT fellows.  Dr David Mongan is an ICAT graduate from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Specialist Registrar in Psychiatry. He is interested in finding new interventions which can prevent psychosis and other mental health conditions.  Dr Mongan said: “When I joined the ICAT programme I spent my first year in Queen’s University Belfast developing my PhD project, before moving to RCSI in Dublin for a 3-year PhD. My PhD focused on the discovery of markers that can help to predict who is at risk of developing a psychotic condition. ICAT afforded me the opportunity and mobility to define my research interests and to develop a network of experienced researchers across the island of Ireland, each of whom played a major role in my fellowship training and mentorship. I have now completed my fellowship and will complete my clinical training and continue my research as an Academic Clinical Lecturer in Queen’s University Belfast.” Dr Claire Potter is a Specialty Trainee in General Adult and Old Age Psychiatry. She has integrated her research across NI and Ireland using two large research databases which focus on the ageing population, namely the TILDA and NICOLA databases. During her PhD at the Centre of Public Health in Queen’s University Belfast, Dr Potter studies how stressful experiences during childhood can potentially make individuals ‘age’ more quickly.  As part of her PhD, Claire is looking at whether children who had more stressful experiences growing up during the Troubles in Northern Ireland perform worse in memory tests when they are older. Dr Potter has also been awarded a Fulbright award during her ICAT fellowship and will continue her research in the University of Michigan looking at a different population database. Dr Stephanie Bollard is an ICAT Fellow in University College Dublin and Specialist Registrar in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. She exhibited her research at the ICAT Phase 2 launch at University of Galway.  Dr Bollard said: “I have a special interest in melanoma, which is a very aggressive form of skin cancer. It is very hard to predict how the cancer will progress in each patient. My PhD is focused on improving outcomes for patients with melanoma by personalising their management. Melanoma is also common in dogs and my study uniquely takes the approach of improving the health of both dogs and humans with melanoma by combining my skills in human medicine with the skills of veterinarians and basic scientists.” Ends

The Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics is a core partner in the new Data Spaces Support Centre, which will facilitate common data spaces in different sectors that collectively create an interoperable data sharing environment as part of the implementation of the European data strategy. Prof. Edward Curry Director of the Insight SFI Centre at the University of Galway says that; “Data spaces will be the disruption that will drive the digital transformation of Europe. The Data Space Support Centre will be the heartbeat of the digital transition of all parts of our society, from health and culture to energy and mobility. The Insight SFI Centre, Ireland’s national data research centre and one of the largest in Europe,  is proud to be a part of this game-changing endeavour where we will contribute to design principles for the creation of next generation data spaces.” Funded by the European Commission as part of the Digital Europe Program, the Data Spaces Support Centre will be set up and run  by a consortium[1] of the leading associations and knowledge centres in the domain of data spaces, with a broad membership, an extensive network, national hubs, open-source communities and data space pioneers. The Support Centre explores the needs of the data spaces initiatives, including common requirements, and best practices. It delivers the Data Spaces Blueprint, composed of common building blocks in business, legal, operational, technical and societal aspects. With a user-centric approach and cooperatively with all stakeholders, the Blueprint continuously evolves. It drives adoption through support activities, a platform and web portal for knowledge and asset sharing, a help desk, toolboxes and active engagement with all stakeholders. The Support Centre will support the Data Innovation Board to propose guidelines for common European data spaces, such as cross-sectoral data sharing standards, requirements for security and access procedures. Professor Noel O’Connor, CEO of Insight, said: “On behalf of Insight, Ireland’s largest research centre specialising in AI and data analytics, we are proud to be at the centre of the data spaces movement within Europe. We are excited to have the opportunity to further develop and support the creation of sectoral data spaces which will improve data sharing at national and European levels.” The project will enable data reuse and secondary use within and across sectors, fully respecting EU values and contributing to the European economy and society. It will further enable and create appropriate conditions for setting up an open data ecosystem characterised by interoperability and mutual trust between participants and creating value out of data. Statements from Consortium Coordinator Boris Otto, Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering (ISST) highlights: “The Data Spaces Support Centre is key for a successful implementation of the European data strategy as it provides guidance to emerging and growing data space initiatives from various sectors across Europe. Interoperability based on open standards ensures trusted exchange and sharing of data and data sovereignty within and across data spaces.” Ana García Robles, Secretary General BDVA: “Data Spaces will boost data-driven innovation and the data economy in Europe. The Data Spaces Support Centre is a key action to support adoption, scaling and to realise the full potential of Data Spaces across sectors, organisations, and geographical boundaries. BDVA will play an important role in developing ecosystem, integrating services to get value out of data and creating strong synergies with Trustworthy and industrial AI. We are very honoured to join this adventure with other major data communities and expert organisations in Europe” Marc Reinhardt, Executive Vice President, Head of Public Sector, Capgemini: “Data is at the centre of everything Capgemini does. We are proud to have supported the implementation of the European Union’s data strategy since the first open data programme in 2015 (now data.europa.eu). Building on that relationship, in 2019 we were asked also to run the first data sharing programme: the Support Centre for Data Sharing. Being part of the DSSC confirms and renews our commitment. We are firm believers in the value that data sharing can produce for citizens and governments, the industry, and the economy at large.” Ulrich Ahle, CEO of the FIWARE foundation: “Data Spaces in different sectors will be created using as much as possible common building blocks like interfaces or data models. This will enable interoperability between Data Spaces of different sectors, such as Smart City with Smart Mobility and Smart Energy and the real creation of value out of data.” Francesco Bonfiglio, CEO, Gaia-X: “This project is critical to enable data spaces in Europe. It will identify common requirements between sectoral data spaces, define a blueprint and common building blocks for architecture and governance, and support the deployment in the EU-funded data space initiatives that reuse data within and across sectors. Gaia-X contributes all its experience and assets to it.” Lars Nagel, CEO, International Data Spaces Association: “Data spaces are, by their nature, a joint endeavour, and a team effort. We are not building data spaces for our own self-interest. We are building them to have smart services that make peoples’ lives better, make businesses more profitable, and drive innovation in Europe. This is our chance to learn from each other, agree on common building blocks and to make sure all data spaces in Europe are built in a similar way – fuelling the engine of the new data economy.” Thomas Margoni, CiTiP – KU Leuven: “Fair, compliant, and trustworthy access to, control over and (re)use of data can only be reached by interdisciplinary efforts and involvement of a broad community of experts and stakeholders. The Centre for IT and IP Law (CiTiP) at KU Leuven is thrilled to be part of this exciting project and to create with the community the legal, ethical and governance building blocks that stimulate the realization of data spaces in full respect of the EU values.” Teemu Ropponen, General Manager, MyData Global: “I am proud to join the Data Spaces Support Centre implementation project. Our goal is to ensure that the design and implementation of the European data spaces are done in a human-centric way such as, combining the need of the industry to utilise data, while respecting the rights of individuals, as emphasised in the European Data Strategy.” Mike de Roode, TNO: “The Data Spaces Support Centre will be the enabler for European large scale data sharing. TNO will contribute to the creation of a common Data Spaces Blueprint by integrating existing and new building blocks required for creating data spaces. We are proud to be part of the Data Spaces Support Centre and to support the next generation of data spaces.” Anssi Komulainen, Project Director, SITRA. “A Fair data economy, in which successful digital services are based on trust and shared set of rules will create a new competitive advantage for Europe. Data Space Support Centre will play a significant role in laying the foundation for it and helping companies and other European actors in pioneering the use of data in solving some of the biggest business and societal challenges at hand.” Erja Turunen, EVP, VTT: “Data Spaces will connect European industries, and public services in a new way that transforms our way of making business. VTT, as an organization of applied research, actively facilitates common and coordinated path towards trusted and fair data sharing in Europe. Above all, VTT contributes to Data space Support Centre and builds, pilots, and further develops data spaces for thriving European Data Economy.” Ends

University of Galway academics have called for the history of Ireland’s Institutions to be taught in post-primary schools. The call has been made ahead of a one-day conference organised by the Irish Centre for Human Rights (ICHR) at the University - Teaching the dark history of Ireland’s Institutions: Engaging educators and policymakers - on Saturday October 15 from 10.30am to 4pm. Focusing on why this history should be taught in schools and how it may be implemented for students in Transition Year, the conference will draw upon lesson plans designed and implemented in schools over the past two years. The conference was created as part of an ongoing movement lawyering project, which involves the use of the law to contribute to social change, for the Human Rights Clinic at the Irish Centre for Human Rights at University of Galway. The project’s aim is to create different educational strategies to ensure that the history of Ireland’s institutions is not forgotten. It is led by Mary Harney, and supervised by Judit Villena, both PhD candidates at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, in conjunction with LLM graduates and has been active since 2019.  Mary Harney said: “Education is one way we can protect future generations and acknowledge the history of those directly affected by the institutions. We don't want this history to be forgotten.” The conference intends to facilitate discussion among teachers and to draw upon teachers’ first-hand experiences, as well as the testimonies of survivors to demonstrate the importance of memorialisation through education. Speakers and topics include:  - Dr Philomena Mullen, Trinity College Dublin, Association of Mixed Race Irish - The exclusion of the mixed race child from the narrative of the institutions - Noelle Brown, actor, playwright, survivor - Theatre as a Platform for Change - Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley, University of Galway - Teaching the History of Ireland’s Institutions: From the Foundling Institutions to the Mother and Baby Institutions Shauna Joyce, a recent graduate of the LLM in International Human Rights Law at University of Galway and co-organiser of the project, said: "As a new generation of Irish citizens, we believe that it is incumbent on us to take up the mantle from those older survivors to ensure that past abuses are not only remembered, but to ensure that through education they are not repeated." The teaching of the history of institutions was a recommendation made by the report of the Mother and Baby Homes Collaborative Forum. Professor Siobhán Mullally, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway and UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, said: “Educating students about Ireland’s histories of institutional abuse is essential to understanding how and why human rights abuses happened, and to ensure that ‘never again’ will we allow such human rights violations to occur. It is essential to democratic values, to building a democratic society and to active, engaged citizenship. We need to reflect on how we empower students to advocate for human rights protection.   “Education about past and ongoing human rights violations is also an obligation under international human rights law. To ensure truth recovery, and reparations to those affected, we must take steps to remember, and to guarantee non recurrence of human rights violations, including through education.” The conference is hosted in partnership with a cross-sectional group of academics, activists and teachers from the Irish Centre for Human Rights and the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies at University of Galway and Waterford Institute of Technology.  To register for the conference visit: https://bit.ly/3ft82C6  Ends

An Taisce awards University Green Campus status for second time  Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton T.D. today launched Ireland’s Climate Action Week at University of Galway. The event coincided with the University being awarded Green Campus status for a second time by An Taisce and the raising of the Green Flag at a special ceremony attended by Energy Performance Officers from each of Ireland’s universities, along with representatives from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the Higher Education Authority. Welcoming guests to the launch of Climate Action Week and the Green Flag ceremony in the Quadrangle, University of Galway President Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said, “At University of Galway we put our values of respect, excellence, openness and sustainability at the core of our teaching, learning and research and also in the operations of our busy campus. It is an important recognition of our determination on issues of sustainability that we partner with An Taisce to host the launch of Climate Action Week. We will continue to push forward to respond to global challenges as part of our central mission to serve the public good.”   Climate Action Week runs from October 10-16, offers a range of online and in-person events which aim to inform citizens, increase awareness and highlight the need for urgent climate action by all sectors of society.   University of Galway was awarded the prestigious Green Flag by An Taisce and the International Foundation of Environmental Education for three years for the quality of its campus and the environment and sustainability drive. The Green Flag is a visual sign of the commitment made in reducing the environmental footprint associated with campus operations. Through learning and research activities, and as a signatory to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Accord, the university is driving the transition towards a more sustainable future.  University of Galway is ranked number one in Ireland and top 50 in the world in the THE Impact rankings which measure achievements based around the UN SDGs. University of Galway Environmental, Health & Safety Manager in Buildings & Estates, Lorraine Rushe, said: “This Green Flag Award is the result of many years of hard work by staff and students aimed at improving environmental management and creating a more sustainable campus. It recognises the engagement by students and staff and the vast effort and hard work that is ongoing in the areas of energy, waste, water, travel and biodiversity.” Some of the highlights in the sustainability at the University include:  Ranked #1 University in Ireland for Sustainable Development (Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings 2022) Successfully accredited to ISO50001:2018 Energy Management System Standard Exceeded the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan target of 33% by 2020 and hit an impressive 51% in 2021 Installed Combined Heat & Power units throughout campus Rolled out solar thermal and solar photo voltaic panels  Installed 22 electric vehicle car charging points across the campus Implemented a Campus Pollinator Plan and Biodiversity Action Plan, which involves reducing mowing on grassy areas, planting pollinators, and providing wild pollinator nesting habitat e.g. hedgerows, earth banks and bug hotels Introduced organic waste collection which provide for an optimum composting mixture Installed Rainwater harvesting on campus and participant of Water Stewardship Programme Park & Ride shuttle bus service on campus Coordinated with NTA to install Coke Zero bike sharing stations on campus   First institution in Europe to be awarded Green Lab Certification by My Green Lab Ms Rushe added: “These achievements would not be possible without the commitment, vision and drive of our campus community. University management, buildings & estates team, academics, administrators, students and staff have all played an important role in driving sustainability. Through the ongoing implementation of Climate Action Plans and collaboration with other universities to deliver on our climate action targets and we will continue work to reduce our impact and lead by example in tackling this global issue. Cathy Baxter, Director, An Taisce Education Unit, said: “It is evident that the Green Campus programme is supported from the top down and across all sectors of University of Galway. This level of support is critical if the programme is to continue to grow and develop over the next three years. It is fitting that we are launching Climate Action Week in University of Galway today as it reflects the commitment of the university to taking climate action and having a leadership role in this vital area.” Ends

The PPI Ignite Network, involving seven Universities, brings together patient involvement in Irish healthcare research    A nationwide programme of events has been launched at University of Galway to celebrate and encourage public and patient involvement (PPI) in research, bringing patients and researchers together to share and broaden knowledge.  Taking place over almost two weeks from Monday October 10th, the events form the first National PPI Festival.  The festival was launched by Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of University of Galway, which is the co-ordinator of the festival and leads the PPI Ignite Network in partnership with six other universities.  Professor Ó hÓgartaigh said: “It is fitting that the new focus of public and patient involvement in research is being promoted so passionately by University of Galway and our counterparts across the sector. We place significant emphasis on work for the public good and an initiative of this nature is a powerful example of the role that it can play. It also speaks to the values of our University – respect; openness; excellence; sustainability and I wish everyone who is taking part every success as this new approach to research takes hold.” The PPI Ignite Network is led by University of Galway, in partnership with Dublin City University, University College Cork, University College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Trinity College Dublin and University of Limerick. The National PPI Festival will become an annual event, celebrating the progress in public and patient involvement in Irish research in recent years and increasing the awareness and knowledge of PPI among the public and among researchers.  The Festival will provide opportunities to reach people who are not currently involved in PPI and to share knowledge and experience from around the country.  Events are being organised by PPI groups, research teams, charities and patient organisations, as well as by the PPI Ignite Network teams at each of the seven Universities involved. Highlights include: Training on involving children and young people in the research planning process The launch of an online PPI training course for researchers at UCC PPI in medical device development training in University of Galway A PPI showcase at the Irish Cancer Society  Professor Sean Dinneen, Professor of Diabetic Medicine, University of Galway and national lead for the PPI Ignite Network said: “There is a growing realisation that the people about whom research is conducted - the public and patients - should be involved throughout all phases of research, to improve the quality and relevancy of research. Called Public and Patient Involvement, there is a significant change happening across Ireland in how research is being planned and conducted and University of Galway is at the centre of this change. “The face of research is changing rapidly in Ireland, researchers are now seeking out the public and patients to work as partners to design and conduct research that will have greater impact.  “This first National PPI Festival is a celebration of the progress made in recent years, much of which has been funded by the HRB and Irish Research Council through the PPI Ignite Network, which we at University of Galway are honoured to lead. It is an exciting time.” A highlight at University of Galway is the PPI Contributors’ Gathering, taking place on Saturday October 15, for people who are already actively involved with researchers and for members of the public, patients, carers or health and social care service users who would like to find out more about PPI in research.  Those attending the Gathering will be able to listen and to learn, to share their own PPI experiences, and to discuss how to ensure that the involvement of the public and patient in research leads to better research that has greater impact.   Claire Devlin, an active PPI contributor through Family Carers Ireland and part of the team planning the PPI Gathering, said: “I look upon this PPI Contributors’ Gathering as a reward for us - we work hard with researchers as PPI Contributors, we work hard in other parts of our lives, now we get a chance of a day out in Galway to meet other PPI Contributors and share our experiences.” For more information on the National PPI Festival and each of the events, please visit: https://ppinetwork.ie/festival/, or email martha.killilea@universityofgalway.ie.  This work is funded by the Health Research Board and the Irish Research Council, with co-funding from the seven universities at the centre of the PPI Ignite Network.  Ends

Sports Centre swimming pool to benefit from renewable heat   University of Galway has embarked on a geothermal heat pump project on campus to heat the swimming pool in the Sports Centre. The University campus is already part of Galway’s decarbonisation zone, which is aggressively targeting a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and to decarbonise the campus by 2050.  The ground source heat pump system is being developed and operated as a pilot in the European Union Horizon 2020 project GEOFIT, which is devoted to the adoption of innovative technologies to support and enhance ground source heat pump technologies in Europe.  Site works commenced in September 2022 on the lawn in front of the Alice Perry Engineering Building with 18 boreholes for a thermal network of underground pipes as part of a dual source ground-air heat pump system. GEOFIT will extract heat from the ground and feed two heat pumps to generate hot water which will be carried through an existing district heating network of underground pipes to warm the University swimming pool in the Sports Centre. Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of University of Galway, said: “With this investment, University of Galway is demonstrating that our values of sustainability and excellence are embedded not only in our research and education but also in how we operate as a campus. Our students were to the fore in pressing the case for sustainability and securing a clean, green and efficient energy source for our Sports Centre. GEOFIT is an important stepping stone on our decarbonisation journey.”  Assistant Professor Marcus Keane and his colleague Luis Blanes, University of Galway GEOFIT Research Manager, School of Engineering and Built Environment and Smart Cities Research Cluster lead in the Ryan Institute, said: “The GEOFIT pilot will provide an invaluable asset for the scientific community in Ireland and Europe. Like never before, we will be able to understand the long term performance and potential of ground source energy and plan how much energy we can harness from natural and renewable sources that include the ground and ambient air.” The GEOFIT project will capture, process and monitor data relating to the performance of the geothermal heat pump system for at least 5 years, utilising an advanced, innovative Fibre Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing System in collaboration with Ireland’s Geological Survey Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland’s iCRAG Geosciences Research Centre. The technology innovation and research data in University of Galway’s GEOFIT project will provide future management capability to extensively monitor, manage and maintain the renewable geothermal resource field over the next 25 years. The findings will help the University, as well as other operators of public buildings, to determine the feasibility and scalability of ground source heat pumps and other complementary solutions such as district heating and novel heat storage technologies. Michael Curran, Head of Building Services, Energy and Utilities, University of Galway, said: “This is not about just changing boilers with heat pumps - we will use this pilot as a teaching tool and a research laboratory. This is only a first step of a wider campus decarbonisation plan and an opportunity to monitor different performance data, leading to better decisions for large scale heat pump applications.” In addition to the GEOFIT project, the University has already invested in heat pump project to retrofit Áras de Brún building which is funded by Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme, supported by Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Higher Education Authority and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. It will provide equally extensive monitoring of heat pump performance over time and indoor air quality. For more information visit: https://geofit-project.eu/   Ends

University of Galway recently hosted the 2022 China Scholarship Council (Galway) Annual Symposium. The China Scholarship Council (CSC) is under the Ministry of Education of China and is the premier scholarship funding body in the country. The annual symposium provides a platform for students and scholars from different professional backgrounds to exchange ideas, which is conducive to promoting understanding, enhancing friendship, expanding horizons, stimulating innovation, and seeking new ideas for academic research and international cooperation. The conference, the first on a global scale, was co-facilitated in partnership with the CSC, the Chinese Embassy, the four colleges within the University and the Graduate School. Among those in attendance were university leaders, deans of faculties, supervisors, visiting scholars, international students, senior management of the CSC and the Chinese Embassy. Professor Becky Whay, Vice President International, opened the event and thanked the CSC for providing Chinese students with the opportunity to study at the University of Galway in Ireland. Of the scholarship She said: “This is both an academic exchange between Chinese and foreign universities and a sharing of resources in science and technology between the two countries, which will facilitate maximum scientific collaboration.” During her speech Dr Lulu Tian, Deputy Secretary General of the China Scholarship Council, said: “University of Galway in Ireland is a high-quality research university with a long history, attracting a large number of international students and scholars, especially young research talents. The academic exchange will provide scientific and technological support for the exploration of sustainable development paths applicable to different countries.” More than 40 CSC-funded student scholars presented research reports and had extensive, in-depth communications and exchanges with professors from home and abroad, staging a unique academic feast and fully demonstrating the quality of CSC-funded students. The attendees reported that they had greatly benefited from the conference, which had broadened and deepened their scholarly inquiry, stoked their excitement for scholarly innovation, and improved their capacity for thought exploration. Students were presented with awards on the day for their contribution to and promoting of wide dissemination and sharing of scientific knowledge.  Ends

Tá scoláireachtaí nua agus lóistín ar champas na hOllscoile bronnta ar 16 mhac léinn faoin Scéim Cónaitheachta Gaeilge. Beidh na mic léinn ag cur fúthu i dTeach na Gaeilge, i mBaile na Coiribe don bhliain acadúil 2022-2023 agus cuirfear €1,000 an duine ar fáil dóibh chun tacú leo leis na costas lóistín don bhliain. Cuireadh tús leis an Scéim Cónaitheachta Gaeilge den chéad uair san Ollscoil sa bhliain 1991, agus rinneadh athsheoladh ar an Scéim i mbliana ar mhaithe le lóistín a chur ar fáil do mhic léinn le Gaeilge agus chun pobal Gaeilge na hOllscoile a neartú.  Léiríodh an-spéis inti agus mic léinn ó cheann ceann na tíre ag iarraidh an deis a thapú a bheith in ann lóistín a roinnt le cainteoirí Gaeilge eile agus iad i mbun staidéir san Ollscoil i mbliana.   Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Cliodhna Ní Mhianáin, duine de na mic léinn ar éirigh léi áit a fháil i dTeach na Gaeilge: “Is i bpobal bríomhar na Gaeilge a tógadh mé agus is ann is compordaí mé i mo chraiceann féin; mothaím go bhfuil an cairdeas, craic agus an ‘raison d'être’ céanna ag lucht na Gaeilge nach bhfuil le fáil i measc an lucht aonteangaigh.  “Tá mé den bharúil, óir go bhfuil Ollscoil na Gaillimhe chomh lárnach sin, go mbeadh meascán iontach de Ghaeilgeoirí as gach cearn den tír ag freastal uirthi, araon le muintir Chonamara, agus go mbeadh meascán mearaí iontach de chanúintí ann. Is deis ar leith í an Scéim Cónaitheachta Gaeilge le bualadh leo uilig agus táim ag súil go mór leis an mbliain.” Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag an Ollamh Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Uachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí Ollscoil na Gaillimhe:  “Léiríonn an tacaíocht seo fíorthiomantas na hOllscoile i leith chur chun cinn na Gaeilge i measc phobal léinn na hOllscoile, agus léiríonn sé go bhfuil luach agus meas againn ar an nGaeilge agus spéis againn í a neartú agus a threisiú ar fud an champais.   “Beidh deis ag na mic léinn seo cur lena gcuid scileanna teanga agus sóisialta ag na himeachtaí Gaeilge a bheidh á reáchtáil san Ollscoil agus i gcathair na Gaillimhe, agus baineann tábhacht thar na bearta leis an sóisialú seo ó thaobh cleachtas agus iompar teanga na mac léinn.  Chomh maith leis sin léireofar do phobal na hOllscoile i gcoitinne go bhfuil an Ghaeilge lárnach i ngach uile réimse den saol in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe.” Tá tuilleadh eolais faoin Scéim Cónaitheachta Gaeilge ar fáil ag https://www.universityofgalway.ie/gaeilge/cursai-focheime/conaitheacht/  Críoch 

Sixteen Irish speaking students at University of Galway have been awarded special scholarships and dedicated on-campus accommodation under the Irish Language Residential Scheme. The students will share Teach na Gaeilge in Corrib Village for the 2022/23 academic year and receive €1,000 to support them with their accommodation costs. The Irish Language Residential Scheme was first established in the University in 1991 and was relaunched for the current academic year, with the aim of creating dedicated accommodation for Irish speaking students and to further develop the Irish speaking community on-campus.  Applications for places in Teach na Gaeilge were received from around the country, with students hoping to secure accommodation with fellow Irish speakers studying in the University. Cliodhna Ní Mhianáin is one of those to have secured a place. She said: “I was raised in a vibrant Irish speaking community and that is where I am most comfortable in my own skin. I feel that the Irish language community share a friendship, craic and the same raison d'être which you just don’t get within monolingual communities.   “I believe, with the University being so central, that a great mix of Irish speakers from each corner of the country will come together to study, along with the Connemara community, and that this will ensure a diverse range of dialects. The Irish Language Residential Scheme provides students like me with the opportunity to meet these Irish speakers and I couldn’t be more excited for the year ahead.” Deputy President and Registrar of University of Galway, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, said: “The creation of Teach na Gaeilge and the scholarship support shows this University’s true dedication to the promotion of the Irish language among our students. It also highlights how much we value and respect the Irish language and how committed we are to strengthening and reinforcing its use on campus.   “These students are ambassadors for the Irish language. They will be a central part of the University’s Irish language community and that of the city. This socialisation is of the utmost importance in terms of language practices and use. Teach na Gaeilge and the Irish Language Residential Scheme also shows the University community that the Irish language is central to all aspects of life here in University of Galway.” For more information about the scheme visit https://www.universityofgalway.ie/gaeilge/cursai-focheime/conaitheacht/  Ends