July

Agus an 45ú féile bhliantúil faoi lánseol, tá comhpháirtíocht nua cúig bliana fógartha ag Féile Idirnáisiúnta Ealaíon na Gaillimhe (GIAF) agus a comhpháirtí oideachais fadtréimhseach, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, faoina dtreiseofar ar an gcomhoibriú idir na comhpháirtithe. Rinne Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ceiliúradh ar na 13 bliana atá caite aici mar Chomhpháirtí Oideachais d’Fhéile Idirnáisiúnta Ealaíon na Gaillimhe i mbliana, agus le linn thréimhse na comhpháirtíochta cúig bliana deiridh tugadh isteach cúrsa nua i mbainistíocht na n-ealaíon cruthaitheach; forbraíodh SELECTED, ar clár forbartha gairmiúla é d’ábhar ealaíontóirí, déantóirí téatair, coimeádaithe agus léiritheoirí atá ag staidéar in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, mar aon le Clár Oibrithe Deonacha na Féile, faoinar cuireadh fáilte le cúig bliana anuas roimh 3,248 rannpháirtí ó 41 tír éagsúil ar an meán gach bliain. Reáchtáladh 121 imeacht ar champas Ollscoil na Gaillimhe le linn na comhpháirtíochta deiridh, agus rinne 128,727 duine a mbealach chuig an gcampas chun éisteacht le sárcheoltóirí agus le ceolfhoirne shiansacha, féachaint ar thaispeántais agus ar shuiteálacha agus taitneamh a bhaint as sáramharclannaíocht na hÉireann agus idirnáisiúnta. Chuir an fhéile deiseanna cruthaitheacha agus cultúrtha ar fáil do chéimithe, agus bhí céimithe de chuid Ollscoil na Gaillimhe le feiceáil in níos mó ná 50% de léiriúcháin GIAF in 2021, agus seans ag príomhchomhaltaí foirne acadúla páirt a ghlacadh sa tsraith cainteanna First Thought Talks agus Backstage. Forbraíodh imeachtaí d’alumni ag an bhféile freisin. Leathnófar an obair seo mar thoradh ar an gcomhpháirtíocht nua, agus áireofar léi nasc idir an Ollscoil agus clár First Thought Talks na féile; forbairt bhreise ar chartlann GIAF atá ar coimeád i leabharlann na hOllscoile trí chruthú rannóg nua ar stair béil na féile; agus GIAF agus Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ag déanamh fiosrú ar na bealaí ina féidir leis an gcomhpháirtíocht cabhrú le tionscail chruthaitheacha san Iarthar a fhorbairt le go gcothófaí conairí gairme do chéimithe Ollscoil na Gaillimhe; agus forbairt bhreise a dhéanamh ar chlár oibrithe deonacha GIAF, ar éirigh chomh maith sin leis, áit a leanfaidh an ollscoil ar aghaidh mar urraitheoir an teidil agus trína n-éascófar for-rochtain fhairsing chuig raon pobal níos éagsúla fós. Agus beagnach 20% d’imeachtaí GIAF ar siúl ar an gcampas anois, tá GIAF agus Ollscoil na Gaillimhe tagtha ar chomhaontú anois freisin oibriú níos dlúithe le chéile chun féilte níos inbhuanaithe a eagrú bliain i ndiaidh bliana. Féachfaidh siad le tógáil ar dhea-chleachtas sa chlár, go háirithe i gcás na n-imeachtaí sin a bheidh ar siúl ar an gcampas. Anuas air sin, oibreoidh Ollscoil na Gaillimhe agus GIAF as lámha a chéile as seo go ceann dhá bhliain mar chuid de chuibhreannas Eorpach ina dhéanfar iniúchadh ar na bealaí inar féidir leas a bhaint as fiontraíocht chultúrtha chun tacú leis an aistriú aeráide. Ag labhairt dó faoin gcomhpháirtíocht nua, dúirt Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh: “Tá an-áthas orainn ár gcomhpháirtíocht straitéiseach le GIAF a leathnú tuilleadh. Seasann an chomhpháirtíocht le luachanna ár nOllscoil – meas, oscailteacht, barr feabhais, inbhuanaitheacht – agus lenár stádas mar ollscoil ar mhaithe le leas an phobail, agus le Gaillimh mar chathair chruthaitheach. Táim ag súil go mór le bheith ag obair le GIAF sna blianta amach romhainn trí chur lenár gcomhoibriú ar imeachtaí, taighde, rannpháirtíocht shibhialta agus ar dheiseanna foghlama dár gcuid mac léinn.” Dúirt John Crumlish, Príomhfheidhmeannach Fhéile Idirnáisiúnta Ealaíon na Gaillimhe: “Údar mór misnigh an fhorbairt seo do GIAF agus d’fhéadfadh sé athrú chun feabhais a dhéanamh ar roinnt réimsí d’obair na féile. Cuirfidh an chomhpháirtíocht ar chumas na heagraíochta a bhfuil pleanáilte aici sa réimse EDI a chur chun cinn, forbairt a dhéanamh ar a ardán díospóireachta First Thought, tacaíocht bhreise a thabhairt d’fhorbairt ealaíontóirí, iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar dheiseanna forbartha sna Tionscail Chruthaitheacha, tacú le haistriú na féile chuig todhchaí inbhuanaithe mar aon le tacú le forbairt cláir.” Oibreoidh GIAF agus Ollscoil na Gaillimhe i bpáirt freisin chun cruinnithe alumni ar an gcampas a eagrú i rith na féile agus forbróidh siad gníomhaíochtaí comhoibríocha a bheidh ag teacht leis na tréimhsí sin a mbeidh an fhéile ar camchuairt. Bhí an méid seo le rá ag Leas-Uachtarán don Rannpháirtíocht Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an Dr Paul Dodd: “Baineann ár bpobail an-tairbhe as na deiseanna foghlama, na himeachtaí alumni agus go leor eile atá á n-eagrú a bhuíochas le GIAF a bheith ar ár gcampas. Táimid ag díriú go mór ar bhonn leanúnach ar thaighde sna teicneolaíochtaí cruthaitheacha agus tiocfaidh tuilleadh deiseanna foghlama agus forbartha as an gcomhpháirtíocht seo dár mic léinn, comhaltaí foirne agus alumni trí oibriú i gcomhar le foireann agus taibheoirí GIAF sa téarma amach romhainn.” Críoch

With the 45th annual festival in full flow, Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF) and its long-time education partner University of Galway have announced a new five-year partnership that will see the partners work even more closely together.  University of Galway marked 13 years as Galway International Arts Festival Education Partner this year, with the last five-year partnership seeing the introduction of a new course in creative arts management; the development of SELECTED, the professional development programme for emerging artists, theatre makers, curators and producers studying at University of Galway, and the Festival Volunteer Programme, which has welcomed 3,248 participants over the last five years from an average of 41 different countries each year. Over the course of the last partnership, 121 events have taken place on the University of Galway campus, with 128,727 people brought on to campus to see musical greats, symphony orchestras, exhibitions, installations plus great Irish and international theatre. The festival provided creative and cultural opportunities for graduates, with more than 50% of the productions at GIAF 2021 featuring University of Galway graduates, provided opportunities for key academic staff who took part in the First Thought Talks and Backstage talks series and saw the development of alumni events at the festival. The new partnership will see a further expansion of this work, plus a University association with the festival’s First Thought Talks programme; further development of the GIAF archive housed in the University library, with the creation of a new oral festival histories section; GIAF and University of Galway exploring how the partnership can help to develop the creative industries in the West to foster career pathways for University of Galway graduates; and further development of GIAF’s hugely successful volunteer programme, where the university will continue to operate as title sponsor, facilitating extensive outreach to an even more diverse range of communities. With close to 20% of GIAF events now held on campus, GIAF and University of Galway have also agreed to work more closely together on the delivery of more sustainable festivals year on year, building event best practice across the programme and in particular around those events taking place on the campus. In addition, University of Galway and GIAF will also work together as part of a European consortium over the next two years, examining how cultural entrepreneurship can be used to support climate transition. Commenting on the new partnership, University of Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “We are delighted to further extend our strategic partnership with GIAF. The partnership speaks to the values of our University – respect, openness, excellence, sustainability - and to our status as a university for the public good and of the creative city that is Galway. I look forward to working with GIAF over the coming years through increased collaboration on events, research, civic engagement and learning opportunities for our students.” CEO of Galway International Arts Festival John Crumlish said: “This is a hugely exciting development for GIAF and a potential game changer for a number of areas of the festival’s work. The partnership will allow the organisation to further progress its EDI ambitions, progress its discussion platform First Thought, further support artist development, explore development opportunities in the Creative Industries, support the festival’s transition to a sustainable future and support programming.” GIAF and University of Galway will also work together on the delivery of on-campus alumni gatherings during the festival and will develop collaborative activities around the festival’s touring periods. University of Galway Vice-President for Engagement Dr Paul Dodd commented: “From learning opportunities to alumni events, our communities benefit hugely from having GIAF on our campus. Creative technologies continue to be a strong research focus for us and this partnership will provide more opportunities for our talented students, staff and alumni to learn and grow through collaboration with GIAF staff and performers over the coming term.” Ends

University of Galway is offering a unique opportunity to explore its riverside campus through the lens of a mobile phone camera with the Campus Festival Photo Walks on 28 and 29 July. International award winning photographers and leading figures in mobile photography, Dan Rubin and Brendan Ó Sé will guide photography enthusiasts along the University’s biodiversity trail to explore and learn about the campus, while elevating their photography skills. Dan Rubin, an award-winning designer, photographer, and creative director based in the US and UK has over 25 years of experience. Co-founder of New Style Publishing and webgraph, he has travelled the world on photographic commissions for select clientele and led workshops with Leica Akademie, Polaroid, Kodak, and The Photographers' Gallery. He is a recurring juror for the International Photography Awards and the ColorPro Award, and has been a WPO Academy member since 2016. Dan’s first photographic book, Koya Bound, won the AIGA Cover Design Award in 2017. Brendan Ó Sé is an award-winning fine art and iPhone photographer from Cork. Brendan was part of the original Apple #shotoniPhone global campaign in 2015 and was named iPhone Photographer of the Year in 2017. He has exhibited his work globally and his mobile photography workshops, held with the Photo Museum of Ireland and the Glusckman Gallery in Cork, have attracted a wide audience. Brendan's unique approach to street photography results in striking and distinct imagery. The University has been found to be Ireland’s most biodiverse campus and the biodiversity trail takes in a range of flora and fauna in woodland and riverside settings.               Dr Paul Dodd, Vice President of Engagement at University of Galway said: “Our campus is a popular amenity for all our local communities to use, and we look forward to welcoming world-leading photographers to show us how to take a great photo while we showcase the history and biodiversity on our doorstep.” The Campus Festival Photo Walks are free to attend and bookings can be made at https://www.eventbrite.ie/o/university-of-galway-54327075003. Ends 

University of Galway are now accepting applications for the Universities of Sanctuary Scholarship Programme for 2023-24.  Open to International Protection Applicants, refugees, Irish Travellers and vulnerable immigrant groups, University of Galway is providing 24 scholarships, for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses across its four colleges.  The scholarship includes a full fee waiver (excluding student levy), an annual stipend of €3,300, and ongoing support and academic mentoring. University of Galway Vice-President Engagement Dr Paul Dodd said: “The Universities of Sanctuary Scholarship Programme reaffirms University of Galway’s commitment to respond to the increasingly multicultural and diverse society in which we inhabit, and reflects the University’s strategic values of respect and openness. We are delighted to provide this life changing opportunity and encourage you to apply to join our University of Galway community.” Obadiah Niyibizi, a recent graduate of the Universities of Sanctuary scholarship programme, said: “I am grateful to be a Universities of Sanctuary Scholarship recipient, as it has enabled me to graduate with a Bachelor of Science this year. I first learned about this opportunity through various associations, and it proved to be a lifesaver for me as an international protection applicant ineligible for European fees. The financial support not only helped me overcome this, but the mentorship aspect of the programme was invaluable. I was fortunate to have both academic and social mentors who guided me through the university system, making my experience a smooth and enjoyable journey. This scholarship has truly transformed my life, and I cannot express my appreciation enough." The Universities of Sanctuary Scholarship Programme is part of a wider effort by University of Galway as a designated University of Sanctuary to broaden participation among underrepresented groups and to challenge discrimination. In a further example of University of Galway’s efforts in line with its values of respect and openness, we are also part of the EU-PASSWORLD project. As part of that initiative two refugee students will be welcomed in September 2023 to undertake a Master’s degree at University of Galway’s College of Science and Engineering. The EU-PASSWORLD project is a joint initiative between University of Galway, UNHCR - the United Nations Refugee Agency, and Nasc – Ireland’s Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre. The project is specifically focused on developing a roadmap to create new, safe and legal routes for displaced people to secure education scholarships in Ireland. University of Galway also recently signed the Anti-Racism Principles for Irish Higher Education Institutions, which seek to embed a culture of race equality across higher education. The closing date for applications for Universities of Sanctuary scholarships is Friday August 4 at 12pm for postgraduate applications, and Friday September 8 at 12pm for undergraduate scholarship applications. Information on the scholarship programme can be found at www.universityofgalway.ie/sanctuary/scholarships or by emailing uni.sanctuary@universityofgalway.ie. Ends

Tá Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ag glacadh le hiarratais anois do Chlár Scoláireachta na nOllscoileanna Tearmainn don bhliain acadúil 2023-24.  Is féidir le hIarratasóirí ar Chosaint Idirnáisiúnta, dídeanaithe, Taistealaithe na hÉireann agus grúpaí leochaileacha inimirceach cur isteach ar na scoláireachtaí seo agus tá Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ag cur 24 scoláireacht ar fáil do chúrsaí fochéime agus iarchéime araon ina gceithre choláiste.  Áirítear leis an scoláireacht tarscaoileadh táille iomlán (seachas tobhach na mac léinn), stipinn bhliantúil de €3,300 mar aon le tacaíocht leanúnach agus meantóireacht acadúil. Dúirt Leas-Uachtarán don Rannpháirtíocht in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an Dr Paul Dodd: “Déantar tiomantas Ollscoil na Gaillimhe freagairt don tsochaí ilchultúrtha agus éagsúil ina gcónaímid a athdhearbhú trí Chlár Scoláireachtaí na hOllscoile Tearmainn, ar clár é ina ndéantar luachanna straitéiseacha na hOllscoile, meas agus oscailteacht, a léiriú. Tá an-áthas orainn an deis seo a d’fhéadfadh do shaol a athrú ó bhun a chur ar fáil agus molaimid duit iarratas a dhéanamh agus a bheith linn in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe.” Dúirt Obadiah Niyibizi, ar bronnadh céim air le gairid a bhuíochas le clár scoláireachta na nOllscoileanna Tearmainn: “Tá mé buíoch gur bronnadh Scoláireacht Ollscoile Tearmainn orm mar gur chuir sé ar mo chumas céim Baitsiléir Eolaíochta a bhaint amach i mbliana. D’fhoghlaim mé faoin deis seo ar dtús trí chomhlachais éagsúla, agus rinne sé difear ollmhór dom mar gur iarratasóir ar chosaint idirnáisiúnta mé nach mbeadh incháilithe do tháillí Eorpacha. Ní hamháin gur chabhraigh an tacaíocht airgid liom é seo a shárú, ach bhain mé an-tairbhe as an meantóireacht a fuair mé i rith an chláir. Bhí an t-ádh liom meantóirí acadúla agus sóisialta a bheith agam a threoraigh tríd an gcóras mé, rud a d’fhág go raibh eispéireas ollscoile tairbheach agus taitneamhach agam. Tá mé thar a bheith buíoch as an scoláireacht seo agus tá mo shaol athraithe ó bhun dá bharr.” Tá iarracht níos leithne á déanamh ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe mar Ollscoil Tearmainn ainmnithe chun rannpháirtíocht i measc grúpaí tearcionadaithe a mhéadú agus chun dúshlán a thabhairt don leithcheal, agus gné amháin den iarracht sin is ea Clár Scoláireachtaí na nOllscoileanna Tearmainn. Sampla eile d’iarrachtaí Ollscoil na Gaillimhe luachanna an mheasa agus na hoscailteachta a chur chun cinn is ea ár rannpháirtíocht sa tionscadal EU-PASSWORLD. Cuirfear fáilte faoin tionscnamh sin roimh bheirt mhac léinn ar dídeanaithe iad i Meán Fómhair 2023 chun tabhairt faoi chéim Mháistreachta i gColáiste na hEolaíochta agus na hInnealtóireachta, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Is comhthionscnamh é an tionscadal EU-PASSWORLD idir Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, UNHCR - Gníomhaireacht na Náisiún Aontaithe le haghaidh Dídeanaithe, agus Nasc – Lárionad na hÉireann um Chearta na nImirceach agus na nDídeanaithe. Tá an tionscadal dírithe go sonrach ar threochlár a fhorbairt chun bealaí nua, sábháilte agus dleathacha a chruthú do dhaoine easáitithe chun scoláireachtaí oideachais a fháil in Éirinn. Anuas air sin, shínigh Ollscoil na Gaillimhe na Prionsabail Frithchiníochais d’Institiúidí Ardoideachais na hÉireann le gairid, a fhéachann le cultúr comhionannais ciníocha a neadú san ardoideachas. Is é an dáta deiridh le haghaidh iarratas ar scoláireachtaí na nOllscoileanna Tearmainn Dé hAoine, an 4 Lúnasa ag 12pm le haghaidh iarratais iarchéime, agus Dé hAoine, an 8 Meán Fómhair ag 12pm le haghaidh iarratais fochéime. Tá eolas faoin gclár scoláireachta le fáil ag www.universityofgalway.ie/sanctuary/scholarships nó trí ríomhphost a sheoladh chuig uni.sanctuary@universityofgalway.ie. Críoch

Hygeia chun tacú le mic léinn rochtain a fháil ar oideachas trí scoláireachtaí Tá comhpháirtíocht nua fógartha ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe le Hygeia, ar príomh-mhonaróir Éireannach de tháirgí garraíodóireachta, talmhaíochta agus tréidliachta é, agus ar bhunaigh an Dr Donny Coyle i gCathair na Gaillimhe in 1939 é agus atá lonnaithe in Órán Mór anois. Soláthrófar scoláireachtaí agus sparánachtaí Rochtana faoin gcomhpháirtíocht do mhic léinn nach bhfuil d’acmhainn acu rochtain a fháil ar oideachas tríú leibhéal ceal airgid. Beidh an chomhpháirtíocht deich mbliana oscailte do mhic léinn na hOllscoile trí chéile agus tacóidh sí le seirbhísí mac léinn maoiniú a bhronnadh ar mhic léinn a bhfuil cruatan á fhulaingt acu. Áireofar le Scoláireacht Hygeia meantóireacht ó fhostaithe Hygeia faoina dtacófar le mic léinn forbairt go hacadúil agus go pearsanta chomh maith le deiseanna do shocrúcháin oibre agus intéirneachtaí le go sealbhóidh mic léinn scileanna luachmhara agus go bhfaighidh siad léargas dá ngairmeacha beatha sa todhchaí.              Agus é ag cur fáilte roimh an gcomhpháirtíocht, bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh: “Is léiriú í an chomhpháirtíocht seo le Hygeia ar choincheap na Meithle a luaitear i bPlean Straitéiseach Ollscoil na Gaillimhe Fís i gCoiteann, Múnlaithe ag Luachanna, ar focal é a chuireann síos ar an gcleachtas faoinar tháinig daoine i gcabhair ar a chéile chun an fómhar a dhéanamh. Agus muid ag obair as lámha a chéile lenár gcomhpháirtithe tionscail, tá muinín againn go bhfuil ar ár gcumas Meitheal a thiomsú agus a threorú a rachaidh chun tairbhe an réigiúin, na tíre agus an domhain. Fáiltím ó chroí roimh an infheistíocht atá déanta ag Hygeia i gcomhpháirtíocht deich mbliana a thacóidh lenár gclár Scoláireachtaí Rochtana agus a chuirfidh ar chumas mic léinn a bhfuil deacrachtaí airgeadais acu rochtain a fháil ar oideachas tríú leibhéal. Tá Hygeia anseo inár dteannta anois agus muid ag feidhmiú ar son ár gcuid mac léinn, ár sochaí agus ar mhaithe le leas an phobail.”             Labhair John Coyle, Cathaoirleach Hygeia, mar seo a leanas: “Tá Hygeia agus Ollscoil na Gaillimhe i mbun comhoibrithe le fada an lá, agus bhí ár saoráid lonnaithe in aice leis an gcampas le blianta fada. Táimid an-sásta tógáil ar an obair atá déanta againn i gcomhar a chéile san am a caitheadh agus an chomhpháirtíocht 10 mbliana seo á fógairt go hoifigiúil againn. Táimid ag tús ré nua don chomhlacht, agus údar spreagtha dúinn is ea é go ligeann na scoláireachtaí seo dúinn an chéad ghlúin eile oibrithe óga a bheith linn, ar acu a bheidh an t-eolas agus na scileanna chun tacú le fás agus nuálaíocht an chomhlachta.”             Seo mar a labhair John Byrne, Príomhfheidhmeannach Hygeia: “Tá an-áthas ar Hygeia ár gclár scoláireachta nua a sheoladh. Éascóidh an tionscnamh nua seo forbairt leanúnach ár n-acmhainne eolais agus scileanna laistigh den eagraíocht agus cuideoidh sé le fás na n-earnálacha gnó mar atá, cúram gairdíní, cosaint barr agus cúram tréidliachta.  Ba mhaith linn buíochas a ghabháil le hOllscoil na Gaillimhe as a bhfuil déanta acu chun an clár seo a eagrú, ar clár é a rachaidh chun tairbhe na mac léinn, Hygeia agus na hOllscoile.”             Dúirt Imelda Byrne, Ceann an Ionaid Rochtana in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le Hygeia as a dtabhartas flaithiúil do mhic léinn Rochtana Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Táimid fíorbhuíoch as a dtacaíocht a chabhróidh lenár mic léinn rochtain a fháil ar an ollscoil, dul chun cinn a dhéanamh inti agus ar deireadh céim a bhaint amach. “Tá sciartha faoi leith den daonra nach ndeachaigh ar aghaidh chuig oideachas tríú leibhéal go traidisiúnta agus is as na grúpaí sin a thagann breis is 20% d’iontrálaithe nua na hOllscoile gach bliain anois. An aidhm atá againn san Ionad Rochtana cur leis an bhfigiúr iontrála sin bliain ar bhliain. Tá fianaise ann go ndéanann tacaíocht airgeadais difear an-mhór do mhic léinn agus iad ag féachaint le céim ollscoile a bhaint amach. Is mór an cúnamh dóibh siúd a fhaigheann é an maoiniú seo a bhfuil fáil air a bhuíochas lenár gcomhpháirtíocht le Hygeia; anuas air sin, rachaidh an mheantóireacht agus an cúnamh le forbairt phearsanta, ar bunghnéithe de na sparánachtaí iad, chun tairbhe go leor mac léinn faoi mhíbhuntáiste. Táimid an-bhuíoch as na caidrimh a bhíonn againn le deontóirí cosúil le Hygeia a thacaíonn le hobair an Ionaid Rochtana agus muid ag obair chun cur le rochtain ar an ardoideachas agus chun rannpháirtíocht a mhéadú dóibh siúd is mó a bhfuil an cúnamh de dhíth orthu.”  Críoch

Hygeia to support students access education through scholarships University of Galway has announced a new partnership with Hygeia, a leading Irish manufacturer of gardening, agricultural and veterinary products, established in Galway City in 1939 by Dr Donny Coyle and now based in Oranmore.   The partnership will provide Access scholarships and bursaries to students who are experiencing financial barriers to accessing third-level education. The ten-year partnership will be open to students across the University and will support student services to award funding to students experiencing hardship.    The Hygeia Scholarship will include mentorship by Hygeia employees, supporting students through their academic and personal development as well as opportunities for work placements and internships so that students gain valuable skills and insight for their future careers.                Welcoming the partnership, President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “This partnership with Hygeia is a manifestation of the concept of Meitheal used in University of Galway’s Strategic Plan Shared Vision, Shaped by Values, which describes the practice of people coming together pooling talent and resources to complete the harvest. Working closely with our industry partners, we are confident of our capacity to inspire and lead a Meitheal to the benefit of our region, our country, and our world. I warmly welcome the investment of Hygeia in a ten-year partnership that will support our Access Scholarship programme, enabling students who are facing financial barriers to access third-level education. They join us in being here for our students, our society and for the public good."               John Coyle, Chairman of Hygeia, said: “Hygeia and the University of Galway have collaborative heritage, with our facility being based beside the campus for many years. We have worked together in the past and are delighted to officially announce our commitment to this 10-year partnership. We are at the start of a new chapter for the company and it’s exciting to know we have the next generation of knowledge and skill supporting the company’s growth and innovation through this selection of scholarships.”               John Byrne, CEO of Hygeia, said: “Hygeia is delighted to launch our new scholarship programme. This new initiative will facilitate the continued development of our knowledge capacity and talent capabilities within the organisation and assist the growth of the business sectors of garden care, crop protection and veterinary care.  We would like to thank the University of Galway for the hard work in bringing this programme together that will benefit the students, Hygeia and the University.”               Imelda Byrne, Head of Access at University of Galway, said: “I would like to thank Hygeia for their generous donation to University of Galway Access students. We are extremely grateful for their support which will help our students enter, progress and successfully graduate from our university. “Over 20% of new entrants annually to our University now come from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, and the Access Centre aim to increase this admissions figure with each passing year. Evidence indicates that financial support is a key determinant in successful outcomes for our students. Our partnership with Hygeia will make such a great difference to the lives of the recipients; in addition, the time and expertise provided to them through the mentoring and personal development pillars of the bursaries will help change the future of many underprivileged students. We are very grateful for relationships with donors like Hygeia who support the work of the Access Centre in increasing access and widening participation for the most deserving in our community.”    Ends

Díreoidh taispeántas nua in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ar an meabhairshláinte agus ar an gcaoi a gcuirtear saincheisteanna meabhairshláinte in iúl san ealaín agus gach píosa bunaithe ar thaighde acadúil comhaimseartha. Beidh Mindscapes ar siúl ón 12 Iúil go dtí an 2 Lúnasa agus is taispeántas uathúil é atá mar thoradh ar chomhoibriú idir na Dána agus na hEolaíochtaí. Agus an mheabhairshláinte mar théama lárnach, cuimsíonn Mindscapes saothar ealaíne ó dheichniúr ealaíontóirí i gcomhar le 14 thaighdeoir acadúla ó Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, Ollscoil Oxford, Ollscoil Dhún Éideann, Ollscoil Birmingham agus Ollscoil Londain. Roghnaigh gach ealaíontóir topaic meabhairshláinte agus ansin cuireadh é/í ag obair in éineacht le hacadóir a dhéanann taighde sa réimse sonrach sin. I measc na dtopaicí tá folláine, neamhord dépholach, codladh, seachmaill, agus mothúcháin. Is é Mindscapes an chéad tionscadal ó Mol na nDán Eolaíoch in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe agus is í an Dr Jane Conway, Léachtóir Taighde le Scoil na Síceolaíochta in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, a bhí i mbun stiúrtha.             Bhí an méid seo le rá ag an Dr Conway: “Is teist é an taispeántas seo ar láidreacht phobal cultúrtha na Gaillimhe. Léiríonn sé gur féidir le daoine sna dána agus sna heolaíochtaí teacht le chéile chun bunphíosaí a chruthú a chuireann nádúr na hintinne in iúl. Ag teacht leis na haidhmeanna a bhaineann le Mol na nDán Eolaíoch, déanann sé iniúchadh ar smaointe trí mheán ealaíonta ach ag an am céanna léirítear meas ar an taighde a fhorbraíonn na smaointe sin go hatriallach, agus a leagann tábhacht ar an machnamh criticiúil riachtanach ar an bhfianaise, ag smaoineamh ar ‘conas a bhíonn a fhios againn a bhfuil a fhios againn’.” Beidh an taispeántas saor in aisce ar siúl ó 10am go 6pm ón 12 Iúil go dtí an 2 Lúnasa i nDánlann na hOllscoile sa Chearnóg. Osclóidh James Harrold, iar-Oifigeach Ealaíon Chathair agus Chontae na Gaillimhe an taispeántas go hoifigiúil Dé Sathairn, an 15 Iúil ag 3pm. Críoch

University of Galway is inviting all graduates from the classes of 1983, 1993, 1998 and 2003 to a special reunion barbeque on campus on Saturday September 2, 2023.   The reunion promises to be filled with nostalgia, laughter, and reconnecting with fellow alumni. The reunion programme includes a campus tours in the afternoon, allowing graduates to revisit their favourite places and see how the campus has changed since their graduation.   The barbeque will take place in Sult Bar on campus from 6pm with a DJ playing hits from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.               Nicola Rees, Director of Development and Alumni Relations at University of Galway, said: "University of Galway holds a special place in the hearts of our alumni, and these milestone anniversaries provide an ideal opportunity for our graduates to reconnect and relive their memories.   "We encourage all graduates from the classes of 1983, 1993, 1998, and 2003 to join us for this reunion barbeque, where they can reconnect with old friends, rediscover the campus, and create new memories together. And to ensure that everyone is included, we request the assistance of all graduates in spreading the word. We urge you to reach out to your classmates and ensure they are aware of this exciting event.”   To book your tickets, and for further information, visit https://www.universityofgalway.ie/alumni-friends/reunion.    If you have any pictures or photographs from your time in University of Galway, please email them to alumni@universityofgalway.ie or post to The Alumni Office, The Gate Lodge, University of Galway.   Ends

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett today announced a call for expressions of interest to participate in a new Timber in Construction Working Group.  The group will be tasked with examining conditions to increase the use of timber in construction, assessing regulatory and standardisation challenges to greater use of timber in construction, and maximising the use of home-grown timber. The group will bring together a range of industry expertise and relevant Government Departments and Agencies, with an independent Chair. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine will provide the secretariat to the group and a Chair will be appointed once the group’s membership has been finalised.     Minister Hackett said, “I am delighted to announce this call for expressions of interest from representative bodies, Universities and industry experts. We want to hear from professionals who have the knowledge and expertise to work together with relevant Government Departments and State agencies to examine how we can increase the use of timber in the Irish construction sector. Right across Europe we are seeing increased use of timber as a reliable, sustainable material in the construction of large-scale buildings. The use of engineered wood such as cross laminated timber is facilitating new methods of construction, and we need to explore opportunities to embrace this shift here in Ireland. We are establishing the Timber in Construction Working Group because we believe that the best way to unlock the potential for much greater use of timber in construction in Ireland is through industry experts collaborating with Government Departments and State agencies to assess where the barriers are, and how they can be overcome.”    The use of timber in construction and the built environment will play an important role in meeting our climate targets. Wood locks up carbon in buildings and reduces our reliance on materials made from non-renewable resources.      The working group will bring together key Government Departments who have important roles in developing the forest resource, the built environment, including innovation and market development. Key to the success of the group will be the input from industry and experts in construction.   Minister Ryan T.D., said, “I welcome the proposed Timber in Construction Working Group and my Department will engage with work that supports increased use of timber in construction. The role that products such as cross-laminated timber may play, as an alternative to ­intensive products such as concrete and steel, should be investigated thoroughly. Increasing the availability of alternative construction materials, while responding to pressing construction needs, is an important part of the measures needed for meeting our climate targets.”   Minister Darragh O Brien T.D., stated  “I am very pleased to see the establishment of this working group to promote the use of Timber in Construction. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) are a key measure to support the delivery of housing under Housing for All. Government has worked together to put in place a number of important initiatives in the areas of research, demonstration and social housing delivery to support the development of Modern Methods of Construction .  The use of timber in construction is an important Modern Method of Construction and helps to improve the delivery of new housing whilst at the same time increasing the sustainability of materials used. My Department will actively participate in this group and I look forward to its outcomes which will support Housing for All and Climate Action targets.”   The Minister of State Hackett made the announcement today while visiting a team of researchers at the University of Galway who have been at the cutting edge of timber research over many years. Minister Hackett stated, “I am delighted to be here in the University of Galway today to see first-hand the excellent work that my Department has funded over many years in timber research. The research that the University carries out supports the use and development of Irish timber and timber standards from our home-grown resource. My ultimate vision for that home-grown timber is that it will be used at scale to build the homes, schools and offices of the future here in Ireland.”   Professor Annette Harte from Galway University stated together with Dr Patrick McGetrick, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to host the Minister today and demonstrate the excellent work that is currently taking place in timber research in Ireland. We welcome the establishment of the new Timber Group in Construction and will be delighted assist in its work.”      The closing date for receipt of applications for expression of Interest is 3pm, 28 July 2023 and details are available on the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s website. Ends

A new exhibition at University of Galway will focus on the topic of mental health and the nature of expressing mental health issues from an artistic perspective with each piece being grounded in contemporary academic research. Mindscapes will take place from July 12 to August 2 and is a unique exhibition resulting from collaborations between Arts and Sciences.  Taking mental health as its central theme, Mindscapes features artworks from 10 artists in collaboration with 14 academic researchers from the Universities of Galway, Oxford, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and London. Each artist chose a mental health topic and then was paired up with an academic who conducts research in that specific area. Topics include wellbeing, bipolar disorder, sleep, illusions, and emotions. Mindscapes is the first project from the Scientific Arts Lab at the University of Galway and directed by Dr Jane Conway. Dr Conway is a fellow funded by the Irish Research Council through the SFI-IRC Pathway Programme and a Research Lecturer with the School of Psychology at University of Galway             Dr Conway said: “This exhibition is testament to the strength of Galway’s cultural community. It demonstrates that people from the arts and sciences can come together to create original pieces that express the nature of the mind. In keeping with the aims of the Scientific Arts Lab, it explores ideas through artistic media but with respect to the research that iteratively builds those very ideas, and values the necessary critical reflection on the evidence, thinking about ‘how we know what we know’.”  The free exhibition will run from 10am to 6pm from July 12 to August 2 in the University’s Art Gallery in the Quadrangle. The exhibition will be officially opened on Saturday July 15 at 3pm by James Harrold, former Galway City and County Arts Officer. Ends

A new report published today by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Ryan Institute at the University of Galway has found that the increasing frequency and severity of extreme storms, flooding and sea level rise, means that some communities in Ireland are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change, due to much of Ireland’s population residing in coastal zones. The IOM report, Assessing the Evidence: Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC) in Ireland, also includes advantages and opportunities for Ireland to strengthen climate resilience, including by better supporting vulnerable communities and improving understanding of the advantages of human mobility and of people on the move.             Director of the Interdisciplinary Ryan Institute at University of Galway, Professor Charles Spillane said: “The report synthesizes the mounting evidence that climate change impacts on human migration in Ireland. It includes future projections of escalating vulnerability and risk as well as recommendations for strengthening national responses regarding human mobility changes in response to climatic and environmental changes in Ireland.” The report is the first Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC) Country Profile in Europe and adds to IOM’s growing number of country reports which assess the evidence of the effects of climate change on migration. Climate change is reshaping migration patterns around the world, with disasters now being the leading cause of internal displacements. Last year alone, 32.6 million new internal human displacements were caused by disasters, according to the 2023 Global Report on Internal Displacement, published by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre.             Dr Soumyadeep Banerjee, IOM Regional Migration, Environment and Climate Change Specialist, highlighted that in response to the climate crisis, IOM now has extensive activities underway on the migration, environment and climate change nexus, working with governments and partners on solutions at each stage of the migration cycle: “Climate and migration is a growing issue for countries around the world, including for Ireland. This report includes solutions for people to move, people on the move, and people to stay.”             Darya Silchenko, one of the authors and a graduate of University of Galway’s Masters in Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security, said: “The report found that there is a scarcity of research and policy efforts that integrate climate change and environmental hazards in Ireland with their impacts on human migration. With climate change adaptation as an increasingly urgent national and global priority, it is vital to adopt a precautionary approach that considers the impacts for vulnerable communities. Further aligning migration and climate policies will be essential to build capacity for addressing present and future challenges through an inclusive and human-centered approach."             Dr Peter McKeown, Coordinator of the Master in Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security programme, said: “It is so important to education and train the next generation of ‘change agents’ such as Darya, so that they can make practical and significant contributions to climate action. As the frequency, duration and intensity of natural hazards worsens in the context of climate change, the number of climate disasters is expected to rise considerably with knock-on effects on human displacement.”             International development, climate and migration expert Dr Una Murray within the Ryan Institute said: “The IOM Country Profile for Ireland encourages government and relevant stakeholders to consider key challenges and opportunities arising from the migration, environment and climate change nexus.”  The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 10.7 calls on countries to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies. The IOM Country Profile makes a contribution to the realisation of SDG target 10.7 in Ireland, the EU and globally. The report was compiled by a team from IOM and the University of Galway, including Darya Silchenko, Andrew Chisholm, Dr Una Murray, Dr Peter McKeown, Professor Charles Spillane and Lalini Veerassamy.  The full IOM Country Profile ‘Assessing the Evidence: Migration, Environment and Climate Change in Ireland’ can be accessed through the IOM Environmental Migration Portal here. Ends

Researchers call for clearer messaging to help public and policymakers to better understand the disease of obesity. Conflicting understandings of the word ‘obesity’ jeopardise diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians are expressing concern at shortages of drugs which have been approved to treat obesity.   We must change the way we talk about obesity to improve public understanding of the disease, according to a new study. Researchers at University College Cork (UCC) and University of Galway are calling for ‘obesity’ to be renamed in order to help the public and policymakers to better understand the disease of obesity, and drive advances to treat and prevent it. Published in Obesity Reviews, their study highlights ongoing confusion about the term ‘obesity’, which currently can refer to the disease of obesity or to a BMI range, or a combination of the two. Dr Margaret Steele, a postdoctoral researcher in UCC’s School of Public Health, and Professor Francis Finucane, Consultant Endocrinologist and Professor of Medicine in the University of Galway, explored different or conflicting understandings of the term ‘obesity’. The researchers suggest it is time to reconsider whether the term ‘obesity’ conveys the reality of this complex disease that centres on environmental, genetic, physiological, behavioural and developmental factors, not on body weight or on BMI. New appetite-control medications are generating phenomenal demand worldwide, but patients with obesity may be sent to the back of the queue on the mistaken assumption that they do not need the medication as much as patients with diabetes. The researchers suggest that clearer terminology could play a role in addressing this inequity. Dr Margaret Steele said: “Our focus should be on the underlying pathophysiology and not on body size. For people with the disease of obesity, treatment is not optional or cosmetic. A different diagnostic term such as ‘adiposity-based chronic disease’ could more clearly convey the nature of this disease, and avoid the confusion and stigma that may occur if we keep using the term ‘obesity’, which has become synonymous with body size.” Professor Francis Finucane described new Irish Medical Council guidance warning doctors against using Ozempic for obesity as morally problematic. Professor Finucane said: “Semaglutide is approved as a treatment for obesity, just as it is for diabetes. There is a deeply stigmatising idea out there that people with obesity are looking for an easy way out, that these medicines provide a low-effort alternative to healthy diet and lifestyle. But for people living with the disease of obesity, these drugs don’t make behavioural change unnecessary, nor do they make it easy – they just make it possible.” The researchers point out that this is very different from celebrities using drugs like semaglutide to become “fashionably” thin. Dr Steele said: “This is why we need to clarify what we mean by obesity. Many of the people we see on TikTok or Instagram reporting on their semaglutide journeys do not have the disease of obesity. When we talk about treating and preventing obesity, our focus should be on healthy food environments, and appropriate treatment for people living with chronic metabolic diseases. We hope this new research will help drive home the point that this is about helping people live well, not making everyone skinny.” ENDS

The European Commission has awarded ENLIGHT €14.4 million in funding over the next four years by the European Commission as part of the 2023 Erasmus+ call for proposals for European Universities.    ENLIGHT, a European University now consisting of 10 universities from 10 European countries with the recent announcement of the University of Bern becoming the newest alliance member, intend to allocate a significant portion of the funding towards academic initiatives, emphasizing its commitment to supporting scholars.   Professor Becky Whay, Vice President International at University of Galway, said: “The ENLIGHT network has grown from strength to strength over the past three years, and we at University of Galway are delighted to be part of having secured this further financial support which both acknowledges the previous success and the future potential of ENLIGHT.”    Gijs Coucke, Project Coordinator, University of Ghent, said: “This allows ENLIGHT to expand and enhance the initiatives that were developed during the pilot phase. The ambition remains firm: to create an open space for our students and staff to learn, teach, cooperate, create and innovate. ENLIGHT wants to empower learners with the skills they need to address the complex global societal challenges. Across various learning formats, students will actively engage with sustainable development, global engagement and societal change. But besides high-quality education ENLIGHT will adopt a holistic approach integrating research and innovation into the knowledge creation process.’’    Anders Hagfeldt, Rector of Uppsala University and Chair of the ENLIGHT Governing Board, said: “The selection reaffirms our commitment to further deepen and intensify the cooperation. ENLIGHT’s success relies on the dedication of its community, including students, staff, and academics. We look forward to taking the next steps with all our partners to develop an open and inclusive European University.”      ENLIGHT has introduced new elements as part of its strategic direction, including the launch of bottom-up calls for interdisciplinary thematic networks and starter grants to promote the development of future-proof education. Additionally, the alliance has expanded its focus areas and added ‘culture and creativity’ to the existing areas of health and well-being, digitalization, climate change, energy and circular economy, and equity.   The ENLIGHT alliance includes: University of Galway; Comenius University, Bratislava (Slovakia); University of Groningen (Netherlands); University of Bordeaux (France); Gent University (Belgium); University of Tartu (Estonia); University of Gottingen (Germany); University of the Basque Country (Spain); Uppsala University (Sweden); and University of Bern (Switzerland).   Further information on ENLIGHT is available at https://enlight-eu.org/.   Ends