News Archive

Removal of moisture has a 100% success rate on killing Japanese knotweed plants and regrowth under lab conditions  A research study from NUI Galway in collaboration with multinational infrastructure consulting firm AECOM and University of Leeds has found that the removal of moisture could act as a potential control strategy for smaller infestations of Japanese knotweed, which are particularly common in urban settings. Findings show that incorrect herbicide treatment cannot control the growth and regeneration of this invasive plant, but that fully drying the plant material in a lab environment allowed it to be returned to the soil without risk of regrowth. The research also showed that if there are no nodes attached to the rhizomes (root like underground shoots), there is no regeneration. Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) is a problematic invasive plant found in many areas of Europe and North America. Notably, in the UK, the species can cause issues with mortgage acquisition. It can grow up to two to three metres in height and can dominate an area to the exclusion of most other plants. Control of Japanese knotweed is complicated by its ability to regenerate from small fragments of plant material; however, there remains uncertainty about how much rhizome is required and how likely successful regeneration is under different scenarios. The study, published in the journal PeerJ today (12 August 2021) investigated the ability of crowns (underground mass from which rhizomes and shoots emerge) and rhizomes with different numbers of nodes to regenerate successfully from three sites in Yorkshire and Lancashire in the north of England. Two of the sites had been subject to herbicide treatment for two years prior to sampling and the third site had no history of herbicide treatment. The study found that the success of regeneration is related to plant fragment size, with larger fragments more likely to successfully regenerate and, for rhizomes, if there is no node, there is no regeneration. Additionally, it was found that the removal of moisture on living material resulted in 0% regeneration after plant material was dried and replanted. Senior author of the study, Dr Karen Bacon, Lecturer in Plant Ecology, Botany and Plant Sciences, Ryan Institute, NUI Galway, said: “Japanese knotweed is one of the most invasive plant species in the world and has major negative impact on ecology and biodiversity. The findings of this study that showed virtually no difference between the regrowth of treated and untreated Japanese knotweed samples suggest that herbicide treatment, which is often the most suitable approach to tackle the species, is not always being done effectively. “We also show clearly that the size of the plant fragment is critical to the initial regrowth, with smaller fragments producing much smaller regrown plants. Additionally, if there are no nodes, there is no regeneration, which may suggest potential management strategies in the future. This also highlights that small infestations and plants should not be viewed with the same concern as larger ones and that rapid management should be a goal of tackling this problematic species.” Dr Bacon added: “Our finding that the removal of moisture has a 100% success rate on killing Japanese knotweed plants and preventing regrowth after they were replanted also raises an important potential means of management for smaller infestations that are common in urban environments. This requires additional field trials, which we hope to undertake in NUI Galway soon.” When crowns and rhizomes were planted in lab conditions, no significant differences were observed in the new stem diameter, maximum height of stem or maximum growth increments among crowns, when comparing plants that had been treated with herbicide for two years to plants that had no history of herbicide treatment. This shows the importance of monitoring treated areas for regeneration and sustaining treatment over longer periods. Crown material had a higher regenerative capacity, with all traits measured from the planted crowns being significantly greater than those of the planted rhizome fragments. At least one node was necessary for successful regeneration (regrowth) of rhizomes and the smallest initial fragment weight to regenerate and survive the experiment was 0.5 grams. 0.7 grams was the previously reported smallest fragment to regenerate. It should be noted that such tiny fragments produced only very small and weedy plants that would take many years to regain health and spread significantly, if they survived. After the 60-day growth experiment, all plant material was subjected to the removal of moisture through air drying by sitting on the lab bench for 38 days until all plant fragments were at their dry weight. They were then replanted in soil and provided with the same nutrient, water and light conditions as the growth phase of the experiment. This resulted in no regrowth (emergence or regeneration) after replanting. These findings suggest that the removal of moisture could be a valuable addition to management strategies for small to medium scale infestations of Japanese knotweed common in urban settings, by providing a new option for dealing with plant material removed from the soil (the disposal of which can be costly). Dr Mark Fennell, Associate Director at AECOM and co-author of the study, said: “Our latest research sought to add to existing knowledge about how to manage and remove Japanese knotweed. Our key finding, that drying out the plant effectively kills it, should provide reassurance to landowners that the plant is not as indestructible as is often stated. While this invasive species remains a problem plant that can have a negative impact on biodiversity, our research provides a better understanding of the plant, paving the way for the development of more efficient and cost-effective ways of dealing with it. We hope our research helps to challenge some of the popular stigma that surrounds Japanese knotweed.” The findings from this study coincide with a UK-based review of the advice around how to manage Japanese knotweed in the built environments. Dr Karen Bacon and Dr Mark Fennell are both members of the Japanese knotweed specialist group advising the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. The new guidelines are currently out for public consultation with the hope that final versions may be released later in the summer or early autumn. Read the full study in PeerJ here: https://peerj.com/articles/11783/.  -Ends-

The IPCC have published their landmark AR6 report on climate change which states: “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land. Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred.” Wednesday, 11 August 2021: ICHEC, Ireland’s high-performance computing authority, established in and hosted by NUI Galway, completed a large ensemble of global climate simulations which comprise Ireland’s contribution to the international Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). The datasets and results were included for assessment in the recently released IPCC AR6 Reports. The simulations place Ireland amongst leading international scientific researchers on climate change.  ICHEC’s work was carried out in collaboration with Met Éireann and is funded by the EPA, Met Éireann and the Marine Institute. The global climate simulations, carried out by ICHEC, are described in this report.  The future global climate was simulated using the EC-Earth climate model, which was developed by a consortium of European institutes, of which ICHEC is a member. The updated CMIP6 climate projection data provide more detailed projections of the future global climate and will lead to a better understanding, not only of the physical climate system, but also of the climate impact on the environment and societies. Visualisations of EC-Earth global projections can be seen here; 2m temperature change, precipitation and September sea ice fraction. “Spiral animations” of the full CMIP6 global temperature datasets can be viewed here and here. The large datasets (~1500TB) are hosted on the ICHEC ESGF (Earth-Systems Grid Federation) node for sharing with the international community and will feature in many future studies on the environmental, social and economic impacts of climate change. Since 1995, the CMIP has co-ordinated climate model experiments involving multiple international modelling teams. The CMIP project has led to a better understanding of past, present and future climate, and CMIP model experiments have routinely been the basis for future climate change assessments carried out by the IPCC. ESGF is an international effort of climate centres with a mission to support CMIP and future IPCC reports. The climate team at ICHEC are currently running regional climate models to dynamically downscale the global CMIP6 data to provide detailed climate projections for Ireland (https://tinyurl.com/u2m8sk2y). These simulations are run on the ICHEC supercomputer, Kay. This research, and the resulting regional projections, will continue to inform national climate change policy such as the various governmental sectoral adaptation plans. Commenting on the results of the work, Dr Paul Nolan, Climate Science Programme Manager, ICHEC, said: “The global climate projections comprise Ireland’s contribution to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project and the results were included for assessment in the recently released IPCC AR6 Reports. In addition, the large datasets are shared with the international community and will feature in many future studies on the environmental, social and economic impacts of climate change.” Alastair McKinstry, Environmental Programme Manager, ICHEC, said: “The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project experiments are a crucial part of the IPCC AR6 report. At ICHEC, the EC-Earth results are standardised and published via the Earth System Grid to enable automated comparisons with observations and other model projections from international climate modelling institutes. The standardisation and sharing of data have been key to quantifying the uncertainty in the climate projections and enabling the attribution of extreme events to climate change.” Professor JC Desplat, ICHEC Director, said: “ICHEC has the modelling capabilities, high-performance computing resources and international reach to ensure Ireland can participate in CMIP modelling experiments. This research ensures Ireland remains at the forefront of global climate change research and continues its involvement with future Coupled Model Intercomparison Projects and IPCC reports. Our climate projections, combined with those of the international community, will inform global climate policy over the coming years. Requirements for participation in CMIP include an internationally respected model, access to a powerful supercomputer and substantial data storage resources. ICHEC currently meets these criteria in its ability to participate in projects of this scale.” For more information about ICHEC, visit: www.ichec.ie. -Ends-

Researchers at NUI Galway and Athlone Institute of Technology have launched a survey to better understand Irish consumers knowledge of seafood packaging and its waste management. The survey is being carried out simultaneously in Spain and Portugal and is led by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere. Ireland has one of the lowest levels of consumption of seafood in Western Europe, with very different consumption patterns than other countries. For example, Ireland tends to consume on average higher portions of packaged or frozen seafood whereas in other European countries, fresh seafood is consumed. In 2017, it was estimated that seafood consumption in Ireland was 23 kg/capita. Whereas in Portugal, which has the highest consumption rate for seafood in Europe at 57 kg/capita. The results of the survey will be used to aid in a better understanding of the differences in seafood consumption and waste management in Ireland, Spain and Portugal. Ultimately, the results will support the development of public policies that will promote efficient use of seafood packaging. The study is part of NEPTUNUS, an Interreg Atlantic Area funded project that aims to support the sustainable development of the seafood sector in the Atlantic area (Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal and the UK) by developing tools for eco-labelling and low impact strategies for production and consumption. Dr Eoghan Clifford, senior lecturer in the College of Science and Engineering at NUI Galway and NEPTUNUS principle investigator, said: “Given these large differences in consumption and the type of seafood products purchased the results of this survey can help to close a knowledge gap in Irish seafood consumption trends, behaviours, and knowledge of seafood packaging. These results will be useful for policy makers and for future research into how Irish consumers can increase their intake of this nutritious food and add to their understanding of seafood packaging.” The survey, which is made up of 25 questions and takes less than 10 minutes to complete, is available in both Irish: https://survey.ipma.pt/index.php/597922?newtest=Y&lang=ie ,  and English: https://survey.ipma.pt/index.php/597922?newtest=Y&lang=en To learn more on the project visit www.neptunus-project.eu -Ends-

Tá suirbhé seolta ag taighdeoirí in OÉ Gaillimh agus in Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Luain chun tuiscint níos fearr a fháil ar eolas tomhaltóirí ar phacáistíocht bhia mara agus ar bhainistíocht a dramhaíola. Tá an suirbhé á dhéanamh go comhuaineach sa Spáinn agus sa Phortaingéil agus tá sé á stiúradh ag Institiúid Mara agus Atmaisféir na Portaingéile. Tá Éire ar na tíortha a bhfuil na leibhéil is ísle iontu maidir le tomhailt bhia mara in Iarthar na hEorpa, agus tá treochtaí tomhailte le sonrú inti atá an-éagsúil le macasamhail tíortha eile. Cuir i gcás, is gnách go dtomhlaítear líon níos airde de bhia mara atá pacáistithe nó reoite ar an méan in Éirinn, san áit a dtomhlaítear bia mara úr i dtíortha Eorpacha eile. In 2017, measadh gurbh é 23 kg/capita an tomhailt bhia mara in Éirinn. Sa Phortaingéil, tá an ráta tomhailte is mó maidir le bia mara san Eoraip mar atá 57 kg/capita. Bainfear úsáid as torthaí an tsuirbhé le cuidiú le tuiscint níos fearr a fháil ar na difir idir tomhailt bhia mara agus bainistíocht dramhaíola in Éirinn, sa Spáinn, agus sa Phortaingéil. Ar deireadh thiar, tacóidh na torthaí le polasaithe poiblí a fhorbairt, polasaithe a chuirfidh chun cinn an úsáid éifeachtúil as pacáistíocht bhia mara. Is mar chuid de NEPTUNUS an staidéar seo, tionscadal i Limistéar an Atlantaigh atá á mhaoiniú ag Interreg a bhfuil d’aidhm aige tacú le forbairt na hearnála bia mara i limistéar an Atlantaigh (Éire, an Fhrainc, an Spáinn, an Phortaingéil, agus an Ríocht Aontaithe) trí bhíthin uirlisí le haghaidh éic-lipéadaithe agus straitéisí le haghaidh táirgthe agus tomhailte a fhorbairt. Bhí an méid seo le rá ag an Dr Eoghan Clifford, léachtóir sinsearach i gColáiste na hEolaíochta agus na hInnealtóireachta in OÉ Gaillimh agus príomh-imscrúdaitheoir NEPTUNUS: “Mar gheall ar na difir mhóra maidir le tomhailt agus cineál na dtáirgí bia mara a cheannaítear is féidir go mbeidh torthaí an tsuirbhé seo ina gcuidiú chun an bhearna eolais sna treochtaí a bhaineann le tomhailt bhia mara, iompar, agus eolas ar phacaistíocht bhia mara in Éirinn a líonadh. Beidh na torthaí seo úsáideach do lucht déanta polasaithe agus do thaighde amach anseo ar an gcaoi ar féidir le tomhaltóirí na hÉireann a n-iontógáil den bhia folláin seo a mhéadú agus cur lena dtuiscint ar phacáistíocht bhia mara." Tá an suirbhé, ina bhfuil 25 ceist agus nach nglacann 10 nóiméad le líonadh ar fáil i nGaeilge: https://survey.ipma.pt/index.php/597922?newtest=Y&lang=ie , agus i mBéarla: https://survey.ipma.pt/index.php/597922?newtest=Y&lang=en Le tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoin tionscadal téigh chuig www.neptunus-project.eu -Críoch-

NUI Galway study to identify care needs of LGBT+ people with dementia Researchers warn of risks of social isolation, loneliness and fear of discrimination A new research project has been launched at NUI Galway to help service providers understand more about the care needs of older LGBT+ people with dementia. The team will work with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland to develop recommendations to help improve services and supports. The project has the support of Independent Senator David Norris, who said: “It is important to realise that gay people like many others in society may face isolation and loneliness as age increases.” Dr Sinéad Hynes, study lead with the Discipline of Occupational Therapy at NUI Galway, identified some of the challenges faced by LGBT+ people. “International studies have shown that LGBT+ people with dementia experience micro-aggressions from other patients or care providers and that they are sometimes vulnerable to abuse,” Dr Hynes said. “We know that older LGTB+ adults are less likely to engage with health services, yet they are more likely to report poor general health. There are also significant worries related to preparation for ageing. We want to know what is needed in an LGBT+ inclusive dementia service in Ireland.” The 2016 LGBTIreland Report showed that 40% of older LGBT+ adults in Ireland do not disclose their sexuality or gender identity to their healthcare providers due to the fear of discrimination. The research team highlighted that LGBT+ people with dementia, who have memory difficulties and may have challenges maintaining their identity as their dementia progresses, endure a significantly more difficult deliberation over whether or not to disclose personal information Part of the NUI Galway research project involves a survey for LGTB+ people aged 50 and over, those who are partner-caregivers of LGBT+ people and others. More information is available at https://diversifyingdementiaservices.questionpro.eu Dr Laura O’Philbin, Interim Research and Policy Manager at the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland, said: “The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is delighted to be supporting this essential research which will help all dementia service providers understand more about the care needs of older LGBT+ adults. There is still so much work to be done, however, research powers change and this research is a key step in the right direction.” Dr Hynes added: “Very little attention has been given to their needs and with the support of the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland we are addressing this lack of knowledge by working to create a set of consensus-based recommendations.” Ends

University hosts online event to connect businesses with our brightest and best A record number of top employers are set to showcase career opportunities at NUI Galway’s Virtual Graduate Jobs Fair. Some 115 companies are taking part in the online event on Tuesday October 5th, vying for the best and brightest to join their ranks. NUI Galway’s Career Development Centre is urging current students and recent graduates of the University to register for the fair and make the most of the chance to engage with employers. Students registered on the University’s Careers Connect portal can book their places today. Marie Laffey, Head of the Career Development Centre at NUI Galway, said: “Our Virtual Graduate Jobs Fair provides students with the opportunity to present their professional side, get comfortable with networking, learn what types of jobs are available in their sector, find out about the skills and experience employers value in a graduate. “Most importantly it gives students the chance to get their name in front of employers they’d like to work for and hopefully impress them. “Students also often discover organisations they didn't know much about, so it opens up new career ideas and options.” NUI Galway’s 2021 Virtual Graduate Jobs Fair has seen an unprecedented level of demand from employers, from all sectors of the economy, who want to connect with our final year and post-graduate students. NUI Galway’s Virtual Graduate Jobs Fair takes place online on the GraduateLand portal on Tuesday, 5th October from 11am-4pm. Ms Laffey added: “Our set-up for the Graduate Jobs Fair makes it easy to match students to the employer and offers opportunities for employers to customise their stall with open positions, videos and other marketing collateral while giving them ability to chat with students through web chat or video. “Ireland had the fastest economic growth in the second quarter of this year, with some forecasts of a post-lockdown boom. There are also signs of labour shortages in many sectors and this means there are an abundant opportunities for graduates. That is also reflected in the demand from employers to attend our Graduate Jobs Fair.” Ends

Ócáid ar líne á reáchtáil ag an Ollscoil chun gnólachtaí a nascadh le scoth na gcéimithe Beidh an líon is airde fostóirí mór le rá ag léiriú deiseanna fostaíochta ag Aonach Post na gCéimithe in OÉ Gaillimh. Tá thart ar 115 cuideachta ag glacadh páirt san imeacht ar líne Dé Máirt, an 5 Deireadh Fómhair, chun na céimithe is fearr a mhealladh le teacht ag obair leo. Tá an tIonad Forbartha Gairmeacha in OÉ Gaillimh ag moladh do mhic léinn reatha agus dóibh siúd ar bronnadh céim de chuid na hOllscoile orthu le gairid clárú don aonach agus an deis a thapú labhairt le fostóirí. Is féidir le mic léinn atá cláraithe ar thairseach Careers Connect na hOllscoile áit a chur in áirithe inniu. Dúirt Marie Laffey, Ceann an Ionaid Forbartha Gairmeacha in OÉ Gaillimh: “Tugann Aonach Post na gCéimithe an deis do mhic léinn a ngairmiúlacht a léiriú, dul i gcleachtadh ar líonrú, foghlaim faoi na cineálacha post atá ar fáil ina n-earnáil, fáil amach faoi na scileanna agus taithí a thaitníonn le fostóirí a fheiceáil i gcéimithe. “Níos tábhachtaí fós, tugann sé deis do mhic léinn iad féin a chur in aithne d’fhostóirí ar mhaith leo post a fháil leo agus b’fhéidir dul i gcion orthu. “Is minic a thagann mic léinn trasna ar eagraíochtaí nach raibh mórán eolais acu fúthu agus osclaíonn sé sin smaointe agus roghanna nua gairme." Tá éileamh níos mó ná riamh ag fostóirí, as gach earnáil, ar Aonach Post na gCéimithe, 2021 de chuid OÉ Gaillimh agus iad ag iarraidh casadh le mic léinn sa bhliain deiridh agus le hiarchéimithe. Beidh Aonach Post na gCéimithe ar siúl ar líne ar thairseach GraduateLand Dé Máirt, an 5 Deireadh Fómhair ó 11 am–4pm. Dúirt Marie Laffey: “Leis an leagan amach atá ar Aonach Post na gCéimithe bíonn sé éasca mic léinn a mheaitseáil le fostóir agus tugann sé an deis d’fhostóirí poist oscailte, físeáin agus saoráidí margaíochta eile a thaispeáint ag a seastáin agus chomh maith céanna beidh an deis acu labhairt le mic léinn trí chomhrá gréasáin nó trí fhíseán. “Bhí an fás eacnamaíoch is sciobtha in Éirinn sa dara ráithe den bhliain, agus tá roinnt ag tuar go mbeidh borradh i ndán dúinn i ndiaidh na dianghlasála. Tá comharthaí ann freisin maidir le ganntanas lucht saothair in earnálacha go leor agus ciallaíonn sé sin go bhfuil neart deiseanna ann do chéimithe. Is léir an méid sin freisin san éileamh ó fhostóirí freastal ar Aonach Post na gCéimithe." Críoch

CÚRAM launches new exhibit showing how medical device research is aided by marine resources CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices based at NUI Galway, has launched a new public exhibition showcasing how marine resources can aid medical device research. Guest speakers attending the launch were Mayor of Galway City, Collette Connolly and Filmmaker Ken O'Sullivan. The marine-inspired display at Galway Atlantaquaria, the National Aquarium of Ireland, shows how scientists are studying sponge slime to fight cancer and harmful microbes; using algae for controlled release of medicine; and copying barnacle glue to create surgical glue. Visitors can browse information panels, tanks and models of marine resources that are used in medical device research. Professor Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director at CÚRAM, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Galway Atlantaquaria to showcase an exciting aspect of medical device research and we look forward to continuing the collaboration and developing the exhibit and associated educational resources for schools and families over the coming years.” Liam Twomey, Director at the National Aquarium, said: “Galway Atlantaquaria continues its collaboration with state and semi-state organisations. Our technical know-how and good design links with Anchor Studios have resulted in a superb new exhibit that has already started to draw attention from aquarium visitors. We look forward to continued engagement with CÚRAM over the coming years.” CÚRAM’s research is focused on developing innovative and smart medical devices and implants that will benefit patients with chronic ailments such as cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and neural diseases. This new exhibit investigates how marine-inspired medtech research can heal the body. It also ties in with Galway Atlantaquaria’s education programme and reinforces the message of the importance of ocean health and conservation. The exhibit is located on the upper floor of the National Aquarium and is fully accessible. Dr Sarah Gundy, CÚRAM’s coordinator of content development for the exhibit, said: “If we lose the biodiversity of our oceans, we also lose potential ways to help fight diseases. Keeping our oceans healthy helps us discover new ways of developing medical therapies, which, in turn, keeps us healthy.” Dr Nóirín Burke, Director of Education at Galway Atlantaquaria, said: “Working with the team at CÚRAM on this exhibit has been such as positive experience. The oceans are part of our lives, from the air we breathe, the water we need to survive, and the food we eat. The connection between the ocean’s health and our health cannot be overstated and launching an exhibit which helps people explore this relationship is so important for the aquarium team.” Ends

Cuirfear tús leis an dara sraith de cheardlanna amhránaíochta fiorúil ar an sean-nós le Saileog Ní Cheannabháin, atá ceaptha mar Amhránaí Cónaitheach ag OÉ Gaillimh 2021. Beidh na ceardlanna a reachtáil gach Céadaoin ag 7:30in ar an 6ú, 13ú, 20ú, 27ú Deireadh Fómhair, agus an 3ú Samhna. Is cainteoir Gaeilge ó dhúchas í Saileog a tógadh le Gaeilge i mBaile Átha Cliath. Is as Aill na Brón a hathair, an t-amhránaí clúiteach Peadar Ó Ceannabháin, agus is é Peadar an chéad fhonnadóir a chuaigh i bhfeidhm go mór uirthi. Chaith Saileog roinnt mhaith ama ó bhí sí an-óg ag éisteacht le fonnadóirí as Iorras Aithneach agus tá Seán 'ac Dhonncha, Sorcha Ní Ghuairim, Dara Bán Mac Donncha agus Seáin Jeaic 'ac Dhonncha i measc na bhfonnadóirí is mó a chuaigh i bhfeidhm uirthí. Tá dhá album eisithe ag Saileog I bhfíor-dheiriú oidhche (2012), cnuasach amhrán a bhailigh Séamus Ennis in Iorras Aithneach sna 1940idí agus Roithleán (2016). Tá na ceardlanna saor in aisce agus beidh fáilte roimh chách. Cláraigh ar Zoom ag https://bit.ly/3ECELgp. Tuilleadh eolais ó Samantha Williams ag 091 492051 nó samantha.williams@nuigalway.ie Is iad Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta, An Chomhairle Ealaíon agus Ionad Léann na hÉireann, OÉ Gaillimh, a mhaoiníonn an tionscnamh seo. -Críoch-

Saileog Ní Cheannabháin, the 2021 Sean-Nós Singer-in-Residence at NUI Galway, will give a second series of virtual sean-nós singing workshops beginning on Wednesday, 6 October at 7.30pm. The singing workshops will run weekly on Wednesdays of the 6, 13, 20, and 27 of October, and the 3 November. A sean-nós singer, musician and composer, Saileog learned and played both traditional and classical music from a very young age. She grew up listening to singers from Iorras Aithneach and cites Seán 'ac Dhonncha, Sorcha Ní Ghuairim, Dara Bán Mac Donncha agus Seáin Jeaic 'ac Dhonncha as formative influences on her approach and singing. She has released two albums; I bhfíor-dheiriú oidhche (2012), a collection of songs collected by Séamus Ennis in Iorras Aithneach in the 1940s and Roithleán (2016). The workshops are free and open to all. Registration is available on Zoom at https://bit.ly/3ECELgp. Further information available from Samantha Williams at 091 492051 or samantha.williams@nuigalway.ie This project is funded by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and An Chomhairle Ealaíon in association with the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway. -Ends-

Terence O’Malley on campus visit to meet inaugural scholars The Chairman Emeritus of global law firm DLA Piper has heralded the impact of a special new scholarship set up in partnership with the School of Law at NUI Galway. The Terence O’Malley DLA Piper Scholarship provides funding and support to enable and empower successful students to study a law degree at NUI Galway. Terence O’Malley, who has family roots in the west of Ireland, was welcomed to the campus by Professor Geraint Howells, Executive Dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law. He also met the inaugural scholars, Bachelor of Civil Law students Ava Cullinan, from Kilrush, Co Clare and Emily Donnellan, from Maree, Co Galway. Terry O’Malley said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to visit the NUI Galway campus and meet the first scholars. It is very gratifying to hear about the impact of the awards as well as having the opportunity to visit the School of Law and learn about the education and learning on offer.” Professor Howells said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Terence O’Malley to NUI Galway and thank him in person for DLA Piper’s generous support of NUI Galway students. Partnership with Irish and global law firms are key to ensuring that we can attract and retain a diverse student group who will go on to make an impact and contribution in their fields.” The Terence O’Malley DLA Piper Scholarship launched in 2020 at NUI Galway following Mr O’Malley’s retirement from a highly-regarded legal career, serving in various roles including as DLA Piper's US Managing Partner, US Co-Chairman, and Global Co-Chief executive officer. In addition to the scholarship provides funding and support to successful students over the course of their law degree, a separate annual bursary is also awarded to the student who achieves the highest grade in the University’s new Law and Innovation module. Terence O’Malley DLA Piper Scholar Ava Cullinan said: “Having received this scholarship, the financial burden I carry throughout my journey to become a solicitor has greatly lessened. I believe that a disadvantaged background should not hinder me from accessing my full potential, and it is in this regard that I cannot understate the importance and impact of the scholarship on both my personal and professional aspirations.” Terence O’Malley DLA Piper Scholar Emily Donnellan said: “The scholarship has afforded me relief and a greater sense of security while pursuing my studies so far. I hope to represent and advocate for people in the justice system. I enjoy working with and helping others and I would hope to make a positive contribution to society through a career in Law. I am grateful for the opportunity and the sense of relief the scholarship has provided me with while I pursue my studies, having allowed me to focus and prioritise studying for my course." DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. DLA Piper established in Ireland in 2019 with offices in Dublin.  DLA Piper clients range from multinational, Global 1000, and Fortune 500 enterprises to emerging companies developing industry-leading technologies. Applications details for the 2021 Terence O’Malley DLA Piper Scholarship will be announced in October. For further details visit www.nuigalway.ie/dlapiperscholarship. Ends

Almost 100 online booths are being set up for students to put NUI Galway academics and staff on the spot during the University's Autumn Undergraduate Open Day. The special one day virtual event - from midday to 4pm on Saturday 2 October 2021 - is offering an extensive interactive experience for students, parents and guidance counsellors to explore courses and careers and to connect with the University. Ninety-one booths are being set-up as part of the online open day where lecturers, programme directors and staff are on hand to answer questions and talk about University life. A main stage for panel discussions is also being hosted on the day, featuring five keynote talks with distinguished graduates and high achieving students, including a chance to hear how to cultivate an Olympic mindset, as well as practical tips to get the most from the University experience. Advance registration is required in order to access to the platform, with further info at www.nuigalway.ie/opendays, or by emailing caohub@nuigalway.ie. Sarah Geraghty, Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach at NUI Galway, is urging people to register in order to plan your day; pick your talks; and pop in to the booths. “We are very conscious that the Leaving Cert Class of 2022 have faced many challenges and have shown great resilience over the last two years,” She said. “Our aim for NUI Galway Undergraduate Open Day is to support students and parents as they start to think about options for next year. We hope the open day will be an informative and dynamic event which will help students to explore the endless career opportunities that await them and help identify the courses and pathways that are right for them.” As well as asking questions in the booths, visitors can download relevant details and watch videos. Each of the course or subject booths will feature at least one live presentation on the day include introductions to subject areas such as arts, business, law, engineering, science, medicine and nursing, as well as tasters on more niche, specialised courses and subjects. NUI Galway has new subjects available for 2022 - International Development and Performance and Screen Studies for GY101 Joint Honours students; and Physics and Climate Physics for GY301 Science students. Representatives from NUI Galway’s support services teams will be available to chat with students and parents including booths dedicated to accommodation, admissions, fees and other professional and support services. The Access Centre will provide information on the alternatives entry routes to third level education including the Access Programme, QQI/FETAC Level 5 places and support available from the Disability Support Service. Ends

Beidh beagnach 100 seastán ar fáil ar líne ag a mbeidh deis ag daltaí cruacheisteanna a chur ar lucht acadúil agus ar fhoireann OÉ Gaillimh ag Lá Oscailte Fochéime an Fhómhair. Cuirfidh an t-imeacht speisialta lae – a bheidh ar siúl ó mheán lae go 4pm Dé Sathairn, an 2 Deireadh Fómhair 2021 – eispéireas fairsing idirghníomhach ar fáil do dhaltaí, tuismitheoirí agus múinteoirí gairmthreorach a thabharfaidh deis dóibh eolas a chur ar chúrsaí agus ar ghairmeacha agus teagmháil a dhéanamh le foireann na hOllscoile. Tá nócha a haon seastán á socrú mar chuid den lá oscailte fíorúil ina mbeidh léachtóirí, stiúrthóirí cláir agus comhaltaí foirne eile ar fáil chun ceisteanna a fhreagairt agus labhairt faoi shaol na hOllscoile. Beidh díospóireachtaí painéil ar siúl ar phríomhardán freisin, ina measc cúig phríomhóráid ó chéimithe mór le rá agus mic léinn ardfheidhmiúla. Beidh deis ag an lucht freastail fáil amach conas meon Oilimpeach a chothú, chomh maith le leideanna praiticiúla chun an leas is fearr a bhaint as eispéireas na hOllscoile. Is gá réamhchlárú chun rochtain a fháil ar an ardán, agus tá tuilleadh faisnéise ag www.nuigalway.ie/opendays, nó is féidir ríomhphost a sheoladh chuig caohub@nuigalway.ie. Tá Sarah Geraghty, Stiúrthóir Earcaíochta Mac Léinn agus For-rochtana in OÉ Gaillimh, ag moladh do dhaoine clárú ionas gur féidir leo an lá a phleanáil; na cainteanna is spéis le daoine a roghnú; agus bualadh isteach chuig na seastáin. “Tuigimid go maith gur iomaí dúshlán atá os comhair Rang na hArdteiste, 2022 agus go bhfuil teacht aniar mór léirithe acu le dhá bhliain anuas,” a dúirt sí. “Is é an aidhm atá againn le Lá Oscailte Fochéime OÉ Gaillimh ná tacú le daltaí agus le tuismitheoirí agus iad ag tosú ag smaoineamh ar roghanna don bhliain seo chugainn. Tá súil againn go mbeidh neart eolais le fáil ag an ócáid dhinimiciúil seo a chabhróidh le daltaí díriú ar na deiseanna gairme ar fad atá rompu, agus a chabhróidh leo na cúrsaí agus na conairí a fheileann dóibh a aithint.” Chomh maith le ceisteanna a chur ag na seastáin, is féidir le cuairteoirí sonraí ábhartha a íoslódáil agus féachaint ar fhíseáin. Ag gach ceann de na seastáin cúrsa nó ábhair beidh cur i láthair beo amháin ar a laghad ar an lá, réamhrá ar réimsí ábhair mar na dána, gnó, dlí, innealtóireacht, eolaíocht, leigheas agus altranas, chomh maith le blaiseadh de chúrsaí agus ábhair níos sainiúla agus níos speisialaithe. Tá ábhair nua ar fáil ag OÉ Gaillimh do 2022 – International Development and Performance agus Screen Studies do mhic léinn Comh-Onóracha GY101; agus Physics agus Climate Physics do mhic léinn Eolaíochta GY301. Beidh ionadaithe ó sheirbhísí tacaíochta OÉ Gaillimh ar fáil freisin le labhairt le daltaí agus le tuismitheoirí agus beidh deis lóistín, iontráil, táillí agus ceisteanna eile gairmiúla agus tacaíochta a phlé. Cuirfidh an tIonad Rochtana faisnéis ar fáil faoi na bealaí iontrála malartacha chuig oideachas tríú leibhéal lena n-áirítear an Clár Rochtana, áiteanna QQI/FETAC Leibhéal 5 agus tacaíocht atá ar fáil ón tSeirbhís Tacaíochta Míchumais. Críoch

Students have been urged to take up the offer of a Covid-19 vaccination at a special walk-in clinic on the NUI Galway campus. The pop-up facility opens tomorrow morning, Tuesday 28 September 2021, on the main concourse of the Arts-Science block and will offer vaccines from 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Thursday this week. The clinic is open to any student or member of staff on a walk-in basis. NUI Galway and Saolta University Health Care Group are encouraging students to take up the offer to ensure they are fully vaccinated so they can get the most from University life. Frank Harburn, Saolta General Manager for the rollout of the regional vaccination programme in the West and North West, welcomed students to the campus and said: “Young people, including third level students have shown remarkable responsibility and resilience during the pandemic and I want to thank them for every effort and every sacrifice they have made to help bring the Covid-19 virus under control. “Vaccine uptake among the younger population is very high and this is having a positive impact on the rate of community infection across the region. “But as restrictions are easing and on-campus life returns to normal we are asking any student who has not yet been vaccinated, or who needs a second dose, to come forward. “The vaccine is free, safe and the best form of protection from serious illness with Covid-19.” Dr Eoin McDonncha, Medical Director at the University’s Student Health Unit, said: “Our students first of all deserve huge credit for the way they have responded to all the public health requirements to limit the impact of Covid. Compliance with all the measures being take on campus is extremely high. “The vast majority of students have been vaccinated but we urge anyone who has not had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated to drop-in. The vaccination programme has been successful in Ireland and taking up the offer this week is an important part of the efforts to make this year at university as safe and meaningful as it can be.” Anyone seeking a vaccination at the clinic must bring photo ID - a vaccine will not be given without it. Anyone seeking their second dose, should also bring their vaccine record card to verify the time period since the first dose. The HSE has advised that a minimum of 21 days must have passed since the first dose. NUI Galway Nursing student Ciarán Freeman worked on the Covid-19 vaccination programme and is urging fellow students to make use of the walk-in clinic. “It is a fantastic initiative. I hope we can appeal to the few people who still need to be vaccinated to come forward. As vaccinators we will be absolutely delighted to welcome any student to the clinic, regardless of reasons as to why their vaccination has been delayed. We will just be delighted that you've come in for your vaccine,” Mr Freeman said. “Being part of the vaccination programme was an absolute privilege and a career enhancing experience for me. Both as an Emergency Medical Technician and a student General Nurse, I witnessed the best of Ireland's healthcare professions come together to deliver a very successful public health programme. It was particularly inspiring for me to see the programme was nurse-led.” Ends

An Olympic medal winning rower and an All-Ireland winning hurler have urged fellow students at NUI Galway to take part in the unicov.org rapid testing project to combat Covid-19. Athlete-scholars Fiona Murtagh and Galway senior hurler Conor Whelan added their voices to the project as thousands of young people settle into the return to campus. NUI Galway is leading the programme, which is seeking hundreds of student volunteers for rapid antigen testing and saliva-based PCR and LAMP testing, as well as conducting wastewater surveillance. Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Fiona Murtagh said: “Sport and teamwork go hand in hand. The Olympics was possible this year because of our safety measures in preventing the spread of Covid-19. In order to keep campus life here in Galway as normal as possible, I encourage everyone to work together in helping to control the spread of Covid. Please join me in taking the tests and participate in the UniCoV programme.” Conor Whelan, All-Star and All-Ireland winning hurler with Galway in 2015, said: “I’m encouraging all students to volunteer for the UniCoV programme, to take the tests and work together as part of a team in the fight against Covid. It’s been great to see students back on campus and life going back to normal as we know it. “But keep in mind the fight against COVID is still ongoing and follow the HSE guidelines. I encourage all students to volunteer for UniCoV programme in order to avoid any outbreaks and help with early detection.” Unicov.org allows for large-scale comparative analysis of Covid-19 testing technologies to inform the development of early warning systems for future disease outbreak prevention and control. For further detail about the project and to register, go to www.unicov.org. As well as NUI Galway being the lead site for the project, it is also running in Trinity College, UCD and UCC. More than 2,100 tests have been completed so far at NUI Galway, with the project coordinators targeting a significant rise in testing the coming weeks. More than 400 employees and students have volunteered at NUI Galway alone, with the target of 2,000 participants at each of the four sites. NUI Galway Professor Breda Smyth, UniCoV’s national coordinator, said: “UniCoV together with vaccination, face masks, social distancing and hand washing, is an additional layer to protect the community and to help prevent any asymptomatic spread of SARS-CoV-2.” “Rapid tests have the potential to enhance and complement the existing public health strategy for monitoring of the virus. UniCoV needs people from across the entire university community - students and staff - to get involved, volunteer and take part.” Ends

Ciste Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge méadaithe 10%   Suas le 2,000 mac léinn ag freastal ar chúrsaí sna hionaid Ghaeltachta   Fostófar duine le PhD sa Luathoideachas nó réimse gaolmhar le ceardlanna a reáchtáil sna hionaid Ghaeltachta agus modúil a fhorbairt don BA sa Luathoideachas   Beart ar leith le cuidiú le cur i bhfeidhm fhorálacha Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021   D’fhógair Catherine Martin, T.D. an tAire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán agus Jack Chambers T.D., Príomh-Aoire an Rialtais agus an tAire Gaeltachta agus Spóirt, inniu (24 Meán Fómhair) go bhfuil ciste trí bliana ar fiú €3m é ceadaithe ag an Roinn don Údarás um Ard-Oideachas le leithdháileadh ar Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge chun cur ar a gcumas leanúint le raon cúrsaí trí mheán na Gaeilge a chur ar fáil sna trí ionad Gaeltachta atá acu - i nGaoth Dobhair, i gCarna agus ar an gCeathrú Rua. Is ionann an t-allúntas seo agus €1m in aghaidh na bliana acadúla don tréimhse 2021/22, 2022/23 agus 2023/24 - €300,000 sa bhreis ar an gclár maoinithe trí bliana a chuaigh roimhe. Mar chuid den chlár oibre atá comhaontaithe leis an Acadamh, tá beartaithe duine le PhD sa Luathoideachas nó réimse ghaolmhar a fhostú chun: • ceardlanna a reáchtáil sna hIonaid Ghaeltachta; • modúil a fhorbairt don BA sa Luathoideachas don réimse luathoideachais a mbeidh mar chuspóir aige tacú leis an oiliúint chuí a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge do chleachtóirí luathoideachais atá ag obair i naíonraí sa Ghaeltacht agus taobh amuigh di, Faoin gcur chuige atá aontaithe leis an Acadamh, cuirfear gearrchúrsaí i sealbhú agus saibhriú teanga, mar a bhaineann sé leis an réimse luathoideachais ar fáil sna hionaid Ghaeltachta de chuid an Acadaimh atá lonnaithe i nGaoth Dobhair, ar an gCeathrú Rua agus i gCarna. Dúirt an tAire Martin: “Is ábhar dóchais domsa an líon mac léinn ón nGaeltacht a théann ar aghaidh go dtí an ollscoil agus iad in ann sin a dhéanamh ina dteanga dúchais in ionaid atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht. Nuair a chuirtear san áireamh go mbaineann breis agus dhá mhíle mac léinn tairbhe bhliantúil as an raon cúrsaí a bhíonn á riar ag an Acadamh sna trí ionad Gaeltachta de chuid Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh - a chuireann fostaíocht ar fáil do bhreis agus 60 duine faoi scáth an Acadaimh - is léir go bhfuil leas á bhaint as infheistíocht na Roinne, atá ar leas na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta. Cabhróidh an maoiniú breise atá á fhógairt inniu ar bhealach praiticiúil leis an mbonneagar Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht a neartú tuilleadh ar leas fhorfheidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge agus an Phlean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 don Ghaeilge atá mar thaca aige” Dúirt an tAire Stáit Chambers: “Le ceadú an allúntais trí bliana seo - a thagann ar sála an chláir mhaoinithe trí bliana a tháinig chun deiridh le gairid, tá mo Roinn ag déanamh beart de réir briathair mar a bhaineann sé cur i bhfeidhm an Phlean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 don Ghaeilge. Is údar sásaimh faoi leith dom an beart faoi leith atá luaite sa chlár mar a bhaineann sé le gnóthaí luathbhlianta. De thoradh an bhirt seo glacfar le céim bhreise a bheidh ar leas an chóraisluathbhlianta sa Ghaeltacht agus ar leas an pholasaí don oideachas Gaeltachta agus an phróisis pleanála teanga dá réir. Cuirfidh feidhmiú córasach an chláir oibre atá mar ábhar an mhaoinithe seo leis an gcomhpháirtíocht atá bunaithe le fada leis an Acadamh, ar mhaithe le deiseanna oideachais tríú leibhéal a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge in ionaid Ghaeltachta na hollscoile. "Tá áthas ar leith orm go bhfuil an tAcadamh ag díriú isteach ar chúrsaí oiliúna a chur ar fáil don earnáil luathoideachais sa Ghaeltacht. Luíonn sé seo isteach le feidhmiú rathúil an phróisis pleanála teanga agus an pholasaí don oideachas Gaeltachta araon.” Dúirt An tOllamh Breandán Mac Suibhne, Stiúrthóir Léinn an Acadaimh: “Tá tábhacht ar leith ag baint leis an luath-oideachas i bpleanáil teanga. Leis an mhaoiniú breise seo, beidh Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh ábalta tacaíocht níos fearr a thabhairt do dhaoine atá ag obair i naíonraí cheana féin. Agus beidh sí ábalta córas oiliúna a chur ar fáil le cuidiú le daoine atá ag gabháil isteach san earnáil luath-oideachais dúshláin teangeolaíochta a aithint agus a shárú. Tá muid iontach buíoch don Aire agus don Aire Stáit agus d’fhoireann uilig na Roinne as deis a thabhairt dúinn ról nós lárnaí a bheith againn i bhforbairt na h-earnála tábhachtaí seo. "Lena chois sin, tá an Roinn ag cuidiú leis an Ollscoil réimse níos leithne léachtaí agus ceardlanna a chur ar siúl sna hionaid Ghaeltachta—i gCarna, ar an Cheathrú Rua, agus i nGaoth Dobhair; rachaidh na h-imeachtaí seo chun tairbhe don phobal agus do mhic léinn a bhfuil trémhse á caitheamh acu sa Ghaeltacht mar chuid dá gclár léinn.” I gcomhréir lena bhfuil luaite i mbeart 2.19 den Phlean Gníomhaíochta - go ndíreofar ar fhorbairt a dhéanamh ar oiriúnú a dhéanamh ar na cláir éagsúla chun tacú tuilleadh le cur chun cinn an phróisis pleanála teanga - tá aontaithe ag an Roinn leis an Acadamh go gcuirfear raon cúrsaí ar fáil ar mhaithe le tacú tuilleadh le cur i bhfeidhm an phróisis pleanála teanga mar a bhaineann sé leis na ceantair Ghaeltachta, na Bailte Seirbhíse agus na Líonraí Gaeilge. Tá tuilleadh eolais ar fáil faoin bPlean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 ar fáil ANSEO. Foilseofar an dara tuairisc bhliantúil maidir le cur i bhfeidhm an phlean ina chumhdófar an tréimhse ó mhí Iúil 2019 go Nollaig 2020 go luath. -Críoch-

NUI Galway has been awarded a special €1million fund to drive the University’s strategy and improvements in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.  Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris T.D. announced the Performance Funding as part of dedicated investment by Government for higher education institutions in recognition of innovative programmes to help create a better society. NUI Galway is one of only five institutions to be awarded funding. The fund was secured following the submission of a case study detailing recent actions to advance gender equality within the University. It will support the expansion of work in the area of gender equality and the wider Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda. President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “The award of €1million Government funding, a very significant portion of the funding available, to help progress the equality agenda is testament to the impactful work and dedication of our NUI Galway community in recent years. “It is also a clear appreciation of NUI Galway’s commitment to advancing equality for all our staff and students consistent with our values of openness and respect. Diversity welcomes all the talents and, by doing so, makes for a better, stronger university. This work continues and is the responsibility of us all to support its progression in line with our focus on excellent work for the public good.” Aoife Cooke, Head of Equal Opportunities at NUI Galway, said: “All of the people involved in progressing equality at our University are delighted with the award from Government and it is a huge boost to everyone as we embed equality, diversity, and inclusion in our culture and address equality challenges.” With the establishment of a Gender Equality Task Force at NUI Galway, opportunities for women to progress in the University have greatly improved over the past four years. As highlighted by the recent Bronze Athena SWAN Award for the University, a range of initiatives have been taken in relation to equality at the University since 2016/17, including improvement in the representation of women in senior academic roles. The proportion of female staff holding the role of senior lecturer at NUI Galway increased from 33% in 2016/17 to 47% in 2020/21. The proportion of female staff holding the role of personal professor in the University increased from 16% to 28% over the same period. Ends

Walk-in vaccination centre opening on campus next week New map linked to NUI Galway app for step-by-step campus navigation NUI Galway has launched a special orientation programme to welcome a record intake of first year students to the University for the second year running. Around 3,500 new students will be taking up offers of places on programmes at NUI Galway this year, with in-person lectures available for all students from next Monday 27 September 2021. Ahead of next week, the University has confirmed a walk-in vaccination centre is to operate on campus. The service will open next Tuesday (September 28th), offering vaccination to students from 9am-5pm, three days a week (Tuesdays-Thursdays). A new campus map has also been created and linked to the NUI Galway app to help students, staff and visitors to find their way around the University grounds. More than 127,000sq metres of indoor space has been mapped, allowing step-by-step navigation to any room or location in the most popular buildings on campus. President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, extended a warm welcome to all those coming to the University campus for the first time, and to those returning to continue their studies. “I want to say congratulations and extend a warm, safe welcome to the class of 2021. All of the students coming to campus this year have demonstrated remarkable resilience amid the significant challenges presented by Covid-19,” Professor Ó hÓgartaigh said. “Our education and our lives have been disrupted by the pandemic and it is our aim to provide the best experience for students, safely and sustainably, on campus, for the academic year ahead. “Táimid buíoch do phobal na Gaillimhe agus an cheantar máguaird don tacaíocht fial dár micléinn, go bhfuil gá leis i mbliana níos mó ná ariamh. We are conscious of our impact on Galway and the health, wellbeing and safety of our staff, students and the wider Galway community is our top priority. We are working hard to make this academic year a success, ensuring NUI Galway operates within public health guidelines. “As part of that we are asking everyone in our university community to recognise the importance that we place on our values of respect, openness, excellence and sustainability and to maintain our commitment to personal and collective responsibility for the public good. "We thank all our students who have already taken up an offer of a vaccine. A walk-in centre is opening and we urge all those who are eligible for a vaccine, and haven’t yet taken up the offer, to do so now." Róisín Nic Lochlainn, NUI Galway Students’ Union President, said: "NUI Galway Students’ Union is here to represent all NUI Galway students and defend their rights. We are welcoming our students to campus with a mix of online and in person events to help them make friends, save money and become a part of the University community. This includes our huge Rudaí Álainn bag giveaway, free SU Card credit, our Walk & Talks, the Hump Day Hoolie, outdoor cinema, a Beach Clean Up, a swop shop, our Life Skills Courses, Walktober and the launch of our Hygiene Bank initiative. “We have worked with the University to make sure every measure has been taken to ensure that your safety is our priority while also looking forward to an enjoyable year on campus." NUI Galway Student Services, University management, the four Colleges and the Students’ Union have worked in partnership to plan a series of online and on-campus orientation events. They run from today Wednesday 22 September 2021, through to Sunday 26 September 2021. Dedicated online sessions and workshops are being held as part of efforts to help students settle in and transition to higher education, to learn about how their programme will be delivered and to help them to engage with staff and fellow students. Over the weekend, on-campus orientation takes place in line with public health advice. Senior University academics and management will personally deliver welcome messages to students, while NUI Galway Student Services is hosting information sessions, including advice to try and stay safe and well. Students are being encouraged to explore the campus on foot and by bus, to familiarise themselves with resources and facilities. Special zones are being set up for live music, health and wellbeing, mindfulness workshops, societies events, sports pop ups and a walking theatre. Dean of Students Professor Michelle Millar said: “A huge effort has gone into the welcome programme for our new students. It is hugely important that we do our best to connect with our new students and help them connect with one another after all they have endured over the last 18 months or so. “The 2021 orientation is partly a welcome, it’s partly congratulations for getting to NUI Galway and looking at what the whole student experience means. It is also important for all of our students to feel part of a wider community and to recognise they have a role to play in that community and a responsibility to make the best of their time and their place here in Galway.” Further information on the orientation programme is available at https://www.nuigalway.ie/startinguniversity/newstudents/newundergraduate/ Ends

NUI Galway has announced the appointment of the University’s new Head of the School of Law - Professor Martin Hogg. Professor Hogg will take up the new role in November, having joined from the University of Edinburgh, where he served as Head of School and Dean of Law. Professor Geraint Howells, Executive Dean for the College of Business, Public Policy and Law at NUI Galway, said: "We are delighted to have Martin joining us. He is a leading contract law scholar and an experienced leader. “Our Law School has an outstanding reputation for its teaching and scholarship. Martin is an ideal person to help us build on our strengths and develop new initiatives to meet the needs of our community." Professor Hogg said: “I’m honoured and very happy to be joining NUI Galway’s Law School as Head of School and Established Professor in November. “The Law School is an inspiring centre of learning and research, whose students and staff are widely known for their commitment to justice and the rule of law. I’m looking forward to meeting as many of them as I can in the coming months, as well as alumni and practitioner communities. “The whole NUI Galway community has already extended to me the warmest of Galway welcomes, for which I am very grateful.” Professor Hogg’s research interests lie in all aspects of the law of obligations, including comparative obligations theory, contract and promise, and fundamental structural language in the law of obligations. He has published widely in this field, including Promises and Contract Law and Obligations: Law and Language with Cambridge University Press. He is the Scottish Reporter for the European Tort Law Yearbook. Professor Hogg spent two years qualifying as a Solicitor with Dundas & Wilson CS in Edinburgh, before being appointed Lecturer at the Faculty of Law at Edinburgh in 1995. He was appointed Senior Lecturer in 2004 and in 2013 he was appointed to a Chair in the Law of Obligations. Professor Hogg is a (non-practising) member of the Faculty of Advocates (the Scottish Bar). Professor Hogg brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously held office as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director of Teaching, Deputy Director of Research, and Convener of the Board of Studies. He took office as Deputy Head of the Law School in Edinburgh in 2014, and became Head of School and Dean of Law in 2017. Professor Shane Darcy, Interim Head of the School of Law, said: “On behalf of my colleagues at the School of Law, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Professor Hogg. We are very excited to have him join us as Head of the School of Law and very much look forward to working with him in this role at NUI Galway.” NUI Galway’s School of Law delivers innovative legal education in a dynamic school dedicated to impactful, high quality legal research. It hosts the internationally renowned Irish Centre for Human Rights and the Centre for Disability Law & Policy. The School has introduced several new programmes in recent years, including the undergraduate degrees Law (BCL), Criminology and Criminal Justice and Law (BCL) and Human Rights. It also offers a suite of postgraduate LLM programmes and is home to a vibrant doctoral community. Further information www.nuigalway.ie/law Ends

Art exhibition and special concert from Galway Music Residency kick-off Culture Night and the beginning of culture, learning and research link Twenty-one uniquely decorated currachs have journeyed from Inis Oírr to the NUI Galway campus to officially launch a new partnership between Áras Éanna arts centre and the University. The special exhibition - showcasing unique works by John Behan, Jennifer Cunningham, Ger Sweeney and Áine Phillips, among others - is opening as part of Culture Night. The currachs will remain on display in the Quadrangle at NUI Galway for one month, with the public invited to visit free of charge and without prior booking. The new partnership between NUI Galway and Áras Éanna will see the University and the arts centre on Inis Oírr work together to promote the islands and the West more generally as places of culture, learning and research. A new fund has been established by the University to support staff and students who wish to travel to the island and use the facilities at Áras Éanna as part of their studies. NUI Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “I often use the metaphor of the ‘currach full of fish coming in to shore’ from Máirtín Ó Direáin’s poem ‘An tEarrach Thiar’ to describe the resourcefulness and potential of our university community and our region. “I am delighted that 21 currachs have come to campus to launch the new partnership between the University and Áras Éanna. We respect the unique language, culture and environment that we share in the West of Ireland and we are open to collaborating with Áras Éanna and the Inis Oírr community to promote that distinctiveness as part of the life of our university.” Áras Éanna Artistic Director, Dara Mac Aoidh, said: “After a very successful summer exhibition across Inis Oírr, we are delighted to bring the ‘Curacha’ exhibition to NUI Galway where the University community and the wider Galway community will get to see this wonderful exhibition. “We welcome this new partnership between the University and Áras Éanna, and look forward to working on many collaborations and projects in the future that will benefit both the University and the island of Inis Oírr.” NUI Galway and Áras Éanna formally launched the exhibition, coinciding with nationwide Culture Night celebrations, in partnership with Galway Music Residency. As part of the launch, ConTempo Quartet performed a specially selected suite of classical and contemporary music connected to the ocean, composed by Alec Roth, Claude Debussy and Katharina Baker. NUI Galway Drama students were also on hand to recite a selection of poetry by Máirtín Ó Direáin. The exhibition of 21 currachs will run until 10 October 2021. Ends

SFI CÚRAM backed piimpact.com to help academics focus on impact and public good CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices based at NUI Galway has launched a new website and online toolkit to support researchers in developing a more holistic view of the impact of their work. piimpact.com has been designed to help both experienced and early-career academics gain a better awareness of how the work will benefit the public and what difference it has the potential to make.  Dr Brendan Dolan, lead postdoctoral researcher on the Principal Investigator Impact project, said: “We wanted to identify the strategies and approaches of our individual scientists, and PIs in particular, to enhance the impact potential of their work, including how they engage and collaborate with various stakeholders who could benefit from the research undertaken. “Our aim is to use these findings to inform and assist new principal investigators taking on this role by providing practical learning tools and resources for learning and professional development training.” One of the research themes within CÚRAM since 2015 has focused on translation and impact of research in medical devices. Professor Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM, said: “At CÚRAM, we are focused on designing the next generation of ‘smart’ medical devices. We want to provide our researchers with extensive pathways or routes to impact, through the productive and focused industry, clinician and public engagement and collaboration. “This website and toolkit offer a fantastic opportunity to begin to prepare for and plan one’s journey as a successful Personal Investigator and plan for impact. Moreover, the toolkit offers a novel approach to planning for impact, wherein one can plan one’s collaborations to maximise impact.” The piimpact.com online resource and toolkit was developed on the back of the Principal Investigator Impact project and feedback from almost 600 principal investigators across Ireland. It highlighted the need for increased support structures to enable researchers to work more effectively and efficiently towards impact, while taking on the ever increasing responsibilities. The project aims to support research relating to the development of medical devices, and in academia in general. It will allow researchers to more effectively plan for, monitor and evaluate the broader, non-academic impact – the benefits to society beyond traditional metrics such as journal publications and citations. A white paper on preparing medical device scientists for the PI role and impact, developed by the Principal Investigator Impact project is available here: http://www.piimpact.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/curam_whitepaper_spreads.pdf. -Ends-

More than half of productions at the 2021 GIAF feature former students of the University NUI Galway and Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF) have joined forces to herald the role of the University’s graduates in this year’s theatre productions. More than half the shows at the 2021 GIAF feature former students working behind the scenes and on stage to bring a wealth of drama, arts and culture to audiences as they flocked back to live, in-person events. Patrick Lonergan, Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies at NUI Galway, said: “We began partnering with Galway International Arts Festival from our shared desire to ensure that the next generation of theatre-makers and artists would have the skills and experiences needed to build sustainable careers, both here in the west of Ireland and in other national and international contexts. “Through programmes like the SELECTED internship scheme, our students have gone behind the scenes to meet artists, producers, and other professional experts on GIAF shows. We're seeing the fruits of that approach now, with more than half of this year's theatre productions featuring recent NUI Galway graduates.” Among the alumni are recent graduates from the BA in Drama who took part in the SELECTED programme this summer and went on to work as stage manager, assistant stage manager and props person on Cogadh Na Saoirse. Others are playing key roles in the performances on stage, with actor Catherine Denning, a BA and MA graduate, featuring in Branar's Sruth na Teanga, while Cogadh na Soairse was written by MA graduate Philip Doherty and After Love was written by BA graduate Dani Gill. NUI Galway graduates are also working on the Abbey Theatre's Happy Days on Inis Oírr and Druid Theatre's The Seagull. Professor Lonergan highlighted that NUI Galway is also proud to support the Irish premiere of Enda Walsh's Medicine, starring Domhnall Gleeson, and that another production, Ar Ais Arís, emerged from the University’s Aistriú project. John Crumlish, chief executive of the Galway International Arts Festival, said: “Galway International Arts Festival's partnership with NUI Galway on SELECTED has been very rewarding. We always envisaged the programme being a support for young people who wanted careers in culture, so we are delighted to see alumni working for arts organisations that are part of the festival programme itself. We hope to work with NUI Galway to further develop the programme over the coming years and play our part in developing the careers of the next generation of arts professionals." Professor Lonergan added: “The development of this SELECTED programme as a conduit from the University to the Galway International Arts Festival is an important part of our contribution to Irish culture and Irish life. “Our University believes in engagement, both as an important part of our teaching and as a societal good - and our partnerships with the Galway International Arts Festival is an important manifestation of those values.” The two week SELECTED programme offers an opportunity for a number of NUI Galway students to experience a unique academy initiative which gives them full access to many aspects of the Galway International Arts Festival and a behind-the-scenes insight into how the programme is put together. Ends

NUI Galway hosts cross border competition for young people to make science short video and win €1,000 for their school or youth organisation A NASA astronaut is calling on budding scientists to produce fun, short science videos for the innovative ReelLIFE SCIENCE cross border competition. The best films from young people in primary and post-primary schools and youth groups and organisations across the island of Ireland will each win €1,000. The videos can be up to 3 minutes long and can communicate any aspect of the STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. ReelLIFE SCIENCE is asking for entries on one of eight topics - Climate Action, How Things Work, Myths Busted!, Science and Me, Science Heroes, Science in Space, Science on the Farm and Healing the Body. NASA astronaut Colonel Greg “Box” Johnson is taking time out of his work at the US space agency to join the judging panel for ReelLIFE SCIENCE 2021. "I'm honoured to join the judging team for this year's ReelLIFE SCIENCE 2021 video competition. What a fun way to get young people excited about the science that is happening around us in our daily lives,” Colonel Johnson said. “Last year's winners were very interesting and enjoyable. I'm looking forward to this year's batch of science video creativity. Good luck scientists!" Video entries can be in Irish or English. Students can create them on smartphones, tablets or cameras and the best productions will be shown at a public screening at the Galway Science and Technology Festival on 21st November 2021. The closing date for entries is Friday, 15 October 2021. Dr Ruth Freeman, Science Foundation Ireland’s Director of Science for Society, said: “Science Foundation Ireland is delighted to support this initiative. The ReelLIFE Science competition helps to nurture young people’s ability to develop their critical thinking and communications skills. It also gives them the opportunity to explore the world of STEM by tapping into their creative side. I am really looking forward to seeing what the entrants come up with and wish all involved the best of luck.” The ReelLIFE SCIENCE programme is organised by Dr Enda O’Connell and a team of scientists from NUI Galway. Since launching in 2013, more than 16,000 young people in 500 schools and youth organisations across Ireland have taken part.   ReelLIFE SCIENCE is supported by Science Foundation Ireland’s Discover Programme, the Community Knowledge Initiative, the CÚRAM SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices and the Cell EXPLORERS science outreach programme. More information about taking part can be found at www.reellifescience.com. Ends

A research team from NUI Galway and the University of Zaragoza, Spain, are seeking students aged 18 and over and the wider general public to participate in a short five-minute survey about Ireland’s COVID Tracker app.  The study will look at motives for using the app, opinions about the app, promotion of use of the app to others, the extent to which the user checks in using the app, their level of contact with others, and their living/working situation.  These insights will help the team to understand more about the adoption of the app and learnings which could also be applied to other health-related apps in the future.  The research team would like to speak to people who had (or still have) the COVID Tracker app installed on their phone and who are aged 18 years or over. The survey is entirely voluntary, and all responses are anonymous.   In an attempt to curb Covid-19 outbreaks, and in addition to social distancing measures, one solution has been the implementation of contact-tracing apps. At this stage of the pandemic, with the return to a ‘new normal’, the international research team led by Dr Elaine Wallace, Senior Lecturer in Marketing at J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at NUI Galway, are seeking participants to complete the short five-minute online survey.  Dr Elaine Wallace commented: “Ireland’s Covid Tracker App has been one of the most successful tracker apps in use during the pandemic. With a planned safe return to our workplaces and University campuses, we hope that this survey will raise awareness and remind students and the general public to download and use the app; as well as providing really helpful information about how apps such as this can be used to help us in other ways in the future.” To complete the short survey and contribute to the study on the COVID Tracker app, simply click on this link to begin: NUI Galway COVID Tracker App Survey   -Ends- 

Tá an chéad Oifigeach Oideachais Taistealaithe lánaimseartha ceaptha ag OÉ Gaillimh chun ceannas a ghlacadh ar theagasc agus ar fhoghlaim na mac léinn ó phobal na dTaistealaithe.  Tá Owen Ward, Taistealaí, múinteoir cáilithe agus alumnus de chuid na hOllscoile, chun an ról a ghlacadh agus forbróidh OÉ Gaillimh samhail chun cumhacht a thabhairt do phobal na dTaistealaithe bacainní ar rochtain, dul chun cinn, coinneáil agus rath san ardoideachas a shárú.  D’fháiltigh Simon Harris, an tAire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta, TD, roimh an gceapachán, ag rá: “Is iontach an eiseamláir é Owen dá theaghlach agus do phobal na dTaistealaithe ar fad. Sháraigh sé dúshláin agus d’athraigh sé an treo dá thodhchaí féin agus do thodhchaí phobal na dTaistealaithe chomh maith.  “Tá an t-ardoideachas ann do gach duine agus tá sé an-tábhachtach chun comhionannas agus deiseanna a thabhairt do chách. Is é ár misean sa Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta a chinntiú nach bhfágtar aon duine ar lár. Agus muid ag iarraidh córas ardoideachais níos uilechuimsithí a bhaint amach do chách, níl aon amhras orm ach go mbeidh ról ollmhór ag Owen sa mhéid seo amach anseo. Guím gach rath air sa ról nua seo agus ba mhaith liom OÉ Gaillimh a mholadh as leanúint de ról ceannaireachta a imirt sa réimse seo."  Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh: “In OÉ Gaillimh, is ollscoil muid atá ar mhaithe le leas an phobail, le fís chomhroinnte, múnlaithe ag ár luachanna.  “Téann ceapachán Owen Ward mar Oifigeach Oideachais Taistealaithe go croí na hoibre seo chun ár luachanna a chur chun cinn, go háirithe an tábhacht a leagaimid ar mheas agus ar oscailteacht, chomh maith le cultúr a chothú a chruthaíonn deiseanna san oideachas do dhaoine ó gach cúlra. Is ceannródaí den scoth é agus eiseamláir dúinn ar fad.”  Beidh ról Owen Ward ina chuid lárnach d’obair Ionad Rochtana OÉ Gaillimh. Déanfaidh an tOifigeach Oideachais Taistealaithe bainistiú ar Mincéirs Misl'd in Education – chun cumhacht a thabhairt do Thaistealaithe na hÉireann aistriú chuig an Ardoideachas agus muintearas a mhothú ann. Tá an tionscadal maoinithe ag an bhFóram Náisiúnta d’Fheabhsú Teagaisc agus Foghlama.  Oibreoidh an tOifigeach Oideachais Taistealaithe i gcomhpháirt le páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla, idir eagraíochtaí Taistealaithe agus pobal na dTaistealaithe agus tógfaidh siad ar pholasaithe agus ar straitéisí criticiúla rialtais chun tuiscint mhionsonraithe, fhianaise-bhunaithe a sholáthar ar bhacainní ar rochtain, dul chun cinn agus fanacht san ardoideachas do Thaistealaithe na hÉireann.  Dúirt Imelda Byrne, Ceann an Ionaid Rochtana in OÉ Gaillimh: “Guím gach rath ar ár nOifigeach Oideachais Taistealaithe nua, Owen Ward, sa ról seo.  “Tá lúcháir mhór orm do Owen, a theaghlach agus a phobal; is iontach an rud é Owen a fheiceáil ag dul ar aghaidh chuig an gcéim seo ina ghairm agus níl aon amhras orm ach go bhforbróidh sé an réimse straitéiseach seo ar bhealach a thacóidh le pobal na hOllscoile ar bhealach fiúntach chun eispéireas oideachasúil uilechuimsitheach a sholáthar do phobal na dTaistealaithe san ardoideachas.  “Is fada linn go bhfeicfimid Owen ag baint leas as a thaithí chun cabhrú leis an réimse seo a fhorbairt de réir straitéisí na hOllscoile agus na straitéisí náisiúnta.”  Dúirt Owen Ward: “Is é príomhchuspóir an tionscadail tacú le straitéisí earcaíochta agus tacaíochta a fhorbairt agus le modhanna teagaisc agus foghlama fianaise-bhunaithe mar iarracht chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar a laghad Taistealaithe atá san ardoideachas. Cuirfidh sé ar chumas na dTaistealaithe sna hiar-bhunscoileanna, sa bhreisoideachas agus mic léinn lánfhásta dul ar aghaidh chuig ardoideachas agus muintearas a mhothú, agus a bheith rathúil ina gcuid staidéir in OÉ Gaillimh.   “Táim ag tnúth le bheith ag obair leis na páirtithe leasmhara go léir chun torthaí dearfacha a bhaint amach do phobal na dTaistealaithe san oideachas. Cuireann an tionscadal seo béim ar thiomantas leanúnach OÉ Gaillimh rannpháirtíocht na dTaistealaithe san ardoideachas a mhéadú.”  Críoch 

NUI Galway has appointed its first full-time Traveller Education Officer to lead the teaching and learning of students from the Traveller community.  Owen Ward, a Traveller, qualified teacher and alumnus of the University, is to take on the role as NUI Galway develops a model to empower the Traveller community to overcome barriers to access, progression, retention and success in higher education.  Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, T.D., welcomed the appointment, saying: “Owen is an incredible role model for his family and the wider Traveller community. He has overcome adversity and changed the course of not only his own future but that of the wider Traveller community.  “Higher education is for everyone and can be the key to equality as well as unlocking opportunities for all. Our mission in my Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science is to ensure no one is left behind. As we strive towards a more inclusive higher education system for all, I have no doubt that Owen will play a huge part in this in the future. I wish him well in this new role and I want to commend NUI Galway for continuing to play a leadership role in this area.”  President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “At NUI Galway, we are a university for the public good, with a shared vision, shaped by our values.  “The appointment of Owen Ward as our Traveller Education Officer goes to the heart of this work in promoting our values, particularly the importance which we place on respect and openness, as well as providing a culture that creates opportunities in education for people from all backgrounds. He is an exemplar of excellence and a role model for us all.”  Owen Ward’s role will be a key part of the work of NUI Galway Access Centre. The Traveller Education Officer will manage Mincéirs Misl'd in Education - Empowering Irish Travellers to transition and build a sense of belonging in Higher Education. The project is funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning.  The Traveller Education Officer will work in partnership with various stakeholders, including Traveller organisations and the Traveller community and build on critical government policies and strategies to provide a detailed, evidence-based understanding of barriers to access, progression and retention in higher education for Irish Travellers.  Imelda Byrne, Head of NUI Galway's Access Centre, said: “I wish our new Traveller Education Officer Owen Ward every success in this role.  “I am absolutely thrilled for Owen, his family and his community; it is wonderful to see Owen progress to this stage in his career and I have no doubt that he will develop this strategic area in a way that will support our University community in a meaningful way to provide an inclusive educational experience for the Traveller community in higher education.  “We are very excited to see Owen apply his experience to help develop this area in line with University and national strategies.”  Owen Ward said: “The main objective of the project is to support the development of recruitment and support strategies and evidence-based teaching and learning methods in an effort to address the low levels of Travellers in higher education. It will empower Travellers in post-primary, further education and mature students to progress to higher education and build a sense of belonging, while being successful during their studies at NUI Galway.   “I look forward to working with all the stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for the Traveller community in education. This project highlights NUI Galway’s ongoing commitment to widening the participation of Travellers in higher education.”  Ends 

I bhfianaise an dul chun cinn atá déanta ar chomhionannas inscne táthar tar éis creidiúnú stádas Ghradaim Chré-Umha a dhéanamh ar ocht Scoil de chuid na hOllscoile. Moladh OÉ Gaillimh as ucht bearta a rinneadh le dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ar ionadaíocht na mban ag gráid acadúla shinsearacha, go háirithe róil Léachtóirí Sinsearacha agus róil Ollamh Pearsanta.   Tá Gradam Cré-Umha Athena SWAN athnuaite bainte amach ag OÉ Gaillimh i bhfianaise dul chun cinn leanúnach na hOllscoile ar chomhionannas inscne. Caitheann athnuachan an ghradaim léas ar na réimsí tionscnamh atá á ndéanamh san Ollscoil ó 2016/2017, lena n-áirítear feabhas ar ionadaíocht na mban i róil acadúla shinsearacha. Tá ardú ó 35% in 2016/17 go 47% in 2020/21 tagtha ar chéatadán na gcomhaltaí foirne mná in OÉ Gaillimh a bhfuil ról an Léachtóra Shinsearaigh acu. Tá ardú ó 16% go 28% tagtha ar chéatadán na gcomhaltaí foirne mná san Ollscoil a bhfuil ról an Ollaimh Phearsanta acu i gcaitheamh na tréimhse céanna. Bronnadh stádas an Ghradaim Chré-Umha ar chúig cinn de Scoileanna OÉ Gaillimh sa bhabhta gradam is déanaí chomh maith, rud a dhéanann go bhfuil ocht ngradam scoile san iomlán bainte amach go dtí seo. Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh: “Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le mo chomhghleacaithe in OÉ Gaillimh agus i ngach ceann de na scoileanna faoi Ghradaim Chré-Umha Athena SWAN a bhaint amach. Agus clár na ngradam ‘lomtha’ againn i mbliana, i riocht agus gur éirigh le gach iarratas, is léiriú paiteanta é ar obair agus ar thiomantas iontach na ndaoine siúd a bhí páirteach iontu. “Tá an-lúchair orm go bhfuil a stádas Gradam cré-umha bainte amach an athuair ag OÉ Gaillimh, ar aitheantas follasach é do thiomantas na hOllscoile don chomhionannas a chur chun cinn i measc gach comhalta foirne agus gach mac léinn dár gcuid i gcomhréir lenár luachanna mar atá oscailteacht agus meas. “Tugaim suntas go háirithe don mholadh sainiúil, agus cuirim fáilte roimhe, a thug an painéal dár bpróiseas arduithe céime acadúla agus an ‘tionchar dearfach’ a bhí aige go dtí seo maidir le hionadaíocht inscne de. Níl an obair seo críochnaithe go fóill agus luíonn an fhreagracht orainn ar fad.” Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Aoife Cooke, Ceannasaí Comhdheiseanna: “Is ugach mór é rath ár Scoileanna sa bhabhta gradaim le deireanas mar go dtugann sé fianaise le leabú an chomhionannais, na héagsúlachta, agus an chuimsithe inár gcultúr agus tugann sé aghaidh ar na dúshláin chomhionannais éagsúla augs na tosaíochtaí forbartha inár bpobail.” Tá athnuachan ar Ghradam Cré-Umha Athena SWAN bainte amach ag Scoil an Leighis freisin. Tá dul chun suntasach déanta inti maidir le mná i ngráid acadúla shinsearacha, lena n-áirítear méadú ar chéatadán na mban i róil Léachtóirí Sinsearach ó 33% in 2016/17 go 47% in 2020/21; agus méadú ar chéatadán na mban i róil Ollamh Pearsanta ó 8% in 2016/17 go 28% in 2020/21. Bronnadh na Gradaim Chré-Umha eile ar iarratasóirí céaduaire – Scoil na nEolaíochtaí Nádúrtha, Scoil na Síceolaíochta, Scoil na Ceimice, agus Scoil na Matamaitice, Staitisticí agus Matamaitice Feidhmí. Bhain Scoil an Altranais agus an Chnáimhseachais OÉ Gaillimh Gradam Cré-umha amach in Aibreán 2021. Bhain Scoil na Fisice agus Scoil an Ghnó Gradaim Chré-umha amach in 2020. Is creat creidiúnaithe í Cairt Athena SWAN a mbaintear úsáid aisti ar fud an domhain le tacú le comhionannas inscne san ardoideachas agus sa taighde mar aon lena chlaochlú. Seoladh Athena SWAN in Éirinn sa bhliain 2015. Críoch

Progression of gender equality sees a total of eight Schools in the University now accredited with Bronze Award status  NUI Galway commended for actions to progress representation of women at senior academic grades, particularly Senior Lecturer and Personal Professor roles   NUI Galway has secured a renewed Bronze Athena SWAN Award in recognition of the University’s continued progression on gender equality. The renewal of the award highlighted a range of initiatives being taken at the University since 2016/17, including improvement in the representation of women in senior academic roles. The proportion of female staff holding the role of senior lecturer at NUI Galway increased from 33% in 2016/17 to 47% in 2020/21. The proportion of female staff holding the role of personal professor in the University increased from 16% to 28% over the same period. Bronze award status has also been granted to five of NUI Galway’s Schools in the latest award round, taking the total of school awards to eight. President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “I would like to congratulate my colleagues in NUI Galway and in each of the schools on receiving the Athena SWAN Bronze Awards. “This ‘clean sweep’ of awards this year, with each application being successful, is a true reflection of the excellent work and dedication of all those involved. “I am delighted that NUI Galway has renewed its Bronze Award status, as a clear appreciation of the University’s commitment to advancing equality to all our staff and students in line with our values of openness and respect. “I note in particular, and welcome, the panel’s particular commendation of our academic promotions process and the ‘positive impact’ it has had with regard to gender representation. This is work as yet unfinished and the responsibility of us all.” Aoife Cooke, Head of Equal Opportunities at NUI Galway, said: “The success of our Schools in the recent award round is particularly encouraging as it provides evidence of embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion in our culture and addresses the different equality challenges and development priorities in our communities.” The School of Medicine also secured a renewal of a Bronze Athena SWAN Award. It has seen significant progression in women in senior academic grades, including women in Senior Lecturer roles going from 38% in 2016/17 to 50% in 2020/21; and women in Personal Professor roles increasing from 8% in 2016/17 to 28% in 2020/21. The other Bronze Awards went to first time applicants - the Schools of Natural Sciences; Psychology; Chemistry; and Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics. NUI Galway’s School of Nursing & Midwifery secured a Bronze Award in April 2021. The School of Physics and the School of Business secured Bronze Awards in 2020. The Athena SWAN Charter is an accreditation framework that is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality in higher education and research. Athena SWAN launched in Ireland in 2015. Ends

Thug OÉ Gaillimh 3,859 tairiscint do mhic léinn ionchasacha sa Chéad Bhabhta de phróiseas an CAO. Tháinig ardú ar líon na bpointí CAO ar fud na gceithre Choláiste san Ollscoil agus ar fhormhór mór na gclár. Don dara bliain as a chéile agus i ndiaidh arduithe eisceachtúla ar phointí CAO agus ar an éileamh ar áiteanna san ardoideachas, tá OÉ Gaillimh ag súil le glacadh leis an líon mac léinn céad bliana is mó riamh, tuairim is 3,500. Deir an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh: “Comhghairdeas le rang 2021 a léirigh an-teacht aniar in éadan dhúshláin shuntasacha na paindéime agus a tionchair siúd ar an oideachas. “Is éard is cás linne in OÉ Gaillimh go príomha eispéireas na mac léinn, ar an gcampas, a bharrfheabhsú go sábháilte, go hinbhuanaithe agus an oiread is féidir don bhliain acadúil amach romhainn. Is í sláinte, folláine agus sábháilteacht ár gcomhaltaí foirne, ár mac léinn agus phobal na Gaillimhe i gcoitinne an tosaíocht is mó atá againn. “Is mian liom fáilte chroíúil a fhearadh roimh na mic léinn siúd atá ag glacadh leis an tairiscint teacht go OÉ Gaillimh agus foghlaim iad féin faoin mbéim a leagaimid ar ár luachanna mar atá meas, oscailteacht, barr feabhais agus inbhuanaitheacht. “Rinneadh obair agus iarracht mhór le pleanáil agus ullmhú don bhliain acadúil nua agus le cinntiú go mbeidh ár gcampas ag feidhmiú i gcomhréir leis na treoirlínte sláinte poiblí agus táimid ag iarraidh ar gach duine inár bpobal ollscoile béim as an nua a leagann ar an bhfreagracht phearsanta ar mhaithe le leas an phobail.” Tháinig ardú ar líon na bpointí CAO ar fud na gceithre Choláiste in OÉ Gaillimh. :: Tháinig ardú ar na pointí do 65 as 69 clár OÉ Gaillimh :: Bhí ardú breis is 50 pointe ar thuairim is leath de gach clár (30). :: Bhí ardú breis is 80 pointe ar chúig chlár i mbliana (na Dána le Scríbhneoireacht Chruthaitheach; na Dána le hIriseoireacht; an Ríomheolaíocht & an Teicneolaíocht Faisnéise; an Innealtóireacht Mheicniúil; an Chosliacht. :: Tá éileamh suntasach ar chláir fholláine agus eolaíochta, a leanann treocht na mblianta beaga anuas, agus is í dea-cháil OÉ Gaillimh i dtaca le barr feabhais sa Bhithleighis is cúis le harduithe ar phointí don Eolaíocht Bhithleighis. :: Tá ardú tagtha ar na pointí do chláir sna Dána, sa Tráchtáil, san Eolaíocht agus san Innealtóireacht. Deir an tOllamh Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Uachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí OÉ Gaillimh agus Cathaoirleach an CAO: “Tá ár bhfoireann clárúcháin in OÉ Gaillimh ag déanamh a seacht ndíchill arís glacadh/leis an oiread mac léinn agus is féidir tar éis bliain a bhí an-dúshlánach. Díreach mar a bhí in 2020 beimid ar ár dteanndícheall. Gabhfaidh OÉ Gaillimh i mbun an phróisis maidir le ríomhphoist a sheoladh chuig mic léinn a ghlac le tairiscint san Ollscoil sna laethanta beaga amach romhainn. Críoch

NUI Galway has made 3,859 offers to prospective students as part of Round One of the CAO process. CAO points have risen across all four of the University’s Colleges and across the vast majority of programmes. For the second year running and on the back of another year of exceptional increases in CAO points and demand for places in higher education, NUI Galway expects to see another record intake of around 3,500 first year students. Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of NUI Galway, said: “Congratulations to the class of 2021 who have demonstrated remarkable resilience amid the significant challenges of the pandemic and its impact on education. “Our focus in NUI Galway is on safely and sustainably optimising the experience for students, on campus, for the academic year ahead. The health, wellbeing and safety of our staff, students and the wider Galway community is our top priority. “I want to extend a warm welcome to those students who take up the offer to come to NUI Galway and to learn for themselves the importance that we place on our values of respect, openness, excellence and sustainability. “Huge work and effort has gone into planning and preparing for the new academic year and ensuring our campus operates within the public health guidelines and we are asking everyone in our university community to put a renewed emphasis on personal responsibility for the public good.” CAO points have risen across all four of NUI Galway’s Colleges. :: Points have increased for 65 of NUI Galway’s 69 programmes. :: Approximately half of all programmes (30) saw an increase of more than 50 points. :: Five programmes saw an increase of more than 80 points this year (Arts with Creative Writing; Arts with Journalism; Computer Science & Information Technology; Mechanical Engineering; Podiatry). :: Health, wellbeing and science programmes are in significant demand, continuing the trend of recent years, with NUI Galway’s strong reputation for excellence in Biomedicine once again resulting in points increases for Biomedical Science. :: Arts, Commerce, Science and Engineering have also all seen an increase in points. Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Deputy President and Registrar of NUI Galway and Chair of the CAO, said: “Our registration team at NUI Galway is once again doing our utmost to accommodate as many students as we can in what has been a challenging year. Just as in 2020 we are pulling out all the stops." NUI Galway will begin the process of emailing students who have accepted an offer of a programme at the University in the coming days. Ends