University of Galway has announced two partnerships with leading Chinese medical universities.   The collaborations with Hebei Medical University and Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University focus on stem cell research and PhD study opportunities.     The announcements were made as part of a trade mission to China led by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D., with the support of Enterprise Ireland.    President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: “University of Galway has developed strong links in China thanks to the excellence of our academic research. We are now seizing the opportunity to build on this and fulfil the promise set out in our Strategy 2025-2030 Of Galway, For the World, and we look forward to the impact that these partnerships can create for society and for healthcare.”   Professor Tim O’Brien, Director of the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at University of Galway, said: “By combining the strengths in regenerative medicine and clinical research at University of Galway with China’s scale, expertise and commitment to innovation, we are hopeful that these partnerships will deliver real benefit for patients and society. The relationships that we have built with these universities in China is international collaboration at its best: forward-looking, people-centred, and focused on shared global impact.”   The transnational education event in Beijing was attended by more than 150 people from 13 higher education institutions in Ireland and China.   University of Galway has renewed a partnership for a Joint Stem Cell Research Centre with Hebei Medical University. The collaboration will enable joint PhD and Masters supervision and collaborative research, including 12 postgraduate opportunities for students Hebei Medical University to enrol in the M.Sc. in Regenerative Medicine & M.Sc. in Cellular Manufacturing and Therapy in University of Galway. The partnership will also seek to drive collaborations between hospitals, universities, and industry in China and Ireland, bringing innovative regenerative stem cell therapies to patients worldwide.   A PhD scholarship Programme is also being renewed with the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) which funds up to 10 students from Xiangya School of Medicine to pursue PhD studies in Galway. The collaboration aims to strengthen joint clinical and scientific research between the EU and China, promote academic exchange and deepen institutional links.    Ends 

Prospective mature students and adult learners considering a return to education are invited to a special information event at University of Galway. The information evening will take place on campus on Thursday January 15th from 6pm-9pm in the Institute for Lifecourse and Society, Upper Newcastle Road. Hosted by the University’s Access Centre, the event will outline the CAO application process, entry pathways, funding options and practical supports available to adults who are thinking about returning to study. Students who have successfully returned to education and transformed their careers and confidence will also give first-hand accounts of their experience. The event is open to anyone aged 23 or over who is applying through the CAO as a mature student, as well as adults considering upskilling, retraining or returning to education and those interested in Access courses or flexible learning opportunities, such as Microcreds. Staff will be on hand to discuss degree programmes, career opportunities and unique learning experiences at the University. The Career Development Centre will also provide expert advice on career pathways and progression after completing a qualification. The information evening will highlight the wide range of flexible learning options available for adult learners. Representatives from the Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development will showcase short courses, languages, online learning and professional development programmes tailored to fit around work, family and life commitments. The event will also serve as a gateway to the University’s Access Foundation Diploma Courses, which support learners at a pre-university level to build confidence, academic skills and a strong platform for success in a full degree. Kathleen Hartigan, Mature Students Officer, Access Centre, University of Galway, said: “There is truly a place for everyone at University of Galway. Whether you choose a full-time degree, take your first step through an Access course, or pursue flexible lifelong learning, our community is here to support you to reach your full potential.” Nuala McGuinn, Director of the Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development, University of Galway, said: “Technological change is reshaping how we work, learn and develop new skills across every sector. But lifelong learning isn’t only about careers - it’s also about curiosity and the joy of learning something new. Whether someone is pursuing a short micro-credential, a flexible part-time undergraduate or postgraduate course, our staff are ready to help people find learning opportunities that fit their lives.” For further information or to register to attend, visit www.universityofgalway.ie/mature Ends

Alumni of the renowned BioInnovate programme at University of Galway are to share insights on translating unmet clinical need into patient centred solutions. The online event is being held on January 13th, 2026, as the search begins for the next intake for BioInnovate's 10-month medical device and digital health innovation programme.  One area of focus for the 2026 webinar is the growing recognition that women’s health innovation must be grounded in real, unmet clinical need and informed by diverse perspectives, particularly the lived experiences of women themselves. The webinar seeks to actively support and encourage greater involvement of women as innovators and leaders in health innovation, an approach long embedded within BioInnovate. BioInnovate alumni companies are already demonstrating how needs-led innovation can transform health outcomes, including women’s health outcomes. Among them is AVeta Medical which is poised to redefine the standard of care for millions of women living with Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). The BioInnovate webinar and the opening of recruitment for the programme follows the announcement late last year by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill T.D. of €2million in dedicated funding in women’s health research in Ireland in 2026 and 2027. Paula Newell, Founder of AVeta Medical and a BioInnovate alumna taking part in the webinar, said: “Women’s health has historically been under-researched and under-prioritised, despite the scale of impact on quality of life. Needs-led innovation changes that dynamic by starting with women’s voices and translating them into clinically meaningful, patient-centred solutions. Programmes like BioInnovate have played a critical role in enabling that journey." Professor Martin O’Halloran, Co-Director of BioInnovate, said: “Needs-led approaches ensure that health solutions are clinically relevant, commercially viable and, most importantly, grounded in real patient need. Having diverse participants within the training programme really supports this approach.” The webinar will highlight how the importance of clinical insight in shaping effective unmet solutions is reflected in the career paths of clinicians who move into innovation and industry. Dr Brendan Boland, Co-Founder of Loci Orthopaedics and Head of Consulting, MedTech at EY, former clinician and BioInnovate fellow, said: “When innovation is grounded in real clinical insight and supported by the right commercial and policy frameworks, it has the potential to deliver meaningful impact at scale. Women’s health represents one of the most significant areas of unmet clinical need in medtech. The BioInnovate programme is critical in bridging that gap between clinical reality and sustainable innovation.” Along with Ms Newell and Dr Boland, the BioInnovate event will hear from other speakers, including Katie Nolan, Clinical Acceleration Manager, ARC Hub for HealthTech based at University of Galway; Yanka Reis, 2025 BioInnovate graduate and engineer with J&J; and current programme participant Conor Connolly, a biotechnology graduate and accomplished commercial leader with extensive experience in the medical technology and sustainability sectors. The BioInnovate alumni will share insights on translating unmet clinical needs into scalable, patient-centered solutions. The webinar is open to medical professionals, scientists, engineers technology and AI experts, and business professionals interested in participating in the 10-month programme. The programme is fully funded, and participants receive a tax-free scholarship of €38,000 over the ten-month period. In addition, academic fees of up to €5,750 are covered by the programme. Register at  https://tinyurl.com/bioinnovatewebinar2026 BioInnovate is supported under the Innovators’ Initiative Programme, Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027. Ends