NUI Galway,
University Road,
Galway, Ireland
Telephone: +353 91 524 411
www.nuigalway.ie
Contents
A Message from the President
1
NUI Galway in the News
2
Transforming the Campus
6
Inspirational Research
8
Engaging with our Community
12
Accolades and Achievements
16
NUI Galway in Figures
20
NUI Galway at a glance
22
A Message from
the President
2010/11 has been an exciting year for
NUI Galway. Over the last 12 months,
we have enjoyed great success at both
national and international levels, across
all areas of our activity.
PRTLI 5 Funding Success
University expanded its already impressive collection of archives to
include the playwright Thomas Kilroy’s archive, and the archive of
director, writer and actor, John Huston. 2010-11 also saw one of
our colleagues take up a prestigious position on the European
Research Council, while another five researchers joined the ranks
of the Royal Irish Academy.
NUI Galway was among the big winners in PRTLI Cycle 5, the
Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, announced in
July 2010. This national competitive research funding programme
funded three new world-class research facilities, an Arts,
Humanities and Social Sciences research building and two
buildings dedicated to Biomedical Sciences research, with a
combined cost of €50 million.
Institutional Review of Quality
In December 2010, the University was visited by an international
panel who reviewed our conformance to quality assurance under
the Irish Universities Act 1997. The reviewers interviewed over one
hundred colleagues from many different areas of the University.
I am pleased to say that the outcome of the review was very
positive. The reviewers highly commended many aspects of the
University’s governance, policies and procedures, and confirmed
NUI Galway’s conformance to the Irish Universities Act 1997 and
also to the European Guidelines on Quality Assurance. They have
also issued key recommendations for change that the University
will implement in the coming years.
A good year for student applications
The University’s popularity with students continued to grow as
2010-11 was another strong year for undergraduate applications
through the CAO. Over the past three years, first preference
applications for undergraduate degrees at NUI Galway have
increased significantly at levels well above the national average, as
the University’s popularity continues to soar. Over the last year
over 11,000 prospective students and their parents visited the
campus for Open Days and Summer Schools, while a further 2,000
attended regional Information Evenings in major towns all over the
country.
Campus development
Inspirational teaching
The campus underwent a further transformation in the last year as
part of a major capital development programme to provide worldclass facilities for students and staff. 2010 got off to a great start
with the opening of the Bailey Allen Wing, a purpose-built
auditorium and cultural venue in Áras na Mac Léinn. Construction
began on two new research buildings, an Arts, Humanities and
Social Sciences research building and a new building for
Biosciences research, both of which will open in 2012. A stunning
new Engineering Building has been completed in 2011 and will
open its doors to students in September, as the largest School of
Engineering in the country.
Excellent teaching is a top priority at NUI Galway. Every year we
acknowledge the work of exceptional lecturers through our
President’s Awards for Teaching Excellence. This year’s Awards
produced a very strong pool of applicants and five very worthy
winners. In addition, former President’s Teaching Award winner,
Dr. Dagmar Stengel from the School of Natural Sciences, won a
national teaching award from the National Academy for the
Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (NAIRTL).
Dagmar is the fourth NUI Galway academic staff member to win a
national teaching award in the three years since the scheme was
established.
NUI Galway has made great progress in the course of the last
12 months and I look forward to building on that progress in the
current year.
Leading research
We enjoyed great success on the research front too. In the last year,
NUI Galway opened a new Prostate Cancer Institute to develop
better therapies and treatments for patients. Our web science
research institute, DERI, developed exciting new research
partnerships with global giants, Google and Cisco, while our
marine scientists launched a major new expedition out to the
middle of the Atlantic Ocean to investigate a newly-discovered
hydrothermal vent ecosystem. In the Arts and Humanities, the
Yours sincerely,
_____________________________
James J. Browne, Ph.D, D.Sc., MRIA, C.Eng.
President
-1-
NUI Galway
in the News
In 2010/11 NUI Galway hit the headlines for a number
of significant developments.
NUI Galway Big Winners in National
Funding Programme
Architect’s impression of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Research Building.
Commenting on the funding, President of NUI Galway,
Dr James J. Browne, said: "I am delighted to welcome this
very substantial investment, which is a strong endorsement of
NUI Galway’s research activities. It is also a recognition of the
work of the University’s Foundation and its donors, who have
provided very significant matching funding for the major projects
funded. It is particularly gratifying to note the broad spread of the
funding across projects in the Medical Sciences and in the Humanities
and Social Sciences.
NUI Galway was one of the big winners
in PRTLI Cycle 5 - the Programme for
Research in Third Level Institutions
announced in July 2010.
The NUI Galway projects funded included three new world-class
research facilities, an Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
research building and two buildings dedicated to Biomedical
Sciences research, with a combined cost of €50 million.
This is great news for NUI Galway, as well as for the broader higher
education sector and for Irish industry. This announcement is a clear
signal of the Government’s commitment to delivering the knowledge
economy. The investment in research infrastructure right across the
country will have an immediate benefit in bringing much-needed jobs
to the construction industry.
The announcement has both a regional and national significance
as it enhances the infrastructure of the Biomedical Sciences
research hub at NUI Galway, which is located at the centre of the
medical device and healthcare industries in Ireland. The new
facility will enhance the national capacity and international
standing of Ireland in the Biomedical Sciences arena.
Concentrating resources on Biomedical Sciences and Arts, Humanities
and Social Sciences research at NUI Galway will have a major
impact on the medical technologies and the creative arts industries in
the West of Ireland. We have the opportunity now to provide two
distinct Irish industry sectors with relevant, world-class research
solutions, transforming national leadership into global
competitiveness.”
The funding awarded will also enable NUI Galway to provide a
unique research environment that will integrate research and
training in the Humanities, Digital Cultures, Creative Industries,
Business, Social Sciences, Rights, Advocacy, and Public Policy.
-2-
Report of the President 2010/11
Strategic Alliance with
University of Limerick
UL President Professor Don Barry with NUI Galway
President Dr. James J. Browne.
A new Link-to-Learn student exchange
programme has seen a number of UL students
transfer for a semester’s study at the NUI
Galway campus. Video conferencing
technology is being used to facilitate joint
teaching, and students on the part-time
business programmes of both universities have
access to greater subject choice thanks to a new
module-sharing arrangement.
In the area of Medical Education, the
universities are working to ensure they do not
compete with each other or duplicate effort.
With 118 medicine places, NUI Galway is the
second largest Medical School for
undergraduate Irish and EU students in the
country. Meanwhile, Limerick will provide Graduate Medicine
opportunities for the West and mid-West region.
Thursday, 18 February 2010, was a significant
day for the West and Mid-West region as
NUI Galway announced a Strategic Alliance
with the University of Limerick.
On the research front, researchers are working together in areas as
diverse as biomedical engineering science, the regeneration of
Limerick City, assisted living programmes, gender studies, green
energy technologies and ICT. Both universities and their
foundations have invested €1 million each in a new €27 million
Venture Capital Fund, with €10 million ring fenced for
entrepreneurs in the Medical Technologies sector.
The alliance is designed to support the development of the wider
region in attracting indigenous enterprises and foreign direct
investment. Through collaboration, the universities will
strengthen research and industry partnerships, and further a
shared commitment to academic excellence.
Also, in a major international development, the two universities
have joined forces to form a unique partnership with Georgia
Institute of Technology to develop a Translational Research
Institute - Georgia Tech Ireland - based in Athlone.
Already, the benefits of the Alliance are clear for both universities,
with many collaborative initiatives underway.
-3-
Irish Centre for Human Rights Celebrates
Tenth Anniversary
In 2010, NUI Galway’s Irish Centre for Human Rights celebrated
ten years of teaching, research and advocacy activities. The Centre is
one of the world’s premier university-based institutions for the study
and promotion of human rights and humanitarian law.
Since its establishment in January 2000, it has developed a global
reputation for excellence in the field of human rights teaching,
research and advocacy. Such a reputation has enabled the Centre to
attract high quality students to its acclaimed masters programmes
and to build a thriving community of doctoral researchers.
New Strategic Partner, Galway/Mayo Institute
of Technology. (Photo by Ros Kavanagh)
Strategic Partnership
with GMIT
NUI Galway and Galway-Mayo Institute of
Technology (GMIT) announced a new strategic
partnership to serve the educational, social and
economic needs of their students and the wider
regional, national and international
communities.
The Irish Centre for Human Rights has its origins in the early 1980s,
when the late Professor Kevin Boyle and former President Mary
Robinson launched a unit in NUI Galway in response to a general
appeal from the Council of Europe.
A number of events were held to mark the anniversary including a
Gala dinner hosted by Senator David Norris. The dinner featured a
live Skype meeting with Shawan Jabarin, an NUI Galway graduate
now the director of Al Haq, the distinguished Palestinian NonGovernmental Organisation. Unfortunately Shawan was unable to
travel to Galway to join the celebration due to travel restrictions in
force in Palestine.
The agreement, formally signed in GMIT
on Thursday 5 May, 2011, provides for
collaborative opportunities in teaching and
learning, research, entrepreneurship, regional
development, commercialisation, programme
design, distance education, and work-based
learning.
Both institutions will work closely together in
promoting flexible learning, flexible programme
delivery, student placements, internships, staff
development and the development of adjunct
research positions. GMIT and NUI Galway will
also devise a joint Teaching, Learning and
Assessment strategy to provide programmes that
focus on the needs of students, the workplace
and the world of professional practice in the
region, nationally and internationally.
A key objective of the agreement is to ensure
that research programmes are of the highest
quality and delivered in accordance with best
international practice. Both institutions are also
committed to supporting the emerging vision for
Galway 2040 and engaging with local businesses
and the community in developing and delivering
key projects to ensure that Galway continues to
grow and prosper.
-4-
Report of the President 2010/11
European Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.
First Public Address in Ireland by New
European Commissioner
NUI Galway was the location of Máire Geoghegan-Quinn’s
first public address in Ireland after becoming European
Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science.
NUI Galway BA CONNECT with Theatre and Performance students
Emer McHugh and Kate Murray with actress and one of Druid’s founding
members, Máire Mullen, performing an excerpt from ‘Bailegangaire’.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn spoke about the role that research,
innovation and science policies are playing in supporting Irish
and European economic recovery.
Druid and NUI Galway Announce
Collaboration
The Commissioner had specific praise for the NUI Galway
and University of Limerick Strategic Alliance as it works with
Irish industry to further develop Ireland’s biomedical device
industry, commenting: “This sector alone directly employs
24,000 people in Ireland. This alliance is also increasing the level
of co-operation between these two universities so as to provide a
higher level of scientific and technological breakthroughs in the
‘green tech’ sector.”
The West of Ireland has always been renowned for the creative
arts and NUI Galway has provided a breeding ground for the
development of artistic talent in successive generations of
students. December 2010 saw the announcement of a
groundbreaking initiative, when NUI Galway and Druid
Theatre Company came together to form a partnership crucial
to the maintenance and development of performing arts in
the region.
Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn pointed out that earlier in
March 2010, “NUI Galway, the University of Limerick,
Shannon Development and Silicon Valley’s Irish Technology
Leadership Group announced the launch of the Shannon Energy
Valley initiative that will act as a major renewable energy hub in
the Shannon region. This innovative new project will attract new
investment opportunities into this region into the future in the
wind, tidal, biomass, solar, geo-thermal generation facilities and
related infrastructures.
NUI Galway will contribute to the development of Druid’s next
major theatre event (to be produced in 2012/13) while Druid,
in turn, will develop a range of practice-led workshops and
seminars, including a series of Master classes for BA and MA
students.
In addition, a Druid Director-in-Residence will be appointed
who will coordinate the joint Master classes and workshops and
offer classes and mentoring in various aspects of directing and
stagecraft to NUI Galway students. These contributions will
enhance two successful NUI Galway academic programmes:
the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies and BA CONNECT
with Theatre and Performance.
This is a clear example of the steps that need to be taken if we are
to develop a smart economy in Ireland and within the European
Union.”
A native of County Galway, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn is a
former Member of the Governing Authority of NUI Galway.
-5-
Transforming
the Campus
The new Engineering Building
NUI Galway is in the throes of a major capital development
programme which is transforming the campus and
expanding its world-class facilities for students and staff.
Starting in 2008, the University saw the opening of the
award-winning new Sports Centre, with its swimming pool
and state-of-the-art gym.
A purpose-built auditorium and cultural venue, the Bailey
Allen Wing was officially opened in January 2010.
A spectacular launch included performances by Frankie
Gavin, Druid Theatre, Macnas, and David O’Leary, and
introduced the new Bailey Allen Wing to a full house of
University guests. This new arts and culture facility not only
enriches cultural life on campus but provides a major event
and conference venue for Galway city.
The building is a magnificent architectural gem, situated on
the banks of the River Corrib, just north of the Quincentenary
Bridge. The 14,000m2 building’s exposed construction design
will itself be utilised as a teaching tool for students.
The construction project incorporated high-tech renewable
energy systems, environmentally-friendly heat generation
using carbon-neutral biomass, rainwater recycling, a ground
source heat pump, and low-embodied energy construction
materials. These elements not only underpin the building’s
green credentials but provide further working examples for
engineering students to study.
Next to come will be the University’s new Engineering
Building, which will open its doors to students in September
2011. At a cost of approximately €41 million, the building is
funded through Government funds, University sources and
the generous support of donors and companies by way of the
Galway University Foundation.
The building marks the start of a new era in the College of
Engineering and Informatics. It will be the largest School
of Engineering in the country, with some 1,400 students.
The building will provide the most advanced teaching and
research resources and facilities for engineering sciences.
-6-
Report of the President 2010/11
1.
2.
3.
Pictures: 1. Frankie Gavin 2. Architect’s impression of Arts, Humanities and
Social Sciences Research Building 3. Architect’s impression of Translational
Research Facility and Clinical Research Facility 4. The new Engineering
Building (interior).
4.
These facilities will accommodate further expansion and
diversification of the College, both in terms of the
undergraduate and graduate programmes offered, as well
as in the research projects undertaken.
Further significant investment in capital development
projects were announced by the Government in July 2010.
NUI Galway secured over €60 million in research funding
under PRTLI Cycle 5 - the Programme for Research in
Third Level Institutions.
The NUI Galway projects funded include three new worldclass research facilities, an Arts, Humanities and Social
Sciences Research Building and two buildings dedicated to
Biomedical Sciences Research, with a combined cost of €50
million.
The Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences research building
will provide a unique research environment to transform
NUI Galway’s rich cultural resources into social and
economic opportunity. The new facility will be a national
and international resource that integrates research and
training in the Humanities, Digital Cultures, Creative
Industries, Business, Social Sciences, Rights, Advocacy and
Public Policy.
National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science
(NCBES). The proposed infrastructure consists of two
new facilities, a Biosciences research building on the north
campus, and a Translational Research Facility that will
house basic, translational and clinical research teams on
the site of Galway University Hospital.
In addition to the obvious long-term benefits to the
University itself, such significant investment in capital
development projects brings valuable construction jobs
to the region.
Funded under the theme of ‘Advancing Medicine through
Discovery’, two new buildings for medical science research
will enable NUI Galway to build on its existing strength in
the biomedical sciences area, established through its
-7-
Inspirational
Research
Dr Sharon Glynn, Professor Frank Sullivan, President McAleese and Dr Martin McAleese at the launch of the Prostate Cancer Institute.
Prostate Cancer Focus
of New Research Institute
With prostate cancer claiming around 550 lives a year in Ireland, rivalling the
number of deaths due to breast cancer, a new Prostate Cancer Institute was
officially opened at NUI Galway in April 2011.
Primarily focused on developing better therapies for patients with prostate cancer, the research institute will benefit from
a close association with the extensive clinical services already offered to these patients at Galway University Hospitals
and other regional hospitals.
-8-
Report of the President 2010/11
The Institute will also collaborate with the wide-ranging
biomedical research programmes of the National Centre
for Biomedical Engineering Sciences (NCBES) at
NUI Galway and with a number of research institutes in
Ireland and internationally.
Early work at the Institute involves the collection of
prostate tissue which will provide the base for its primary
and collaborative research programme. The aim is to
investigate (as is already being done with breast cancer)
which molecular or genetic markers can predict those
patients who are likely to relapse, so that they can be
targeted with more advanced and novel treatments.
Cancer Biology and Developmental Therapeutics are
strategic research priorities at NUI Galway. Over the last
number of years, NUI Galway and Galway University
Hospitals have built a strong team of internationally
recognised pre-clinical, translational, and clinical cancer
scientists.
President Mary McAleese officially opened the new
Prostate Cancer Institute at NUI Galway. The Institute,
of which President McAleese is a Patron, is directed by
Professor Frank Sullivan, Consultant Radiation
Oncologist. Initial funding for the Institute has been
provided by Galway University Foundation.
Regenerative Medicine Enters Next Stage
The Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at NUI Galway
has entered the second phase of its development. Funded by
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), REMEDI is Ireland’s leading
biomedical research institute focusing on translating stem cell
biology to regenerative therapeutics.
The funding of almost €10 million for the Institute, will allow
REMEDI to take research findings from the first phase of its
operation and move towards clinical trials for new therapies and
treatments for degenerative diseases.
In a partnership involving scientists, engineers, clinicians, and
industry partners, researchers at REMEDI aim to develop novel
therapies to achieve organ and tissue repair and regeneration.
The Regenerative Medicine Institute is particularly focused on
developing new therapies and treatments for conditions such as
cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and osteoarthritis.
The Institute’s successful collaborative relationship with
Medtronic, a global leader in medical device technologies, will
continue to grow, while new partnerships have been established
with indigenous SME companies including Creganna-Tactx
Medical, Procure, Ovagen, Proxy Biomedical, Ziel Biopharma
and EnBIO.
The funding announcement came shortly after a further
development in the biomedical sciences area. A new Clinical
Research Facility on the grounds of University Hospital Galway
will open in 2012. The HRB Clinical Research Facility Galway is
a joint venture between Galway University Hospitals and NUI
Galway, with funding from the Health Research Board and Health
Service Executive.
-9-
New €10 million ‘Lifecourse Institute’
In what was seen as a major advance in the field of social
sciences in Ireland, a new Lifecourse Institute was officially
launched in March 2010. The €10 million initiative in the
Social Sciences is impacting positively on policies for children,
families, people with disabilities and older people.
DERI’s Mike Turley, Cisco’s Mike Conroy and Keith Griffin,
and DERI’s Prof. Stefan Decker.
DERI Collaborates With Global Players
The Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI), the
internationally renowned centre of web science research based
at NUI Galway, has developed partnerships with some of the
leading companies in the sector.
This strategy was reinforced in January 2010, when DERI
announced it was undertaking a three-year ‘Enterprise of the
Future’ technology project with Cisco. DERI and Cisco
propose that new semantic web technologies could help
companies make better use of the torrent of information
- from email to documents - which employees have to process
every day.
Other companies DERI partner with include Avaya, Ericsson,
Alcatel-Lucent, Celtrak, OpenLink, Storm Technology and
FBK.
Funded through philanthropic donations and in collaboration
with The Atlantic Philanthropies, the Lifecourse Institute will
advance an integrated approach to policy and services research.
Comprising a multidisciplinary facility in a state-of-the-art new
building, the Lifecourse Institute will integrate and enhance the
work of three existing centres - the Child and Family Research
Centre, the Centre for Disability Law and Policy, and the Irish
Centre for Social Gerontology. Each of the three centres makes
an important contribution to its respective field in Ireland and
internationally.
Collaboration with leading names in the industry also included
internet giant Google. In December 2010, DERI’s Dr Alexandre
Passant won a research award from Google to work on the next
generation of mobile social networking applications.
A key element of the research will be the protection of privacy
for users.
Together with carrying out specific research contracts for
industry partners, DERI has also created a number of very
exciting spinout companies.
The Lifecourse Institute adds value to this existing work
through collaboration across research, teaching and training
programmes - while retaining each centre’s distinct identity.
One such spinout is Peracton, which was singled out for high
praise from Forrester, the independent technology and market
research company. Peracton’s MAARS technology solves
complex business and analytical issues in the investment
management and the retail banking space.
The development of the Lifecourse Institute reflects a shared
commitment by researchers to work towards effective change
in the lives of vulnerable populations. It is hoped this will lead
to improved outcomes for children, families, older people and
people with disabilities by influencing policy and decision
making, whether emanating from the Irish Government, the
EU or the UN.
The success of Peracton and other spinouts sum up the journey
of DERI since its foundation in 2003 as a CSET with funding
from Science Foundation Ireland.
- 10 -
Report of the President 2010/11
2.
1.
1. The Dead – ‘The Huston Archive’ 2. The Secret Fall of Constance Wilde – ‘The Kilroy Archive’
Two Precious Archives Entrusted to NUI Galway
NUI Galway’s impressive archival collection was enhanced in the
last year with the addition of two collections which will provide a
rich source of research material.
First is a rare archive of director, writer and actor John Huston’s
papers and recordings, which were presented in November 2010
by John’s son, Tony (who was nominated for an Academy Award
for his screenplay of The Dead) and daughter, Allegra.
The Huston Archive offers a unique view of the prolific
intersection of Irish literature and American cinema. It contains
extensive material relating to a number of John Huston’s films
and centres on the making of The Dead, as well as draft scripts,
recordings, publicity materials, interviews and legal
documentation.
NUI Galway also acquired the Thomas Kilroy Archive in March
2011. Thomas Kilroy, one of Ireland’s most important living
writers, is world-renowned both as a dramatist and as
a novelist.
His novel, The Big Chapel (1971), received a Booker Prize
nomination, and his plays include The Death and Resurrection of
Mr. Roche (1968), Double Cross (1986), The Secret Fall of
Constance Wilde (1997) and Christ Deliver Us! (2010).
The Archive contains research notes, drafts and scripts of his
novels and of his plays. All creative work is complemented by
correspondence from agents, theatre practitioners, publishers,
and members of the public, as well as production material from
the stage plays.
Both archives are held in the James Hardiman Library at NUI
Galway, home to a range of other theatre, literary, historical and
political archives. Collections include the archives of the Druid
and Lyric Theatres and of Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe; the literary
papers of John McGahern; and original documents relating to the
foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Northern
Ireland ‘Troubles’.
Underwater Expedition to Target New Life Undersea
This summer, as part of the Vents & Reefs (VENTuRE) expedition, Marine Scientists
from NUI Galway will be part of a team heading out to the middle of the Atlantic
Ocean to investigate a newly-discovered hydrothermal vent ecosystem.
On the mid-Atlantic ridge, at a depth of almost 3,000 metres, the Marine Institute’s
Holland I ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) will send images to scientists at the
surface of a whole new world. This new ecosystem is such an exciting discovery that
National Geographic Television will be there to film the whole experience.
Patrick Collins, a researcher with the Benthic Ecology Unit at NUI Galway’s Ryan
Institute, is the lead Marine Biologist with the Vents & Reefs campaign, and will be
collecting and identifying many previously undiscovered animals.
The Ryan Institute is the University’s hub for Environmental, Marine and Energy
research activities.
- 11 -
Engaging
with our
Community
Student Named in Top 10
‘Outstanding Young Persons
of the World’
In a wonderful example of NUI Galway’s spirit of
volunteering, medical student Melanie Hennessy has
proven to be a dedicated humanitarian and an advocate
for the welfare and protection of orphans in Nepal.
The 21 year-old medical student helped set up a school
in Nepal and also established the Draíocht society on
campus to generate funds to build an orphanage.
A native of Cloughleigh in County Clare, she travels
regularly to Nepal with fellow students to carry out
volunteer work.
Following a nomination by NUI Galway, Melanie was
named as one of Ireland’s Outstanding Young People of
the Year in 2010, before being selected by the Junior
Chamber International as one of their 2010 JCI Ten
Outstanding Young Persons of the World.
Volunteerism and service learning are hallmarks
of an NUI Galway education. NUI Galway was the first
Irish university to introduce Service Learning to its
curriculum. Students from all disciplines, such as
Melanie, avail of opportunities to volunteer, and in many
cases gain credit for their civic engagement activities.
Melanie Hennessy
- 12 -
Report of the President 2010/11
Youth
Development
Partnership
for Africa
Seán Campbell, CEO Foróige; President Browne; Alan Kerins of the Alan Kerins Project,
former Minister of State Peter Power T.D. and Professor Pat Dolan.
Central to its ethos, NUI Galway’s core mission is a commitment to embracing community and civic engagement. Reflecting
this ethos, a partnership between NUI Galway’s UNESCO Chair in Children Youth and Civic Engagement at the Child and
Family Research Centre, Foróige and the Alan Kerins Project, was launched on 21 June, 2010.
Through the work of NUI Galway’s Professor Pat Dolan, the UNESCO Chair, the overarching aim of this partnership is to further
the long-standing commitment of UNESCO to address the challenges facing youth and to foster young people’s participation in
the development of their societies. The initial focus was on Zambia where each organisation has well-established links.
Established in 2009, the UNESCO Chair is engaged in forming alliances between academic institutions and non-governmental
organisations, youth work professionals and UN System agencies with a shared interest in promoting civic engagement for
children and youth.
Students hold the Sixth
Annual Teddy Bear Hospital
The sixth annual Teddy Bear Hospital, the
largest ever in Ireland, took place in the
Bailey Allen Hall in January 2010.
Over 1,300 sick teddy bears were admitted
to the hospital, accompanied by their owners,
1,300 primary school children between the
ages of three and seven. The event was
organised by the Sláinte Society, the
NUI Galway branch of the International
Federation of Medical Students Associations.
Up to 200 students from NUI Galway
volunteered to diagnose and treat the teddy
bears. In the process, they helped the
children overcome their fears of doctors
and hospitals.
Teddy Bear Hospital
- 13 -
Science and Technology Festival Comes to Campus
Pictured at the launch of the Galway Science and Technology Festival programme at NUI Galway was William Hawkins, Chairman
and CEO of Medtronic Inc. with a student from Clontuskert National School in Ballinasloe.
NUI Galway was one of the main venues for the
two-week Galway Science and Technology Festival
in 2010, which culminated with the Festival
Exhibition in the Bailey Allen Hall at NUI Galway
on November 21.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, EU Commissioner
for Research, Innovation and Science, officially
launched the exhibition and was very impressed
with both the interactive exhibits on display
and the number of visitors in attendance.
NUI Galway was closely involved throughout
the planning and delivery of many aspects of
the Festival, which was launched on campus in
October by Mr. William Hawkins, Chairman
and CEO of Medtronic Inc.
Attractions for visitors at NUI Galway included
shows and events to stimulate the mind,
including the ‘True Physics Rocket Workshop’
which was very popular with secondary school
students. The University’s Computer and
Communications Museum also proved
very popular, as did guided tours of NUI
Galway’s Research Institutes and an ‘Open
Your Mind’ Seminar Series.
One of the Festival’s proudest boasts is of its
ongoing engagement with the community, and
the grand finale involved 20,000 young people
visiting the Festival Exhibition.
- 14 -
Report of the President 2010/11
‘Arts in Action’ at NUI Galway
NUI Galway’s continuing commitment to the arts, evident in
its contribution to initiatives on and off campus, is founded
on the strong belief that the relationship between academic
studies and the arts is significant. Engagement with the arts
shapes future lives, and develops highly qualified graduates,
active citizens and leaders in many fields of endeavour.
Out of this belief has come the ‘Arts in Action’ programme,
which invites students to engage with the creative arts
during their studies. The popular programme is aimed at
students across the campus, and offers access to a variety
of international-standard arts events throughout the
academic year.
Múscailt 2011
NUI Galway Honoured by Music
for Galway
NUI Galway was honoured at Music for Galway’s 30th
Anniversary Fundraising Gala Reception and Concert on
16 October, 2010 in the Town Hall Theatre.
The event celebrated all that is best in music in the west of Ireland
and beyond, and marked three decades of international concert
seasons in Galway. On this milestone occasion, honours were
conferred on NUI Galway for its 30 years of generous support,
and on Erika Casey, founder member of Music for Galway.
The concert featured operatic arias and duets performed by
Metropolitan Opera baritone Rodion Pogossov who was joined
by soprano Evelina Dobraceva and pianist Dearbhla Collins.
New additions and highlights to the 2010/2011 year included
an exhibition from the Architectural Association of Ireland,
an NUI Galway/Telegael digital media exhibition and a
contemporary opera from the Italian ensemble, Gatto Marte.
The ‘Arts in Action’ Traditional Concert saw the unveiling
of the Medical Orchestra in March 2010. Supported by the
School of Medicine at NUI Galway, the exciting initiative
gave multi-talented medical students an opportunity to
showcase their musical skills under the guidance of
Mary McPartlan.
NUI Galway also hosted its 11th annual Múscailt Spring Arts
Festival, in February 2011. The week long event included a
superb line-up of opera, music, performance, sculpture and
visual art revolving around the theme of ‘Exploration’, offering
an escape into the world of fantasy, astronomy and history.
Múscailt has invited special guest artists to create new work
on campus, linking art and science.
In a new departure, theatrical forces merged on campus in
2010 for NUI Galway’s Theatre Week. The annual event now
showcases through theatre, literature and film, the many
talents of NUI Galway students, societies and alumni.
NUI Galway Links to Lebanon and Jordan
June 2010 saw NUI Galway welcome 40 educators from Jordan and
Lebanon for a seven-day bespoke study tour. The study tour was part of
the Tawasol Project, which brings students and academics for intensive
inter-cultural and civic engagement learning opportunities.
Representatives of Hashemite University in Jordan.
Following on from the success of its Community Knowledge Initiative,
NUI Galway was invited to collaborate on the Tawasol Project, in
developing successful learning opportunities within community through
service learning.
The EU TEMPUS funded project commenced in January 2010 and
will run over three years. The project includes five universities in Jordan
and the Lebanon with four European university partners including
NUI Galway, University of Gothenburg in Sweden, University of
Plovdiv in Bulgaria, and University of Roehampton in London.
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Accolades and
Achievements
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pictures: 1. Bernard Collins, John Killeen, President Browne, Anne Marie Dennison and Seán Ó hUiginn
2. Canon Mícheál Ó Flannabhra 3. Máirtín O'Connor and President Browne 4. Councillor Norman
Morgan received his honourary Masters on the same day his granddaughter Tara Morgan who was conferred
with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree.
The Honours Lists
At NUI Galway, the ranks of honorary conferees include, among many others, Nelson
Mandela, Hilary Clinton, Literary critic, Prof. Edward Said, Enya, Anjelica Huston
and Fionnuala Flanagan. Every year a select number of outstanding individuals join
this illustrious list.
Honorary Degrees on 25 June, 2010
Bernard Collins, Doctor of Laws, Chairman VHI, Board
member IDA Ireland and Cancer Care West, former Senior
Executive, Boston Scientific Corporation.
Anne Maria Dennison, Doctor of Arts, National President,
Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA), the largest
women’s organisation in Ireland. The ICA celebrated its
Centenary in 2010.
John Killeen, Doctor of Laws, CEO of the Colas Group (Cold
Chon), Chairman of the Galway Docklands Redevelopment
Committee, Chairman, Let’s do it Ireland (Galway Volvo
Ocean Race Stopover), former President of The Academy
of Engineering and Engineers Ireland.
Seán Ó hUiginn, Doctor of Laws, Irish Diplomat, former
Ambassador to United States and Germany.
Honorary Masters Degree on
24 November, 2010
Canon Mícheál Ó Flannabhra, Master of Rural Development,
contributor to rural development in the Connemara area
through his establishment of co-operatives, Youth Clubs, Group
Water Schemes, Gaelic games pitches and his campaign for
University education through Irish for the Gaeltacht.
Honorary Masters Degrees on 18
October, 2010
Máirtín O’Connor, Master of Music, successful solo musician
and member of many of traditional music’s leading groups
including, Midnight Well, De Dannan, The Boys of the Lough,
and Skylark.
Councillor Norman Morgan, Master of Arts, renowned
historian, archivist and book collector, community activist
and Loughrea Town Councillor.
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Report of the President 2010/11
Dr Gerald Farrell, Managing Director of Eli Lilly; Michael Conroy, General Manager, Cisco Product Group,
Ireland; Gabriel D’Arcy, CEO Bord na Móna; John Walshe, Education Editor, Irish Independent; Dr Brian
Griffin, Cleveland Clinic, USA, Director of Cardiovascular Disease Training Programme; Colm Murray,
RTÉ Sports Presenter, and host for the evening, RTÉ’s Siún Nic Gearailt at the 2011 Alumni Awards.
Alumni Awards
The Annual Alumni Awards celebrate the life-long value of an NUI Galway education
and recognise individual achievements among the University’s more than 90,000
graduates worldwide.
NUI Galway President Dr. James J. Browne; Vice
President, The Coca-Cola Company, Irial Finan;
Declan Kelly, US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland;
and Michael Higgins, Chairman, Galway University
Foundation (USA).
New York Event Honours
Coca-Cola Executive
NUI Galway hosted its fourth annual Gala
Dinner on 17 November 2010 at the
Metropolitan Club in New York City.
The event’s honoree was Irial Finan,
NUI Galway Class of 1977 and Executive
Vice President, The Coca-Cola Company
and President of Bottling Investments and
Supply Chain.
In his capacity as a Director of the US
Board of the Galway University
Foundation, Irial has played an important
role in promoting the global impact of
NUI Galway’s programmes and
re-engaging US-based Galway graduates in
the life of the University.
The evening featured a special
performance by internationally acclaimed
singer Mary Black. Past honorees include
actor Gabriel Byrne; Former US President
Bill Clinton; philanthropist Loretta
Brennan Glucksman and
singer/songwriter Paul Brady.
Bank of Ireland Award for Business, Public Policy and Law
Gabriel D’Arcy BSc 1981. CEO Bord na Móna (2011)
Margaret Sweeney BComm 1981. Former Chief Executive, Postbank Ireland Ltd.
(2010)
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Bank of Ireland Award for Engineering and Informatics
2011 - Michael Conroy BE 1984. General Manager, Cisco Product Group, Ireland.
2010 - Professor Brian Moran BE 1980, MEng Sc 1982. Associate Provost,
Academic Affairs, Professor Mechanical Engineering at King Abdullah University
of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia.
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Seavite Alumni Award for Science
2011 - Dr Gerald Farrell BSc 1981, HDip Ed 1982. Managing Director of Eli Lilly
(ROI) and former President of Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association
(IPHA).
2010 - Dr J. Paul Duffy BSc 1986, PhD 1992, Vice President Operations,
Primary Care/Oncology Operating Unit for Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals.
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AIB Award for Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies
2011 - John Walshe BA 1968, HDip Ed 1969. Former Education Editor, Irish
Independent, now Special Adviser to the Minister for Education and Skills,
Mr Ruairí Quinn T.D.
2010 - Gerard Donovan BA 1983, MA 1988. Novelist.
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Medtronic Award for Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
2011 - Dr Brian Griffin MB, BCh, BAO 1979. Cleveland Clinic, USA - Director,
Cardiovascular Disease Training Programme and The John and Rosemary Brown
Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine; US Associate Editor, Heart.
2010 - Professor Rose Anne Kenny MB, BCh, BAO 1977, MD 1986. Head of
Department of Clinical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin and Consultant
Physician in Medicine at St James’ Hospital.
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Aer Árann Alumni Award for Sports Achievement and Leadership
2011 - Colm Murray BA 1972. RTÉ Sports Presenter.
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Duais Hewlett-Packard don Ghaeilge
2010 - Pádraig Ó hAoláin LLB 1985. Príomhfheidhmeannach, Údarás na
Gaeltachta.
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Largest PhD
Conferring
Ceremony
Seventy students were recognised by NUI Galway on Thursday, 24 March, 2011 at a special
ceremony when they were each conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). This was the largest
number of PhDs ever in a single conferring in the University’s history. A further 50 PhDs were
conferred on Thursday, 23 June, 2011.
NUI Galway has more than doubled its PhD output in recent years to almost 150 in the calendar
year 2010.
Three key figures have since been appointed to the
University Management Team.
Mr Gearóid Ó Conluain has been appointed as University
Secretary in succession to Dr Séamus Mac Mathúna.
Dr Kieran Loftus has been appointed as Executive Director
of Operations, responsible for driving the development of
high-performing, effective and efficient support services for
the University. Professor Nollaig Mac Congáil has taken up
the role of Registrar and Deputy-President.
Professor Mac Congáil, Dr Loftus and Mr Ó Conluain now
join the University Management Team alongside President
Browne, Mr Keith Warnock, Vice-President for Capital
Projects, Ms Mary Dooley, Bursar and Professor Chris
Curtin, Vice-President for Innovation and Performance.
Professor Nollaig Mac Congáil, Mr Gearóid Ó Conluain and
Dr Kieran Loftus.
New Management Team Members
Meanwhile, following the retirement of Peadar Mac an
Iomaire, Dónall Ó Braonáin was appointed
Príomhfheidhmeannach (Chief Executive) of Acadamh na
hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge at NUI Galway. Dónall Ó Braonáin
was formerly Leascheannaire (Deputy Head) of Raidió na
Gaeltachta.
The beginning of 2011 saw changes at a senior level to the
University’s management with the announcement of the
retirement of Professor Jim Ward and Dr Séamus Mac
Mathúna.
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Report of the President 2010/11
National Awards for Teaching
NUI Galway academic Dr Dagmar Stengel received a 2010
National Academy for Integration of Research, Teaching and
Learning (NAIRTL) annual award for excellence in teaching.
It was the third year in a row that an NUI Galway academic
took an award, something that no other Higher Education
institution has achieved.
Dr Stengel is a Lecturer in Botany and Plant Science in the
School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway and a researcher in the
Ryan Institute for Environment, Marine and Energy.
Justice McGuinness and Dr Stengel, NAIRTL Award winner.
The award was presented by Hon. Mrs Justice Catherine
McGuinness who noted the outstanding contribution of the
award recipients to both teaching and research in Higher
Education.
Previous NUI Galway recipients include Dr Aisling McCluskey
(Mathematics), Dr Ray Murphy (Human Rights) and Dr Peter
Cantillon (General Practice).
Royal Irish Academy
Admissions
The Royal Irish Academy (RIA) elected
five of NUI Galway’s top academics for
admission in 2010/11, in recognition of
their academic achievements.
In May 2010, Dr Sinisa Malesevic and
Professor Stefan Decker achieved this
highest academic distinction for their
respective work in Political Science and
Sociology and Web Science . Then in
May 2011, NUI Galway’s Professor
Peter McHugh, Professor Colin
O’Dowd and Professor Donal O’Regan
were admitted for their achievements in
Biomedical Engineering, Climate
Studies, and Mathematics.
Irish National Rowing Champions.
Success for NUI Galway Rowers
NUI Galway’s Boat Club successfully defended its senior titles and status as kingpins
at the Irish National Rowing Championships in July 2010.
In an almost exact repeat of the previous year’s epic showdown, NUI Galway came
from behind to once again win on the line by the narrowest of margins. This victory
was a more polished and confident performance from a very experienced and muchdecorated group of athletes, who after this latest win boasts a staggering total of 75
Irish Senior Championship titles between them.
The winning crew was Eddie Mullarkey, Jason Wall, Dave Mannion, Paul Giblin,
Evin Donnelly, Alan Martin, Cormac Folan, James Wall and Ruadhán Cooke.
The crew was coached by club stalwart Tom Tuohy.
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This brings to 36 the number of NUI
Galway academics who have joined this
prestigious academy through the years.
Meanwhile, Professor Nicholas Canny
who is the former Director of the Moore
Institute for Research in the Humanities
and Social Studies at NUI Galway,
ended his term as RIA President and
was appointed to the governing body of
the illustrious European Research
Council in January 2011.
NUI Galway
in Figures
Students
In 2010-11 there were 17,245 students
at NUI Galway.
Undergraduate
12,044
Postgraduate taught
2,468
Postgraduate research
1,229
Visiting students
741
Other students
763
Total
17,245
International Students
In 2010-11 there were 2,111 international students
at NUI Galway.
Undergraduate
446
Postgraduate Taught
110
Postgraduate Research
303
Exchange/Visiting Students
1,252
Total
2,111
Staff
NUI Galway is the second largest employer in Galway City.
In 2010-11, there were 2,491 staff working at NUI Galway.
Academic Staff
Research Staff
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1,066
414
Administrative/Support Staff
1,011
Total
2,491
Report of the President 2010/11
About NUI Galway
Established in 1845
90,000 Alumni in 107 countries
2010/11 Income
Student Fees
€92.7m
State Grant
€60.8m
Research Grants
€40.0m
Other income
€12.6m
Total
Student Fees
State Grant
€92
.7m
€12.
6m
The University has an annual income
of €206 million.
€206.1m
Other income
Estate
The riverside campus has over 90 buildings on 105 hectares.
Údarás na hOllscoile/Governing Authority
Dr Noel Dorr
Chair
University Management Team
Dr James J. Browne
President
Professor Nollaig Mac Congáil
Registrar and Deputy-President
Mr Keith Warnock
Vice-President for Capital Projects
Ms Mary Dooley
Bursar
Mr Gearóid Ó Conluain
University Secretary
Dr Kieran Loftus
Executive Director of Operations
Professor Chris Curtin
Vice-President for Innovation and Performance
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m
0.8
€6
€4
0m
Research Grants
NUI Galway
at a glance
Our Mission
Learning and Leadership for Life and Work.
Vision
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A holistic educational and cultural experience for a diverse student body
To deliver innovation, excellence and leadership in selected and
distinctive programmes of teaching, research and scholarship
Reflecting the University’s strengths, national priorities, and the strengths
and needs of our region
Recognising our particular commitment to Gaeltacht regions and
the Irish language community
Building effective strategic partnerships with relevant regional, national
and international stakeholders and organisations
Information correct at time of print.
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