Tag Archives: NUI Galway

To mark World Refugee Day, today, NUI Galway has announced the expansion of its University of Sanctuary Scholarship Programme from nine scholarships to 12 for the 2020-2021 academic year. Scholarships will be available for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the university, and will be open to asylum seekers, refugees, vulnerable immigrant groups, and Irish Travellers. As a designated University of Sanctuary, NUI Galway is committed to addressing low levels of participation at third level amongst vulnerable groups, and the scholarship programme underpins the pillars of respect, excellence, and openness within its Strategic Plan 2020-2025. President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said,“In our recently-launched strategy, Shared Vision, Shaped by Values, we as NUI Galway, and as a recently-designated University of Sanctuary, committed ourselves to the public good and to shared values of respect, openness, excellence and sustainability. We committed ourselves to respect all members of our community and to be open to – to embrace – all of …

FOR a young actor, being in lock-down while some of your highest-profile work graces screens around the world, must be something of an anti-climax. For Frank Blake, the enforced isolation in his native Tuamgraney, during the height of the buzz around Normal People, is not without its advantages, however. Frank, who plays the complex character of Alan in the adaptation of the award-nominated novel by Sally Rooney, has been using the time to explore his own screen-writing abilities. Given that his great aunt, Edna O’Brien, is one of the country’s greatest living authors, it’s probably a safe bet that he has more than a little literary talent. Now based in Dublin, the actor has been clocking up significant screen and stage roles, including a part in Druid’s landmark production of Richard III. He returned to East Clare shortly before the lock-down was announced, and just as the BBC3’s Normal People, directed by Lenny Abrahamson, was set for a stratospheric launch. …

SENATOR Alice-Mary Higgins encourages all NUI graduates, including Shannon College of Hotel Management and Burren College of Art, to claim their vote in Seanad Éireann elections, before the registration deadline. All NUI graduates who are Irish citizens are entitled to vote in Seanad Éireann elections. However, they must first claim their vote by downloading the voter registration form from NUI or phoning to request a form. Completed forms must be scanned and returned by next Monday, February 26. NUI graduates who are living overseas are entitled to claim their vote and can vote in future Seanad elections from abroad through a postal vote. Independent Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, who was elected to the NUI panel in Seanad Éireann in 2016, said, “On the centenary of Irish women winning the right to vote, I will continue to work for equality and democracy. I am committed to pressing for Seanad reform so that all Irish citizens will be entitled to vote in future …

NUI Galway has continued its rise in global ranking, as the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2016/2017 today (Wednesday) confirms the university’s position within the top tier of Irish universities. NUI Galway made a significant leap into the 201-250 range, compared to 351-400 in 2012. This is the second time within a short period that NUI Galway has continued its upward trajectory in global rankings, with QS world rankings published earlier this month, NUI Galway also saw a climb into the top 250 universities globally. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, now in their 13th year, apply rigorous standards, using global benchmarks across all university’s key missions – teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. The top 980 list represents 5 per cent of the world’s higher education institutions. President of NUI Galway, Dr Jim Browne, commented, “The success in recent weeks of our advancement in global university rankings reflects the ambition, hard work and creativity of …

PRIMARY and secondary schools across Ireland are being challenged by NUI Galway to produce an entertaining and educational short science video for this year’s ReelLIFE SCIENCE competition. Supported by the Science Foundation Ireland Discover programme and the CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices at NUI Galway, ReelLIFE SCIENCE will award €3,000 directly to the winning schools for science promotion. Since launching in 2013, more than 5,000 students in almost 200 schools around Ireland have taken part in ReelLIFE SCIENCE, while the videos produced have been viewed 70,000 times in over 100 countries worldwide. Director general of Science Foundation Ireland, Professor Mark Ferguson said, “We are delighted to support this initiative, which cleverly combines science literacy and creativity, provides a great opportunity for students and teachers to engage with science in a novel way. ReelLIFE SCIENCE encourages young people to connect with the science and technology in their everyday lives, and to bring that knowledge to a wider audience, while …

WITH students returning to college this week, NUI Galway Students’ Union has issued an urgent appeal to anyone with a spare room to consider renting it to students this year. Under the Rent a Room Scheme you can earn up to €12,000 per annum tax free by renting a room. The option is also available to just rent a room for one semester to a visiting student if homeowners are uncertain about getting into a long term arrangement. Students’ Union president Jimmy McGovern said, “The lack of accommodation in Galway City has now become a serious issue, putting access to education at risk for many students. We are inundated with queries from students looking for accommodation. In particular there is a huge amount of visiting students that will just be attending NUI Galway for one semester, September to December or January to May, who are desperately in need of accommodation. We would encourage anyone with a spare room to strongly …

NUI Galway Students’ Union has secured funding for an on campus sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic, which will commence operation at the start of the new academic year. From now on, NUI Galway students will be able to get tested for STI’s for free at the clinic in the Student Health Unit. Funding for the clinic was secured by the Students’ Union through the university’s Student Projects Fund. This means the 17,500 NUI Galway students will have easier access and shorter waiting times for STI tests. The rates of STI’s in Ireland is still greatest among the under 25 age bracket. There are 25 different types of STIs. Many people with STI’s do not display symptoms which is why it is so important to get tested regularly if you are sexually active. STI’s can have long term complications such as infertility and can be passed on even when you don’t display any symptoms. NUI Galway Students’ Union seeks to educate students …

NUI GALWAY is to host, in association with the British Embassy in Ireland, a public event on the Brexit referendum on Wednesday next. The event, which will take place in the Aula Maxima (Lower), Quadrangle Building, is also in collaboration with European Movement Ireland’s national conversation. The UK is facing a momentous decision on June 23 on whether to remain in or leave the EU.  Not surprisingly, the ‘Brexit’ debate is being followed with particular interest in Ireland – the only EU country with which the UK shares a land border. John McHale, Established Professor and Head of Economics at NUI Galway, said, “The possibility of Brexit looms large as we scan the horizon for threats to the Irish economy and our trading partners. Even though the consequences are uncertain, it is critical that we rigorously debate the potential implications before this momentous decision is made.” The public event will bring together a distinguished panel to debate the economic and political implications of Brexit on …