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Monday, 29 May 2006
Diversity to be focus of NUI Galway's Annual Conference on Teaching & Learning
June 8th – 9th, 2006 The topic of NUI Galway's 4th Annual Conference on Teaching & Learning in Higher Education is 'The Challenge of Diversity: Teaching, Support & Student Learning'., Speakers from around the world will focus on the key issue of student diversity and how approaches to teaching, learning and assessment can take into account an increasingly varied student population. The emphasis will be on practical, real world solutions and include an examination of international experience and best practice. The conference is being hosted by the Centre for Excellence in Learning & Teaching (CELT), NUI Galway. "The needs of non-traditional students are different to those of the traditional student body and teaching methods must adapt to provide the best level of education possible," according to CELT's Director, Dr. Iain MacLabhrainn. He added, "There is an increasing emphasis on widening participation in third level education and we must prepare for the new challenges that presents". Non-traditional learners include socio-economically disadvantaged students, mature students, students with a disability, part-time students, students who are members of the Traveller community or other minority ethnic groups, and international students. This conference brings together the leading minds and practitioners in the field of third-level education to share knowledge, experience and methods. "The time has come to extend the focus from widening access towards the facilitation of full participation, engagement and success in higher education of all students. This requires an examination and reconceptualisation of teaching, learning, assessment and student support practices, and our conference will address these key issues", added Elaine Keane, the Conference Organiser and CELT's Researcher in this area. Keynote speakers will include: Dr. Mary-Liz Trant, the Head of National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education; Dr. Liz Thomas, Senior Adviser for Widening Participation at the Higher Education Academy (UK); Dr. Kerri-Lee Krause from the Centre for the Study of Higher Education (University of Melbourne, Australia); Professor Alan Hurst (University of Central Lancashire), Professor Dai Hounsell ( University of Edinburgh) and Dr. Janette Ryan ( Monash University, Australia). The conference has proved to be extremely popular and is over-subscribed, with over 250 individuals registered from educational institutions in countries including South Africa, England, Scotland, the USA, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, and, of course, Ireland. The conference is in association with the National University of Ireland, Maynooth and the Dublin Institute of Technology. For further information contact Elaine Keane, Conference Organiser at 091 493621 or elaine.keane@nuigalway.ie - ends -
Tuesday, 23 May 2006
Senator Feargal Quinn launches new innovative programme, "Universities must a
Senator Feargal Quinn, Adjunct Professor of Marketing at NUI Galway, launched the new part-time Bachelor of Commerce, at NUI Galway on Monday, 22 May. This programme was developed by the Faculty of Commerce and has run in successive cycles for over twenty years. The programme has dramatically changed and will now be delivered using 'blended learning' techniques to accommodate mature students with work and family commitments. The new part-time Bachelor of Commerce aims to provide an educational experience in the key areas of business, leading to an internationally recognized qualification. Blended learning is a combination of face-to-face classroom lectures/tutorials, self-instructional learning materials, online discussions and activities, e-mail and telephone support. Participants will have access to course details and content at all times, from any location in Ireland. "Throughout my business career I have always argued that success comes from carefully listening to our customers and adapting what we offer them to their changing needs and preferences. The new programme we are launching here this evening is an excellent example of this principle in action. Through careful listening to its customers and to the business community, the Faculty of Commerce has identified emerging needs which it is now responding to. The result is a new format for the part-time Bachelor of Commerce degree." commented Senator Feargal Quinn, Adjunct Professor at NUI Galway. According to Éilis O'Regan, Programme Co-ordinator, Blended Learning NUI Galway, "Using the tools of blending learning we have tailored this programme to meet the needs of mature students. Students will attend six weekend workshops per year. In between workshops students will use their study packs and online support to progress through programme material. With the high level of off-campus support and the reduced time on campus, we hope to encourage students from all over Ireland to participate". The closing date for applications is June 23rd 2006, and the course will commence in September 2006. Prospective students are invited to attend a further information evening on 30 May, at 6.30pm in the Arts Millennium Building, NUI Galway. Please email eilis.oregan@nuigalway.ie or call 091 493104 for further details. - ends -
Tuesday, 23 May 2006
NUI Galway publishes unique book by active retirement group
A unique book of short stories and poems by the Salthill/Knocknacarra Active Retirement Writers Group has just been published by the Adult and Continuing Education Centre, NUI Galway. 21 – An Anthology is edited by well-known Irish author Michael Gorman and contains the work of twenty-one senior writers from all over Ireland who have lived, worked in or retired to Galway. "The book encapsulates, in their own words, the vivid memories and experiences of a talented group of writers now in their senior years. It has been a precious opportunity to retrieve a rich written heritage from this talented group. The stories and poems are of a high quality, yet retain an authenticity and rawness in style which will delight readers," commented Michael Gorman, a Programme Director at NUI Galway's International Summer School for Writers, who facilitated and compiled the book. 21 – An Anthology has originality and range which is unusual for a publication of this kind as the group of writers originate from all over Ireland and have lived all over the world. NUI Galway's Adult and Continuing Education Centre has been involved in working with and supporting Active Retirement groups in Galway city and county for the past ten years. Under the tuition of writer Márie Holmes, the Salthill/Knocknacarra Active Retirement Writers Group developed their writing skills over the course of many years. The culmination of these efforts has been the publication of 21 – An Anthology. Seamus O'Grady, Director of the Adult and Continuing Education Centre, commented on the book, "This anthology is a wonderful and tangible example of the talent among older people that NUI Galway has been working with and developing. The poignant part is that some of the authors have passed away since the time of writing and the book is dedicated to their memory. 21 – An Anthology therefore becomes an even more and precious collection of work". 21- Anthology is published by NUI Galway and can be purchased in local Galway bookshops and at Áras Fáilte, NUI Galway, for €10. - ends -
Monday, 22 May 2006
CKI International Advisory Board brings high profile academics and professionals
Galway, 22nd May 2006 – NUI Galway will host its first International Advisory Board meeting for the Community Knowledge Initiative around the area of civic engagement in universities and society on 25th and 26th May 2006. This will be a joining of high profile academics and people who are committed to the vision of change in society, as well as an opportunity for the CKI to take recommendations for the future of the project. The role of active participation is being entrusted to less people and the area around the ability to identify and understand social and public policy in order to increase active engagement will be discussed. Amongst the high profile people that will be at this meeting will be Professor Ahmed Bawa, Academic Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of KwaZulu Natal, and Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, founder of Focus Ireland. Professor Bawa went from being a President's Awardee to the Ford Foundation and today works with the University of KwaZulu Natal around policy and the role of education in changing society. He contributes to the change of society of South Africa and beyond and takes a special interest in social responsibility. Sister Stanislaus was the first religious Sister to be appointed by the State as a member of a Health Board. She was a founder member of the National Federation of Youth Clubs, chaired what is now the Combat Poverty Agency, and founded Social Innovations Ireland to identify new and emerging needs. She is also an author of several books and has written a wide range of articles, as well as lectures on social policy issues. She has a vision of change in Irish society and works daily to contribute to that vision. Additionally attending will be Reverend Bill Lies, University of Notre Dame, Dr. Dean McGovern, Campus Compact, Professor J.M. Monaghan, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Ms. Moira Swinbank, TimeBank, UK, and Ms. Elena Saraceno, The Unit of Consistency of Rural Development in the Directorate General of Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission. The CKI is a venture at NUI Galway that promotes partnership with communities and instils in students a sense of civic engagement and active citizenship. Through a volunteering project entitled ALIVE and community based/service learning modules in academic programmes, the CKI hopes to connect the students on a deeper level with their community, underpinning each person's civic responsibility. - ends – For further information, please contact Lorraine McIlrath, CKI Project Coordinator at 091 495234 or email lorraine.mcilrath@nuigalway.ie.
Monday, 15 May 2006
Consumer protection is casualty of current housing law and policy in Ireland
An absence of regulation in the Irish housing market means there is a severe lack of protection for consumers, according to Dr. Padraic Kenna, a lecturer in law at NUI Galway and author of the newly published Housing Law and Policy in Ireland. "The massive imbalance in power between producers and consumers in Irish housing is breathtaking. Indeed, Irish State approval is symbolised by the lack of support for any consumer organisation devoted to housing, or representing house-buyers, private or social housing tenants. In this era of participation, partnership and inclusion, it is truly remarkable that the organised lobby of producers and suppliers largely influences legislation, policy and subsidy schemes. The Irish consumer is faced with a housing market that lacks effective competition, consumer protection or regulation - widely accepted controls on any properly functioning market system," comments Dr. Padraic Kenna. He continues, "Many Irish housing laws are rooted in centuries old legal principles. It is vital that concepts of property law are modernised to suit the needs of a global economy, but also to encompass consumer rights and indeed human rights. Effective legislation could ensure proper consumer protection, real competition, truthful descriptions, high standards and speedy, inexpensive remedies for defects." Dr. Kenna points out that, despite recommendations from the Law Reform Commission and others, consumers remain vulnerable to unfair contract terms and price fluctuations in the pre-contract stage of purchasing a new home. Further down the line, should individual consumers discover defects in their properties – walls which resonate with neighbours music, leaks, and other general defects, remedies can only be effectively pursued through lengthy and expensive court action. A more recent illustration of the weak position of consumers is the imposition of compulsory management agreements covering grass cutting, lighting etc., often with no limits on the exorbitant contributions payable". "There is now a growing culture and legal progression of housing rights across the world. In market economies where new housing is largely provided through the market, however, these housing rights standards often incorporate many consumer rights. Issues of equality in access, exploitation of vulnerable people, affordability, facilities for children, lack of segregation etc., are powerfully linked with consumer rights issues. Clearly, advocates could advance consumer rights as part of the promotion of housing rights. We need to re-examine the role of law in the housing arena. Is it enough for law to remain particularly supply-side oriented, (although solicitors remain the primary individual housing consumer rights champions)? Law provides the enforceable framework for the housing and mortgage market to operate. However, in modern societies it can also advance equality, consumer protection, competition and social inclusion within that same market system. In researching this book all the evidence shows that traditional housing law and policy approaches, based on simple property law concepts are being transcended by people-centred approaches. Strengthening the power of housing consumers would be an obvious move in this direction", added Dr. Kenna. Housing Law and Policy in Ireland, the first book on housing law and policy for the Irish market, offers a timely and important contribution to this hotly debated issue in Ireland today. Drawing on legislative, case law, policy and human rights norms, it offers a clear description of the origin and current status of Irish housing law and policy. Property rights, mortgages, planning, building standards, regulation, rural housing, private renting, State housing supports and subsidies are explained and analysed. Indirect measures which impact on housing law and policy, such as consumer rights, human rights, family and equality law and other developments are revealed, along with the emerging European dimension to all aspects of Irish housing law and policy. Housing Law and Policy in Ireland is published by Clarus Press and is available online www.claruspress.ie or by telephone order on 0567790 052 or 014150 439. The official launch of the book is taking place at NUI Galway on Thursday 18 May. - ends - For further information please contact Dr. Padraic Kenna, Faculty of Law, NUI Galway, Tel: 091 493230.
Monday, 8 May 2006
NUI Galway study highlights importance of preventative care for cardiac patients
Research carried out by NUI Galway's Department of General Practice has highlighted the importance of the provision of preventative care to cardiac patients in Ireland. The study, "Cross sectional study of secondary cardiac care in general practice: impact of personal practice characteristics", was recently published in the prestigious Family Practice international journal. Medical and demographic data was gathered from the charts of 1611 eligible patients from 35 randomly selected practices. This is the first time that such research has been completed from a random sample of patients, with already established heart disease, in Ireland. The research has significant implications for the Department of Health and the HSE as it considers the future of the Heartwatch programme. Heartwatch is a pilot programme involving 20 percent of Irish general practices, to deliver appropriate preventive care to patients with already established heart disease. Appropriate care includes issues such as: lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels providing aspirin and lipid lowering drugs stopping smoking increasing exercise decreasing fat within the diet. According to Professor Andrew W. Murphy, NUI Galway, "This study is the first study taken from a random group of Irish cardiac patients. It reveals that the preventive care which they receive is similar to that in other countries such as Australia, the US and the UK. However, these countries are committed to providing chronic disease management systems to improve care and Ireland should do likewise." A key focus of the research was how patient or practice variables impact on the provision of preventive cardiac care. Interestingly, gender or socio economic status did not appear to have any impact. The practice size or location had relatively little impact on secondary cardiac care. The most consistent significant personal characteristics finding was that patients with a diagnosis of angina only were significantly less likely to receive aspirin, statins or ACE inhibitors and more likely to have more missed opportunities for secondary cardiac care. The research was conducted by the departments of General Practice and Psychology at NUI, Galway and the department of Public Health and Epidemiology at University College Dublin. The study, titled "Cross sectional study of secondary cardiac care in general practice: impact of personal practice characteristics", was authored by Molly Byrne, Andrew W Murphy, James C Walsh, Eithne Shryane, Mary McGroarty and Cecily C Kelleher. - ends - For further information please contact Professor Andrew W Murphy at 091 750470 or Dr Molly Byrne at 091 495182.
Tuesday, 27 June 2006
Céimeanna Oinigh bronnta ag OÉ Gaillimh ar sheachtar den scoth
Céimeanna Oinigh bronnta ar Fionnula Flanagan, An Breitheamh Richard Goldstone, An tOllamh Deirdre McCloskey, Eugene Murtagh, Donagh O'Donoghue, Micheál Ó hUiginn agus an Gobharnóir Martin O'Malley Bronnadh céimeanna oinigh ar sheachtar den scoth – daoine ón domhan gnó, daonchairdis, ceartais, seirbhís poiblí, oideachas agus na n-ealaíon – in OÉ Gaillimh inniu, Dé hAoine, an 27 Meitheamh 2008. Dúirt an Dr James Browne, Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh gur "cúis bróid, thar ceann phobal OÉ Gaillimh, an seachtar seo a áireamh i measc alumni OÉ Gaillimh. Ach na céimeanna oinigh seo a bheith bronnta, áireofar iad i measc 60,000 alumni ar fud an domhain. Comhartha ómóis ar a bhfuil bainte amach ag na daoine seo iad céimeanna oinigh a bhronnadh orthu – an onóir is mó is féidir leis an Ollscoil a bhronnadh." Aisteoir Éireannach í Fionnula Flanagan a bhfuil Gradam Emmy bronnta uirthi agus ainmniúchán do Ghradam Tony faighte aici. Is in Amharclann na Mainistreach a d'fhoghlaim sí a ceird agus i measc na scannán ar ghlac sí páirt iontu tá The Others le Nicole Kidman, Transamerica agus Waking Ned Devine, mar aon le sraith teilifíse agus léiriúcháin ar stáitse. Chomh maith leis sin, ghlac sí páirt in eagrán den tsraith teilifíse Lost – eagrán dár teideal "Flashes Before Your Eyes". Thuill sí clú agus cáil in Éirinn den chéad uair sa bhliain 1965 tráth ar thug sí léargas iontach ar a cumas aisteoireachta i bpáirt Mháire i léiriú Theilfís Éireann den dráma Gaeilge – An Triail. Léirigh Fionnula Flanagan a cumas mar aisteoir a raibh sárthuiscint aici ar scríbhinní James Joyce sa scannán a rinneadh de Ulysses sa bhliain 1967. D'oibrigh an Breitheamh Richard Goldstone mar Bhreitheamh ar Chúirt Bhunreachtáil na hAfraice Theas; mar Phríomh-Ionchúisitheoir ar Bhinsí Coiriúla Idirnáisiúnta na Náisiún Aontaithe don iar-Iúgslaiv agus Ruanda; agus mar Sheansailéir ar Ollscoil Witwatersrand, An Afraic Theas. Chaith sé tamall ag teagasc i Scoileanna Dlí Ollscoil Nua-Eabhrac, Ollscoil Harvard agus Fordham. I láthair na huaire, tá sé ag feidhmiú mar ollamh ar cuairt in Ionad Dlí Ollscoil Georgetown. In 2006, chaith Goldstone seal ag teagasc san Ionad Éireannach um Chearta an Duine in OÉ Gaillimh. Is Ollamh Oirirc le hEacnamaíocht, Stair, Béarla agus Cumarsáid in Ollscoil Illinois, Chicago í An tOllamh Deirdre McCloskey. Tá sí ar cheann de na heacnamaithe, reitricithe, scoláirí agus intleachtóirí poiblí is mó cáil sna Stáit Aontaithe. Tá 14 leabhar scríofa ag McCloskey, ina measc The Bourgeois Virtues: Ethics for an Age of Commerce – an chéad leabhar as magnum opus cúig imleabhar. Sular foilsíodh The Bourgeois Virtues ba iad na leabhair ba mhó cáil a scríobh sí The Rhetoric of Economics (1985) agus Crossing: A Memoir, a foilsíodh i 1999, leabhar ar tagraíodh dó sa New York Times mar Notable Book. Is é an tUasal Eugene Murtagh bunaitheoir agus Cathaoirleach Kingspan Group Plc. Ó cuireadh tús le Kingspan an chéad lá riamh sna 60idí mar ghnó beag teaghlaigh tá fás agus forbairt dhochreidte tagtha ar an ngnó agus anois tá sé ar cheann de na cuideachtaí is bisiúla in Éirinn. Tá láimhdeachas de bhreis is €1.8 billiún ag an nGrúpa anois, lena n-áirítear 43 monarcha dhéantúsaíochta i 28 tír ar fud an domhain. Tá breis is 6,500 duine fostaithe ag an nGrúpa ar fud na cruinne. Cheap Rialtas na hÉireann agus Rialtas na Breataine Murtagh mar stiúrthóir ar an gCiste Idirnáisiúnta d'Éirinn in 2000. Tá os cionn €849 milliún infheistithe ag an gCiste seo i dtionscadail ar fud na hÉireann. Duine aitheanta i measc phobal gnó na Gaillimhe é an tUasal Donagh O'Donoghue mar aon le comhalta d'Údarás Bainistíochta OÉ Gaillimh. Tháinig O'Donoghue i gcomharba ar a athair mar Stiúrthóir Bainistíochta Grúpa Thomas McDonagh & Sons Ltd. sa bhliain 1975 agus chinntigh sé gur tháinig fás agus forbairt ar an gcuideachta thar thréimhse 20 bliain. I measc na gcuideachtaí a raibh ról stiúrthóireachta aige iontu tá Bord na Móna, Coimisiún Craolacháin na hÉireann agus Aerphort na Gaillimhe. Chomh maith leis sin, bhí sé ina chomhalta boird de IBEC, Cumann Tráchtála agus Tionscail na Gaillimhe agus Amharclann Druid. Comhalta d'Údarás Bainistíochta OÉ Gaillimh agus stiúrthóir ar Ó hUiginn Teoranta, Gaillimh é an tUasal Mícheál Ó hUiginn. Bhí sé ina chomhalta de Chomhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe ó 1964 go dtí go ndeachaigh sé ar scor in 2004. Chaith sé daichead bliain ag obair ar son chathair na Gaillimhe, toghadh é mar Mhéara na Gaillimhe trí théarma éagsúla agus rinne sé an-obair ar mhaithe le cur le gach gné de shaol na cathrach agus an rialtais áitiúil, go háirithe sa réimse oideachais. Is é an Gobharnóir Martin O'Malley 61ú Gobharnóir Maryland. Le linn dó a bheith ag feidhmiú mar pholaiteoir Daonlathach i Meiriceá bhí sé ina Mhéara ar Baltimore ó 1999 go dtí 2007. Le linn an dá théarma a chaith sé mar Mhéara, ainmníodh Baltimore mar shamhail náisiúnta d'fheabhas i sábháilteacht phoiblí, éifeachtacht rialtais, oideachas agus forbairt gheilleagrach. Tá sé ag feidhmiú mar Ghobharnóir anois agus ag baint leasa as an taithí atá aige chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh i Stát Maryland. Scríobhadh in The Washington Post gur "governor unafraid of government" é Martin O'Malley. Sa Business Week in 2005, liostaíodh O'Malley mar dhuine den "Five Fresh Faces" a chinnteodh dul chun cinn an Pháirtí Dhaonlathaigh. Le linn don Dr James J. Browne, Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, a bheith ag trácht ar ócáid na bliana seo dúirt sé go bhfuil "an-áthas ar OÉ Gaillimh céimeanna oinigh a bhronnadh ar sheachtar den scoth: Fionnula Flanagan, An Breitheamh Richard Goldstone, An tOllamh Deirdre McCloskey, Eugene Murtagh, Donagh O'Donoghue, Mícheál Ó hUiginn agus an Gobharnóir Martin O'Malley. Tá an t-ádh ar an Ollscoil seo go bhfuil an oiread sin céimeanna oinigh bronnta ar chéimithe den scoth le blianta fada anuas, agus is cinnte gur grúpa ar leith iad an seachtar atá roghnaithe i mbliana. Tá an t-uafás oibre déanta acu san iliomad réimse – gnó, na healaíona, seirbhís phoiblí, oideachas agus ceartas – agus cúis áthais dúinn anseo in OÉ Gaillimh aitheantas a thabhairt don sárobair atá déanta ag na daoine seo." - críoch -
Monday, 26 June 2006
NUI Galway to host prestigious Industrial Relations Conference
NUI Galway is to be the venue for the 56th British Universities Industrial Relations Association Conference, from 28-30 June. This is the first time that the full conference programme has been held outside the UK and many of the world's most eminent industrial relations and human resource management scholars, trade unionists and policy makers from around the world are to convene on Galway city. BUIRA is being hosted by the Department of Management in the Cairnes Graduate School of Business & Public Policy at NUI Galway, which is headed by Dr. Tony Royle, who commented, "Not only are we to welcome the BUIRA conference this year, but we are also hosting the annual Countess Markievicz Lecture on 29 June. This is the first time the lecture is being held outside Dublin and we look forward to hearing from Kieran Mulvey, Chair of the Labour Relations Commission." The conference will also be the focus for two special issues of the international journals: the Industrial Relations Journal and Equal Opportunities International. Guest speakers include Ron Oswald, General Secretary of the Global Union Federation the IUF, Professor Bill Roche from UCD, Helen Russell of the Economic and Social Research Institute, Dublin and Professor Charles Woolfson Marie Curie Professor University of Latvia and University of Glasgow. NUI Galway's President, Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, will be giving a welcome speech at the opening of the conference on the 28 June. More information about the conference can be found at www.buira.org.uk The conference is supported by the Irish Association of Industrial Relations, People Management Magazine (UK), CIPD-Ireland, CIPD UK, NUI Galway's Registrar's Office and Departmental MBS programme, CISC and Bord Fáilte. -ends- Notes to editors BUIRA started in 1950 and now has over 650 members. Its membership encompasses academics and doctoral students working in such fields as industrial relations, labour law, labour economics, human resource (or personnel) management, industrial sociology, occupational psychology, trade union studies and labour history. BUIRA is affiliated to and active within the International Industrial Relations Association and is also a member of the Academy of Learned Societies in the Social Sciences (ALSISS), which exists to encourage the advancement of social science. More information about the conference can be found at www.buira.org.
Monday, 26 June 2006
Lorgaíonn Ráiteas na Gaillimhe Cosaint UNESCO d'ilghnéitheacht theangacha an dom
D'iarr comhdháil idirnáisiúnta thrítheangach (Gaeilge, Béarla agus Fraincis) a reáchtáil Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge i gcomhar leis an Ionad Éireannach um Chearta an Duine, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, agus eagraithe ag an Acadamh Idirnáisiúnta ar Dhlí Teanga i nGaillimh ar an 16 Meitheamh, ar UNESCO cosaint a thabhairt do theangacha an domhain. Toscairí ó níos mó ná 20 tír a d'iarr ar UNESCO cosaint a thabhairt d'ilghnéitheacht theangacha an domhain. An dr. Joseph Turi, Rúnaí Ginearálta an IALL/AIDL (International Academy of Linguistic Law/Académie internationale de Droit linguistique) a mhol an Ráiteas. "Is céim an-tábhachtach í seo. Nuair a shocrós UNESCO ar chosaint a thabhairt don ilghnéitheacht teangacha, beidh ar na tíortha éagsúla tacaíocht a thabhairt do na pobail teanga a bhfuil cónaí orthu laistigh dá gcuid teorainneacha náisiúnta. Ní féidir cosaint a thabhairt do chultúir faoi leith gan cosaint a thabhairt do na teanga a bhaineann leo", a dúirt Seosamh Mac Donnacha, an Comhordaitheoir Acadúil in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. Dúirt an dr Conchúr Ó Giollagáin, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, gur éigeandáil idirnáisiúnta atá i gceist. "Tá suas le 90% de theangeacha an domhain i mbaol a mbáis roimh dheireadh an chéid seo. Seo uair na cinniúna." Glacadh le Ráiteas na Gaillimhe d'aon ghuth. Ba é téama na Comhdhála 'Na Dúshláin a Bhaineann le hAchtú agus le Cur i bhFeidhm Dlí agus Cearta Teanga'. Ba í an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta a rinne urraíocht ar an gComhdháil. I measc na n-aoíchainteoirí bhí Séan Ó Cuirreáin, an Coimisinéir Teanga Philip Blair, stiúrthóir, Directorate of Cooperation for Local and Regional Democracy, Comhdháil na hEorpa Dzenana Hadziomerovic, comhairleoir dlí ag an Ard-Coimisinéir ar Mhionlaigh Náisiúnta Fernand de Varennes, saineolaí Astrálach Tuilleadh eolais ar: http://www.conference.ie/Conferences/index.asp?Conference=24 -críoch-
Monday, 26 June 2006
Galway Declaration calls on UNESCO to protect languages around the world
The international, trilingual (English, French and Irish) conference in NUI Galway, organised by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge and the Irish Centre for Human Rights, called for the protection of language diversity around the world at its plenary session on 16 June in Galway. The 'Galway Declaration' was passed unanimously by the attendees. Delegates from over 20 countries supported the call to UNESCO to protect the world's linguistic diversity. Dr Joseph Turi, Secretary General of IALL/IADL (International Academy of Linguistic Law/Académie Internationale de Droit linguistique) proposed the call. Seosamh Mac Donnacha, Academic Coordinator of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge said, "This is a very important step. Once UNESCO calls for the protection of linguistic diversity, the countries of the world will have to focus on supporting languages and their speakers within their borders. Linguistic diversity ensures cultural diversity." Dr Conchúr Ó Giollagáin of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge said, "This is now an international crisis. Up to 90% of the world's languages are in danger of dying out in less than one hundred years. Now is the time to act." The theme of the conference was 'Language Law and Language Rights: The Challenges of Enactment and Implementation', and was supported by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Keynote speakers included: Séan Ó Cuirreáin, an Coimisinéir Teanga/The Language Commissioner Philip Blair, Director, Directorate of Cooperation for Local and Regional Democracy, Council of Europe Dzenana Hadziomerovic, Legal Advisor to the High Commissioner for National Minorities Fernand de Varennes, Australian expert on linguistics For more information, see http://www.conference.ie/Conferences/index.asp?Conference=24 -ends-
Monday, 26 June 2006
From Miltown Malbay to Memphis
The Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway has announced details of a new Diploma in Irish Music Studies that will trace the progress of Irish music from the kitchens of rural Ireland to concert halls and festivals worldwide, from Madagascar to Mali, from Miltown Malbay to Memphis. The course will look at the journey of Irish music to the West Indies and on to the Ozark and Appalachian regions of North America, and its connections with black-face minstrelsy, old-time, bluegrass and country music before tracking its journey home again, disguised as country and western, rockabilly, folk, and rock and roll. The diploma will also investigate the connection between music and poetry in Ireland from the eighteenth century through to the work of contemporary poets such as Thomas Kinsella, Seamus Heaney, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill and Cathal Ó Searcaigh. The course will be taught by renowned author, broadcaster, and music historian, PJ Curtis, by Méabh Ní Fhuartháin, who has previously taught at Brown University, Boston College, and UCC, and Seán Crosson, who has recently completed a groundbreaking study of the relationship between Irish poetry and traditional music. The Diploma in Irish Music Studies is specially designed for mature students and would be suitable for anyone considering further studies in modern Irish music, literature and culture and for those seeking employment in cultural tourism and the heritage industry. This is a two-year, part-time programme, with classes to be held one evening per week during term time. Closing date for applications is 1st August 2006. For further details, contact Samantha Williams at 091 492051 or email irishstudies@nuigalway.ie -ends
Friday, 23 June 2006
NUI Galway to honour eight outstanding individuals with honorary degrees
-Honorary Doctorates to be conferred on International Golfers Christy O'Connor Sr and Jr; Irish Entrepreneurs Senator Feargal Quinn, Dr. Ronan Lambe and Hugh Green; Irish Philosopher John Moriarty; Contemporary Irish Artist James Coleman and Distinguished Italian Algebraist Professor Francesco de Giovanni- NUI Galway today (Friday) recognised the achievements of eight outstanding individuals who have excelled in their chosen fields. Those chosen to receive the honour include individuals from the worlds of business, sport, art, philosophy and mathematics. Following on from the recent launch at NUI Galway of the JE Cairnes Graduate School of Business and Public Policy, the University has reflected its commitment to promoting entrepreneurship and nurturing Ireland's future business leaders by honouring individuals who have excelled in the field of business including Senator Feargal Quinn, Hugh Green and Dr. Ronan Lambe. Honorary degrees will also be conferred on renowned golfers Christy O'Connor Senior and Junior; Irish Philosopher John Moriarty; Irish Artist James Coleman and distinguished Algebraist Professor Francesco de Giovanni. Commenting on the honorary conferrings, Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh President of NUI Galway said, "It is a great honour for NUI Galway to recognise the exceptional achievements of each of these individuals. This is a significant year in Ireland to honour the achievements of our golfers as we play host to the Ryder Cup. Equally, we have brought together a number of individuals from the worlds of business, philosophy and the arts who have each touched society in their own way both in Ireland and across the globe." The Honorary Conferring Ceremony took place in the presence of the Chancellor of the National University of Ireland and former Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald. Note to Editors: Christy O'Connor, Sr and Christy O'Connor, Jr are natives of Galway and two of Ireland's most well-known professional golfers. The uncle and nephew team have both represented Ireland on the Ryder Cup team and are among Ireland's most distinguished golfers. Christy Sr won the first £1,000 prize in European golf, then the world's biggest prize. He also won the Canada Cup (World Cup) with Harry Bradshaw, was a regular high finisher in the British Open and played on the Ryder Cup team ten times between 1955 and 1973. Christy Jr claimed the British Open twice and in a famous Ryder Cup moment, hit a three iron to the eighteenth at The Belfry in 1989 beating Fred Couples and leading Europe to a memorable Ryder Cup victory. John Moriarty, a native of Co. Kerry has gained a reputation as a distinguished Irish philosopher and writer. Having spent time lecturing in Canada in the 1960s, he returned to Ireland to pursue a life of reflection and the exploration of a fundamental agenda of philosophical and cultural issues. He has published a wide body of work to critical acclaim; his 2001 autobiographical work Nostos explores many of his previously articulated ideas interrogating and re-contextualising the Western philosophical and cultural paradigm. Senator Feargal Quinn has been a well-known name on the Irish business landscape for many years. Best known as President of the supermarket chain, Superquinn, which he founded in 1960, he has made many other contributions to Irish life including serving as chairman of An Post for a decade and chairing a steering committee on reform of the Irish education system. He was appointed as an independent member of Seanad Éireann in 1993 and received a Papal knighthood in 1994. Senator Quinn has recently been appointed Adjunct Professor at NUI Galway's Department of Marketing. Hugh Green, a native Donegal man who emigrated to Australia in the 1950s is now a leading figure in the Irish community in New Zealand and has been an active philanthropist in New Zealand for many years. Under his leadership, the Hugh Green Group has become one of the most professionally managed and commercially successful businesses in New Zealand today. Dr. Ronan Lambe, originally a scientist at the Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Dr. Lambe achieved success when he co-founded ICON with Dr. John Climax in 1990. ICON provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries with clinical research and biometric services and was floated on the NASDAQ in 1998. It now boasts twenty-seven offices in sixteen countries with over 2,200 employees worldwide. James Coleman is among the most distinguished Irish visual artists currently practising, although he is better known abroad than in Ireland. A native of Ballaghderreen in County Roscommon, he has emerged in recent years as one of the most important artists of visual postmodernism. His work has transformed critical debates about the status of image in contemporary culture and influenced an entire generation of younger artists. He has been made a member of Aosdána and three of his paintings have recently been purchased by the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Professor Francesco de Giovannian internationally acclaimed algebraist with an outstanding research record. He ranks among the youngest ever professors appointed by the Universitá Federico II di Napoli. He is supervisor and director at one of the most prestigious graduate schools in Italy and through his efforts and cooperation, mutually beneficial exchange links were forged between Universitá Federico II di Napoli and NUI Galway. -ends-
Friday, 23 June 2006
Aitheantas gradamúil tugtha ag OÉ Gaillimh d'ochtar den scoth i bhfoirm céimeann
– Céimeanna Dochtúireachta Oinigh le bronnadh ar na Galfairí Idirnáisiúnta Christy O'Connor Sinsear agus Sóisear; Fiontraithe Éireannacha an Seanadóir Feargal Quinn, an Dr Ronan Lambe agus Hugh Green; an Fealsamh Éireannach John Moriarty; an tEalaíontóir Comhaimseartha Éireannach James Coleman agus an tAilgéabraí Iodálach ardchlúite an tOllamh Francesco de Giovanni – Inniu (Dé hAoine) d'aithin OÉ Gaillimh an méid atá bainte amach ag ochtar den scoth a bhfuil sár-obair déanta acu ina réimse roghnaithe. I measc na ndaoine a roghnaíodh chun onóir a fháil tá daoine ó shaol an ghnó, an spóirt, na healaíne, na fealsúnachta agus na matamaitice. Tar éis Scoil Iarchéime JE Cairnes don Ghnó & don Bheartas Poiblí a sheoladh le gairid in OÉ Gaillimh, tá tiomantas na hOllscoile don fhiontraíocht a chur chun cinn agus do cheannairí gnó na hÉireann amach anseo a spreagadh léirithe ag an Ollscoil trí onóir a bhronnadh ar dhaoine a bhfuil sár-obair déanta acu i saol an ghnó, ina measc an Seanadóir Feargal Quinn, Hugh Green agus an Dr Ronan Lambe. Bronnfar céimeanna oinigh chomh maith ar na galfairí cáiliúla Christy O'Connor Sinsear agus Sóisir; an Fealsamh Éireannach John Moriarty; an tEalaíontóir Éireannach James Coleman agus an tAilgéabraí ardchlúite an tOllamh Francesco de Giovanni. Ag labhairt faoin mbronnadh, dúirt an Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, "Is mór an onóir d'OÉ Gaillimh aitheantas a thabhairt do sháréachtaí na ndaoine seo. Is suntasach an rud é onóir a thabhairt do na galfairí seo in Éirinn agus an Ryder Cup ar siúl anseo i mbliana. Tá roinnt daoine ó shaol an ghnó, na fealsúnachta agus na healaíne tugtha le chéile againn freisin, agus a dtionchar féin imeartha acu ar shochaí na hÉireann agus ar an domhan trí chéile." Bronnadh na Céimeanna Oinigh i láthair Shainsiléir Ollscoil na hÉireann agus an tIar-Thaoiseach, an Dr Garret FitzGerald. Nóta d'Eagarthóirí Is as Gaillimh Christy O'Connor, Sinsear agus Christy O'Connor, Sóisear agus tá siad ar bheirt de na galfairí gairmiúla is clúití in Éirinn. Tá ionadaíocht déanta ag an uncail agus a nia d'Éirinn ar fhoireann an Ryder Cup agus tá siad ar bheirt de na galfairí is cáiliúla sa tír. Ba é Christy Sinsear a ghnóthaigh an chéad duais £1,000 i ngalf na hEorpa, an duais ba mhó ar domhan ag an am. Ghnóthaigh sé Corn Cheanada (Corn an Domhain) freisin le Harry Bradshaw. Ba mhinic a rinne sé go maith sa British Open agus d'imir sé ar fhoireann an Ryder Cup deich n-uaire idir 1955 agus 1973. Ghnóthaigh Christy Sóisear an British Open faoi dhó agus ní dhéanfar dearmad go brách ar an Ryder Cup nuair a fuair sé an ceann is fearr ar Fred Couples ar an ochtú poll déag sa Belfry i 1989, agus, bhí sé chomh maith a rá, ghnóthaigh an Eoraip an Ryder Cup dá bharr. Tá cáil ar John Moriarty, ó Co. Chiarraí ó thús, mar fhealsamh agus mar scríbhneoir clúiteach de chuid na hÉireann. Chaith sé seal ag léachtóireacht i gCeanada sna 1960idí, agus d'fhill sé ar Éirinn ansin chun a shaol a chaitheamh ag smaoineamh faoi shaincheisteanna cultúir agus fealsúnachta agus á bhfiosrú. Tá saothar go leor foilsithe aige agus ardmholadh faighte acu. Scrúdaíonn a dhírbheathaisnéis Nostos (2001) go leor de na smaointe a bhí léirithe aige roimhe sin agus paraidím chultúir agus fealsúnachta an Iarthair á ceistiú agus á cur i gcomhthéacs arís aige. Tá cáil ar an Seanadóir Feargal Quinn le fada an lá i saol an ghnó in Éirinn. Is fearr aithne air mar Uachtarán Superquinn, ollmhargaí a bhunaigh sé i 1960, ach tá go leor eile déanta aige i saol na hÉireann; chaith sé deich mbliana mar chathaoirleach ar An Post agus bhí sé ina chathaoirleach ar choiste stiúrtha chun córas oideachais na hÉireann a leasú. Ceapadh é mar chomhalta neamhspleách de Sheanad Éireann i 1993 agus bhronn an Pápa ridireacht air i 1994. Ceapadh an Seanadóir Quinn mar Ollamh Cúnta i Roinn Margaíochta OÉ Gaillimh le gairid. Is as Dún na nGallHugh Green ó thús, agus d'imigh sé go dtí an Astráil sna 1950idí. Is duine mór le rá anois é i measc phobal na hÉireann sa Nua-Shéalainn agus tá sé ina dhaonchara gníomhach sa Nua-Shéalainn le blianta fada. Faoina cheannaireacht, tá an Hugh Green Group ar cheann de na gnónna is rathúla agus is fearr bainistithe sa Nua-Shéalainn sa lá atá inniu ann. Eolaí a bhí sa Dr Ronan Lambe ar dtús in Institiúid na Cógaseolaíochta Cliniciúla. D'éirigh thar cionn leis an Dr Lambe nuair a bhunaigh sé féin agus an Dr John Climax ICON i 1990. Cuireann ICON seirbhísí bithmhéadracha agus taighde chliniciúil ar fáil do thionscail na cógaisíochta agus na biteicneolaíochta agus bunaíodh ar an NASDAQ é i 1998. Tá seacht n-oifig fichead aige anois i sé thír déag agus os cionn 2,200 fostaí ar fud an domhain. Tá James Coleman ar cheann de na hamharcealaíontóirí Éireannacha is cáiliúla i mbun na healaíne faoi láthair, cé gur fearr aithne air thar sáile ná in Éirinn. Is as Bealach an Doirín i gContae Ros Comáin é ó dhúchas, agus tá cáil air le blianta beaga anuas mar dhuine de na healaíontóirí is tábhachtaí de ré an iarnua-aoiseachais san amharcealaín. Tá mór-athrú déanta ag a shaothar ar dhíospóireachtaí faoi stádas na híomhá sa chultúr comhaimseartha agus tá tionchar imeartha ag a shaothar ar ghlúin iomlán ealaíontóirí óga. Is comhalta é den Aosdána agus cheannaigh Áras Nua-Ealaíne na hÉireann trí cinn dá phéintéireachtaí. Tá cáil idirnáisiúnta ar an Ailgéabraí an tOllamh Francesco de Giovanni agus tá taifead taighde den scoth aige. Tá sé ar cheann de na hollúna is óige a cheap an Universitá Federico II di Napoli riamh. Tá sé ina mhaoirseoir agus ina stiúrthóir i gceann de na scoileanna céime is cáiliúla san Iodáil agus leis an obair agus leis an gcomhoibriú a rinne sé, cruthaíodh naisc mhalartaithe idir Universitá Federico II di Napoli agus OÉ Gaillimh, naisc chomhthairbhiúla don dá Ollscoil. -críoch-
Monday, 19 June 2006
NUI Galway and Amnesty mark International Day Against Torture
Guest speaker to include brother of Guantanamo detainee To mark International Day Against Torture, Amnesty International and The Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway, will host a panel discussion on Torture in the Age of Terror, on 28 June in Galway City Library. The discussion will feature two speakers, Abubaker Deghayes, the brother of a Guantanamo detainee, and Elvira Dominguez Redondo, an IRCHSS (Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences) fellow with the Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway. Abubaker Deghayes is the brother of Omar Deghayes whose family is convinced that he is being held in Guantanamo Bay because of mistaken identity. The brothers fled Libya in 1987 and were granted political asylum in the UK. While in Pakistan in 2002, Omar was caught as an 'enemy combatant' and was eventually transferred to Guantanamo Bay. Throughout his capture Omar has reported to his lawyer that he has been subjected to many forms of torture. In Guantanamo Bay, where he continues to be held, he has been kept in solitary confinement for over eight months, strip searched and reportedly attacked by a guard leaving him blind in one eye. Joining Abubaker on the panel will be Dr. Elvira Dominguez Redondo, IRCHSS fellow with NUI Galway's Irish Centre for Human Rights, who previously worked as a consultant with the Special Rapporteur on Torture at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva. According to Dr. Dominquez Redondo, "It has been suggested that the 'war on terror' has altered many fundamental norms of International Law, including the absolute prohibition of the use of torture. However, a distinction needs to be made between law breakers and norm makers. The 28 June, International Day Against Torture, should be marked in everyone's mind to reiterate the absolute nature of the norm prohibiting the use of torture and its misuse in activities such as renditions flights or Guantanamo Bay detainees." The public discussion is open to all and will take place on Wednesday 28 June, 8pm, Galway City Library, St Augustine Street, Galway. Entry: Free -ends- For further information: Amnesty International, 2-3 Middle Street, Galway 091 533 637, www.amnesty.ie Further background on Abubaker and Omar Deghayes Abubaker Deghayes is the brother of Guatanamo detainee Omar Deghayes. Abubaker, like his brother Omar, fled Libya in 1987 following the assassination of their father (trade union leader and political opponent of Colonel al-Gadaffi) by the Libyan secret police. Both brothers were granted political asylum in the UK and Omar Deghayes went to study law. In 2001 Omar Deghayes travelled to Malaysia, Pakistan and eventually Afghanistan, where he married and had a son. When the international conflict started in Afghanistan after Sept 11 2001 Omar fled to Pakistan with his wife and baby. They were planning to return to the UK when they were arrested in Lahore, Pakistan in April 2002, for a reported bounty of $5,000. Omar was caught as an 'enemy combatant' and was eventually transferred to Guantanamo Bay in Sept. 2002. Throughout his capture Omar has reported to his lawyer that he has been subjected to many forms of torture. In Pakistan he was subjected to 'systematic beatings' and stress positions, in Afghanistan 'forced nudity,' 'food deprivation' and being deprived of air for long periods of time. In Guantanamo Bay, where he continues to be held, he has been kept in solitary confinement for over eight months, strip searched and reported to have been attacked by a guard which has left him blind in one eye. Omar's family is convinced that he is being held in Guantanamo Bay because of a mistaken identity. Omar's situation is worsened by his citizenship status, he has refugee status in the UK and if released from Guantanamo Bay, the US authorities could return him to Libya, where he could be at risk of further torture.
Monday, 19 June 2006
Galway Scientists Lead Major Marine Climate Change Study
One of the world's largest studies into how microscopic marine plants might affect earth's climate is currently being led by scientists from NUI Galway aboard the Marine Institute's state-of-the-art research vessel RV Celtic Explorer. The project aims to find out how dense blooms of tiny "plankton" in the ocean might enrich bursting bubbles at the surface with organic matter, leading to more stable clouds above the ocean and decreasing global warming. The Marine Aerosol Production (MAP) Project, has a total budget of €3 million and is co-ordinated by Dr. Colin O'Dowd from the Environmental Change Institute and Department of Physics, NUI Galway. MAP will utilise NUI Galway s Mace Head Atmospheric Monitoring Station in Co. Galway, the Marine Institute s Celtic Explorer, and NASA s satellite sensors to make the required observations. The project has assembled a team of 25 research groups from 20 research institutes from Europe and the US. They will spend four weeks making measurements at Mace Head and on the Celtic Explorer and the next two years analysing the gathered data, before putting the key findings into climate prediction models. The work aims to quantify the role of natural marine aerosol production and feedbacks with climate change. "Aerosol particles form haze and cloud layers that can hide the effect of global warming," said Dr. O'Dowd. "Quantifying the sources of aerosols and their global cooling effects will enable better future controls on greenhouse gas emissions in order to reduce the rate of global warming." MAP is primarily funded by the European Commission with significant Grant-Aid towards the cost of the vessel being provided through the National Research Vessel Shiptime Programme of the National Development Plan 2000 –2006. The NDP Marine RTDI measure is managed by the Marine Institute on behalf of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. This work highlights the strategic geographic importance of Ireland and our offshore territories in studying the dynamics of the impacts of climate change and the importance of having world class infrastructures such as Mace Head and the Celtic Explorer available to Irish and international research groups to support wining leading roles in high profile international projects such as MAP. Marine Institute, CEO Dr. Peter Heffernan said, "This project highlights the strategic importance of Ireland as a natural laboratory for studying the dynamics and impacts of climate change. We are lucky to have world-class research vessels such as the Celtic Explorer to support internationally recognised Irish research groups such as Dr.O'Dowd's and enable them to take their rightful place as leaders of important projects such as MAP." The Celtic Explorer set sail to track the North Atlantic plankton blooms and their role in aerosol production on Sunday 11th June, after a week of mobilization works in Cobh shipyard. The mobilization involved 49 scientists, and almost an equivalent number of personnel from the Marine Institute, P&O Maritime and Cobh Shipyard workers. -ends- For further information, please contact: Colin O Dowd, MAP Coordinator & Senior Lecturer, Physics Department & Environmental Change Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway. Tel: 091-493306 email colin.odowd@nuigalway.ie John Breslin, Manager of Research Vessel Operations, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co Galway. Tel: (091) 387200 email: john.Breslin@marine.ie Notes to Editor NUI Galway has leading expertise in atmospheric and marine science research and plays an important role in the coordination of EU research projects in these fields. In terms of atmospheric composition research and monitoring, the institution has excelled in recent years in the areas of atmospheric aerosols and cloud-climate research with a number of key publications in the leading scientific journals such as Nature. NUI Galway operates the Global Atmospheric Watch station Mace Head which over the last decades has been a world renowned research facility for monitoring global atmospheric change and for conducting intensive campaigns into key processes affecting climate change. The Marine Institute was created under the Marine Institute Act in 1991 to "undertake, to co-ordinate, to promote and to assist" in the development of marine research and development in Ireland. Since its early days in Harcourt Street Dublin, it has grown into an internationally respected science body with almost 200 staff, two purpose-built vessels, a research facility near Newport, Co. Mayo, regional port facilities and now a brand new headquarters and laboratory facility at Oranmore, on the shore of Galway Bay. Plankton are microscopic animals and plants that live in the ocean. Like terrestrial plants, vegetable plankton contribute greatly to the production of life-giving oxygen into the atmosphere and the removal of carbon dioxide. Animal and vegetable plankton can also "bloom" in high concentrations, discolouring the water and giving rise to "red tides", such as the bloom of Karenia mikimoti which destroyed a great deal of marine life along the West coast of Ireland in the summer of 2005. Aerosol Particles are tiny airborne particles, about 1 millionth of a meter in size that form haze and cloud layers. They are produced both naturally and by man-made emissions. They block out a fraction of the suns energy which heats up the Earth. More aerosol particles means brighter haze and cloud layers which can reflect more of the suns energy and thus reduce the effects of global warming.
Monday, 19 June 2006
First in series of industry agreements for NUI Galway
NUI Galway has announced a new technology commercialisation agreement with Irish company Technology from Ideas (TfI). Collaborating with NUI Galway's Technology Transfer Office, TfI will source certain categories of technology ideas from NUI Galway researchers for development and sale to industry. The agreement is the first of a series which will be announced over the coming months, each one of which will be for a particular area of research. The agreement forms part of an ongoing strategic initiative for the Technology Transfer Office at NUI Galway in the development, commercial exploitation, industrial partnering and spin-out of technologies under development by a number of research teams at the university. Dr. Daniel O'Mahony, Director of the Technology Transfer Office at NUI Galway, commented, "Collaboration between universities and industry is crucial in taking leading edge research and ideas through to fruition. At NUI Galway we have some of the world's leading scientists across different research areas. Thanks to their continued research efforts and innovation we have a wealth of intellectual property at NUI Galway and its commercialisation will continue to benefit Ireland's burgeoning 'knowledge economy'. In addition, we recognise the importance of transfer of technologies to the market place in as quick a timeframe as possible and in rewarding inventors of such technologies." Under the terms of the agreement, TfI will have access to certain categories of unrealised technologies and technology ideas in the broad engineering and physical sciencs areas. TfI will faciliate NUI Galway in the transfer of these technology research ideas from concept to the laboratory and thereafter to the market and also in the commercial exploitation of certain technologies with established intellectual property. Commenting on the partnership, Dan Richardson, TfI's Managing Director, said, "NUI Galway is an innovator in technology transfer. We want to quickly establish ourselves as a valuable partner for the University and hope that this will be the start of a long-term relationship." The Technology Transfer Office at NUI Galway, is the longest established facility of its kind in Ireland. - ends - Notes for editors Technology from Ideas (TfI) Technology from Ideas (TfI) is a new Irish technology commercialisation company partnered by key players in universities and industry. TfI locates unrealised ideas from university researchers, develops them into investment ready technologies, and sells them to customers worldwide for subsequent development into products. This is achieved through commercially focused development in our own laboratories and together with sales through established technology development company partners. For more information please visit www.technologyfromideas.com. Tel Dan Richardson, Managing Director on +353 86 172 4623.
Monday, 12 June 2006
International Language and Law Conference – 'Give greater protection to the worl
Galway, 14-17 June NUI Galway An international, trilingual (English, French and Irish) conference will take place in NUI Galway, organised by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge and the Irish Centre for Human Rights and sponsored by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs from 14 to 17 June in the Millennium Arts Building. The theme of the conference is: Language Law and Language Rights: The Challenges of Enactment and Implementation. Delegates from over 20 countries will attend to discuss and debate law and language. "The conference is an excellent opportunity for the Gaeltacht, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge and NUI Galway to take a key role in the national and international debate on language and human rights, and to highlight the situation of the Irish language as a positive example of what can be achieved," said Seosamh Mac Donnacha, Academic Coordinator, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. He continued, "The Irish language is now a working language of the European Union, and the Official Languages Act is currently being implemented. It is a chance for us all, also, to learn from the experience in other countries." The Conference will call on UNESCO and the United Nations to give greater protection to minority languages around the world. Keynote speakers include: Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Séan Ó Cuirreáin, an Coimisinéir Teanga/The Language Commissioner Philip Blair, Director, Directorate of Cooperation for Local and Regional Democracy, Council of Europe Dzenana Hadziomerovic, Legal Advisor to the High Commissioner for National Minorities Fernand de Varennes, Australian expert For more information and to register, see http://www.conference.ie/Conferences/index.asp?Conference=24 Contact/teagmháil: Áine Uí Ghiollagáin spokesperson/urlabhraí 10th International Conference on Language and Law 10ú Comhdháil Idirnáisiúnta ar Theanga agus Dlí Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge Gaillimh 091 595987 087 68 22 517 -ends-
Monday, 12 June 2006
Comhdháil Idirnáisiúnta ar Theanga agus Dlí – 'Tabhar cosaint níos fearr ag mion
Gaillimh 14-17 Meithimh in OEG Beidh comhdháil idirnáisiúnta trítheangach (Gaeilge, Béarla agus Fraincis) ag dul ar aghaidh in Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh, eagraithe ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge agus an tIonad Éireannach um Chearta an Duine agus urraithe ag Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta idir 14 agus 17 Meithimh in Áras Dán na Mílaoise. Téama na Comhdhála ná 'Na Dúshláin a Bhaineann le hAchtú agus le Cur i bhFeidhm Dlí agus Cearta Teanga'. Tiocfadh toscairí as níos mó ná 20 tír i láthair chun ceisteanna dlí agus teanga á phlé. "Is deis iontach don Ghaeltacht, d Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge agus d Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh páirt lárnach a thógáil sna díospóireachtaí náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta faoi cearta teanga agus cearta daonna, agus chun cás na Gaeilge a chur chun solais mar shámpla ceannródaíoch", a duirt Seosamh Mac Donnacha, Comhordaitheoir Acadúla, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, faoin gComhdháil. "Tá stádas bainte amach ag an nGaeilge mar theanga oibre san Eorap, agus tá Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla á chur i bhfeidhm faoi láthair. Is seans duinn ar fad, áfach, foghlaim faoin taithí atá sna tíortha eile." Glaofar ar UNESCO agus ar na Náisiúin Aontaithe chun cosaint níos fearr a thabhairt do mionteangacha an domhain. I measc na h-aoíchainteoirí tá: Éamon Ó Cuív, Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta Séan Ó Cuirreáin, an Coimisinéir Teanga Philip Blair, stiúrthóir, Directorate of Cooperation for Local and Regional Democracy, Comhdháil na hEorpa Dzenana Hadziomerovic, comhairleoir dlí ag an Ard-Coimisinéir ar Mhionlaigh Náisiúnta Fernand de Varennes, saineolaí Astrálach Tuilleadh eolais agus clárúchán ar: http://www.conference.ie/Conferences/index.asp?Conference=24 Contact/teagmháil: Áine Uí Ghiollagáin spokesperson/urlabhraí 10th International Conference on Language and Law 10ú Comhdháil Idirnáisiúnta ar Theanga agus Dlí Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge Gaillimh 091 595987 087 68 22 517 -críoch-
Tuesday, 6 June 2006
NUI Galway hosts Summer School on Minority Rights & Indigenous Peoples
Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway, 10th – 15th June 2006 The Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway, with be the location of this year's Summer School on Minority Rights & Indigenous Peoples. Now in its sixth consecutive year, the event has become a permanent fixture in the international human rights calendar, attracting a high level of interesting participants and a host of international speakers from a range of countries. This year the summer school will draw on experts from India, Iran, Ireland, Chile, Canada, Nigeria, South Africa, Greece, Belgium and the United Kingdom. Participants will include: Professor Patrick Thornberry who is one of the 18 independent experts on the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – the committee that analyzed Ireland's submission last year; Ms Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh – a Muslim feminist from Iran who was imprisoned for two months during a crackdown on civil society by the government. According to Dr. Joshua Castellino, Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway, "Over the past five years this event has met with excellent reviews due to the scope of experience of the participants and the blend of interests. Again this year, we are looking forward to the participation of both Geneva based institutions as well as local and national NGOs, thus allowing for a high-caliber event where the international meets the national in an intensive learning process." Several analogous events are planned around the summer school which will be open to the general public. This includes two book launches of work undertaken by staff at the Irish Centre for Human Rights and a special showing of the Irish film Pavee Lackaen with opportunities to interact with those involved in its making. More information is available from Dr. Joshua Castellino on +353 91 49 3725 - ends -
Tuesday, 6 June 2006
International Health Promoters to convene at NUI Galway and Promote Best Practic
NUI Galway's Department of Health Promotion is hosting the 10th Annual Health Promotion Conference on 8-9th June. This event will bring together an international group of health promotion practitioners, academics and policy makers to debate the future of health promotion in Ireland. The 10th Annual Health Promotion Conference is taking place just when the re-organisation of the Irish Health Service poses opportunities and challenges for health promotion, and the future development and growth of health promotion within these new structures. Margaret Barry, Professor of Health Promotion and Public Health at NUI Galway, commented, "This is an exciting opportunity to learn about international developments in how best to promote the health of our population. This conference provides us with the forum to debate the best way forward for Ireland". One of the key-note speakers, Dr. Tang Kwok-Cho from the World Health Organisation, will discuss the Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion in a Globalised World, and what needs to be done in countries to achieve health for all. According to Dr. Kwok-Cho, "The Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion in a Globalised World urges all sectors to act together to achieve health for all by addressing the determinants of health through commitments to make the promotion of health central to global development". At the conference, Dr Claude Rocan, from the Public Health Agency of Canada, will discuss how the environments in which we live are as important to our health as our lifestyles. In Canada, the concept of health promotion has evolved over time, with an early focus on individual behaviour followed by a move to how our environment, in the broadest sense, impacts on health status and health outcomes. Dr Rocan will emphasise the importance of having good evidence for the decisions we make within the health services. The impact of globalisation on health will be addressed by Dr. Peadar Kirby of the Centre for International Studies at Dublin City University (DCU). He will discuss the Irish experience of globalisation and shifting political power, including the social and health impact of globalization. The conference will showcase best practice examples of health promotion across Ireland. Speakers from throughout the country will present projects that aim to improve the health and well-being of the community. These include the impact of the Smoking Ban as well as initiatives to improve health in the workplace, in schools and in local communities. Participants from across Ireland and abroad will debate the future of training, accreditation and standards for people working in the health promotion field. Maria Lordon-Dunphy from the Population Health Directorate, Health Services Executive will discuss the current population health approach within the HSE and the vision of the HSE to enhance the health of people living in Ireland. -ends– For further information contact, Ms Natalie Walsh, Health Promotion Research Centre, Department of Health Promotion, NUI Galway. Tel + 353 91 492722 Email: Christina.Costello@nuigalway.ie
Monday, 31 July 2006
NUI Galway Expands Studies in Irish Translation to Meet Demand
31 July 2006: Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway, is expanding its range of translation studies through the medium of Irish. A new M.A. in Translation Studies has come on stream to meet the rapidly growing demand for professional Irish translators at home and abroad. Applications for the two-year, full-time masters course, the highest accredited course in this discipline ever to be offered in the country, will be accepted until 04 August. The course is also available over one year as a Postgraduate Diploma. "The demand for translators with third-level qualifications has been on the increase since the Official Languages Act which has effectively made all public bodies bilingual. Highly skilled translators are also in demand in Brussels, following the newly-acquired status of Irish as an official working language of the European Union", commented Eoin Ó Droighneáin, Department Head, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway. Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge is NUI Galway's national institute pioneering third-level education through the Irish language. A range of diploma and higher diploma translation courses has been on offer for five years at the Acadamh. The new M.A. in Translation Studies complements the existing offering but also takes the level of accreditation higher. Eoin Ó Droighneáin added, "Acquiring professional translation skills and achieving a recognised third-level qualification is becoming an important career move. Our translation courses are designed to suit people's needs, whether it's a worker who wants to study part-time to improve their career path or someone who wants to study full-time to embark on a new career in Brussels." Part of the Acadamh's agenda is to bring the University to the people and to empower communities in Gaeltacht areas. Its two-year, part-time diploma in translation studies will be held in September in Ráth Cairn, Co. Meath; Gleann Cholm Cille, Co. Donegal; and in An Cheathrú Rua, Co. Galway. In addition to translation courses, NUI Galway's Acadamh offers a growing range of courses through Irish including: Communications; TV & Radio Skills; Language Planning; Drama; and IT. Applications are now being accepted for all courses. For more information, telephone Cassie Ní Chathasaigh in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway, on 091 869 022 or e-mail aistriuchan@oegaillimh.ie -end-
Monday, 31 July 2006
Cúrsaí i Léann an Aistriúcháin Ghaeilge á soláthar ag OÉ Gaillimh
31 Iúil 2006: Tá Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, OÉ Gaillimh, ag leathnú a raon cúrsaí trí Ghaeilge i Léann an Aistriúcháin. Tá M.A. nua i Léann an Aistriúcháin ann anois chun an t-éileamh ar aistritheoirí gairmiúla Gaeilge in Éirinn agus thar lear, éileamh atá ag fás go tapa, a shásamh. Is é an cúrsa M.A. lánaimseartha thar dhá bhliain seo an cúrsa is airde creidiúnaithe dar cuireadh ar fáil riamh in Éirinn san aistriúchán Gaeilge. Glacfar le hiarratais go dtí an 4 Lúnasa. Tá an cúrsa ar fáil freisin mar Dhioplóma Iarchéime, thar bhliain amháin. "Tá an t-éileamh ar aistritheoirí a bhfuil cáilíochtaí tríú leibhéal acu ag méadú ó tugadh isteach Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, a dhéanann cuideachta dhátheangach de gach cuideachta phoiblí in Éirinn. Tá éileamh ar aistritheoirí a bhfuil ardscileanna acu sa Bhruiséil freisin mar gur glacadh leis an nGaeilge le déanaí mar theanga oifigiúil oibre de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh", a dúirt Eoin Ó Droighneáin, Ceann an Aonaid Aistriúcháin, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, OÉ Gaillimh. Is é Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge institiúid náisiúnta OÉ Gaillimh chun ceannródaíocht a thabhairt i réimse an oideachais tríú leibhéal trí Ghaeilge. Tá raon cúrsaí aistriúcháin ag leibhéal dioplóma agus ard-dioplóma á thairiscint ag an Acadamh le cúig bliana anuas. Cuireann an M.A. nua i Léann an Aistriúcháin leis an méid atá ann cheana féin agus cuireann sé creidiúnú ar fáil atá níos airde ná rud ar bith a bhí ann go dtí seo. Dúirt Eoin Ó Droighneáin freisin, "Is céim chun cinn thábhachtach anois ó thaobh gairme de scileanna gairmiúla aistriúcháin a shealbhú agus cáilíocht aitheanta tríú leibhéal a bhaint amach. Tá ár gcúrsaí deartha le dul in oiriúint do riachtanais daoine éagsúla, m.sh. duine atá ag obair agus atá ag iarraidh staidéar páirtaimseartha a dhéanamh le cur ar a c(h)umas dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ó thaobh gairme de nó duine atá ag iarraidh staidéar lánaimseartha a dhéanamh le bheith in ann tabhairt faoi ghairm bheatha nua sa Bhruiséil." Is cuid de chlár oibre an Acadaimh é an Ollscoil a thabhairt go dtí na daoine agus cumhacht a thabhairt do na pobail sna ceantair Ghaeltachta. Reáchtálfar an dioplóma páirtaimseartha dhá bhliain i Léann an Aistriúcháin i mí Mheán Fómhair i Ráth Cairn, Co. na Mí; i nGleann Cholm Cille, Co. Dhún na nGall; agus ar an gCeathrú Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe. Chomh maith le cúrsaí aistriúcháin, cuireann Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, OÉ Gaillimh, raon cúrsaí trí Ghaeilge ar fáil, raon atá ag fás i gcónaí. Áirítear ar na cúrsaí sin: Cumarsáid; Scileanna Teilifíse agus Raidió; Pleanáil Teanga; Drámaíocht; agus Teicneolaíocht Faisnéise. Táthar ag glacadh anois le hiarratais le haghaidh na gcúrsaí ar fad. Is féidir tuilleadh eolais a fháil ach glaoch ar Chassie Ní Chathasaigh in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, OÉ Gaillimh, ag 091 869022 nó ríomhphost a sheoladh chuig aistriuchan@oegaillimh.ie -críoch-
Monday, 24 July 2006
NUI Galway delivers new Distance Learning Degree in Community and Family Studies
Details of a new degree in Community and Family Studies, to be delivered through distance learning, have been announced by NUI Galway's Community Education Centre. The four-year part-time degree will commence in late September with a closing date for applications on September 15th. This degree is designed to enable participants to further develop and enhance their understanding, knowledge and skills relevant to Family and Community work practice and policy in Ireland or abroad. Areas of study will include community development, family support, adolescence, childcare, health, political and general socio-economics. To accommodate the work and family commitments of adult learners, the course will be delivered through distance learning, which is a combination of workshops, assignments and learning materials. Students will attend around six workshops per year. The workshops will be held at a number of geographic locations throughout Ireland: Galway, Clare/Limerick, Leitrim and Offaly. Deirdre Hardiman, Community Education Officer, NUI Galway, commented, "Following on from the existing success of the Diploma in Community Development Practice, the degree will serve NUI Galway's strategy of supporting the social, economic, educational and cultural needs of Irish Society. The new course has already generated huge interest among development agencies, community activists, social workers and volunteers around the country". The Batchelor of Arts course will be run by NUI Galway's Community Education Centre. Students are awarded an NUI Diploma in Arts: Community and Family Studies upon successful completion of the first two years of the programme and a Bachelor of Arts Community and Family Studies on completion of the four-year cycle. Application forms are available from and should be returned to the Programme Administrator, Community Education Centre, Hygeia Office Block, Nuns Island, NUI, Galway, Tel: 091 495472. Application forms may also be downloaded from: http://www.nuigalway.ie/communityeducation Deadline for Application: Friday, September 15th 2006 -ends-
Monday, 24 July 2006
Chronic Pain Research Secures Major UK Award for NUI Galway Lecturer
24 July 2006: An NUI Galway researcher has won a major award in the UK for his ongoing work in combating chronic pain. Dr David Finn, a lecturer in the department of Physiology at NUI Galway, is today being awarded the prestigious 2006 Wyeth Pre-Clinical Award, by the British Association for Psychopharmacology, at a ceremony in Oxford. Chronic, persistent pain affects millions of people worldwide, significantly impairing health and well-being and is the most common symptom for which patients seek medical help. In Ireland, over half a million people suffer from chronic pain on a daily basis. The overall objective of Dr Finn's research is to increase understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms by which stress impacts on pain, inflammation, mood disorders and cognition. According to Dr Finn, "Suffering due to persistent pain has significant, far-reaching socio-economic consequences. Pain is likely to become an even greater medical and socioeconomic problem in countries like Ireland, which have an increasingly ageing population". In the working population, lower back pain is responsible for more disability than cancer, heart disease, stroke and AIDS combined. One in six people in Ireland suffering from pain has lost a job because of their condition and pain costs the Irish economy over €1.2 million per week in disability benefit payments alone (Pain in Europe Study, 2003). Dr Finn's research looks into three different research fields; pain, aversion (i.e. stress and anxiety) and cannabinoids. Cannabinaoids are the biologically active constituents of the cannabis plant or their biologically active synthetic alternatives. In 2005, Dr David Finn was awarded a President of Ireland Young Researcher Award (PIYRA), worth in excess of €900,000. - ends -
Monday, 24 July 2006
Asylum Seekers help foster a 'Global Village' through NUI Galway Technology Cour
24 July 2006: NUI Galway's Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI) will today (Monday) present certificates to eighteen Galway-based asylum seekers who have completed its web technology course. Presentations will also be made to companies and individuals who contributed to its 'Community Computer Recycling' initiative. Eamon Ó Cúiv, T.D., Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, and Cllr. Niall Ó Brolcháin, Mayor of Galway, will be special guests at the ceremony. DERI, funded by Science Foundation of Ireland (SFI) and based at NUI Galway, is at the forefront of European research into the next stage of web technology known as the Semantic Web. Through its extensive local outreach programme, it has helped contribute enormously over the last two years to the development of what it calls 'An Online Galway Accessible to All'. According to Brendan Smith, DERI's Community/Education officer, "The course for asylum seekers took place in the computer room of the Eglinton Hotel, Salthill. Over a six-month period, 48 individuals attended and were provided with the facilities to learn how to set up their own personal websites, utilise email, computer telephony and other online communication services. The greatest benefit for participants was that the course provided them with the opportunity to re-establish and maintain regular direct and real-time contact with their friends and families in their homelands or elsewhere around the world. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and organisations such as Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Galway Technical Institute and the Galway Public Library, many of these students will now have their own personal computer." DERI's internet courses operate throughout Galway City and county. In cooperation with Galway City Council, Galway County Council, HSE, Galway Centre for Independent Living and other NUI Galway departments, DERI provides technology courses to an array of communities including active retirement organisations, parents groups, business people, residents associations, schools and specific groups such as Gort's Brazilian population. - ends - For further information please contact Brendan Smith. Community & Educational Outreach Officer, Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI), NUI Galway brendan.smith@deri.org. 087-2935106
Thursday, 20 July 2006
President's praise for online Diploma in Irish Studies at NUI Galway
17 July 2006: Since it was first introduced in 2003, more than 500 international students have taken part in NUI Galway's online Diploma in Irish Studies. Now, for the first time, the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway, is recruiting students from Ireland for the next cycle of the online diploma, which will begin in September 2006. The unique course has been endorsed by President Mary McAleese, who recently participated in an online seminar with students at Regis University in the USA. Expressing her enthusiastic support for the programme, the President commented, "Could anything better typify the move from donkey-and-cart picture postcard Ireland to the high-tech global leader in software technology that Ireland has become in recent decades? Here is a place for the intellectually curious to have their imaginations stretched and challenged." This programme, the first of its kind in the world, has been developed by NUI Galway in partnership with Regis University, Denver, Colorado, and is targeted at non-traditional and mature students primarily who do not have access to traditional programmes of study in this area. The purpose of the course is to provide a basic introduction to Irish life and culture through the disciplines of Archaeology, History, English, Irish, Political Science and Sociology. President McAleese went on to pay tribute to those involved in delivering the programme, "You are playing an important part in the shaping and reshaping of this new Ireland with its unique meld of the quaint and quantum physics, of tradition and trade, of craic and computer." The Presidential endorsement was welcomed by Dr Louis de Paor, Director of the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway. 'We were delighted to have the opportunity to showcase Irish Studies online for President McAleese and even more so when she volunteered to participate in one of the online seminars. This online programme has been popular among students from North America, Japan, Malaysia, Afghanistan, and, more recently, from Australia and New Zealand. By opening it up to students based in Ireland, we hope to build on this success." Full details are available on the programme website at www.irishstudiesonline.org or from Samantha Williams at samantha.williams@nuigalway.ie -ends–
Friday, 14 July 2006
Tánaiste launches NUI Galway's €3 million Irish Centre for Social Gerontology
- as Professor warns of economic and social challenges facing Ireland's ageing population - At the launch of Ireland's first dedicated research centre on economic and social ageing, the Director of the new Irish Centre for Social Gerontology (ICSG) at NUI Galway, Professor Eamon O'Shea, today warned policy makers of the challenges facing rural communities as Ireland's demographics alter dramatically over the next number of years. Professor O'Shea warned of huge demographic changes ahead as one in four Irish people would be over the age of 65 by 2050 compared to the current figure of around one in ten. However, population shifts into towns and cities means that in some local rural districts up to one in three of the population may already be aged 65 years or over, particularly in Western regions. Meeting the personal and social needs of these scattered and ageing rural communities is a real challenge for Irish society and the disenfranchisement being felt by Ireland's rural aged will become acute over the next number of years without adequate investment in services and infrastructure. Professor O'Shea's comments were delivered at the official launch by An Tánaiste, Mary Harney TD, of the new €3 million Irish Centre for Social Gerontology at the JE Cairnes Graduate School of Business and Public Policy at NUI Galway. The Centre is the first of its type in Ireland which will examine the economic and social aspects of Ireland's ageing population across multiple disciplines including: social gerontology, economics, sociology, psychology, law, nursing and medicine. Professor O'Shea welcomed the Government's support for the Centre as an important step which would facilitate comprehensive research in the area and identify problem areas for Ireland's elderly. Speaking at the launch of the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, Professor O'Shea said, "Ireland is on the cusp of major demographic changes and the ICSG will be a vital resource in assisting Ireland's policy makers to plan and make provision for Ireland's ageing population. The formulation and implementation of measures to improve and enhance the participation of older people in economic, social and civic life has not been heretofore properly addressed in research in Ireland. Older people have too often been seen as drawing on public resources rather than as net contributors to society. ICSG seeks to both inform and influence attitudes to, and expectations of, older people as well as exploring innovative ways, through technology for example, to ensure that older people play a full part in society at all levels. Each of us has a role to play in ensuring that we include older people in social and community initiatives. " ICSG recently co- produced a research report funded by the National Council on Ageing and Older People on the quality of life for older people in long stay facilities and is currently completing a further report for the Council on the quality of life of older people living at home with a chronic illness or disability. ICSG is also working on a number of other research projects in the following areas: volunteerism, technology, dementia, and the ethnogerontology of Irish-born immigrant populations. ICSG is funded through a combination of public and private funding, including important financial support from Atlantic Philanthropies, and will work closely with stakeholder groups including Age and Opportunity, Age Action Ireland, Senior Citizens Parliament and the Federation of Active Retirement Associations to promote a holistic and positive view of ageing in Ireland. From September 2006, the ICSG will offer Ireland's first Diploma in Social Gerontology. -ends-
Friday, 14 July 2006
Seolann an Tánaiste Ionad €3 Mhilliún OÉ Gaillimh don tSeaneolaíocht Shóisialta
- agus deir Ollamh amháin go mbeidh dúshláin mhóra eacnamaíocha agus shóisialta ag pobal scothaosta na hÉireann - Agus an chéad ionad taighde don aosú eacnamaíoch agus sóisialta á sheoladh in Éirinn, chuir Stiúrthóir an Ionaid nua don tSeaneolaíocht Shóisialta (ICSG) in OÉ Gaillimh, an tOllamh Eamon O'Shea, fainic ar do lucht déanta beartais faoi na dúshláin a bheadh ag pobail tuaithe na hÉireann sna blianta beaga le teacht mar gheall ar an athrú a thiocfaidh ar dhéimeagrafaic na tíre. Dúirt an tOllamh O'Shea go mbeadh athruithe móra déimeagrafacha ann sa todhchaí mar go mbeadh duine as gach ceathrar in Éirinn os cionn 65 faoi 2050, i gcomparáid le duine as deichniúr faoi láthair. Ach mar gheall go bhfuil go leor den daonra ag bogadh isteach i mbailte agus i gcathracha, ciallaíonn sé go bhfuil duine as gach triúr, i gceantair thuaithe áirithe, 65 bliain d'aois nó os a chionn cheana féin, go háirithe san Iarthar. Tá deacracht ag sochaí na hÉireann déileáil le riachtanais phearsanta agus shóisialta na ndaoine scothaosta faoin tuath mar atá siad agus is in olcas a bheas an scéal ag dul sna blianta amach romhainn gan infheistíocht cheart i seirbhísí agus in infrastruchtúr. Is í an Tánaiste, Mary Harney TD, a chuir tuairimí an Ollaimh i láthair agus an tIonad nua €3 mhilliún don tSeaneolaíocht Shóisialta á sheoladh aici i Scoil Iarchéime JE Cairnes don Ghnó & don Bheartas Poiblí in OÉ Gaillimh. Is é seo an chéad ionad den chineál seo in Éirinn a bhreathnóidh ar ghnéithe eacnamaíocha agus sóisialta de dhaonra scothaosta na hÉireann i ndisciplíní éagsúla cosúil le: seaneolaíocht shóisialta, eacnamaíocht, socheolaíocht, síceolaíocht, dlí, altranas agus leigheas. D'fháiltigh an tOllamh O'Shea roimh thacaíocht an Rialtais don Ionad mar chéim thábhachtach a d'éascódh taighde cuimsitheach a dhéanamh sa réimse agus fadhbanna na ndaoine scothaosta in Éirinn a aithint. Ag labhairt dó ag an seoladh dúirt an tOllamh, "Tiocfaidh athruithe suntasacha ar dhéimeagrafaic na hÉireann go gairid agus beidh an tIonad seo ina acmhainn riachtanach a chabhróidh le lucht déanta beartais na hÉireann pleanáil agus soláthar a dhéanamh do dhaoine scothaosta na hÉireann. Nuair a rinneadh iarrachtaí roimhe seo páirt na ndaoine seo sa saol eacnamaíoch, sóisialta agus sibhialta a fheabhsú i gceart ní dhearnadh dóthain taighde air. Breathnaítear go minic ar dhaoine scothaosta mar dhaoine a chaitheann acmhainní poiblí seachas mar dhaoine a fheabhsaíonn an tsochaí. Déanfaidh an tIonad seo iarracht an meon i leith na ndaoine seo a fheabhsú chomh maith le bealaí nua a fháil, trí theicneolaíocht mar shampla, lena chinntiú go mbeidh páirt iomlán ag daoine scothaosta sa tsochaí. Tá ról ag gach aon duine againn maidir lena chinntiú go bhfuil áit ag daoine scothaosta i dtionscnaimh shóisialta agus phobail. " Chabhraigh an tIonad le tuarascáil a chuaigh amach le gairid a bhí maoinithe ag an gComhairle Náisiúnta um Dhul in Aois agus Daoine Scothaosta maidir le caighdeán saoil daoine scothaosta i gcúram fadchónaithe. Faoi láthair, tá tuarascáil eile á críochnú ag an Ionad don Chomhairle maidir le caighdeán saoil daoine scothaosta a bhíonn ina gcónaí sa bhaile agus tinneas ainsealach nó míchumas orthu. Tá an ICSG ag obair chomh maith ar chúpla tionscadal taighde eile sna réimsí seo a leanas: obair dheonach, teicneolaíocht, néaltrú, agus eitnisheaneolaíocht na n-inimirceach a rugadh in Éirinn. Faigheann an ICSG maoiniú poiblí agus príobháideach, lena n-áirítear tacaíocht airgeadais ó Atlantic Philanthropies, agus oibreoidh sé go dlúth le páirtithe leasmhara lena n-áirítear Age and Opportunity, Age Action Ireland, Senior Citizens Parliament agus an Federation of Active Retirement Associations chun meon iomlánaíoch agus dearfach den aosú in Éirinn a chur chun cinn. Ó Mheán Fómhair 2006, cuirfidh an ICSG an chéad Dioplóma i Seaneolaíocht Shóisialta in Éirinn ar fáil. - Críoch -
Thursday, 13 July 2006
International Conference Highlights Ireland's 7th Century Knowledge Economy
An international conference taking place at NUI Galway illustrates how Irish scholars were at the forefront of scientific knowledge in Western Europe as far back as the 7th century. The Science of Computus conference which takes place from Friday, July 14th - Sunday July 16th, will bring together leading scholars from all across Europe, the US and Japan to look at the contribution of Ireland to the development of European science and the origins of present-day mathematical and astronomical ideas. The Science of Computus – the mathematics required to calculate the date of Easter -provoked much debate and controversy in early medieval times. The date of Easter was the most important in the Christian calendar as it dictated the date of all other Christian festivals. However, it was the Irish who led the way in developing mathematical models by which the date of Easter could be most accurately decided, becoming since the 7th century the leading experts in the field of computistics study. Irish scholars travelled throughout Europe gaining a reputation for their knowledge and learning, and held influential positions in courts across Europe. Ireland now seeks to lead the way in Europe's Knowledge Economy. Millions are being invested in producing high-level graduates in the field of technology and science. However, as conference coordinator and Ireland's pre-eminent early medieval scholar, NUI Galway's Prof. Dáibhí Ó Cróinín notes, "From the seventh century Ireland led the way in scientific learning and knowledge throughout Western Europe. Ireland was the knowledge economy of the 'Dark Ages', we invented it. The Irish were head-hunted across Europe for their mathematical and scientific knowledge. Like the early medieval ages, the spread of the Irish diaspora across the world ensures Irish men and women remain in key positions of influence across Europe and the world. However, we now face a challenge in developing our knowledge based economy and recreating the scientific knowledge and learning that was a key feature in the seventh century. Ireland not only needs to attract high-quality researchers but also to invest in its own graduates to ensure that we are to the forefront of scientific learning in Europe." For further information please see conference website at www.foundationsirishculture.ie/conference2006. -ends- For further information, please contact Prof. Dáibhí Ó Cróinín,Department of History, NUI Galway. Tel : 091 492 697
Wednesday, 12 July 2006
NUI Galway's Prof. William Schabas Appointed to Human Rights Board by UN Secreta
United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has appointed Professor William Schabas, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway, to the Board of Trustees of the Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in Human Rights. The Voluntary Fund was established in 1987 by UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar to provide technical cooperation to countries upon the request of their Governments. The focus is on providing practical assistance for the building and strengthening of national structures that have a direct impact on the overall observance of human rights and the maintenance of the rule of law. The Board of Trustees assists in fund-raising and provides expert advice and support to the Voluntary Fund. Members are appointed by the Secretary-General for a three-year term and are chosen for their independence and wide experience in the field of human rights and technical cooperation. Commenting on his appointment, Professor Schabas, said: "It is a great honour to be selected to join this distinguished Board and I look forward to taking up the challenge to develop and advise on human rights structures across the globe. I welcome the opportunity to assist the Secretary-General, and the High Commissioner for Human Rights in building the fund and strengthening its already important impact in the promotion of human rights." Professor Schabas will join human rights notables on the Board, such as Ligia Bolivar Osuna from Venezula, Mary Chinery-Hese from Ghana, Vitit Muntarbhorn from Thailand and Viacheslav I. Bakhmin from Russia. William Schabas is Professor of Human Rights Law at NUI Galway, where he has been the Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights since 2000. He will continue in his role as Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights while serving as a board member of the Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in Human Rights. -ends- Professor William A. Schabas Irish Centre for Human Rights Tel: + 353 (0)87 412 9551
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