Two Galway Colleges to compete in Kayaking Intervarsities

By Katie Finnegan

To be published in SIN in February 2012, Published on Studenty.me 21/01/2012

GALWAY-Mayo Institute of Technology Castlebar is to host the Irish Kayaking Intervarsities this year bringing an estimated 500 competitors and spectators to the area.

Kayak Varsiteis in Galway 2010 - Photo from www.nuigkc.com

The annual event kicks off on the 17^th of February where students from 18 colleges, including the two Galway colleges will compete for prestigious titles in events such as whitewater, freestyle, canoe polo and long distance kayaking.

GMIT Galway will be competing with their counterparts in Castlebar and NUI Galway will be entering separately. NUI Galway has been awarded the overall trophy 16 times in the last 23 years with the most recent being in 2007. They also placed second in 2010 when they hosted the event here in Galway.

Captain of NUIG Kayak Club, Alan O’Dwyer is looking forward to this year’s event. “This year we’re sending around 50 club members to Castlebar to compete in the varsities. We’ve been training for the last few months and have solid teams in place. Last year due to internal issues we were not allowed to compete in all events and hence placed uncharacteristically low. This year we will be competing in all events, and are aiming to reclaim our position at the top."

Kayak Varsiteis in Galway 2010 - Photo from www.nuigkc.com

Commenting on the event, Stephen Hannon, lecturer on the GMIT BA in
Outdoor Education Programme, said: "GMIT Castlebar is delighted to host
the Irish Kayaking Intervarsities. GMIT Castlebar is a small campus but
is a genuine “adventure-sports hub” with hills, rivers and the sea
close by. The Kayaking Intervarsities will be a good way to highlight
this adventure sports hub and the excellent town centre watersports
amenity of Lough Lannagh.”

The competition commences on Friday the 17^th of February with the Polo event being held on Lough Lannagh in Castlebar. On Saturday the whitewater event will be held on the Clydagh River, Castlebar, with the freestyle event running in Tuam on the Clare River. On Sunday, the final event will be the long distance race. It will take place at Moorehall just outside Castlebar. The closing awards ceremony and presentation of prizes will take place in GMIT Castlebar in the afternoon.

Kayak Varsiteis in Galway 2010 - Photo from www.nuigkc.com

The public is encouraged to come along to watch the events and can witness the entertaining events from the shore and join the celebrations.

GMIT Sports officer Nigel Jennings, said: “The 2012 Kayaking Intervarsities will bring the very best kayakers from all the colleges and universities in the country to Castlebar to battle it out for this year’s honours and for our part GMIT Castlebar is extremely proud to host this prestigious event. It’s a huge occasion for  Castlebar with over 300 competitors taking part in addition to the abundance of supporters, which will obviously be an economic boost to the locality.”

Kayak Varsiteis in Galway 2010 - Photo from www.nuigkc.com

The NUIG Kayak Club is one of the biggest clubs in the college, and one of the largest and oldest kayak clubs in the country. This year marks the 35^th anniversary of the Club. For information on sessions, visit www.nuigkc.com.

The varsities run from the 17^th-19^th of February. For more information check out the facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002326542279

Major jobs boost as construction resumes on NUI Galway campus

By Katie Finnegan

Published in SIN Newspaper - January 2012

The Quad, NUIG

There was a major boost for employment in the West of Ireland today as NUI Galway announced the beginning of five construction projects on its city-centre campus. An estimated 400 jobs are expected to be created in the construction sector as work begins on five new buildings valued at €75 million. The projects were being developed last year when construction company, McNamara went into receivership.

Galway-based contractor JJ Rhattigan Construction won the tender for the construction works following a rigorous tendering process for the contract. They have been awarded the contract to complete three of the buildings including an arts, humanities and social sciences center, beside the existing James Hardiman library, which aims to integrate work in the humanities, digital cultures, creative industries, business, social sciences, human rights, advocacy and public policy. All three should be completed by late 2012/early 2013, according to the university.

Works will also begin on two buildings dedicated to biomedical science research – one on campus along the river Corrib at Dangan, and one on the grounds of University Hospital, Galway. JJ Rhatigan Co will also be overseeing these projects. Together, these two facilities will enable NUI Galway to build on its existing strength in the biomedical sciences area.

Arts Millennium Building - NUIG

An €8 million extension to the arts millennium building, where an expanding school of psychology will be located is also being developed by the company. Construction on this has already begun, with access to some areas of the college, such as the Arts Millenium car park being cut off.

University president Jim Browne said he was delighted “strategically important projects” were underway, bringing an immediate benefit to the local construction sector.

“Concentrating resources on biomedical science and arts, humanities and social sciences research at NUIG will have a major impact on the medical technologies and the creative arts industries in the west of Ireland,” Dr Browne said.
Vice President for capital projects at NUI Galway, Keith Warnock says the developments are no longer victim to the recession. He also said the investment in “world-class facilities” for students involved spending an estimated €750,000 a week on campus development.

JJ Rhatigan was recently responsible for the redevelopment of the on-campus restaurant “An Bhialinn”. An Bialann is located under the podium slab to the front, or north face of the James Hardiman Library, a protected structure in NUI Galway.

Meanwhile, a new partnership between Druid Theatre Company, Galway Arts Festival, Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe and NUIG will see the groups bringing their expertise to students applying for a new course in performance studies.
Well-known director Garry Hynes is heading up the four-year BA in Drama, Theatre and Performance studies. 
The seminars will involve acting and directing, while the workshops and internships will be with professional theatre companies and arts organisations.

The first intake of students -- through the CAO process -- will begin next September.

Gym membership for all students

By Katie Finnegan

Published in SIN Newspaper - January 2012

Kingfisher Building on the grounds of NUIG

At the Clubs Captain meeting held early last week, the subject of Universal Gym membership was brought up once again. The University is very keen to push this, more-so than last year.

According to Eamonn Flynn, NUIG Clubs Captain, the proposal is to increase the student levy, ‘by no more than €50’ per year and is not set to be raised over the coming years. This would be in addition to the €224 levy currently paid by students. This in turn would remove the current 250 euro student charge for membership to the gym on the university grounds.

The introduction of universal gym membership would entitle every student to use the facilities in the Kingfisher. According to SU President, Emmet Connolly; “extensive renovations would need to be made to the gym to accommodate increased numbers and must occur before students are asked to pay an increased levy.”

 This was confirmed at the Clubs Captains meeting by Eamonn Flynn who said that there is in fact a proposal to extend the current building as well as making some changes to the inside of the building. The addition of a dedicated clubs area is being looked at.

The €50 levy would not be brought in until final works on the building would be completed, which, if it goes ahead, would hopefully be completed for the start of the academic year in September 2013.

Currently, a petition is being signed in favour of this proposal, and if the signatures are received, ‘a comprehensive proposal regarding such a deal will be put before the student body by referendum in mid-to-late February” said Emmet Connolly.

This proposal has been met with mixed reaction from the students with many for and many against the proposal. It is not the first time that the University has attempted to introduce universal membership for all students. One third year arts student, Sarah O’Connor, explained how she felt that it was unnecessary to introduce more fees ‘when most people will probably never use it. It’s only going to benefit a handful of people’. David Coyle, a final year chemistry student feels slightly differently, “If the college, and Kingfisher stick to these terms this can only benefit the student body. As it stands, there's a huge, modern facility on our campus - that we're paying a levy towards - but can't use without paying for.”

Three NUI Galway academics to sit on Council of State

By Katie Finnegan
Published in SIN Newspaper - January 2012
 

President Michael D.Higgins

THREE NUI Galway academics have been chosen by President Michael D Higgins as appointees to the Council of State.

Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness and Professor Gerard Quinn were appointed by the president along with four others.

Professor Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh

Professor Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh is a retired history professor and a former dean of arts and vice-president of the college. Professor Ó Tuathaigh has held many important roles including having been a member of the Senate of the NUI and of the Irish-US Fulbright Commission and has also been a former cathaoirleach of Údarás na Gaeltachta. Prof Ó Tuathaigh has been widely published in both Irish and English on many different areas of modern Irish history.

Judge Catherine McGuinness

Judge Catherine McGuinness was called to the Bar in 1977 and to the Inner Bar in 1989. She was a member of Seanad Éireann from 1979-82 and was previously a member of the council of state from 1988-90. She served as a judge of the Circuit Court from 1994-1996, of the High Court from 1996-2000 and of the Supreme Court from 2000-2006. From 2005-2011, she was president of the Law Reform Commission. She is currently the adjunct professor of law at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Professor Gerard Quinn is the current Director of the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at NUI Galway. The center is part of a new research institute researching policy innovation covering age, child and family as well as disability. A graduate of UCG, he holds a master’s and doctorate in law from Harvard Law School. His specialisation is international and comparative disability law and policy.

Gerard Quinn

He has worked in the European Commission and is a former member of the Irish Human Rights Commission.

The four others are Sally Mulready, a councillor in Hackney in London, is a prominent emigrant rights activist in Britain who moved there from Dublin in the 1970s. Prof Deirdre Heenan of the University of Ulster, human rights lawyer Michael Farrell and finally Ruairí McKiernan (32), a social entrepreneur from Cootehill, Co Cavan.

During his presidential campaign, Mr Higgins promised that if elected president he would make sure the council was “representative in an inclusive sense”.

The Council of State is the body established under the Constitution to advise the President in the exercise of his powers. Presidents can convene the council to consider legislation, but are not bound by its recommendations.

Bertie Ahern

The council is composed of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Chief Justice, the president of the High Court, the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, the Attorney General, and former presidents, taoisigh and chief justices who are able and willing to act on the council. Aside from the seven appointed members, the current “ex officio” members of the Council of State are Taoiseach Enda Kenny; Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore; Chief Justice Mrs Justice Susan Denham, Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett, Seanad Cathaoirleach Senator Patrick Burke, president of the High Court Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns and Attorney General Máire Whelan.

The other members are former presidents Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson, former taoisigh Liam Cosgrave, John Bruton, Albert Reynolds, Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen; and former chief justices John L Murray, Thomas Finlay and Ronan Keane.

NUIG Professor to receive major award

By Katie Finnegan
Published in SIN Newspaper - January 2012

Professor Frank Barry

ONE OF Ireland’s leading scientists working in the field of stem cell therapy is to receive a major award in recognition of his work at NUI Galway.

Professor Frank Barry, Director of the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science at NUI Galway, is to receive the Marshall R. Urist Award for Excellence in Tissue Regeneration Research. It is the first time the award will go a scientist working outside of the US. 

The award was created in 1996 and is sponsored by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. This esteemed award honours people that have established themselves as a cutting-edge researchers in tissue regeneration research. It was was named after Dr Marshall R. Urist (1914-2001) who carried out pioneering studies on bone induction and the identification of bone morphogenetic protein which transformed orthopaedic medicine. 

Harry A. McKellop, Chair of the Awards and Recognition Committee of the Orthopaedic Research Society, said: “The Urist Award honours investigators who have made significant contributions to research in tissue regeneration. It is presented to Professor Barry in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of cell mediated therapies in bone and joint repair, and the impact of his research on improving the understanding of tissue regeneration and joint metabolism.”

Orbson Building, home to REMIDI in NUIG

Professor Frank Barry, originally from Cobh in Co.Cork, moved to the US in 1990 to work with Osiris Therapeutics in Baltimore. This company is currently one of the leading companies engaged in the development of stem cell therapies.  He returned to Ireland in 2004 and is currently Scientific Director of the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) based in the Orbsen Building at NUI Galway. 

In 2009, he took over as Director of NCBES and manages 70 academic investigators and 300 researchers who develop groundbreaking diagnostic and therapeutic solutions in the areas of Biomedical Engineering, Cancer, Neuroscience, and Regenerative Medicine.

Dr Ernesto Canalis, former recipient

Speaking after the announcement of the award, Professor Barry stated; “It is an extraordinary honour for me personally to receive this award and I am very grateful to the Orthopaedic Research Society for recognising the research I have been involved in over the last number of years. I am fully aware that research of this nature involves teams of scientists and I have been very fortunate to work with many talented and innovative researchers in the US and especially now at NUI Galway.”

Professor Barry will be presented with a commemorative plaque and an honorarium of $5000 during the 2012 Annual Meeting of the ORS in San Francisco, on 6 February.

Professor Barry will join the company of previous distinguished recipients, including Drs. Ernesto Canalis, A. Hari Redi, Arnold Caplan, Richard Coutts, Thomas Einhorn, Steven Goldstein, Rocky Tuan, Farshid Guilak, Chris Evans, Vicky Rosen and Jay Lieberman.

NUI Galway Appoints Ireland’s First Professor of Midwifery

By Katie Finnegan

Published in SIN Newspaper January 2012

Professor Declan Devane

NUI Galway has announced the appointment of the Republic of Ireland’s first Professor of Midwifery.

Professor Declan Devane is based at NUI Galway’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. The school has approximately 700 students and is at the forefront of nursing and midwifery education and research in Ireland.

Every year, over 75,000 babies are born in Ireland. Commenting on his appointment, Professor Devane said that he was delighted and honoured to accept the new role: “My hope is that my appointment will enable me to work with those who seek a better service for childbearing women and their children. Most births take place against a backdrop of sub-optimal infrastructure, in large and aging hospitals with too few delivery suites.”

Dr Jim Browne, President of NUI Galway, said: “Professor Devane has a proven record of excellence in teaching and research. Through his research work, his professional activities and his interest in developing international collaborations, Professor Devane will make a valuable contribution to the success of our School of Nursing and Midwifery, which has established a growing research reputation.”

Over his 22-year career in nursing and midwifery, Professor Devane has established an international reputation as a leading researcher and scholar in his areas of expertise, which include the implementation and evaluation of models of maternity care and on methods of assessment of fetal wellbeing.

Professor Devane qualified as a nurse in Galway and as a midwife in Bristol and Gloucestershire, where he worked before returning to Ireland to work in the Rotunda, the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital and in Trinity College Dublin.


He is a member of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Expert Network of Research Advisors, a member of the Midwifery Committee of An Bord Altranais, and an Honorary Visiting Fellow of both the UK Cochrane Centre and the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital.

Professor Devane is passionate about the care of children with serious illnesses, particularly those with life-limiting illness, and is a Director of the children’s cancer charity for the West, Hand in Hand (http://www.handinhand.ie). In 2009, combining fundraising activities for this charity with his love of scuba diving, he raised over €35,000 for charity and simultaneously set a Guinness World Record for the ‘Longest open saltwater SCUBA dive (cold water)’.