University News

In both the QS and Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, NUI Galway saw a sustained improvement in its position confirming that its global reputation continues to grow. This represents steady progress towards achieving the University’s vision for 2020, as outlined in the new Strategic Plan. The achievement is all the more marked considering the challenging environment we continue to face in higher education in Ireland, as well as the increased competition from around the world.

THE rankings success

In this year’s THE Rankings, NUI Galway improved its overall scores and maintained its position. While most Irish universities registered a fall in the rankings this year, the University remains in the 251-275 band and continues to be ranked third in Ireland.

QS world ranking rise

Earlier in September 2015, the University increased its position to 271st in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2015/2016, one of just two Irish universities to improve their standing this year. This nine-point rise is significant given that it is a further gain on last year’s improved position. NUI Galway also ranked in the Top 100 most international universities in 2015 in Times Higher Education’s indicator for international outlook.

Researchers among world’s best

Earlier this year, Thomson Reuters ranked four outstanding researchers from NUI Galway among the ‘World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds: 2015’ – more than any other Irish university. The 3,000 international academics named on the list earned their distinction by publishing the highest number of articles that rank among those most frequently cited by fellow researchers. Congratulations to Professor Henry Curran, Professor Colin O’Dowd, Professor Donal O’Regan and Emeritus Professor John Simmie on their achievement.

The European Commission’s U-Multi-rank system in 2015 gave NUI Galway the highest ranking of four A grades.

NUI Galway has also outperformed other Irish universities by securing the highest amount of funding during the first nine months of the EU’s Horizon 2020 funding programme.

Tacaíocht don Ollscolaíocht Ghaeilge

I mí na Samhna 2015 chur OÉ Gaillimh fáilte roimh chinneadh Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta, Joe McHugh TD, soláthar €2.7 milliún a chur ar fáil d’Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge.

Bainfidh an soláthar seo le gníomhaíochtaí oideachais agus léinn a reáchtáil in Ionaid OÉ Gaillimh sa Ghaeltacht. Íocfar allúntas bliantúil de €900,000 ón Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta leis an Ollscoil le linn na tréimhse 2015-2018 de bhreis ar shaintacaíocht don Ollscolaíocht Ghaeilge ón Údarás um Ardoideachas.

Tá trí Ionad ag an Ollscoil sa Ghaeltacht agus iad lonnaithe i nGaoth Dobhair, Contae Dhún na nGall agus i gCarna agus ar an gCeathrú Rua i gContae na Gaillimhe.

Cuireann Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge cúrsaí léinn fochéime agus iarchéime sa Ghaeilge Fheidhmeach, i Léann an Aistriúcháin agus na hAteangaireachta, sa Chumarsáid agus sa Teicneolaíocht Faisnéise ar fáil sna hIonaid Ghaeltachta agus ar champas na hOllscoile i nGaillimh.

I measc na gcuspóirí straitéiseacha atá ag OÉ Gaillimh don Ghaeilge idir seo agus 2018, tá:

• Cláir sealbhaithe teanga barr feabhais a chur ar fáil le go mbeidh inniúlacht den scoth sa Ghaeilge ina príomhthréith ag céimithe OÉ Gaillimh;
• Clár struchtúrtha do sheimeastar Gaeltachta agus do shocrúchan oibre a chur ar fáil faoin mbliain 2016 le go mbeadh deiseanna sealbhaithe agus úsáide teanga ag mic léinn OÉ Gaillimh;
• Leas a bhaint as Ionaid na hOllscoile sa Ghaeltacht le go mbeidh OÉ Gaillimh ar an bpríomhionad do Thumchláir Theanga in Oideachas Tosaigh Múinteoirí go náisiúnta.

New Institute for Lifecourse and Society

The Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton T.D. officially launched the Institute for Lifecourse and Society (ILAS) in November 2015. The Institute is dedicated to supporting applied research that informs policy development and practice to make a positive difference to people’s lives.

The Institute for Lifecourse and Society represents an €9m investment comprising significant philanthropic contributions from The Atlantic Philanthropies and Galway University Foundation in a rare example of an interdisciplinary research hub designed to examine and reimagine important social issues, especially for vulnerable populations.

Speaking at the opening of the Institute, An Tánaiste Joan Burton T.D. said: “The goal of the Institute is to achieve international excellence in social policy and practice development through the pursuit of interdisciplinary research in the social sciences. This will be done by creatively integrating the rich and diverse intellectual resources from within the University and beyond.”

To mark the opening of ILAS the University established a biennial Distinguished Lecture series inaugurated by President Higgins on 30 November 2015.

Global Irish Economic Forum

NUI Galway hosted the Galway element of the Global Irish Economic Forum in November which included a public forum, entitled ‘Gaillimh Nua’. The Global Irish Economic Forum is organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Global Irish Economic Forum Galway showcased MedTech activities in research and translational science in NUI Galway and the broader region with members of the Global Irish Network in order to share expertise and explore collaborative opportunities.

Members of the Network also participated in a public forum, moderated by NUI Galway graduate Eimear Ní Chonaola, Journalist and TG4/RTÉ broadcaster. The ‘Gaillimh Nua’ Roundtable discussion engaged with local initiatives in the areas of Gastronomy, Culture, Innovation, Smart City, Marine and The Emigration Experience. Leading local representatives in each of these emerging and growing areas addressed the Forum which was then followed by a healthy discussion.

NUI Galway - Ireland’s most biodiverse campus

For the second year running, NUI Galway has won the top award for the most biodiverse campus at Ireland’s Intervarsity BioBlitz competition. Over a 24 hour period, volunteers combed the University’s campus and recorded a total of 628 species. Last year, the University recorded 581 species.

With extensive semi-natural habitats across the NUI Galway estate, the BioBlitz teams logged 324 plants and tree species, 91 mosses, 34 bird species, 31 terrestrial and freshwater slugs and snails, 29 flies, 15 mammals,14 butterflies and moths, 14 diatoms, 13 beetles, 12 terrestrial and freshwater bugs, 11 fungi, 10 caddisflies and 10 ants/bees and wasps, 3 millipedes and 3 spiders, 2 lichens, 2 leeches, and 2 worms and a fish, earwig, mayfly, grasshopper, woodlouse, water hoglouse, mite and a flatworm.

Ireland’s BioBlitz is designed to increase public awareness of the variety of life in Ireland, and to highlight some of the ecological services that biodiversity provides to enhance our quality of life at a global and local level. The Bioblitz demonstrates the high level of skill and expertise necessary to study many aspects of Ireland’s biological diversity. It also demonstrates the importance of being able to survey and identify plants and animals as these are important aspects of Ireland’s biodiversity and skills that are taught at NUI Galway.