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OllscÉala - DECEMBER 2012

President's Message - Focal ó Uachtarán (Leagan Gaeilge)

A chairde,

Agus 2012 ag teacht chun críche, is féidir linn súil a chaitheamh siar faoi shásamh ar bhliain a bhí rathúil agus inár chur muid lenár n-eachtaí d’ainneoin timpealleacht atá thar a bheith dúshlánach i gconaí. As the end of the year approaches we can look back with satisfaction at a year of success and achievement, despite continuing challenges in the external environment.

One of the major highlights of the year has been our work in the area of archival digitization and special collections. In recent months we have announced three very significant projects in this area. In October we unveiled a major project to digitise the Abbey Theatre archive, which contains over 1.8 million items and is one of the world’s most significant archival collections.

Last month, renowned film-maker and environmentalist, Éamon de Buitléar officially presented his personal archive to NUI Galway. This multi-media collection spans sixty years of creativity and reflects a broad range of Éamon de Buitléar’s professional and personal concerns.

Earlier in the year we announced our partnership with Mayo Co Council and Ballina Town Council in promoting scholarship around the new Ballina Visitor Centre to showcase the life and work of former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.

These three initiatives have required considerable effort on the part of many academic and support colleagues. I would like to commend all those involved for their work in bringing these very significant projects to fruition.

Further development of our academic infrastructure is evident in the new buildings which are visibly progressing around the campus. Despite some initial delay, we anticipate the Arts, Humanities, Social Science Research building (AHSSRB) and the Arts Millennium Extension will be complete by Spring 2013 and Biosciences building by Autumn 2013.

Since June we launched two major new research institutes. In July, the Ryan Institute was officially launched by EU Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan Quinn. With over 300 researchers, the Ryan Institute is Ireland’s largest research institute for environmental, marine and energy issues. The launch co-incided with a symposium entitled ’ Green Shift, Blue Growth, Bright Future?’ This conference featured leading international and NUI Galway experts in the environmental, marine, energy and smart infrastructure sectors.

In October we welcomed economist and former Secretary of the Department of Finance, Dr T.K. Whitaker, to campus as we announced the establishment of the Whitaker Institute. As many of you will know, Dr Whitaker played a vital role in setting Ireland on the road to regeneration in the early 1960s. Drawing inspiration from his public service, the Whitaker Institute is the country’s largest research body focused on business, social and policy issues with investigators from the Colleges of Business, Public Policy & Law and Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies.

The Ryan and Whitaker Institutes emerged from centres established under the PRTLI programme supported by Atlantic Philanthropies. Established by the Irish-American businessman and philanthropist, Chuck Feeney, Atlantic Philanthropies has donated almost €800 million to Irish universities since 1989. In an unprecedented gesture of recognition for Feeney’s transformative philanthropy, the nine universities of Ireland, North and South, conferred an honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) on Chuck Feeney on 6 September. Dr Feeney’s citation was given by former NUI Galway President, Dr Patrick Fottrell, now Chair of Science Foundation Ireland. See http://www.nui.ie/news/

One of the effects of Feeney’s support has been to establish private philanthropy as an important part of the university sector. NUI Galway has one of Ireland’s most effective university fundraising operations - Galway University Foundation. Last month, the Foundation’s US Board hosted its 6^th Annual Gala Banquet to raise funds for our programmes and activities. The Gala, which honoured alumnus, Michael Higgins and Anjelica Huston, was a great success and raised over $200,000 to support the Huston School of Film & Digital Media.

The winners of the President's Awards for Teaching Excellence were presented with their awards at the Autumn conferring ceremonies. These awards recognise the efforts of academic staff to ensure our students receive the highest quality learning experience. The following outstanding teachers were presented with their Awards in October:

Dr Ger Fleming, School of Natural Sciences
Dr Michael Lang, School of Business & Economics
Dr Bryan McCabe, School of Engineering & Informatics
Dr Maria Tuohy, School of Natural Sciences
Team Award: Earth & Ocean Sciences Final Year Project Team.

The achievements of these and other staff across the University have contributed to our growing success. International recognition for this success is evident in our enhanced position in a number of global rankings this year. We have advanced in the QS and Times Higher Education (THE) world university rankings. Along with the 5-star rating achieved in the QS Stars Rating earlier this year, it confirms that our position globally is on the rise.

Within Ireland we are firmly in the top tier Irish universities. There’s no reason that cannot further enhance this position. Our ambition is to lead in our priority areas of excellence – nationally and internationally - and we are making great progress in this regard.

So, we can reflect on a year of achievement in research and teaching, enhanced academic infrastructure and new buildings coming on stream. 2013 will present its own challenges, but we are making great progress and well-placed to achieve further success. We cannot prosper without the continuing contribution of each staff member.

As 2012 draws to a close, I’d like to thank and commend each of you for your contribution throughout 2011. I offer my renewed thanks for your efforts. May I wish every staff member a peaceful and happy Christmas and every good wish for 2013. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go leir.

Le gach dea-mhéin don Nollaig agus don Athbhliain.

James J. Browne PhD, DSc, MRIA, C.Eng

Uachtarán – President

Focal ó Uachtarán

A Chairde,

Agus 2012 ag teacht chun críche, is féidir linn breathnú siar le fonn ar bhliain a bhí rathúil agus inár chur muid lenár n-éachtaí d’ainneoin timpeallacht atá thar a bheith dúshlánach i gcónaí. Agus 2012 ag teacht chun críche, is féidir linn breathnú siar le fonn ar bhliain a bhí rathúil agus inár chur muid lenár n-éachtaí d’ainneoin timpeallacht atá thar a bheith dúshlánach i gcónaí.

Ceann de bhuaicphointí na bliana an obair a rinneamar le digitiú cartlainne agus sainbhailiúcháin. Le roinnt míonna anuas, tá trí thogra mhóra fógartha againn sna réimsí seo. I nDeireadh Fómhair, d’fhograíomar togra mór chun cartlann Amharclann na Mainistreach a dhigitiú. Tá breis is 1.8 milliún mír sa chartlann seo agus tá sí ar cheann de na bailiúcháin chartlainne is tábhachtaí ar domhan.

An mhí seo caite, bhronnan scannánóir agus an comhshaolaí cáiliúil, Éamon de Buitléar, a chartlann phearsanta go hoifigiúil ar OÉ Gaillimh. Clúdaíonn an bailiúchán ilmheáin seo tréimhse de thrí scór bliain agus léiríonn sé réimse leathan d’obair ghairmiúil agus phearsanta Éamon de Buitléar.

Níos luaithe sa bhliain, d’fhógraíomar ár gcomhpháirtíocht le Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo agus le Comhairle Baile Bhéal an Átha chun an léann a chur chun cinn san Ionad nua do Chuairteoirí i mBéal an Átha a thabharfaidh léargas ar shaol agus ar shaothar Iar-Uachtarán na hÉireann, Máire Mhic Róibín.

Rinne go leor comhghleacaithe acadúla agus tacaíochta a míle dícheall ar mhaithe leis na trí thionscnamh seo. Ba mhaith liom gach duine páirteach a mholadh as a gcuid oibre na tograí móra seo a chur i gcrích.

Tá forbairt san infreastruchtúr acadúil le tabhairt faoi deara chomh maith sna foirgnimh nua atá le feiceáil mórthimpeall an champais. Cé gur cuireadh moill orthu ag an tús, tá súil againn go mbeidh an Foirgneamh Taighde sna Dána, sna Daonnachtaí & sna hEolaíochtaí Sóisialta (AHSSRB) agus an Síneadh le hÁras Dán na Mílaoise réidh faoi Earrach na bliana seo agus go mbeidh Foirgneamh na mBitheolaíochtaí réidh faoin bhFómhar.

Ó mhí an Mheithimh, tá dhá institiúid mhóra nua taighde seolta againn. I mí Iúil, sheol Coimisinéir an AE, Máire Geoghegan Quinn, Institiúid Uí Riain go hoifigiúil. Tá breis is 300 taighdeoir in Institiúid Uí Riain agus í ar an institiúid taighde is mó do cheisteanna comhshaoil, muirí agus fuinnimh. Ag an am céanna leis an seoladh, bhí siompóisiam ar siúl dar teideal ’ Green Shift, Blue Growth, Bright Future?’ I láthair ag an gcomhdháil seo bhí saineolaithe idirnáisiúnta agus saineolaithe OÉ Gaillimh sna réimsí comhshaoil, muirí, fuinnimh agus infreastruchtúr cliste.

I nDeireadh Fómhair, cuireadh fáilte chroíúil roimh an eacnamaí aitheanta agus iar-Rúnaí na Roinne Airgeadais an Dr T.K. Whitaker go dtí an campas nuair a d’fhógraíomar bunú Institiúid Whitaker. Mar is eol do go leor agaibh, bhí ról tábhachtach ag an Dr Whitaker an tír seo a thabhairt slán as an ngéarchéim ina raibh sí i dtús na 1960idí. Ag tarraingt ar a sheirbhís don phobal, is í Institiúid Whitaker an comhlacht taighde is mó sa tír atá dírithe ar cheisteanna gnó, sóisialta agus beartais le himscrúdaitheoirí ó Choláiste an Ghnó, an Bheartais Phoiblí & an Dlí agus ó Choláiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus & an Léinn Cheiltigh.

D’eascair Institiúid Uí Riain agus Institiúid Whitaker as ionaid a bunaíodh faoin gclár PRTLI le tacaíocht ó Atlantic Philanthropies. Bhunaigh an fear gnó agus an daonchara Éireannach-Meiriceánach, Chuck Feeney, Atlantic Philanthropies agus tá beagnach €800 milliún bronnta aige ar ollscoileanna na hÉireann ó 1989. Mar aitheantas ar dhaonchairdeas dochreidte Feeney, bhronn naoi n-ollscoil na hÉireann, ó Thuaidh agus ó Dheas, Dochtúireacht oinigh le Dlíthe (LLD) ar Chuck Feeney an 6 Meán Fómhair. Thug Iar-Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an Dr Patrick Fottrell, atá ina Chathaoirleach anois ar Fhondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann, óráid an Dr Feeney. Féach http://www.nui.ie/news/

Cuid den tionchar a bhí ag tacaíocht Feeney daonchairdeas príobháideach a chothú i gcroílár earnáil na n-ollscoileanna. Tá ceann de na gníomhaíochtaí bailiúcháin airgid is fearr in aon Ollscoil ag OÉ Gaillimh - Fondúireacht na hOllscoile. An mhí seo caite, thionól Bord Mheiriceá den Fhondúireacht a 6^ú Mórfhéasta Bliantúil chun airgead a bhailiú dár gcláir agus dár ngníomhaíochtaí. D’éirigh thar cionn leis an Mórfhéasta, in onóir alumnus, Michael Higgins agus Anjelica Huston, agus bailíodh os cionn $200,000 chun tacú le Scoil Scann Scoil Scannán & Meán Digiteach Huston .

Bronnadh Gradaim an Uachtaráin um Fheabhas Teagaisc ar na buaiteoirí ag searmanais bhronnta an Fhómhair. Tugann na gradaim seo aitheantas don obair iontach atá ar bun ag an bhfoireann acadúil chun a chinntiú go bhfaigheann na mic léinn taithí foghlama den chéad scoth. Bronnadh na Gradaim orthu seo a leanas i nDeireadh Fómhair.

An Dr Ger Fleming, Scoil na nEolaíochtaí Aiceanta

An Dr Michael Lang, Scoil Ghnó & Eacnamaíochta

An Dr Bryan McCabe, Scoil na hInnealtóireachta & na hIonformaitice

An Dr Maria Tuohy, Scoil na nEolaíochtaí Aiceanta

Gradam na Foirne: Foireann Tionscadal na Bliana Deireanaí i nDomhaneolaíocht & Aigéaneolaíocht.

Chuir obair na gcomhaltaí foirne seo agus obair na foirne trí chéile san Ollscoil lenár rathúlacht. Tá aitheantas idirnáisiúnta faighte againn leis an seasamh nua atá ag an ollscoil sna ranguithe domhanda i mbliana. Rinne OÉ Gaillimh dul chun cinn Ranguithe Ollscoileanna an Domhain na bliana seo de chuid QS agus Times Higher Education (THE). Bhaineamar amach rátáil 5-réalta i Rátáil Réaltaí QS níos luaithe sa bhliain, deimhníonn sé sin go bhfuil ár seasamh domhanda ag feabhsú.

In Éirinn, is cinnte go bhfuilimid ag an leibhéal is airde de na hollscoileanna . Níl aon chúis nach bhféadfaí an seasamh sin a fheabhsú tuilleadh. Is é an mian atá againn a bheith chun cinn i réimsí feabhais – náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta - agus tá an-dul chun cinn déanta againn sa treo seo.

Mar sin, is féidir linn breathnú siar ar bhliain an-rathúil i gcúrsaí taighde agus teagaisc, infreastruchtúr feabhsaithe acadúil agus foirgnimh nua á dtógáil. Beidh dúshláin nua romhainn in 2013, ach tá an-dul chun cinn á dhéanamh againn agus táimid breá ullamh le tuilleadh dul chun cinn a dhéanamh. Ní éireoidh linn, áfach, gan tacaíocht leanúnach gach comhalta foirne.

Agus críoch á cur le 2012, ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghlacadh le gach duine agus sibh ar fad a mholadh as an méid a rinne sibh le bliain anuas. Buíochas ó chroí libh arís as bhur gcuid oibre. Ba mhaith liom Nollaig faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise agus gach beannacht a ghuí oraibh ar fad do 2013. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.

Le gach dea-mhéin don Nollaig agus don Athbhliain.

James J. Browne PhD, DSc, MRIA, C.Eng

Uachtarán – President

Oifig an Uachtaráin
This page was last updated Wednesday, March 27, 2013