Ollscéala october 2009

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

Tús maith, leath na hoibre!

As another academic year begins, I am delighted to inform you that the year has started particularly well with NUI Galway having been named Irish University of the Year by The Sunday Times last month. The Sunday Times citation made reference to our achievements across a range of activities, including research outputs, undergraduate programmes, access for non-traditional and second-chance students and our strong record in technology transfer.

In the past week the UK-based Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) published its annual review of world universities. NUI Galway was ranked 243 ^rd in the world, a jump of 125 places from our position in 2008 and of over 240 places since 2007. While this spectacular leap in our standing certainly reflects the fact that we have engaged more fully with this process, it also confirms our growing reputation based on research success in recent years.  

This recognition by The Sunday Times and our rise in the THES ranking system reflects extremely well on our University and in particular the tremendous efforts of our staff to engage fully with the research and teaching agenda. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your commitment and hard work.

Strategic Plan 2009 – 2014

The University’s Strategic Plan 2009 – 2014 has been completed and published.  I acknowledge the contribution of colleagues on UMT and the leaders of the many academic and support units across the University who have worked hard to develop a clear roadmap for our future. The plan is evidence-based and ambitious but it is realistic in its targets.  We will consolidate our position in the top tier of universities; make significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic life of our hinterland; and be recognised internationally for our research in priority research areas.  See www.nuigalway.ie/strategicplan 

UMT Appointments

Following the restructuring of UMT, two new appointments have been made: Professor Chris Curtin has been appointed Vice-President for Innovation and Performance and will lead the implementation of the Strategic Plan. In this role he will work closely with UMT, Deans, Heads of Schools, and heads of support units with support from the Quality Office, the Institutional Research Officer and my office. 

Dr Kieran Loftus has taken up the position of Acting Executive Director of Operations.  His immediate task is to develop an integrated strategic plan for support services across the University.  An early success has been the integration of Computer Services and Management Information Services into Information Solutions and Services (ISS) under the leadership of Sean O’Farrell.  

Capital Programme Update

There have been a number of important developments in the Capital Programme and much credit is due to the Buildings Office and Vice President for Capital Projects, Keith Warnock. 

1. Áras na MacLéinn has re-opened following a major refurbishment, including the conversion of the former Sports Hall into the Bailey-Allen Hall, named after alumnus, Frank Bailey.  Bailey was born in Galway in 1938 and graduated from NUI Galway in 1962 with a BA degree. An active member of DramSoc, he went on to work with Radio Éireann as an actor and producer and had established his own successful theatre company before his untimely death in 1971. Through a generous bequest from the Bailey Allen family, the spirit of Frank Bailey will be memorialised at NUI Galway, while continuing to foster artistic endeavour in Galway. 
2. Two new social spaces have been developed on campus recently, funded by the Student Projects Fund.  The Memorial Garden, adjacent to Áras de Brún, commemorates deceased students and members of staff who die while in office. An Gairdín Sosa, adjacent to the Chapel of St Columbanus, was officially opened and blessed by Cardinal Sean Brady on 11 ^th October. 
3. The new Visitors’ Car Park on the grounds of the former tennis courts along with the new car park at Dangan, will enable significant improvements to mobility management on campus. 
4. Construction has commenced on the New Engineering Building on the North Campus.  The first sod was turned by An Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen TD during a visit to the University on 25 ^th September.  The building is scheduled to be completed in spring 2011. 

In addition, preparatory work is proceeding on three major buildings to support priority areas of research ranging from the humanities to advanced medical research. With planning decisions scheduled for the coming months and very significant progress made on securing the necessary funding, construction work is expected to begin on some of these buildings as early as December 2009 or January 2010. Work is also well advanced on designing and identifying funding for a Human Biology Building, reflecting the greatly increased numbers entering medical education.  

Research Success - Alimentary Glycosciences Research Cluster

A new SFI-funded Strategic Research Cluster on glycosciences led by Prof Lokesh Joshi was launched on October 1st by Conor Lenihan TD, Minister for Science Technology & Innovation.  The event provided an opportunity to discuss national innovation strategy with the Minister and to impress on him the need to take an all-Ireland approach to this important element of the Smart Economy.  

Galway University Foundation Activity in USA

There have been a number of important recent events in the US organised through Galway University Foundation.  Extracts from the James Hardiman Library’s John McGahern Archive were exhibited at two public lectures for alumni and friends at Boston Public Library and the American-Irish Historical Society in New York in mid-September. Both lectures, delivered by Dr John Kenny (English) were very well received, and served to further cement our growing relationships with alumni, and friends in these areas.  A new chapter of NUI Galway Alumni and Friends was successfully launched in San Francisco at an event hosted by the Irish Consul General in that city on 22 ^nd September. 

As we work together for the continued development of our University, we should take great pride in and encouragement from our recent successes.  I would like to thank you for your efforts and for your willingness to face the challenges of an uncertain financial climate.  And I look forward to working with you in the academic year ahead.

Beir bua agus beannacht,

James J. Browne Ph.D.,D.Sc.,MRIA,C.Eng.
Uachtarán - President

Focal ó Uachtarán

Tús maith, leath na hoibre!

Tá bliain acadúil eile linn agus tá ríméad orm a rá libh go bhfuil tús maith déanta ag OÉ Gaillimh ó tharla gur ainmnigh The Sunday Times an Ollscoil seo mar Ollscoil Éireannach na Bliana an mhí seo a chuaigh thart. Rinneadh tagairt sa tuairisc in The Sunday Times do na héachtaí atá déanta againn i réimse gníomhaíochtaí — an obair thaighde atá curtha i gcrích againn, na cláir fochéime, teacht a bheith ag mic léinn neamhthraidisiúnta agus ag mic léinn athdheise ar an ollscoil agus an obair mhór atá curtha i gcrích againn in aistriú teicneolaíochta san áireamh. 

Le seachtain anuas d’fhoilsigh an Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) atá bunaithe sa Ríocht Aontaithe torthaí a athbhreithnithe bhliantúil ar ollscoileanna an domhain.  Rinneadh OÉ Gaillimh a rangú sa 243ú háit ar domhan, léim 125 áit ón rangú a bhí againn in 2008 agus léim de bhreis agus 240 áit ó 2007.  

Cé go léiríonn an léim shuntasach seo sa seasamh atá againn go bhfuilimid ag dul i ngleic leis an bpróiseas seo ar bhealach níos tréine, deimhníonn sí chomh maith go bhfuil an cháil atá orainn ag méadú bunaithe ar a fheabhas a d’éirigh linn sa taighde le blianta beaga anuas. 

Is dea-theist ar an Ollscoil seo agus ar sháriarrachtaí na foirne, go háirithe, tabhairt faoin taighde agus faoin gclár teagaisc an t-aitheantas seo ó The Sunday Times agus an chaoi ar ardaigh an rangú atá againn i gcóras rangaithe THES.  Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a thapú le mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl daoibh ar fad as bhur ndúthracht agus as an obair chrua atá déanta agaibh. 

Plean Straitéiseach 2009 – 2014

Tá Plean Straitéiseach na hOllscoile 2009 – 2014 críochnaithe agus foilsithe.   Ba mhaith liom aitheantas a thabhairt don obair atá déanta ag ár gcomhghleacaithe ar Fhoireann Bainistíochta na hOllscoile agus ag ceannairí an iliomad aonad acadúil agus tacaíochta ar fud na hOllscoile a bhfuil obair mhór déanta acu le plean soiléir oibre a fhorbairt don am atá romhainn.  Tá an plean bunaithe ar fhianaise agus is plean uaillmhianach é ach tá na spriocanna atá ann réalaíoch.   Láidreoimid an seasamh atá againn i scothghrúpa na n-ollscoileanna;   cuirfimid go mór le saol sóisialta, cultúrtha agus eacnamaíoch an cheantair; agus bainfimid aitheantas idirnáisiúnta amach as an taighde atá ar bun againn i réimsí tosaíochta taighde.  Féach www.nuigalway.ie/strategicplan 

Ceapacháin ar Fhoireann Bainistíochta na hOllscoile

I ndiaidh athstruchtúrú Fhoireann Bainistíochta na hOllscoile tá dhá cheapachán déanta:  Ceapadh an tOllamh Chris Curtin mar Leas-Uachtarán um Nuálaíocht agus Feidhmíocht agus beidh sé de chúram air an Plean Straitéiseach a chur i bhfeidhm.  Sa ról seo beidh sé ag obair i ndlúthchomhar le Foireann Bainistíochta na hOllscoile, le Déin, le Cinn Scoile agus le cinn aonad tacaíochta agus beidh tacaíocht aige ón Oifig Feabhais, ón Oifigeach um Thaighde Institiúideach agus ó m'oifigse.   

Tá an Dr Kieran Loftus tosaithe ina phost mar Stiúrthóir Feidhmiúcháin Gníomhach Oibríochtaí.   Is é an cúram atá air ar dtús plean straitéiseach comhtháite a fhorbairt do sheirbhísí tacaíochta ar fud na hOllscoile.   Bhí an-rath ar an gcónascadh idir Seirbhísí Ríomhaireachta agus Seirbhísí Bainistíochta Faisnéise faoin teideal Réitigh agus Seirbhísí Faisnéise (ISS) faoi cheannas Sean O'Farrell.  

An Scéal is Deireanaí faoin gClár Caipitil

Tá go leor déanta chun an Clár Caipitil a fhorbairt agus tá buíochas tuillte ag Oifig na bhFoirgneamh agus ag an Leas-Uachtarán um Tionscadail Chaipitil, Keith Warnock as sin.  

1.  Tá Áras na Mac Léinn oscailte arís i ndiaidh athchóiriú mór a bheith déanta air; ar an obair athchóirithe sin, cuireadh Halla Bailey-Allen, a ainmníodh as an alumnus, Frank Bailey, san áit a mbíodh an sean-Halla Spóirt.   Rugadh Bailey i nGaillimh i 1938 agus bhain sé céim BA amach in OÉ Gaillimh in 1962.  Bhí sé ina bhall gníomhach den DramSoc agus chuaigh sé a obair le Raidió Éireann mar aisteoir agus mar léiritheoir agus bhí a chompántas drámaíochta rathúil féin bunaithe aige sular bhásaigh sé go tobann i 1971.  Trí bhronntanas flaithiúil ó theaghlach Bailey Allen, mairfidh Frank Bailey inár gcuimhne in OÉ Gaillimh, agus beifear ag cothú fhorbairt na healaíne i gcathair na Gaillimhe.
2. Rinneadh dhá spás shóisialta a fhorbairt ar an gcampas le gairid, le maoiniú ó Chiste Tionscadal na Mac Léinn.  Cuimhnítear sa Ghairdín Cuimhneacháin, in aice Áras de Brún, ar na mic léinn agus ar na comhaltaí foirne a fuair bás fad a bhí siad san ollscoil.  Rinne an Cairdinéal Sean Brady an Gairdín Sosa, in aice Shéipéal Naomh Columbanus, a oscailt go hoifigiúil agus a bheannú an 11 Deireadh Fómhair.
3. Cuirfidh Carrchlós nua na gCuairteoirí áit a mbíodh na cúirteanna leadóige roimhe seo, mar aon leis an g carrchlós nua sa Daingean, ar ár gcumas bainistiú níos fearr a dhéanamh ar ghluaiseacht ar an gcampas.  
4. Tá tús curtha leis an tógáil ar an bh Foirgneamh Innealtóireachta Nua ar an gCampas Thuaidh.   Bhain an Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD, an chéad fhód le linn a chuairte ar an Ollscoil an 25 Meán Fómhair.   Táthar ag súil go mbeidh an foirgneamh críochnaithe faoi earrach 2011. 

Chomh maith leis sin, tá obair ullmhúcháin á déanamh ar thrí mhórfhoirgneamh a thacóidh le réimsí tosaíochta taighde, idir na daonnachtaí agus an diantaighde leighis.  Táthar ag súil le cinntí pleanála as seo go ceann cúpla mí agus tá an-dul chun cinn déanta maidir leis an maoiniú a mbeidh gá leis a aimsiú, agus táthar ag súil go dtosóidh an obair thógála ar chuid de na foirgnimh seo faoi mhí na Nollag 2009 nó faoi mhí Eanáir 2010.  Tá an-obair déanta chomh maith le maoiniú a aimsiú le Foirgneamh Bitheolaíochta Daonna a thógáil, foirgneamh a bhfuil gá leis de thoradh an fháis atá ar líon na mac léinn atá ag tabhairt faoin oideachas leighis.     

Feabhas Taighde – Grúpa Taighde um Ghlioceolaíocht Bia

Sheol Conor Lenihan TD, an tAire Eolaíochta, Teicneolaíochta & Nuálaíochta Grúpa Taighde Straitéisigh nua ar an nglioceolaíocht atá á mhaoiniú ag SFI faoi stiúir an Ollaimh Lokesh Joshi an 1 Deireadh Fómhair.   Deis a bhí san imeacht seo straitéis nuálaíochta náisiúnta a phlé leis an Aire agus a chur ina luí air go bhfuil gá le cur chuige uile-Éireann le tabhairt faoin gcuid thábhachtach seo den Gheilleagar Glic.    

Imeachtaí Fhondúireacht Ollscoil na Gaillimhe i Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá

Bhí imeachtaí tábhachtacha éagsúla ar bun sna Stáit Aontaithe a eagraíodh le gairid trí Fhondúireacht Ollscoil na Gaillimhe.  Cuireadh sleachta as Cartlann John McGahern as Leabharlann Shéamais Uí Argadáin ar taispeáint ag dhá léacht phoiblí d’alumni agus do chairde i Leabharlann Phoiblí Bhostúin agus ag Cumann Staire na nGael-Mheiriceánach i lár mhí Mheán Fómhair.  Bhíothas an-tógtha leis an dá léacht a thug an Dr John Kenny (Scoil an Bhéarla) agus neartaigh siad an caidreamh atá againn leis an alumni agus le cairde na hollscoile sna ceantair sin.  

Seoladh caibidil nua d’Alumni agus de Chairde OÉ Gaillimh in San Francisco ag imeacht a d'eagraigh Consal Ginearálta na hÉireann sa chathair sin an 22 Meán Fómhair.   

Agus sinn ag obair le chéile chun an Ollscoil seo a fhorbairt linn, ba cheart dúinn a bheith bródúil as na héachtaí atá déanta againn le gairid agus go mbeidís ina spreagadh dúinn.  Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl daoibh as bhur saothar agus as a bheith sásta aghaidh a thabhairt ar dhúshláin luaineacha na géarchéime airgeadais.   Agus táim ag dúil le hoibriú libh sa bhliain acadúil seo romhainn amach. 

Beir bua agus beannacht,

James J. Browne Ph.D., D.Sc., MRIA, C.Eng
Uachtarán – President

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