November 2001

Release date: 21 November, 2001 IT Companies donate more than £370,000 Software to NUI Galway NUI, Galway s Department of Information Technology has received a gift of software, licencing and support valued at approximately £370,000 from three companies, Progress Software Corporation, QAD and Seabrook Research Ltd. The software will provide students with the opportunity to use industry-standard tools for Enterprise Information Systems Design, Enterprise Application Integration and Client-server systems development. "The goal is to make the learning experience as rich as possible," says. Dr. Owen Molloy, lecturer in Information Technology, NUI, Galway. "These tools from QAD, Seabrook and Progress have models and components for unlimited enterprise design and problem-solving options. This donation, for which we are very grateful, gives our students a state-of-the-art tool." The software (QAD MFG/PRO) will also be used in at least two ongoing Enterprise-Ireland funded research projects at NUI, Galway. These are A System to Support Extended Supply Chain Design and Integration and An XML-Based Expert System Shell for Distributed Agent Intelligence, currently under way in the IT department. Over the next year the QAD MFG/PRO software will be incorporated into a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the University, providing students with hands-on Enterprise Application experience. Ends Information from: Máire Mhic Uidhir, Press Officer, NUI, Galway. Tel. 091 750418 Notes for Editors: Since its foundation in 1989 Seabrook Research Limited has grown steadily and is now an established and successful company with a modern product range and is recognised as one of the main suppliers of and specialists in manufacturing software in Europe. This fact was reiterated in 1997, when Seabrook Research Ltd., was awarded the MFG/PRO Distributor of the Year Award for Europe, Middle East and Africa. QAD delivers value through collaborative commerce for manufacturers, empowering enterprises to integrate diverse business processes and increase profitability. QAD s release of Version 9 of MFG/PRO marks a significant breakthrough in the convergence of Information Technology and Communications Technology within the Manufacturing Industry. Comprising of a Net User Interface which is 100% JAVA based, the application comes with a set of e-business applications that are available for use on both the Internet and company intranets. Founded in 1981, Progress Software Corporation is a $271 million global software industry leader offering a comprehensive range of products and support services to customers worldwide. More than 60% of Progress Software s revenue is realized in partnership with more than 2,000 independent ISVs and ASPs who market Internet-enabled applications based on Progress technology.

Release date: 15 November, 2001 NUI Galway Engineering Student wins inaugural MEDTRONIC AVE Prize The MEDTRONIC AVE AWARD for 2001 has been presented to James McGarry, a graduate of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NUI, Galway. The IR6,000 Prize was awarded to the best Bio-Medical device research project submitted to Medtronic-AVE in 2001 and presented by Sean Silke, Medtronic AVE's Director of Human Resources, at a reception in the University. The annual competition is open to all final year degree undergraduates in Northern Ireland and the Republic whose projects are focused on Bio-Medical Device Technology. According to Mr. Peter Walsh, Vice President of Medtronic-AVE, Ireland, "The award recognises, rewards and promotes the excellent bio-medical research being conducted in Colleges and Universities throughout the island. Its intention is to highlight the importance of research to industry. The competition is open to medical, engineering and science undergraduates, underlining the interdisciplinary nature of Bio-Medical research". Mr. Walsh added, "I hope it will encourage young people to consider careers in Science and Technology, hopefully in the Bio-Medical Industry. The scale of the prize emphasizes Medtronic AVE's commitment to R&D in Ireland". The Winning Project for 2001: "Finite Element Analysis of the Mechanical Performance of a Cardiovascular Stent Design based on Micro-scale Modeling", was conducted by James McGarry, during his final year in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, under the supervision of Dr. Peter McHugh. It considered the mechanical performance of the materials used in implants that hold open arteries that have been treated for vessel blockage, a condition that leads to angina and heart attacks. James used computer based finite element modelling to predict the micro-mechanical behaviour of metals in the design of these devices. According to Dr. McHugh, "Winning the award, especially in its inaugural year, is a highly significant achievement for James and for the Mechanical Engineering Department here at NUI, Galway. It reflects the high standard of education provided by the Department through both its Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering Degree Programmes". Dr. McHugh added, "The project is also closely linked with ongoing research being performed at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science at NUI, Galway. At this state-of-the-art interdisciplinary facility, engineers, scientists and clinicians are performing cutting edge research with a focus on solving problems in the areas of biotechnology and medicine". Medtronic is the world leader in medical technology providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. The company provides products, therapies and services that enhance or extend the lives of millions of people. Medtronic AVE employs 1400 people in Galway, in the manufacture of coronary care products, including over 100 graduates in R&D. Each year, 2.5 million patients benefit from Medtronic s technology, used to treat conditions such as heart disease, neurological disorders, and vascular illnesses. Ends Information from: Máire Mhic Uidhir, Press Officer, NUI, Galway Tel. 091 750418