All 2009

Agilent Technologies and NUI Galway Open Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility

Monday, 2 February 2009

(Leagan Gaeilge)Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) and NUI Galway, have announced the opening of a Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility on the NUI Galway campus. Mass spectrometry is regularly used for testing athletes for banned substances, but it is also one of the key enabling techniques in chemistry and biology. Researchers in NUI Galway will take advantage of this technique to progress their research in areas such as cancer, infectious diseases and pain research. The state-of-the-art facility in NUI Galway is equipped with the latest accurate-mass quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) and triple quadrupole (QQQ) mass spectrometer platforms from Agilent. As part of the collaboration with Agilent, NUI Galway will provide application notes and data for key applications using the Agilent platforms. The facility will also be used to showcase new instruments to Agilent customers and to run samples for demonstration purposes. "The opening of this facility is a continuation of Agilent's drive to be a key technology partner for innovative research in academia," said Gustavo Salem, General Manager for Agilent's LC/MS business. "NUI Galway has some of the top primary investigators in Europe. We look forward to working closely with them to further their breakthrough research in the fields of metabolomics and proteomics". Professor Terry Smith, Vice-President for Research, NUI Galway, commented: "NUI Galway has recently made a substantial commitment to increase its capability in mass spectrometry, in particular targeting life sciences research. With our recent investment, sponsored by IDA, SFI and Agilent Ireland, NUI Galway now has this capability". Primary investigators Dr David Finn, Dr Niclas Karlsson and Brendan Harhen will run the mass spectrometers at the facility. Dr Niclas Karlsson, coordinator for the set up of the facility, said: "NUI Galway selected Agilent as a strategic partner since they provide a wide range of support for life science research in addition to their top end mass spectrometers". Dr Finn is a lecturer in pharmacology and therapeutics and co-director of the Centre for Pain Research at NUI Galway. The aim of Dr. Finn's research is to increase the understanding of the neurobiology of pain and anxiety and support the development of novel therapeutic agents for their treatment. Dr Karlsson is one of the top researchers in mass spectrometry and bioinformatics for sugar and protein identification. He established one of the first integrated bioinformatic platforms for this kind of research and collaborated with the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics for generating glycobioinformatic resources for the community. Mr Harhen is an honours biochemistry graduate from NUI Galway with a special interest in facilitating ultra-trace quantitation of biomolecules in complex matrices, such as bioactive lipid signalling molecules. He will support other quantitative needs at NUI Galway, such as quantitative proteomics. The collaboration between NUI Galway and Agilent is a result of Agilent's Academia Program, which facilitates collaborations with universities around the world. The programme assists universities with teaching, materials and creating research partnerships. Osclaíonn Agilent Technologies agus OÉ Gaillimh Áis Mhais-Speictriméadrachta Bitheolaíochta (View in English) Tá sé fógartha ag Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) agus ag OÉ Gaillimh go mbeidh Áis Mhais-Speictriméadrachta Bitheolaíochta ag oscailt ar champas OÉ Gaillimh. Úsáidtear mais-speictriméadracht go rialta chun tástálacha substaintí coiscthe a dhéanamh ar lúthchleasaithe, ach tá sé ar cheann de na príomhtheicnící cumasúcháin sa cheimic agus sa bhitheolaíocht chomh maith. Tapóidh lucht taighde in OÉ Gaillimh an deis an teicníc seo a úsáid lena gcuid taighde a bhrostú i réimsí amhail ailse, galair thógálacha agus taighde péine. Ar an trealamh den scoth a bheidh san áis nua-aimseartha seo in OÉ Gaillimh beidh na hardáin ama eitilte ceathairphoil cruinnmhaise (Q-TOF) is deireanaí agus na hardáin mhais-speictriméadrachta ceathairphoil thriaraigh (QQQ)* is deireanaí ó Agilent. Mar chuid den chomhoibriú le Agilent, cuirfidh OÉ Gaillimh nótaí feidhmithe agus sonraí na bpríomh-fheidhmchlár a bheidh ag úsáid ardán Agilent ar fáil. Úsáidfear an áis chomh maith le huirlisí nua a thaispeáint do chustaiméirí Agilent agus le trialacha samplacha a dhéanamh ar mhaithe leis an gcaoi a n-oibríonn sé a léiriú. "Tá oscailt na háise seo ag cur leis an gcuspóir atá ag Agilent a bheith ina phríomhpháirtí teicneolaíochta sa taighde nuálaíoch acadúil," a dúirt Gustavo Salem, Bainisteoir Ginearálta ghnó LC/MS Agilent. "Tá cuid de scoth-thaighdeoirí na hEorpa in OÉ Gaillimh. Táimid ag súil go mór le hoibriú i ndlúthchomhar leo lena dtaighde ceannródaíoch i réimse na meitibilíochta agus na próitéamaíochta a chur chun cinn". Bhí an méid seo le rá ag an Ollamh Terry Smith, Leas-Uachtarán um Thaighde OÉ Gaillimh: "Le tamall anuas tá gealltanas tábhachtach tugtha ag OÉ Gaillimh go gcuirfidh sí lena cumas mais-speictriméadrachta, ag díriú go háirithe ar thaighde i réimse na n-eolaíochtaí beatha. A bhuíochas leis an infheistíocht a rinneamar le déanaí, a ndearna an IDA, SFI agus Agilent Ireland urraíocht uirthi, tá an cumas seo ag OÉ Gaillimh anois." Is iad na príomhthaighdeoirí an Dr David Finn, an Dr Niclas Karlsson agus Brendan Harhen a bheidh i mbun na mais-speictriméadar san áis. Dúirt an Dr Niclas Karlsson, an comhordaitheoir a bhí ag plé le bunú na háise: "Roghnaigh OÉ Gaillimh Agilent mar chomhpháirtí straitéiseach de bhrí go soláthraíonn sé réimse leathan tacaíochta don taighde eolaíochta beatha agus de bharr a chuid mais-speictriméadar atá sármhaith." Is léachtóir le cógaseolaíocht agus le teiripic an Dr Finn agus tá sé ina chomhstiúrthóir ar an Ionad um Thaighde Péine in OÉ Gaillimh. Is é an aidhm atá le taighde an Dr Finn an tuiscint ar néaraibhitheolaíocht péine agus imní a mhéadú agus tacú le forbairt oibreán teiripeach nuálaíoch a bheadh ina gcóir leighis dóibh. Tá an Dr Karlsson ar dhuine de phríomhthaighdeoirí na mais-speictriméadrachta agus na bithaisnéisíochta a bhaineann le siúcra agus próitéin a aithint. Bhunaigh sé ceann de na chéad ardáin bithaisnéisíochta chomhtháite don chineál seo taighde agus d'oibrigh sé i gcomhar le hInstitiúid Bithaisnéisíochta na hEilvéise chun acmhainní glici-bithaisnéisíochta a ghiniúint don phobal. Is céimí onóracha le bithcheimic ó OÉ Gaillimh é Brendan Harhen a bhfuil spéis ar leith aige i gcainníochtú ultrairian bithmhóilíní a éascú i maitrísí coimpléascacha, amhail móilíní comharthaíochta lipidí bithghníomhacha. Tacóidh sé le riachtanais chainníochtúla eile in OÉ Gaillimh, amhail próitéamaíocht chainníochtúil. Is as Clár Acadúil Agilent a d'eascair an comhoibriú seo idir OÉ Gaillimh agus Agilent a éascaíonn comhoibriú idir iad agus Ollscoileanna ar fud an domhain. Cabhraíonn an clár le hollscoileanna ó thaobh teagaisc, ábhar agus ó thaobh comhpháirtíochtaí taighde a bhunú. CRÍOCH

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Scientific Conference to Feature NUI Galway's Atmospheric Research

Tuesday, 31 March 2009

The Aerosol Society, a UK-based scientific organisation that promotes the science of airborne particles, is to hold its annual conference at NUI Galway from 6-7 April. This is the first time this major event has been held outside of the UK, and the latest data from NUI Galway's Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station will feature. Mace Head, which is located near Carna, Co. Galway, is one of the most important sites for atmospheric research in the Northern Hemisphere. Operated by staff from the School of Physics at NUI Galway, Mace Head is the main location of experimental research carried out by the University s Centre for Climate & Air Pollution Studies - a centre within NUI Galway s Environmental Change Institute. Delegates at the Aerosol Society conference will learn about the latest findings from this scientific group at NUI Galway which concentrates on the physical and chemical properties of aerosols, clouds, and gaseous species in the marine environment and their ultimate role in global climate change. Professor Gerard Jennings of NUI Galway s Environmental Change Institute and School of Physics is used to the international interest Mace Head attracts: "Mace Head is a world class research facility which is available to support Irish research in high profile international research projects. The facility is central to the atmosphere-marine environment research undertaken by NUI Galway, and has been the perfect setting for a series of scientific projects over the years in studying the impacts of aerosols and climate change". In addition to a focus on atmospheric aerosol studies, the high-level conference will also address the impacts of air pollution on public health. Professor Luke Clancy, Director General of the Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society, which is based in Dublin, will discuss the correlations between air pollution and reduced death. According to Professor Clancy: "While it is intuitive to believe that the health of workers would be improved by the Workplace Ban on Smoking, as we saw in the ban on the burning of coal in the '90s, as scientists we need to demonstrate these beneficial effects. Many of the benefits such as a reduction in lung cancer in non-smokers will take a number of years to become measurable. Other conditions such as respiratory health occur much more quickly and have indeed done so". Some 70 academics, scientists and industry experts are expected to attend the two-day conference which is locally organised by Dr Miriam Byrne, School of Physics, NUI Galway. -ends-

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Over 600 NUI Galway Students Commended for Volunteering

Monday, 30 March 2009

(Leagan Gaeilge) Over six hundred students at NUI Galway were awarded the ALIVE Certificate for Volunteering during a special ceremony on campus today (Monday, 30 March, 2009). The certificate recognises students' volunteering efforts during the academic year, and aims to reinforce the spirit of civic engagement among NUI Galway students. Over 2,300 students have received the certificate since its inception six years ago, with many ALIVE alumni moving into professional positions in major non-governmental organisations, at home and abroad. The ALIVE Programme - A Learning Initiative and the Volunteering Experience - was established in 2003 by NUI Galway to harness, acknowledge and support the contribution that its students make by volunteering. It is the first ever student volunteer programme to be embedded within an institution of higher education in Ireland and serves as a national model which other institutions look to for advice and support. The ALIVE programme draws on a strong tradition of student engagement both on and off campus and assists students who wish to actively volunteer while developing tangible and transferable skills alongside practical volunteering experiences. NUI Galway President, Dr James J. Browne, says: "Our University has always been close to community. We are in the middle of a city and we're in the middle of a very rich environment, both culturally and socially. That is something our students can benefit greatly from. It's a two-way street, the students give back to community but they get back much, much more in terms of learning from the experience and in terms of their own personal development". During his visit to NUI Galway earlier this year, the Noble Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu was enthused by the spirit of volunteering at NUI Galway, describing the ALIVE programme as 'fantastic'. Throughout the year NUI Galway students have given thousands of volunteer hours to community, from working with children in homework clubs, to building homes in Honduras, to working at the annual Teddy Bear Hospital. Among the 120 non-governmental organisations supporting the ALIVE programme are Ability West, Foróige, Childline, Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Big Brother Big Sister, Galway Hospice, ISPCC, Amnesty International, Enable Ireland and Special Olympics Ireland. -ends- (View in English) Bronnadh Teastas ALIVE as Obair Dheonach ar bhreis agus sé chéad mac léinn in OÉ Gaillimh ag searmanas speisialta ar an gcampas inniu (Dé Luain, 30 Márta 2009). Tugann an teastas aitheantas d'iarrachtaí na mac léinn agus iad ag gabháil d'obair dheonach i rith na bliana acadúla, agus tá sé mar aidhm aige spiorad an chomhpháirteachais phoiblí a athneartú i measc mhic léinn OÉ Gaillimh. Tá an teastas faighte ag 2,300 mac léinn ó bunaíodh an scéim sé bliana ó shin, agus tá go leor alumni de chuid ALIVE tar éis poist ghairmiúla a fháil in eagraíochtaí móra neamhrialtasacha sa bhaile agus thar lear. Bhunaigh OÉ Gaillimh Clár ALIVE – Tionscnamh Foghlama agus Taithí ar Obair Dheonach – in 2003 chun úsáid níos fearr a bhaint as an obair dheonach atá ar bun ag mic léinn, agus chun aitheantas agus tacaíocht a thabhairt don obair sin. Is é an chéad chlár deonach mac léinn é atá lonnaithe in institiúid ardoideachais in Éirinn agus is samhail náisiúnta é a mbíonn institiúidí eile ag tarraingt air le comhairle agus tacaíocht a fháil. Tá clár ALIVE bunaithe ar an traidisiún láidir comhpháirteachais i measc mac léinn ar an gcampas agus taobh amuigh de agus cabhraíonn sé le mic léinn ar mian leo obair dheonach a dhéanamh agus scileanna inláimhsithe agus so-aistrithe a fhoghlaim agus tugann sé taithí phraiticiúil dóibh ar obair dheonach. Dúirt an Dr James Browne, Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh: "Bhí gaol gairid i gcónaí idir an Ollscoil agus an pobal. Táimid i lár cathrach agus táimid i lár ceantair atá an-saibhir, go cultúrtha agus go sóisialta. Baineann ár gcuid mac léinn an-tairbhe as sin. Bíonn tairbhe le baint ag an dá thaobh as. Cuidíonn na mic léinn leis an bpobal ach faigheann siad a dheich n-oiread ar ais ó thaobh taithí de agus ón bhforbairt a dhéanann siad go pearsanta." Le linn a chuairte ar OÉ Gaillimh níos túisce i mbliana, bhí buaiteoir Dhuais Síochána Nobel, an tArdeaspag Desmond Tutu, an-tógtha leis an mbéim atá ar obair dheonach in OÉ Gaillimh agus dúirt sé go raibh clár ALIVE 'sármhaith'. Tá na mílte uaireanta deonacha tugtha ag mic léinn OÉ Gaillimh don phobal le bliain anuas; d'oibrigh siad le páistí i gclubanna obair bhaile, thóg siad tithe i Hondúras agus d'eagraigh siad Otharlann na mBéiríní a reáchtáiltear gach bliain. I measc an 120 eagraíocht neamhrialtais a thacaíonn le clár ALIVE tá Ability West, Foróige, Childline, Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Big Brother Big Sister, Ospís na Gaillimhe, ISPCC, Amnesty International, Enable Ireland agus Cluichí Oilimpeacha Speisialta na hÉireann. -críoch-

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Meeting at NUI Galway to Discuss EU Airships Project

Monday, 30 March 2009

Airships, reminiscent of zeppelin planes, which operate at an altitude of 20km will be discussed at a meeting NUI Galway is hosting today (Monday, 30 March). The stratospheric airships are being used for communication infrastructure, remote sensing and other applications. The two-day technical meeting will bring together over 50 experts in the fields of radio communication, optical communication and aircraft design. The meeting is part of an EU project called HAPCOS, which is focussed on the development of high altitude platforms. Today's HAPCOS meeting is being hosted by the Applied Optics Group from NUI Galway, whose research is integral to the transmission of optical data through the atmosphere from high altitudes to the ground. According to Ruth Mackey, a researcher with the Applied Optics Group at NUI Galway: "Some of the main applications envisaged for this type of communications platform are for the deployment of immediate response communication networks in disaster recovery situations and to provide communications services to remote locations. These platforms are also being designed for remote sensing applications, for example for crop monitoring, traffic surveillance, or for security in areas such as monitoring the oceans for drug smuggling activity". The Applied Optics Group at NUI Galway is involved with the optical communication aspect of HAPCOS. Ruth Mackey explains: "Optical wireless communication is particularly useful for transmitting large quantities of data to and from remote locations, where it is not possible (or too expensive) to lay optical fibre. However, one of the obstacles to the successful use of this technology, are the adverse effects caused by propagation through the atmosphere, such as beam wander and beam spreading, that reduce signal quality". In its research, the Applied Optics Group use results from a 3km terrestrial optical link, which has been established across Galway City. The link allows researchers to measure the effects of atmospheric turbulence on optical wave propagation and to investigate methods to compensate the atmospheric disturbance of the signal in real time, using adaptive optics. Originally, adaptive optics was a technique developed for Astronomy, to correct the atmospherically degraded images from large Earth based telescopes. NUI Galway is heavily involved in finding use in medical and industrial applications for adaptive optics, in particular for in vivo imaging of the eye and for laser beam shaping. -ends-

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M.A. san Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála seolta in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh

Monday, 30 March 2009

(View in English) Rinne Seán Ó Neachtain, Feisire Eorpach, an cúrsa nua M.A. (Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála) – an chéad chúrsa dá chineál in Éirinn nó san Eoraip – a sheoladh go hoifigiúil Dé hAoine seo caite. Ag labhairt dó ag an seoladh, dúirt an Feisire Ó Neachtain: "Tá géarghá anois le daoine a bhfuil cáilíochtaí gairmiúla acu san ateangaireacht chomhdhála. Daoine óga as Éirinn a bhainfeas cáilíocht ateangaireachta sa nGaeilge agus sa mBéarla, beidh dhá oiread na seansanna fostaíochta acu agus iad ag iarraidh post a fháil san Aontas Eorpach. Níl mórán deiseanna chomh maith leis sin ann ar an aimsir seo." Mhínigh Eoin Ó Droighneáin, Ceannasaí an Aonaid Aistriúcháin agus Ateangaireachta, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh: "In 2007, ní raibh aon saor-ateangaire cáilithe le Gaeilge ar fáil le tabhairt faoi na dualgais nua ateangaireachta a bhain leis an teanga in institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh. Ar feadh dhá bhliain, mic léinn a bhí ag iarraidh an oiliúint chuí ateangaireachta a fháil, b'éigean dóibh dul chomh fada le hOllscoil sa mBreatain Mhór – Ollscoil Westminster i Londain. Sa dá bhliain sin, níor cháiligh ach cúigear mar ateangairí agus tá siad sin ag obair anois mar shaor-ateangairí. Ach tá i bhfad níos mó ateangairí cáilithe ag teastáil sa margadh fostaíochta." Ó tharla bearna mhór a bheith sa margadh fostaíochta, is tráthúil anois go bhfuil an cúrsa nua M.A. san Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála á chur ar fáil ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. Tá siollabas an chláir bunaithe ar an gCéim Mháistreachta Eorpach in Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála (EMCI) agus de thoradh an cúrsa seo a bheith ar siúl anois ag Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, ní gá do mhic léinn dul thar sáile chun cáilíocht aitheanta san ateangaireacht a bhaint amach. Dúblófar, in imeacht bliain amháin den chúrsa nua seo, an líon ateangairí cáilithe le Gaeilge a bheidh ar fáil d'institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh. Tríd an gclár máistreachta seo, tugtar an deis do na mic léinn súil ghéar a choinneáil ar chúrsaí reatha agus ar chúrsaí na hEorpa go háirithe. Tá tacaíocht láidir faighte ag an gcúrsa ó thosaigh sé ó institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh; ina measc sin tá an Ard-Stiúrthóireacht Ateangaireachta sa Choimisiún Eorpach – an tseirbhís ateangaireachta is mó ar domhan. Ní chuireann an Ard-Stiúrthóireacht féin cúrsaí oiliúna ar fáil, ach bíonn comhoibriú dlúth ar siúl idir í agus líon beag ollscoileanna lena chinntiú go gcuirtear oiliúint ghairmiúil den chaighdeán is airde ar mhic léinn ateangaireachta. Tá aíonna mór le rá ó Institiúidí an AE tar éis léachtaí a thabhairt ar an gcúrsa i mbliana; orthu sin tá Brian Fox, Ceannasaí na nAteangairí; agus David Smith, Ceannasaí Rannóg Ateangaireachta an Bhéarla agus na Gaeilge – an bheirt acu ó Ard-Stiúrthóireacht Ateangaireachta an Choimisiúin Eorpaigh. Pléitear le hábhair éagsúla sa chúrsa lánaimseartha bliana M.A. seo; orthu sin, tá cleachtaí cuimhne, scileanna um breacadh nótaí, comhdhálacha bréige, gluaiseanna le haghaidh cruinnithe teicniúla, glóroiliúint, agus béasaíocht sa bhoth ateangaireachta. Bíonn seans ag na mic léinn freisin cuairt a thabhairt ar institiúidí an AE le go bhfeicfidh siad féin ateangairí idirnáisiúnta i mbun a gcuid oibre. Dúirt Brian Fox, Ceannasaí na nAteangairí sa Choimisiún Eorpach: "Tá na deacrachtaí a bhí an AE go dtí seo ateangairí oilte le Gaeilge a earcú pléite go minic sna meáin chumarsáide sa tír seo. Le roinnt seachtainí anuas pléadh freisin sna meáin naisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta na deacrachtaí atá ann ateangairí le Béarla a earcú. Beidh deis faoi leith ag na mic léinn a thabharfas faoin M.A. san Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh – beidh an dá riachtanas teanga sin á gcomhlíonadh acu ach an cháilíocht a bhaint amach ón gcúrsa." Reáchtálann an tAonad Aistriúcháin agus Ateangaireachta in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge cláir léinn ag leibhéal Dioplóma, Bunchéime agus Iarchéime; tá éirithe thar cionn leis an M.A. (Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála) sa chéad bhliain den chúrsa agus is beart suntasach eile é seo san fhorbairt atá an tAonad a dhéanamh ar a chuid cláir léinn. Glactar le líon teoranta iarratas don chúrsa seo; daoine ar mian leor cur isteach ar áit ar an gcúrsa, ba choir dóibh teagmháil a dhéanamh le Susan Folan ag 091 869102 nó susan.folan@oegaillimh.ie le tuilleadh eolais a fháil. -críoch- (Leagan Gaeilge) Seán Ó Neachtain, MEP has officially launched NUI Galway's new Masters in Conference Interpreting (M.A. Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála) – the first if its kind in Ireland and in Europe. Speaking at the launch, Seán Ó Neachtain, said: "A demand now exists for professionals with recognised qualifications in conference interpreting. A qualification in interpretation including both the Irish and English language will double employment opportunities for young Irish people wishing to pursue a career in the European Union. Such opportunities are rare in the current climate". Eoin Ó Droighneáin, Head of the Translation and Interpreting Unit, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway, explained: "In 2007 there was not one single accredited freelance interpreter with Irish, which caused considerable recruitment difficulties for those seeking high level skilled interpreters. For the following two years prospective students with Irish had to travel to the University of Westminster in the UK to train in the hope of obtaining a qualification in the field of conference interpreting. In those two years, only five successfully qualified and are working as freelance interpreters, meaning the gap in the market is still sizeable". This gap in the market coincides with the introduction of the new M.A. in Conference Interpreting offered by NUI Galway's Irish language institute, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. This unique programme is the first of its kind in Ireland and Europe and means that students no longer need to travel to obtain a qualification recognised by the EU. The M.A. is based on the internationally recognised European Masters in Conference Interpreting (EMCI), a curriculum of the highest standard, the same as is followed in the University of Westminster. This year alone, it will match the number of interpreters that have emerged in the years since Irish became a recognised working language of the EU. The M.A. programme gives students the opportunity to follow current and European Affairs quite closely and there has been close cooperation between European Institutions and NUI Galway, including the European Commission's interpreting service Directorate General for Interpretation (DG Interpretation), the largest interpreting service in the world. The Directorate does not itself offer training courses, but cooperates closely with a small number of international Universities to ensure professionally focused training of the highest quality. Many esteemed visitors from European Institutions have lectured on the course throughout the year, among them Mr Brian Fox, Director of Interpreters, DG Interpretation and David Smith, Head of English and Irish Interpreting Unit, DG Interpretation. This full-time one-year M.A. programme covers various subjects including memory exercises, sight translation, note-taking skills, mock conferences, glossaries for technical meetings, voice coaching, and booth etiquette. Students also have the opportunity to visit EU institutions to see at first hand the work of international interpreters. Brian Fox, Director of Interpreters in the European Commission, said: "The Irish media has long since spoken of the difficulties the EU has experienced when seeking to recruit qualified interpreters with Irish. In recent weeks, the national and international media has also spoken of the difficulties being experienced when attempting to recruit English language interpreters. Students of NUI Galway's M.A. Conference Interpreting will have a unique employment opportunity in this case because they will fill both demands successfully by obtaining a qualification in the area". Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge s Translation and Interpreting Unit runs academic programmes at Diploma, Primary Degree and Postgraduate Degree levels; the success of the new M.A. in Conference Interpreting in its first year marks another milestone in the Unit s programme development. A limited number of applicants are accepted on the programme, and students wishing to apply should contact Susan Folan at 091 869102 or susan.folan@oegaillimh.ie for further information. -ends-

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