Tá fáilte curtha ag Uachtarán agus ag Uachtarán Ionaid & Meabhránaí Ollscoil na Gaillimhe roimh chur chuige nua a dhéanfaidh éascaíocht do mhic léinn ó thuaidh staidéar a dhéanamh sa Phoblacht. D’fhógair an tAire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta, Simon Harris T.D. gur glacadh le moltaí maidir le coibhéis A-leibhéal – Ardteistiméireachta. Ba é Grúpa Oibre de chuid an chumainn Universities Ireland a chuir na moltaí chun cinn faoi chathaoirleacht Uachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Pól Ó Dochartaigh. Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag an Ollamh Ó Dochartaigh: “An cuspóir a bhí againn nuair a thángamar le chéile mar cheannairí ollscoileanna na hÉireann, idir thuaidh agus theas, cur le soghluaisteacht trasteorann mac léinn. Tá sé sin ag teacht le haidhmeanna thuarascáil Oireachtais ó 2022, le tionscnamh an Oileáin Chomhroinnte de chuid Rialtas na hÉireann agus le rúin an Aire Simon Harris féin. “Beidh an córas nua níos cothroime ná an córas a bhí ann roimhe seo. Beidh sé níos éasca ag mic léinn ón Tuaisceart feasta teacht go dtí an Phoblacht chun staidéar a dhéanamh, chun eispéireas foghlama a bheith acu inár bpobail ollscoile fuinniúla. “Le himeacht ama, beidh toradh níos dearfaí ag na hathruithe seo. Cuirfear deiseanna ar fáil do dhaoine óga chun dúshraith a leagan síos do chaidrimh nua idir scoileanna sa Tuaisceart agus ollscoileanna anseo, agus idir daoine óga agus a dteaghlaigh i ngach contae in Éirinn.” Seo mar a labhair Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh: “Féachann an cumann Universities Ireland le comhoibriú i réimse an ardoideachais ar an oileán a chur chun cinn agus a fhorbairt. Is cúis áthais dom a bheith i mo chathaoirleach ar an gcumann agus an cheist seo á cíoradh, agus réitigh á bhforbairt. Is í an oscailteacht ceann de chroíluachanna Ollscoil na Gaillimhe agus is cúis bhróid dár n-institiúid í go raibh ról chomh tábhachtach againn nuair a bhí deiseanna nua á socrú do dhaoine óga as gach cearn den oileán. Tá ardmholadh tuillte ag an Ollamh Ó Dochartaigh as an obair a rinneadh ar na moltaí a threorú, agus ag baill uile Ghrúpa Oibre an chumainn Universities Ireland a chabhraigh le forbairt an chórais nua. Táimid ag tnúth anois leis na moltaí a chur i bhfeidhm a luaithe agus is féidir.” Socruithe nua maidir le coibhéis A-leibhéal – Ardteistiméireachta don CAO fógartha ag an Aire Harris -      Ní bheidh sé riachtanach a thuilleadh 4 A-leibhéal a dhéanamh (an Mata mar cheann amháin éigeantach) chun uasphointí (625) a bhaint amach faoi chóras iontrála tríú leibhéal na Poblachta – an Lár-Oifig Iontrála (CAO). -      Is féidir le mic léinn Thuaisceart Éireann na 3 A-leibhéal is fearr atá acu a úsáid, mar aon leis an 4ú A-leibhéal nó Tionscadal Breisithe nó ábhar AS. Ciallaíonn sé seo go bhféadfaidh iarratasóirí scór 600 pointe a bhaint amach le 3 A-leibhéal agus 1 AS, agus 625 pointe má bhíonn Mata ar cheann de na hábhair A-leibhéal. -      Breithneofar mic léinn Thuaisceart Éireann freisin le haghaidh áit in ollscoil in Éirinn má dhéanann siad iarratas le 2 A-leibhéal agus AS-Leibhéal amháin nó 2 AS-Leibhéal.   Tugadh ar aird sa tuarascáil ar mholtaí ó Ghrúpa Oibre an chumainn Universities Ireland nach dtagann ach 0.6% de na mic léinn ardoideachais sa Phoblacht ó Thuaisceart Éireann, ach ó thuaidh, go dtagann 2.4% de mhic léinn ón bPoblacht. Tugadh ar aird freisin nach ndéanann ach 3% de na daltaí A-leibhéal sa Tuaisceart ceithre ábhar ag A-leibhéal. Críoch

University of Galway's President and Deputy President & Registrar have welcomed a new approach to make it easier for students from Northern Ireland to study in the Republic. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris T.D. has announced recommendations on A-level – Leaving Certificate equivalence have been accepted. The proposals were put forward by a Universities Ireland Working Group chaired by University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh. Professor Ó Dochartaigh said: “Our intention in bringing together leadership from universities on the island, north and south, was to enhance cross-border mobility, in line with the aims of an Oireachtas report from 2022, the Government of Ireland Shared Island initiative and Minister Simon Harris’s own expressed intentions.  “The new system offers a fairer system than before. It makes it easier for students from the north to come to the Republic to study, to learn and to experience our wonderful, energetic university communities.  “Over time, these changes will do more, with the opportunities that we provide for young people, to create the bedrock for new relationships to be formed between schools in the north and universities here and between young people and their families from all counties on the island.” President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, who is also President of Universities Ireland Council, said: “Universities Ireland seeks to promote and develop cooperation in the higher education on our island. I am delighted to have been chair of the association as this issue was explored and solutions developed. University of Galway has openness as one of its core values and it is an important day for our institution that we have played such a vital role in securing new opportunities for young people from all parts of our island. Huge credit goes to Professor Ó Dochartaigh for leading the work on the recommendations and all the members of the Universities Ireland Working Group who helped in the development of the new system. We look forward now to implementing the proposals as soon as possible.” New arrangements for A-level – Leaving Certificate equivalence for the CAO announced by Minister Harris It will no longer be necessary to take 4 A-levels (one of which must be Maths) in order to achieve maximum points (625) under the Republic’s system for third level entry – the Central Applications Office (CAO). NI students can use their best 3 A-levels, along with 4th A-level or an Extended Project or an AS subject. This will mean that applicants can attain a score of 600 points with 3 A-levels and 1 AS, and 625 points if one of the A Levels is Maths NI students will also be considered for a place in an Irish university by applying with 2 A-levels and 1 or 2 AS levels.  The report of recommendations from the Universities Ireland Working Group noted that only 0.6% of students in higher education in the Republic come from Northern Ireland, while in the north, 2.4% of students come from the Republic.  It also noted that only 3% of A-level students in the north take four subjects at A-level. Ends

University of Galway has announced the 2023 Tarpey Scholarship awardees – Nursing student Shauna Martyn and Medicine student Adeline Mei Hui Kon. The scholarships are testament to the enduring legacy of the late Hazel and Tanya Tarpey – two remarkable sisters who left an indelible mark on healthcare workers while they were treated for a rare genetic autoimmune disease.  The Tarpey family established the scholarship in memory of the sisters to foster the growth and development of future healthcare professionals. It is awarded to outstanding students committed to enhancing their professional skills through additional studies, beyond the regular curriculum. The Tarpey family have extended their support for students to include a Tarpey Bursary, established for the first time in 2022. The award is given privately each year to two students in the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences who may not have been able to continue their studies due to being at a financial disadvantage.  Tim and Mary Tarpey, the parents of the Hazel and Tanya, said: “It is a pleasure to give back to the medical community who did so much. We look forward to the event every year to meet the new recipients and catch-up with old friends who diligently cared for the girls over the years. We will never forget them and feel this is the perfect way to celebrate their memory and build a lasting legacy through both the scholarship and bursary.” Professor Sean Dinneen, of University of Galway’s School of Medicine and Consultant Endocrinologist at Saolta University Healthcare Group, cared for both sisters during their illness. He said: “The Tarpey Scholarship and Bursary stand as a shining example of philanthropy, embodying the Tarpey family’s commitment to keeping alive the memory of Hazel and Tanya. By supporting the education and training of the next generation of caring and compassionate healthcare professionals, the Tarpey family’s contribution plays a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare.” Dr Paul Dodd, Vice-President for Engagement at University of Galway, said: “Our University community would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the Tarpey family for their unwavering support and dedication to the formation of compassionate healthcare professionals. The Tarpey Scholarship and Bursary contributes significantly to the development of our students, ensuring that they have the resources and support needed to excel in their chosen fields.” Adeline Mei Hui Kon, a Medicine student at University of Galway who received one of this year’s Tarpey Scholarships, said: “This generous support inspires me to continue pursuing my research aspirations and enhancing my clinical skills. I am sincerely grateful for the belief placed in me and I am committed to making a positive impact in the field of healthcare in honour of the Tarpey’s family enduring love and memory.” Shauna Martyn, a Nursing student at University of Galway and also a recipient of the 2023 Tarpey Scholarship, said: “I’m delighted to be selected for this award, and to become part of the tradition of honouring the memory of the Tarpey sisters. I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to the Tarpey family for their generosity. It’s a great privilege to accept this award and to commemorate the exceptional Tarpey sisters.” Ends