Shannon College of Hotel Management has established a School Advisory Board, aimed at providing independent external guidance to the Head of School and School Executive Board, and actively supporting the delivery of the School’s mission and strategy. Comprised of esteemed regional, national, and international members from diverse fields and sectors, the School Advisory Board brings a wealth of experience and expertise to support the holistic development of students and the advancement of the hospitality industry. Chairing the Advisory Board is Gerald Lawless, former CEO of Jumeirah Group and former Chair of the World Travel and Tourism Council. The Board includes prominent industry leaders such as Frankie Whelehan, Managing Director of the Chesway Group; Mary Considine, CEO Shannon Group; John Brennan, Owner Dromquinna Manor; Professor Tom Garavan, Professor of Leadership Practice in CUBS, UCC; Quinn Pu, Hotel Manager, Mandrian Oriental, Shanghai; Gillian Horan, Owner, The Pudding; John Clendennen, MD of Giltraps Pub, Townhouse and Glamping, and President of the Vintners Association; Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, Fitzgerald’s Woodland House Hotel and Chairperson Irish Tourism Industry Confederation; Paul Carty, Tourism Consultant and Former MD of Guiness Storehouse; and Niamh O’Neil,: International Business Development Manager for the O'Donoghue Ring Collection. Mr. Lawless expressed his honour at leading the Advisory Board, highlighting the strong track record of Shannon College of Hotel Management in shaping successful careers in the hospitality industry. He emphasized the Board's commitment to providing guidance and mentorship to the future leaders of the industry: "Shannon College of Hotel Management has been the foundation of so many successful careers in the Hotel industry. It has the proud record of having a 100% employment at graduation for its students since the founding of the college by Brendan O'Regan in 1951. I am deeply honoured to have been asked to chair the newly formed Advisory Board. The members of the Board greatly reflect the strength of the industry in Ireland and overseas. We look forward to our engagement with the College and to assisting Head of School Adrian Sylver and his colleagues with advice on the future strategy and direction of Shannon College of Hotel Management. Finally, we all recognise our responsibility to the students of the college where we can offer advice and mentorship to the future leaders of this great industry." Head of Shannon College of Hotel Management, Adrian Sylver said: "We are thrilled to have such a distinguished group of industry experts on board to support our mission of providing a world-class education in business and hotel management.” Ends

University of Galway has triumphed at the 2024 Education Awards and Graduate Recruitment Awards with successes in sustainability and career guidance support for students. The University secured the top prize for Excellence in Sustainability at the Education Awards, in recognition of progress in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including the opening of the Sustainability office this year and the My Green Labs certificate for all labs in the Alice Perry Engineering Building. The University’s Career Development Centre was also successful at the Education Awards, winning the award for Career Impact Strategy for its Employability Award. At a separate ceremony - gradireland Graduate Recruitment Awards - the Career Development Centre took home the top prize under the AHECS Building Effective Partnerships in recognition of ongoing collaboration with Platform94. These awards build on success for the Centre’s Employability Award, which secured global recognition by winning the Founders Award for Innovation at the Global Careers Summit Award in Washington DC last month. Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Deputy President and Registrar and outgoing Chair of the University Sustainability Advisory Board, said: “All of us who are involved in progressing sustainability at University of Galway can rightly take ownership of our success at the Education Awards – it is a team effort and it is a community effort and I am delighted to see recognition for us all. Like society and like many organisations we are on a journey to a more sustainable future and at each step of the way we are reminded that it was the students at University of Galway who helped to drive this and ensured that sustainability was a core value. They too should take great delight in this award.” Professor Ciara Meehan, Dean of Students, said: “Congratulations to the team at our Career Development Centre and all those who are supporting the work towards a more sustainable future, particular the students who are devoting energy, ideas and their time to progress this core value of our University. These awards are great symbol of our endeavours and achievements, and they are testament to the efforts of our students, and for our students.” Marie Laffey, Head of the Career Development Centre at the University, said: “To win one top prize at the Education Awards is a fantastic achievement and great recognition of the team and our work in the Career Development Centre, but to also win at the Graduate Recruitment Awards and to do it on the back of international recognition at Global Careers Summit demonstrates the real impact we are making for our students. A huge congratulations goes to all the team and we would also like to thank our colleagues in Platform94 for all their support and work with us, as well as all the students who engage with us as we strive to set them on the right path in the next step on their journey.” Dr Richard Manton, Director of Sustainability, said: “A huge congratulations to the team involved in bringing the University to where we are today. Through our community and university sustainability partnership, we are co-creating a more sustainable campus and embedding sustainability in all aspects of learning and research, culture, operations and governance. The award builds on our status as a Government of Ireland SDG Champion and our World Top 50 ranking for performance on the SDGs." Ends

University of Galway has awarded the inaugural Hygeia Scholarship to first year Bachelor of Commerce student Joseph Cunnane. Over the next 10 years Hygeia will support ten students with a financial award as well as the opportunity of undertaking work placement and internships with the company. The scholarship will include mentorship by Hygeia employees, supporting students through their academic and personal development, as well as opportunities for work placements and internships so that students gain valuable skills and insight for their future careers. Joseph Cunnane, from Kilkelly, Co Mayo, is from a farming background and hopes to establish his own business in his home county at some stage in the future. Commenting on his award Joseph Cunnane said: “I am delighted to be a recipient of the Hygeia Scholarship. This provides me with an excellent opportunity to pursue my degree here at University of Galway. Thank you to the management team at Hygeia and all the staff at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics for providing me this once in a lifetime experience. This is an incredible programme that helps improve accessibility to higher education, and I look forward to expanding my insight and knowledge into the world of business.” John Byrne, chief executive of Hygeia, said: “This scholarship is important for Hygeia as it allows us to work more closely with the University and support students to get the most from their University experience. We are really proud to be a Galway based business and we want students at the University to think about a career with Hygeia so we will be here for the next 80 years.” President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “We are extremely grateful to Hygeia for their generosity and support of students at University of Galway. We are deeply committed to supporting students from diverse backgrounds in Galway including ensuring that our university can be an ambition for all young people in our region. I congratulate Joseph who is a very impressive recipient of this inaugural award.” Established in Galway City in 1939 by Dr Donny Coyle and now based in Oranmore, Hygeia manufacture and distribute high performance garden care, agricultural and animal care products. They continue to offer innovative solutions and strive to select the most environmentally friendly and sustainable options. Hygeia has ambitious plans for growth over the coming years and plan to contribute to the local jobs market and local community. Ends