August 2009

(Leagan Gaeilge) The EU Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, Meglena Kuneva, visited Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge's (NUI Galway) Centre in An Cheathrú Rua on Friday, 28 August. "This is the first such visit by an EU Commissioner to a university centre in the Gaeltacht", said Treasa Uí Lorcáin, Administrator of NUI Galway's Centre in An Cheathrú Rua, "and is a great honour for us to host a visitor as distinguished as Commissioner Kuneva. It reiterates again the deep interest at the highest levels of the European Union in the pioneering work undertaken by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in the fields of Interpreting and Translation Studies, especially in light of the employment opportunities now available to graduates of our courses in the European institutions." Commissioner Kuneva visited the facilities in place in the Centre for students and staff, and paid particular attention to the specialist equipment and facilities for the M.A. san Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála (M.A. in Conference Interpreting) and Ard-Dioplóma i Léann an Aistriúcháin (Higher Diploma in Translation Studies) programmes – the leading programmes in these fields in Ireland. New intakes of students will commence their studies in these two programmes in mid-September. Applications for places on the programmes will be accepted until Monday, 7, September. Further information available at www.acadamh.ie/cursai Cuairt Stairiúil ag an gCoimisinéir Eorpach Kuneva ar Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, an Cheathrú Rua (View in English) Thug Meglena Kuneva, Coimisinéir an Aontais Eorpaigh ar Ghnóthaí Tomhaltais, cuairt ar Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh ar an gCeathrú Rua, Dé hAoine, 28 Lúnasa. "Is é seo an chéad uair a thug Coimisinéir de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh cuairt ar ionad ollscoile sa Ghaeltacht," a dúirt Treasa Uí Lorcáin, Riarthóir Ionad an Acadaimh ar an gCeathrú Rua, "agus is mór an onóir don Acadamh agus don Ollscoil go bhfuil oifigeach chomh sinsearach leis an gCoimisinéir Kuneva ag tabhairt cuairte orainn. Léiríonn sé arís an spéis dháiríre, ag an leibhéal is airde san Aontas Eorpach, san obair cheannródaíoch atá ar bun ag an Acadamh anseo ó thaobh cúrsaí léinn san Aistriúchán agus san Ateangaireacht a chur ar fáil atá dírithe ar na deiseanna maithe fostaíochta sa Ghaeilge a bhíonn á dtairiscint san Aontas Eorpach anois". Thug an Coimisinéir Kuneva cuairt ar áiseanna éagsúla an Ionaid ar an gCeathrú Rua, agus bhí aird ar leith aici ar na háiseanna speisialtóireachta atá ag an Acadamh don M.A. san Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála agus don Ard-Dioplóma i Léann an Aistriúcháin – cláir léinn cheannródaíocha i réimsí na hAteangaireachta agus an Aistriúcháin sa tír seo. Beidh tús á chur i lár na míosa seo chugainn le babhta nua den M.A. san Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála agus den Ard-Dioplóma i Léann an Aistriúcháin. Glacfar le hiarratais le haghaidh na gcúrsaí sin go dtí an 7 Meán Fómhair 2009. Tuilleadh eolais: www.acadamh.ie/cursai -Críoch-

NUI Galway, in partnership with the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh and the University of Aberdeen, are looking to recruit 50 homes in Galway and 50 in Scotland to participate in a study to measure the levels of indoor air pollutions in homes. The Indoor Air Pollution and Health (IAPAH) project, which will run until December 2010, is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, and will focus on homes which use solid fuels for heating or cooking, or homes which have a resident smoker. The information collected in this project will be used to estimate how air pollution in homes affects our health. This is one of the first studies in Ireland and Scotland to look at air pollutants in domestic dwellings. Over the last few decades there have been many advances in the design and construction of domestic dwellings. As a result, the amount of air movement in today's buildings is estimated to be 10 times lower than it was 30 years ago. Activities in the home such as cooking, heating and smoking, along with reduced air exchange can result in indoor air pollutants reaching levels greater than those found outdoors. According to Dr Marie Coggins of the School of Physics at NUI Galway and co-ordinator of the project: "The average European spends 90% of their time indoors so the quality of the air we breathe plays a significant role in our health and well-being. Indoor air pollution has been identified as one of the key factors related to the development of respiratory illnesses, such as asthma and allergies. This project will allow us gather information which will help us improve our understanding of this important area". For details on how to participate in the study or for more information on air pollution please visit www.nuigalway.ie/iapah. -ends-

The creation of an extensive database of illustrated travel accounts about Ireland, from the 16th-19th century, is underway at NUI Galway. The 'Ireland Illustrated' project will provide an online collection of images showing how Ireland was portrayed in centuries gone by to travellers around the world. NUI Galway's Professor Jane Conroy is one of the team heading up the project: "Travel accounts played a major role in shaping mental images in early modern and modern Europe. Particularly when images came to support the text, the suggested representation might become even truer than reality. These ancient texts and the images they contain preserved an important part of history that needs to be discovered. Bringing this part of our heritage together through the Ireland Illustrated project, we will have a resource of interest and value to all". Large numbers of images and other documents will be scanned and catalogued, including those housed in libraries and museums around the country. Researchers at NUI Galway are asking anyone with books containing images about travelling to Ireland from 1500-1900 to contact them so that copies might be included. The searchable database of travel images will be available for academic use, and for the wider public. Due for completion in 2012, the Ireland Illustrated project will give international audiences access to rare books and give Irish people a way to connect with their visual heritage. Through an interactive searchable map, visitors will also be able to search for images of their own town or county. Professor Conroy, who is also Humanities Secretary with the Royal Irish Academy, adds: "In a way, travel accounts were the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide of their day, often containing drawings or sketches of the scenery and people. Quite scarce in the 1600s, accounts from that century portrayed a wild land, with quite an uncivilised population. From the late 1700s on, manor houses, estates and towns attracted more attention and a different image of Ireland began to filter through". Experts from the world of travel literature, digital humanities and libraries from across Europe gathered at NUI Galway recently to discuss the project. A similar database has been created by the University of Paris-Sorbonne containing travel accounts on France from the same period. The project Texts, Transmission and Cultural Exchange is taking place at NUI Galway Moore Institute for Humanities and is part of an interdisciplinary PhD research programme involving NUI Galway, TCD and UCC, and is funded by PRTLI4 and the Andrew Mellon Foundation. -ends-

Co-ordinators of the Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Practice (DMP) at NUI Galway have issued their annual call to businesses that might benefit from hosting a recently qualified marketing graduate. Since 1981, NUI Galway has been successfully placing marketing graduates with companies around Ireland through the DMP. To participate in the postgraduate diploma, students must have completed a business degree during which they specialised in marketing. To date, over 800 organisations have acted as hosts on the programme and each year over 90% of graduates have been retained by their companies on completion of the diploma. According to the DMP Programme Director, NUI Galway's Ann Walsh, "The ongoing interest by companies is fuelled by the quality of our students, many of whom speak two or more languages. All DMP students go through a rigorous application procedure to secure a place on the programme". Through the DMP, marketing graduates spend 32 weeks of the 35-week programme with their host company who provide a minimum weekly rate of payment. The placement is preceded by an intensive Induction Programme at the Cairnes School of Business & Economics at NUI Galway where graduates learn the practical skills necessary to become effective in the workplace. Graduates also attend training workshops throughout the programme to enhance their practical marketing skills. "Everything from effective presentation skills to effective online marketing strategies is covered in the workshops and all assignments undertaken by the graduates relate specifically to their host companies," explains Ann Walsh. NUI Galway works closely with the host business. Assistance is given in compiling a detailed job specification and a shortlist of candidates for interview is provided that best matches the company's needs. On-going advice and assistance is also available to both companies and graduates in the form of regular visits, review sessions, telephone and e-mail support. For further information contact Ann Walsh on 091 492546. -ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) NUI Galway has seen a significant increase in demand for its programmes across all colleges, as CAO points were released this week. Contrary to national trends which saw demand for construction courses fall, Project and Construction Management at NUI Galway was up 20 points. At 445 points, NUI Galway's new degree, Energy Systems Engineering, was the highest in terms of points for any engineering course at the University. Another new degree, Engineering Innovation – Electronic also attracted a lot of interest as did the University's Sports and Exercise Engineering degree with 415 points. Soaring Engineering applications reflect favourably on the carefully thought-out new programmes in Energy Systems Engineering, designed in response to a growing demand for professional engineers to work in the energy sector as well as Engineering Innovation, which aims to create a new type of engineer with skills in innovation and entrepreneurship essential to delivering the Smart Economy . Other newer courses also saw points increase, such as Podiatry, which rose from 390 to 420, and Arts (Mathematics and Education) which was up from 325 to 375. In other disciplines, Arts degrees remained in strong demand, with BA Connect Programmes proving popular again this year. NUI Galway's Irish language degree Na Dána (Gaeilge agus Léann an Aistrúcháin) rose a dramatic 200 points, one of the largest jumps for any course in the country. Commerce (International) with languages including French, German, Spanish and Italian all saw an increase in points. Courses linked to accounting and economics also rose in points, with Business Information Systems up 40 points to 340, while Financial Maths and Economics saw an increase from 385 to 400. In the area of professional healthcare, General Nursing and Psychiatric Nursing also rose significantly. Science also performed well, with points up in Physics, Marine Science, Biotechnology and Biomedical Science. The University sees rising demand for courses as a direct result of its response to integrating national priorities into the institutional agenda. Being responsive to the changing needs of the employment market is also a key focus at NUI Galway. Cúrsaí Foirgníochta OÉ Gaillimh ag Seasamh an Fhóid (View in English) Tháinig méadú mór ar an éileamh atá ar chláir léinn choláistí uile OÉ Gaillimh, mar a léiríonn pointí an CAO a foilsíodh an tseachtain seo. Cuireadh 20 pointe breise le céim OÉ Gaillimh i mBainistíocht Tionscadail agus Foirgníochta, glanmhalairt na treochta náisiúnta inar laghdaigh an t-éileamh ar chúrsaí foirgníochta. Ba é cúrsa céime nua OÉ Gaillimh, an chéim Innealtóireachta Córas Fuinnimh, an cúrsa ab airde pointí de chúrsaí innealtóireachta uile na hOllscoile; 445 pointe a theastaigh le háit a fháil ar an gcúrsa sin. Bhí go leor spéise chomh maith i gcéim nua eile, Nuálaíocht Innealtóireachta – Leictreonach, agus i gcéim Innealtóireachta Spóirt agus Aclaíochta na hOllscoile a raibh 415 pointe á éileamh dó. Tháinig méadú mór ar líon na n-iarratas Innealtóireachta. Is dea-thuar é an t-éileamh ar chúrsaí nua a raibh an-dua caite leo, amhail an chéim in Innealtóireacht Córas Fuinnimh, a cuireadh ar fáil le freastal ar an méadú ar an éileamh atá ar innealtóirí gairmiúla a d'oibreodh in earnáil an fhuinnimh, agus an chéim i Nuálaíocht Innealtóireachta, a bhfuil sé de chuspóir aici innealtóirí de chineál eile ar fad a chur ar fáil a mbeidh scileanna nuálaíochta agus fiontraíochta acu, scileanna atá riachtanach chun an 'Geilleagar Glic' a chothú. Bhí ardú ar phointí cúrsaí nua eile chomh maith, an Chosliacht, mar shampla, ar ardaigh na pointí ó 390 go 420, agus an chéim sna Dána (Matamaitic agus Oideachas) a d'ardaigh ó 325 go 375. Sna disciplíní eile, bhí an-éileamh ar chéimeanna sna Dána, mar is gnáth, agus bhí an-tóir ar na Cláir BA Connect arís i mbliana. Ceann de na cúrsaí is mó ar ardaigh na pointí dó sa tír ba ea an chéim sna Dána (Gaeilge agus Léann an Aistriúcháin) in OÉ Gaillimh; léim shuntasach de 200 pointe a bhí i gceist. D'ardaigh pointí na gcéimeanna sa Tráchtáil (Idirnáisiúnta) le teangacha amhail an Fhraincis, an Ghearmáinis, an Spáinnis agus an Iodáilis. D'ardaigh na pointí na gcúrsaí cuntasaíochta agus eacnamaíochta chomh maith; cuireadh 40 pointe leis an gcéim i gCórais Faisnéise Gnó (340 pointe), mar shampla, agus d'ardaigh an chéim i Matamaitic an Airgeadais agus Eacnamaíocht ó 385 go 400 pointe. I réimse an chúraim sláinte ghairmiúil, bhí ardú mór ar na pointí san Altranas Ginearálta agus san Altranas Síciatrach chomh maith. D éirigh go maith le cúrsaí eolaíochta freisin agus d ardaigh na marcanna san Fhisic, sa Mhuireolaíocht, sa Bhiteicneolaíocht agus san Eolaíocht Bhithleighis. Measann an Ollscoil go bhfuil méadú ag teacht ar an éileamh atá ar na cúrsaí sin de bhrí gur chuir an institiúid béim ar thosaíochtaí náisiúnta ina clár oibre. Cuirtear an-bhéim in OÉ Gaillimh chomh maith ar fhreastal ar riachtanais luaineacha mhargadh na fostaíochta. -Críoch-

NUI Galway has applauded the outstanding performance of one of its heroic graduates Olive Loughnane (BComm 1996) as she took the silver medal position yesterday in the 20k walk at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. President of NUI Galway, Dr James J. Browne, commented: "We, at NUI Galway, are delighted for Olive and extend our congratulations for her perseverance and continued dedication to her training which has finally paid off with a silver medal at the World Championships". Olive Loughnane, originally from Loughrea, Co. Galway, represented NUI Galway Athletics Club from 1993 to 1995 and was selected for a Sports Award in 1996. Yesterday Olive finished 49 seconds behind defending champion and Olympic gold medallist Olga Kaniskina of Russia in a season's best of 1hr 28mins 58secs, just over a minute outside her personal best at last year's Olympic Games in Beijing. In her third Olympic Games in Beijing, Olive finished the 20k walk in seventh place (of 48 competitors) in a personal best time of 1hr 27mins 45secs, over a minute inside the Olympic record. Speaking after the race Olive said: "We didn t know what was going to happen before the race but I felt very comfortable at the start. I knew I was stronger than last year and this result was a combination of great tactics and technical support. I focused on the process, not the medal. Everything helped me a lot, good physio, good doctors, psychological training and of course my family back in Ireland that is supporting me. I promised my little daughter Eimear I was going to bring her a medal so she will be very happy. We all believed that everything was possible". Tony Regan, Head of Sport at NUI Galway, added: "Olive's achievement is one of the most deserved in Irish sport. It is a triumph of hard work, dedication and perseverance that has seen Olive deliver on the potential she showed in her early years at NUI Galway. She is a wonderful role model for all sportspeople and we are delighted to congratulate her on this remarkable success". -Ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) NUI Galway is hosting its tenth annual series of information evenings around the country for students starting their studies at the University in September 2009. Parents are also invited to the information evenings or 'Student Send-Offs'. The 'Student Send-Offs' will take place at 7pm in the following venues: Westmeath, Monday, 24 August: Radisson SAS Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Dublin, Tuesday, 25 August: The President's Hall, The Law Society of Ireland, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7. Donegal, Wednesday, 26 August: Pier One, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal. Mayo, Thursday, 27 August: Days Hotel, Lannagh Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Sligo, Monday, 31 August: Sligo Southern Hotel, Strandhill Road, Sligo Town. Galway, Tuesday, 1 September: Lecture Theatre MY243, Áras Moyola, NUI Galway. Galway, Wednesday, 2 September: Lecture Theatre MY243, Áras Moyola, NUI Galway. Clare, Thursday, 3 September: Temple Gate Hotel, The Square, Ennis, Co. Clare. Throughout the evenings, NUI Galway Lecturers, Alumni Association Board Members, Student Services staff and Students' Union representatives will be on hand to advise students and answer any questions relating to university life. The topics covered will include Accommodation, Finance and the Students' Assistance Fund, Safety, Careers, Counselling, Clubs, Societies and the Students' Union. JB Terrins, Director of Alumni Relations at NUI Galway, said: "This is an ideal opportunity for both parents and students to get first-hand advice on finding one's way around campus during those first days of term. Students can find out about the University's support services and the benefits of becoming involved in the many Clubs and Societies". Some 3,000 new students will join NUI Galway in September, with First Year registration commencing on Monday, 14 September. For further information on the information evenings please contact Eimear Doran on 086 8585168 or email studentsendoff@nuigalway.ie. Oícheanta Eolais ag OÉ Gaillimh do Mhic Léinn Nua ar Fud na hÉireann (View in English) Den deichiú bliain as a chéile, beidh oícheanta eolais ar siúl ag OÉ Gaillimh ar fud na tíre do mhic léinn a thosóidh san Ollscoil i mí Mheán Fómhair 2009. Tá cuireadh ag tuismitheoirí freastal ar an oíche eolais chomh maith. Beidh na hoícheanta eolais ar siúl ag 7pm ar na dátaí agus sna hionaid seo a leanas: An Iarmhí, Dé Luain, 24 Lúnasa: Óstán Radisson SAS, Baile Átha Luain, Co. na hIarmhí. Baile Átha Cliath, Dé Máirt, 25 Lúnasa: Halla an Uachtaráin, Dlí-Chumann na hÉireann, Plás Blackhall, Baile Átha Cliath 7. Dún na nGall, Dé Céadaoin, 26 Lúnasa: Pier One, Baile Dhún na nGall, Co. Dhún na nGall. Maigh Eo, Déardaoin, 27 Lúnasa: Óstán Days, Caisleán an Bharraigh, Co. Mhaigh Eo. Sligeach, Dé Luain, 31 Lúnasa: Óstán Sligo Southern, Bóthar an Leathrois, Baile Shligigh. Gaillimh, Dé Máirt, 1 Meán Fómhair: Téatar MY243, Áras Mhaighe Seola, OÉ Gaillimh.  Gaillimh, Dé Céadaoin, 2 Meán Fómhair: Téatar MY243, Áras Mhaighe Seola, OÉ Gaillimh.  An Clár, Déardaoin, 3 Meán Fómhair: Óstán Temple Gate, An Chearnóg, Inis, Co. an Chláir. Beidh léachtóirí, comhaltaí an Chumainn Alumni, comhaltaí foirne Sheirbhísí do Mhic Léinn agus ionadaithe Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn i láthair ag na hoícheanta eolais chun comhairle a chur ar mhic léinn agus aon cheist a bheadh acu maidir le saol na hOllscoile a fhreagairt. Beidh eolas ar fáil maidir le Lóistín, Airgead agus an Ciste Cúnaimh do Mhic Léinn, Sábháilteacht, Gairmeacha, Comhairleoireacht, Clubanna, Cumainn agus Comhaltas na Mac Léinn. Dúirt JB Terrins, Stiúrthóir, Caidrimh Alumni, OÉ Gaillimh: "Is iontach an deis é seo do thuismitheoirí agus do mhic léinn gach cineál eolais a fháil a chuideoidh leo na chéad chúpla lá sin agus iad ag iarraidh a mbealach a dhéanamh ar an gcampas. Gheobhaidh mic léinn eolas maidir le seirbhísí tacaíochta na hOllscoile agus na buntáistí a bhaineann leis na Clubanna agus na Cumainn atá san Ollscoil". Tiocfaidh 3,000 mac léinn nua chuig OÉ Gaillimh i mí Mheán Fómhair. Tosóidh clárú mhic léinn na Chéad Bhliana Dé Luain, an 14 Meán Fómhair. Tá eolas breise maidir leis na hoícheanta eolais le fáil ó Eimear Doran ar 0868585168 nó ríomhphost studentsendoff@nuigalway.ie. -Críoch-

NUI Galway will host Ireland's largest surgical conference, the 34th Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture & Surgical Symposium, from 4-5 September 2009. Dr Patrick Gullane, Wharton Chair in Head and Neck Surgery at Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital, will deliver the Memorial Lecture at 5pm on the first day of the conference. The annual event provides a platform for healthcare professionals to present their research and clinical work and allows for the merging of both scientific and clinical information. It is named in memory of the Galway-born surgeon, Sir Peter Freyer, who performed the first successful surgical operation to remove an enlarged prostate in 1900. Commenting on the upcoming lecture, Professor of Surgery at NUI Galway, Michael Kerin, said: "We are honoured to have Dr Gullane here this year to deliver the Memorial lecture. Although his reputation is international, we know him as an Irishman and a graduate of our own institution here at Galway. Dr Gullane has since embarked on a career in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery - and is recognised globally as a leader in his field. As he also acts as Professor and Chair to the Department of Otolaryngology in the University of Toronto, we look forward to his practical, theoretical and research-led insights". On the second day of the Surgical Symposium, Saturday, 5 September, Professor Arnold Hill will present the State of the Art Lecture entitled 'Breast Cancer and the Cancer Strategy - Past, Present and Future'. Arnold Hill is Professor and Chairman of Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Beaumont Hospital. His research interests focus on resistance to current therapies in the treatment of breast cancer. The Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture & Surgical Symposium is hosted by NUI Galway's Professor Michael Kerin and Mr Oliver McAnena. For further information on event, please contact Grace Clarke at 091 524390 or grace.clarke@nuigalway.ie. -ends-

The College of Engineering and Informatics at NUI Galway is to embark on a new educational strategy which will enhance the learning experience for students, and will ensure that graduates will be to the forefront as Ireland continues to develop into a knowledge economy. The introduction of new advanced teaching methods will see an increased usage of computing and laptop technologies in the upcoming academic year across all programmes in the College. The College in conjunction with PC manufacturer Lenovo have identified a specific high performance laptop which is preloaded with specialised engineering and informatics software that is essential for the students. The College has also negotiated a discounted purchase price for students at 40% below the normal retail price. This initiative is unique in Ireland and will be rolled out to students for the first time at the start of the coming academic year, in September 2009. Dr David O Sullivan at the College of Engineering and Informatics, NUI Galway, said: "We are very excited about this new initiative. Our students will have round-the-clock access to all of our information tools and resources. The new laptop scheme will significantly enhance the educational experience of students on programmes in Engineering and Informatics. The availability of a high spec machine with several specialised software packages at a reduced cost will allow the students carry out assignments and projects in any location at any time. It will also facilitate more relevant interactive teaching in the lecture hall". When students purchase a Lenovo ThinkPad W500 laptop they will have access to on-campus repair services, next working-day consulting facilities, warranty and a four year accidental damage insurance to protect their investment. Students can either choose to buy a laptop outright or, for a more affordable option, lease a laptop directly from the manufacturers. Globally, Lenovo has invested in similar initiatives across 500 universities. Some of the leading universities in the United States have adopted the initiative such as St John s University and Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, New York and Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Niamh Minnock, Education Account Manager, Lenovo Ireland, says: "NUI Galway will be the first university to engage in this type of initiative with Lenovo in Ireland, and signifies Lenovo's commitment to Ireland and Irish third-level education. It is available exclusively to NUI Galway and if successful we plan to roll out to universities throughout the country". The College of Engineering and Informatics offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes of learning in a number of branches of engineering and informatics. Three additions to its programmes include Bachelors of Engineering in Energy, Sports and Exercise Engineering and Engineering Innovation – Electronic. New postgraduate programmes include the Master of Applied Science in Enterprise Systems. -Ends-

Men with angina are twice as likely to have a heart attack and almost three times as likely to suffer a heart disease-related death than women with the same condition, finds a study published in the British Medical Journal today. Led by Dr Brian Buckley of NUI Galway, the study is the first to link primary and secondary care data with mortality records to assess the risks of angina among men and women. In the United Kingdom, angina is common and is often the first manifestation of ischaemic heart disease. Recent estimates suggest that 4.8% of men and 3.4% of women aged over 16 in England have the condition, while in Scotland angina is reported to occur in 6.6% of men and 5.6% of women. It is therefore important for both patients and their clinicians to understand the risks following a diagnosis of angina. Researchers based in Scotland and Ireland identified 1,785 patients (average age 62 years) from 40 primary care practices in Scotland who were newly diagnosed with angina between January 1998 and December 2001. According to Dr Buckley, who is a Cochrane Fellow and researcher in Primary Care at NUI Galway and an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen, "Angina must be taken seriously. This research really shows how important it is for people with angina to change their lifestyle and take their tablets. This message is so important and is today reinforced by the fact that the British Medical Journal – one of the top medical journals in the world – published this research". The study showed that a number of characteristics, including being male, age, smoking and obesity, in people with a first diagnosis of angina are strongly associated with subsequent risk of a number of cardiac outcomes. These results suggest that appropriate control of risk factors and optimal use of preventative medical treatments should be aggressively pursued in patients with angina, the authors conclude. Underlying conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, were recorded and cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking and obesity, were also assessed. The postcode of each patient was also used to assign a deprivation status. Participants were tracked for five years. Being male, older and a smoker was associated with an increased risk of having a heart attack, while being male, older, obese and a smoker were each associated with an increased risk of death from heart disease or any other cause. The likelihood of having a procedure to open up blocked arteries, known as angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), was also higher in men than in women. But, interestingly, neither procedure was associated with significantly improved survival. Dr Buckley added: "At a time when many people are naturally concerned about data protection, people may be interested to know that at no time were the researchers able to identify any of the patients involved - the information they worked with was entirely anonymous. This study illustrates the great value of using such anonymous clinical datasets to answer important research questions, in a rigorous way which protects patient confidentiality". -ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) NUI Galway will offer a total of 68 undergraduate and postgraduate university places to the unemployed under a new initiative announced by the Minister for Education, Batt O'Keeffe T.D.. As part of a Government plan to retrain those who have recently become unemployed, the University is delighted to announce the provision of places on the following postgraduate courses for the academic year starting September 2009: Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Management Postgraduate Diploma in International Business Masters in Business Information Systems Masters in Accounting Postgraduate Diploma in Technology Commercialisation A nominal fee of €350 will be charged for Diploma programmes and €500 for Masters programmes with all other tuition and registration fees waived for successful applications under this scheme. The announcement follows last weeks allocation by Minister O'Keeffe of free places on part-time undergraduate programmes across the country which include 25 free places on the modular BSc in Science and Technology Studies and linked programmes in the area of Medical Device Science and Environmental Sustainability at NUI Galway. The programmes approved at NUI Galway under this scheme respond to the ongoing up-skilling and re-training needs of specific sectors of the regional economy, namely business, medical devices, services and ICT, while also building upon the University's research and teaching strengths in these areas. Seamus O'Grady, Director of Adult & Continuing Education at NUI Galway, said: "While addressing key future skills needs, the approved programmes also provide students with an opportunity to update and improve their skills and redirect their careers". "The programmes aim to provide essential technical, management and entrepreneurial skills for students, but will also develop students' professional development skills of critical thinking, communication, and decision-making – essential for employees in industry and core to the success of Ireland's future economic growth," added O'Grady. Eligible applicants, as set out by the Higher Education Authority, include those in receipt of unemployment benefit or allowance for six months or more as of 04 September 2009, or those who have been awarded Statutory Redundancy from their most recent job. Those interested in the undergraduate or postgraduate courses should attend one of three information sessions to be held in the Aula Maxima, NUI Galway on Tuesday, 18 August, Thursday 20 August and Wednesday 26 August between 4 and 6pm. Course lecturers and career advisers will be available at each session to advise on course choice. The closing date for postgraduate applications is Thursday, 27 August, 2009. Interested applicants can visit the Adult Education website on http://www.nuigalway.ie/adulteducation/freeplaces for contact details regarding programme co-ordinators, course content and delivery dates. Áiteanna ar fáil in OÉ Gaillimh do dhaoine dífhostaithe mar chuid de Scéim an Rialtais chun Obair a Mhúscailt (View in English) Cuirfidh OÉ Gaillimh 68 áit fochéime agus iarchéime ar fáil san Ollscoil do dhaoine dífhostaithe faoi thionscnamh nua a d'fhógair an tAire Oideachais, Batt O'Keeffe T.D. Mar chuid de phlean an Rialtais athoiliúint a chur orthu siúd a chaill a bpost le gairid, tá an-áthas ar an Ollscoil áiteanna a fhógairt ar na cúrsaí iarchéime seo a leanas don bhliain nua acadúil a thosóidh i Meán Fómhair 2009: Dioplóma Iarchéime i mBainistíocht Fiontair Dioplóma Iarchéime i nGnó Idirnáisiúnta Máistreacht i gCórais Faisnéise Gnó Máistreacht i gCuntasaíocht Dioplóma Iarchéime i dTráchtálú Teicneolaíochta Gearrfar táille €350 ar Dhioplómaí agus €500 ar Mháistreachtaí ach ní ghearrfar aon táille eile teagaisc ná clárúcháin orthu siúd a gheobhaidh áit faoin scéim seo. D'fhógair an tAire O'Keeffe áiteanna saor in aisce ar chláir fochéime pháirtaimseartha ar fud na tíre an tseachtain seo caite. Beidh 25 áit díobh sin ar an BSc modúlach i Staidéar Eolaíochta agus Teicneolaíochta agus nascfaidh sé cláir sna réimsí Eolaíocht na bhFeistí Leighis agus Inmharthanacht Comhshaoil in OÉ Gaillimh le chéile. Léiríonn na cláir atá ceadaithe in OÉ Gaillimh faoin scéim seo an gá atá le scileanna nua agus athoiliúint in earnálacha áirithe de gheilleagar an réigiúin, go háirithe gnó, seirbhísí, feistí leighis agus ICT, agus, ag an am céanna, cuirfear le láidreachtaí taighde agus teagaisc na hOllscoile sna réimsí céanna. Dúirt Seamus O'Grady, Stiúrthóir an Oideachais Aosaigh & Leanúnaigh in OÉ Gaillimh: "Agus scileanna tábhachtacha don todhchaí á soláthar, gheobhaidh na mic léinn an deis a scileanna a fheabhsú agus a ngairmeacha a thabhairt i dtreo nua ar na cláir seo." "Is é aidhm na gclár, scileanna riachtanacha teicniúla, bainistíochta agus fiontraíochta a thabhairt do mhic léinn, agus, ag an am céanna, scileanna forbartha gairmiúla na mac léinn a fhorbairt i smaointeoireacht chriticiúil, cumarsáid, agus cinnteoireacht – scileanna atá riachtanach d'fhostaithe sa tionscal agus atá riachtanach d'fhorás eacnamaíoch na tíre amach anseo," a dúirt O'Grady. Is iad na hiarratasóirí atá incháilithe don scéim seo, de réir an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas, iad siúd atá ag fáil sochar nó liúntas dífhostaithe le sé mhí nó níos faide faoin 4 Meán Fómhair 2009, nó iad siúd a fuair iomarcaíocht reachtúil óna bpost deiridh. Ba chóir dóibh siúd, ar mian leo tabhairt faoi chúrsa fochéime nó iarchéime, freastal ar cheann de na trí sheisiún eolais a bheidh ar siúl san Aula Maxima, OÉ Gaillimh Dé Máirt, an 18 Lúnasa, Déardaoin, an 20 Lúnasa agus Dé Céadaoin, an 26 Lúnasa idir 4 agus 6pm. Beidh léachtóirí na gcúrsaí agus comhairleoirí gairme i láthair ag na seisiúin chun comhairle a chur orthu maidir leis na cúrsaí. Is é an spriocdháta do na hiarratais iarchéime Déardaoin, an 27 Lúnasa 2009. Féadfaidh iarratasóirí breathnú ar láithreán gréasáin an Oideachais Aosaigh – www.nuigalway.ie/adulteducation/freeplaces – chun sonraí teagmhála a fháil do chomhordaitheoirí na gclár, chun ábhar na gcúrsaí agus spriocdhátaí a fheiceáil. -Críoch-

(Leagan Gaeilge) With just one week to go to the Leaving Cert results, the College of Engineering and Informatics at NUI Galway has announced details of its annual Special Entrance Maths Examination. The exam, which will take place on Wednesday, 19 August, is aimed at students who achieve the points for undergraduate Engineering Degree courses at NUI Galway but do not have the maths requirement. For more than 20 years, NUI Galway has provided this special entrance exam to help applicants who did not achieve the required grade C3 or better in Higher Level Mathematics. Those who took Lower Level Maths in the Leaving Cert may also apply for the exam. Students who pass this examination will be deemed to have satisfied the maths requirement and providing they have the necessary points, will receive an additional CAO offer at Round 2. This year, in a new initiative, NUI Galway will hold an intensive preparatory course for applicants intending to sit the exam. The free course will run from Thursday, 13 August to Tuesday, 18 August. As well as preparing students for the special examination, lecturers will demonstrate the significant relevance of mathematics across the engineering programmes and will highlight the applicability of mathematics to some illustrative engineering examples. Professor Padraic O'Donoghue, Dean of Engineering and Informatics at NUI Galway, says: "Mathematics is central to the teaching of Engineering. Every year we have prospective students who have an aptitude for maths, but on the day of the Leaving Cert did not have a good exam. These are the students we are targeting with our Special Entrance Maths Examination, to provide a second chance for them to prove their capabilities in this important subject". NUI Galway has seen soaring demand for its Engineering programmes, in particular for new courses such as Energy Systems Engineering, which is designed in response to a growing demand for professional engineers to work in the energy sector. There is also demand for Engineering Innovation, which aims to create a new type of electronic engineer with skills in innovation and entrepreneurship essential to delivering the Smart Economy . "Ireland's 'Smart Economy' will require graduates of a very high calibre. This exam, allows quality students who have scored well on points a second chance. Over the years we have seen some high-calibre students study here with us, graduate and go to have very successful careers because this special exam provided that opportunity. This exam is in keeping with NUI Galway s policy of providing additional entry opportunities to students", added Professor Padraic O'Donoghue. Applications for the Special Maths Examination will be accepted at the admissions office reception desk up to 9am the morning of exam. Those interested in the revision maths course and the examination should visit http://www.nuigalway.ie/engineering/specialmaths.html Tugann Scrúdú Speisialta Matamaitice in OÉ Gaillimh an Dara Seans do Mhic Léinn na hArdteistiméireachta (View in English) Beidh torthaí na hArdteistiméireachta amuigh faoi cheann seachtaine, agus tá Coláiste na hInnealtóireachta agus na hIonformaitice in OÉ Gaillimh i ndiaidh an Scrúdú Speisialta Iontrála Matamaitice a fhógairt arís i mbliana. Beidh an scrúdú ar siúl Dé Céadaoin, an 19 Lúnasa, agus tá sé dírithe ar mhic léinn a fhaigheann na pointí chun cúrsa céime san Innealtóireacht a dhéanamh in OÉ Gaillimh ach nach bhfuil an riachtanas matamaitice acu. Le breis agus scór bliain anuas, tá an scrúdú speisialta iontrála seo á reáchtáil ag OÉ Gaillimh chun cabhrú le hiarratasóirí nach bhfuil grád C3 nó níos airde bainte amach acu sa pháipéar Ardleibhéil Matamaitice. Féadfaidh siad siúd a rinne an páipéar Gnáthleibhéil Matamaitice san Ardteistiméireacht an scrúdú a dhéanamh chomh maith. Má fhaigheann mac léinn pas sa scrúdú seo beidh an riachtanas matamaitice sásaithe aige/aici agus gheobhaidh sé/sí tairiscint eile ón CAO i mBabhta 2 má bhíonn na pointí riachtanacha aige/aici. I mbliana, den chéad uair, beidh dianchúrsa ullmhúcháin ar siúl in OÉ Gaillimh dóibh siúd ar mian leo an scrúdú a dhéanamh. Beidh an cúrsa saor in aisce ar siúl idir Déardaoin, an 13 Lúnasa agus Dé Máirt, an 18 Lúnasa. Chomh maith le mic léinn a ullmhú don scrúdú speisialta, léireoidh léachtóirí an tábhacht a bhaineann le matamaitic i gcláir innealtóireachta agus an úsáid is féidir a bhaint as matamaitic i samplaí innealtóireachta. Dúirt an tOllamh Padraic O'Donoghue, Déan na hInnealtóireachta agus na hIonformaitice in OÉ Gaillimh: "Tá Matamaitic lárnach i dteagasc na hInnealtóireachta. Gach bliain, ní éiríonn chomh maith sin ar an lá le mic léinn Ardteistiméireachta, cé go bhfuil luí acu leis an matamaitic. Táimid ag díriú ar na mic léinn sin leis an Scrúdú Speisialta Iontrála Matamaitice, chun an dara seans a thabhairt dóibh a gcumas a léiriú san ábhar tábhachtach seo". Tá éileamh as cuimse ar chláir Innealtóireachta OÉ Gaillimh, go háirithe ar chúrsaí nua cosúil le hInnealtóireacht Córas Fuinnimh, a cuireadh ar fáil le freastal ar an méadú ar an éileamh atá ar innealtóirí gairmiúla le hoibriú in earnáil an fhuinnimh. Tá éileamh chomh maith ar Nuálaíocht Innealtóireachta, cúrsa a chuirfidh cineál nua innealtóirí leictreonacha ar fáil a mbeidh scileanna nuálaíochta agus fiontraíochta acu, scileanna atá riachtanach chun an 'Geilleagar Glic' a chothú. "Teastóidh céimithe den scoth chun Geilleagar Glic na hÉireann a bhaint amach. Tugann an scrúdú seo an dara seans do mhic léinn den scoth a bhfuil na pointí faighte acu. In imeacht na mblianta bhí mic léinn ar ardchaighdeán linn, agus d'éirigh leo poist mhaithe a bhaint amach de bhrí gur thug an scrúdú speisialta seo an deis sin dóibh. Tagann an scrúdú seo le polasaí OÉ Gaillimh deiseanna breise a thabhairt do mhic léinn áit a fháil ar chúrsaí" a dúirt an tOllamh Padraic O'Donoghue. Glacfar le hiarratais ar an Scrúdú Speisialta Matamaitice san Oifig Iontrála go dtí 9am maidin an scrúdaithe. Tá eolas breise maidir leis an dianchúrsa matamaitice le fáil ar http://www.nuigalway.ie/engineering/specialmaths.html -Crioch-

The latest book by Professor Bill Schabas, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway, addresses the 'crime of crimes' - genocide. Genocide in International Law: The Crime of Crimes, 2nd edition (Cambridge University Press, 2009) consists of a major revision of the first edition, which was published by Professor Schabas in 2000. The new book reviews the very important case law on genocide since 2000, the substantial academic contributions and the political developments, such as recognition of the doctrine of the responsibility to protect. The book was launched at NUI Galway recently by Professor David Scheffer, who served as the first United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues during President Bill Clinton's second term in office. Professor Sheffer said of the book: "Future generations of lawyers will accord the name Schabas the same high honour we accord all those titans of our legal curriculum, scholars who educate not only us mere mortals, but also the judges who rely on their insights and wisdom to decide hard cases". Professor Schabas has participated in numerous international human rights missions on behalf of non-governmental organisations such as Amnesty International and the International Federation of Human Rights, to Rwanda, Burundi, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Cambodia and Guyana. In 2002, the President of Sierra Leone appointed him to the country s Truth and Reconciliation Commission upon the recommendation of Mary Robinson, the then United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In his preface to the new book, Professor Schabas writes: "There has probably been more legal development concerning the crime of genocide in the eight years since the first edition of this book was completed than in the five preceding decades". He adds: "Crowning this fertile period, in February 2007 the International Court of Justice issued its major ruling on the subject, a long-awaited conclusion to a case filed by Bosnia and Herzegovina against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1993". Professor Schabas teaches at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway, which has become internationally recognised in the field of human rights teaching, research and advocacy. This has enabled the institution to attract high quality students to its acclaimed MA programmes and doctoral research. Reflecting the growing interest in this field, the University has also now developed a Bachelor of Arts with Human Rights. -ends-

(Leagan Gaeilge) Preliminary figures from the annual first destination survey of NUI Galway's 2008 Graduates' Survey indicates that nearly 91% of the University's graduates entered employment or further study on completion of their degree. The data contained in the preliminary report is an annual survey of almost 4,000 graduates on NUI Galway full-time programmes. The survey is conducted nine months after graduation and gives an invaluable insight into employment opportunities and further study trends. The survey found that the proportion of primary degree graduates seeking employment is 3.7%. The numbers of primary degree graduates entering further study is, as expected, up on last year, to nearly 51%. John Hannon, Head of the Career Development Centre in NUI Galway, commented: "At a time when national unemployment figures approach 12%, we are delighted to see that NUI Galway graduates have particularly high standing among employers. Graduates are our future leaders and their energy, skills, knowledge and contribution to enterprise and innovation will help bring us back on the road to economic recovery". Mr Hannon added: "NUI Galway statistics are very positive when compared to the national average. However, we cannot forget how challenging the current economic climate is for graduates who are looking for employment. Students who take postgraduate diplomas, masters and PhDs not only enhance their learning; they gain additional evidence of transferable skills that improve employability such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication and leadership". The University is particularly proactive in supporting those looking to improve their employability. NUI Galway will offer a total of 68 free university places to the unemployed under a new initiative announced by the Minister for Education, Batt O'Keeffe T.D. as part of a Government plan to help improve the work-place skills of the unemployed and assist them with returning to work. Os cionn 90% de Chéimithe OÉ Gaillimh i bhFostaíocht (View in English) De réir shuirbhé bliantúil OÉ Gaillimh ar Chéimithe na bliana 2008 tá beagnach 91% de chéimithe na hOllscoile i bhfostaíocht nó i mbun breis-staidéir i ndiaidh a gcéime. Tháinig na réamhfhigiúirí seo ó shuirbhé bliantúil ar bheagnach 4,000 céimí ar chláir lánaimseartha in OÉ Gaillimh. Rinneadh an suirbhé naoi mí i ndiaidh bhronnadh na gcéimeanna agus tugann sé léargas ar dheiseanna fostaíochta agus staidéar breise. De réir an tsuirbhé, níl ach 3.7% de chéimithe ag lorg fostaíochta. Tá líon na gcéimithe atá i mbun breis-staidéir méadaithe ó anuraidh, mar a bheifí ag súil leis, go beagnach 51%. Dúirt John Hannon, Ceann Ionad Forbartha Gairmeacha OÉ Gaillimh: "Agus líon na ndaoine dífhostaithe ag beagnach 12%, tá an-áthas orainn go bhfuil tóir ag fostóirí ar chéimithe OÉ Gaillimh, agus gan ach aon trian den ráta náisiúnta dífhostaithe againn anseo. Is iad na céimithe a bheidh i gceannas amach anseo agus is é a gcuid fuinnimh, scileanna, eolais, fiontraíochta agus nuálaíochta a chinnteoidh go dtiocfaidh geilleagar na tíre chuici féin". Dúirt Hannon: "Tá staitisticí OÉ Gaillimh an-dearfach i gcomparáid leis an gcuid eile den tír. Mar sin féin, ní féidir linn dearmad a dhéanamh ar chomh dúshlánach atá rudaí anois do chéimithe atá ag lorg fostaíochta. Ní hamháin go gcuireann iarchéimeanna, dioplómaí, máistreachtaí agus dochtúireachtaí le foghlaim an mhic léinn, ach foghlaimíonn siad scileanna inaistrithe, cosúil le fadhbréiteach, obair foirne, cumarsáid agus ceannaireacht, a chuireann le hinfhostaitheacht". Tá an Ollscoil ag tacú go gníomhach leo siúd ar mian leo a bheith níos infhostaithe. Cuirfidh OÉ Gaillimh 68 áit san iomlán saor in aisce ar fáil do dhaoine dífhostaithe faoi thionscnamh nua a d'fhógair an tAire Oideachais, Batt O'Keeffe T.D., mar chuid de phlean an Rialtais scileanna na ndaoine dífhostaithe a fheabhsú agus cabhrú leo filleadh ar an obair. -Críoch-