Statement on Israel – Palestine / Ráiteas ar Iosrael - an Phalaistín

 

Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week here on campus from 19 to 22 March marks our university’s commitment to anti-racism and anti-apartheid on the occasion of his honorary conferring here in June 2003. In preparing for the week of events planned in that regard, it presents us with an opportunity to reflect once again on his courage as a man of peace.

In his acceptance speech here, Nelson Mandela said that ‘the world is now in greater need than ever for men and women of peace to stand up and let their voices be heard and their commitment felt’. We are once again at this juncture during this shocking period in the history of our humanity – and inhumanity.

On 18 October, we issued a statement which at that time we thought and hoped would be definitive in the context of events in Israel and Palestine. Unfortunately, the horror of war, the continued killing of innocent civilians on and since 7 October and what the UN Secretary-General has called ‘the collective punishment of Palestinians’ demands a further elaboration of our values in this regard.

On 18 October, we said that ‘we stand for peace’: this means that we condemn all acts of terror and violence and that we join in the calls for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and for the release of hostages, and for justice, accountability and equal protection of human rights. 

We said that ‘we stand, as President Michael D Higgins has reiterated, for multilateralism and the rule of international law’: this means that we here support and amplify the important voices in this arena of our Irish Centre for Human Rights, representing the passion, compassion and expertise of our colleagues in the field.  We also reiterate the International Court of Justice’s finding (p. 7) that ‘Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip’ and that ‘Israel must take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip’. Above all, the ICJ found that Israel must ‘take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts’ coming within the scope of the Genocide Convention. 

We said that at University of Galway, ‘we have an opportunity as a university community to show how diverse and different perspectives can coexist peacefully and constructively’ and we quoted the poem by the Palestinian poet Marzouq al-Halabi, published in the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz, that 

History
must remain free
to include a third narrative.

As universities, we have a role in finding that third narrative, those new ways of thinking. This means that, in concert with our own Government and so many others around the world, we support the peaceful co-existence represented by freedom, justice and equality for all in the region, recognising that the current conflict is a consequence of ‘deeply-rooted tensions in the region’, where for a long time now, in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank, humanity, human rights, and the right to peaceful co-existence have been violated. 

In another setting, in his native South Africa, Nelson Mandela also said, ‘the power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation’. In this context, as a university, as a community of scholars and students, the destruction of universities in Gaza and the consequent killing of so many students and academics by Israeli forces is particularly grievous to us. As a university community, we have a particular responsibility to oppose the deliberate destruction of facilities of higher learning and the targeting of academics and we do so here. We call for accountability for such crimes, and an end to the killing. 

Nelson Mandela went on to say ‘we are steadily but surely introducing education that enables our children to exploit their similarities and common goals, while appreciating the strength in their diversity’. This is an important reminder for us all at this time of our values and the need to respect diverse voices and backgrounds. We are for peace, peaceful co-existence and international law. We are for 

Envisioning a future
offers protection from a cruel past
from pessimism
and stops you from falling into a pit with your enemy
.

We are therefore against anti-semitism, Islamophobia, acts of apartheid and any language, words or deeds – in the classroom or without – which disrespect another. All of us should also appreciate that being Palestinian does not equate with Hamas and that the actions of the State of Israel do not represent all Jews and Israelis.

We extend our deepest empathy and support to all our students and staff, all our communities, affected by events in Israel and Palestine. We are very conscious of the potency of universities in enabling international understanding. In that context, we will strengthen relationships with universities in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in common cause. We welcome the Irish Government’s call for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, as reported, “on the basis that Israel may be breaching the agreement's human rights clause” and will review our university’s relationship with Israeli institutions in that context.

We also commit to supporting all our Israeli and Palestinian students and staff. With that in mind, and in our hearts, at its meeting this morning UMT discussed making further practical supports available to all those affected. An email in that regard will follow this week.

In particular, we again reiterate that University of Galway, as a University of Sanctuary, is a safe place for all and we urge all members of our communities, inside and without our walls, to be the peacemaker, the conciliator, which respects all our diverse histories, voices and views and which forms the basis for a better humanity, exemplified by Nelson Mandela as he walked to freedom from Robben Island.

Kind regards,

Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh

President University of Galway

  

 A Chomhaltaí Foirne agus a Mhic Léinn, a chairde,

Déanfaidh Seachtain Frithchiníochais Nelson Mandela anseo ar an gcampas ón 19 go dtí an 22 Márta ceiliúradh ar an ócáid ar thug an ollscoil tiomantas don fhrithchiníochas agus don fhrith-chinedheighilt ag an ócáid ar bronnadh céim oinigh ar Mandela anseo i Meitheamh 2003. Agus muid ag ullmhú don tseachtain imeachtaí atá beartaithe, is deis í seo machnamh a dhéanamh arís ar a mhisneach mar fhear na síochána.

Ina óráid anseo, dúirt Nelson Mandela ‘the world is now in greater need than ever for men and women of peace to stand up and let their voices be heard and their commitment felt’. Táimid ag an bpointe seo arís le linn na tréimhse corraithí seo den daonnacht, agus den mhídhaonnacht go deimhin.

Chuireamar amach ráiteas an 18 Deireadh Fómhair a cheapamar agus a raibh súil againn an tráth sin a bheadh cinntitheach i gcomhthéacs a bhfuil ag tarlú in Iosrael agus sa Phalaistín. Ar an drochuair, de bharr uafás an chogaidh, marú leanúnach sibhialtach neamhchiontach an 7 Deireadh Fómhair agus ó shin i leith agus an rud a dtug Ard-Rúnaí na NA air ‘the collective punishment of Palestinians’, ní mór míniú breise a thabhairt anois ar ár luachanna ina leith seo.

Ar an 18 Deireadh Fómhair, dúirt muid ‘go seasaimid ar son na síochána’: ciallaíonn sé seo go gcáinimid gach gníomh sceimhlitheoireachta agus foréigin agus go nglacaimid páirt sna hachainíocha ar shos comhraic láithreach, buan agus leis na gialla a scaoileadh saor, agus ar cheartas, cuntasacht agus comhchosaint chearta an duine. 

Dúirt muid ‘Seasaimid, mar atá ráite ag an Uachtarán Micheál D. Ó hUigínn, ar son an iltaobhachais agus an dlí idirnáisiúnta’: ciallaíonn sé seo go dtacaimidne agus go gcuirimidne leis na guthanna tábhachtacha sa réimse seo d’Ionad na hÉireann do Chearta an Duine, a léiríonn an spéis, comhbhá agus saineolas atá ag ár gcomhghleacaithe sa réimse.  Dearbhaímid freisin cinneadh (lch 7) na Cúirte Breithiúnais Idirnáisiúnta ‘Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip’ agus ‘Israel must take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip’. Thar aon ní eile, dúirt an Chúirt Bhreithiúnais Idirnáisiúnta go gcaithfidh Iosrael ‘take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts’ a thagann faoi scóip Choinbhinsiún an Chinedhíothaithe. 

Dúramar freisin in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, ‘tá deis againn mar phobal ollscoile a léiriú conas is féidir le peirspictíochtaí ilghnéitheacha agus éagsúla maireachtáil le chéile ar bhealach síochánta agus dearfach’ agus luamar an dán leis an bhfile Palaistíneach Marzouq al-Halabi, a foilsíodh sa nuachtán Iosraelach Ha'aretz, 

History

must remain free

to include a third narrative.

Mar ollscoileanna, tá ról againn an tríú hinsint sin a aimsiú, bealaí nua smaointeoireachta a aimsiú. Ciallaíonn sé seo, i gcomhar lenár Rialtas féin agus an oiread sin daoine eile ar fud an domhain, go dtacaímid leis an réiteach síochánta a bhainfeadh le saoirse, ceartas agus cothromas do chách sa réigiún, rud a aithníonn gur toradh an choimhlint le gairid ar ‘an teannas casta atá fréamhaithe go domhain sa réigiún’, áit ar sáraíodh an daonnacht, cearta an duine agus an ceart chun maireachtáil go síochánta le fada an lá in Gaza, in Iosrael agus ar an mBruach Thiar. 

I suíomh eile, san Afraic Theas, dúirt Nelson Mandela freisin, ‘the power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation’. Sa chomhthéacs seo, mar ollscoil, mar phobal scoláirí, cuireann scrios na n-ollscoileanna in Gaza agus marú an oiread sin scoláirí agus lucht acadúil ag fórsaí Iosrael isteach go mór orainn thar aon rud eile. Mar phobal ollscoile, tá freagracht ar leith orainn cur i gcoinne scrios d’aon ghnó ar áiseanna ardoideachais agus ionsaithe ar lucht acadúil agus déanaimid amhlaidh anseo. Iarraimid cuntasacht as coireanna den sórt sin, agus deireadh leis an marú. 

Dúirt Nelson Mandela chomh maith ‘we are steadily but surely introducing education that enables our children to exploit their similarities and common goals, while appreciating the strength in their diversity’. Is meabhrúchán tábhachtach é seo dúinn go léir ag an tráth seo ar ár luachanna agus ar an ngá atá le meas a bheith againn ar ghuthanna agus ar chúlraí éagsúla. Táimid ar son na síochána, na cómhaireachtála síochánta agus an dlí idirnáisiúnta. Táimid ar son 

Envisioning a future

offers protection from a cruel past

from pessimism

and stops you from falling into a pit with your enemy.

Mar sin, táimid i gcoinne an fhrith-Sheimíteachais, na hIoslamafóibe, gníomhartha cinedheighilte agus aon teanga, focail nó gníomhais – sa seomra ranga nó taobh amuigh de – a léiríonn drochmheas ar dhuine eile. Ba cheart dúinn go léir a thuiscint freisin nach ionann Palaistínigh agus Hamas agus nach ionann gníomhartha Stát Iosrael agus na Giúdaigh agus na hIosraelaigh go léir.

Tá bá againn lenár mic léinn agus ár bhfoireann go léir, ár bpobail go léir, a bhfuil tionchar ag imeachtaí in Iosrael agus sa Phalaistín orthu agus tacaímid leo. Tuigimid go maith an deis atá ag ollscoileanna tuiscint idirnáisiúnta a chumasú. Sa chomhthéacs sin, neartóimid an caidreamh le hollscoileanna in Gaza, ar an mBruach Thiar, Iarúsailéim Thoir, ar chúis chomónta. Fáiltímid roimh éileamh Rialtas na hÉireann ar athbhreithniú ar Chomhaontú Comhpháirtíochta AE-Iosrael, mar a tuairiscíodh, “on the basis that Israel may be breaching the agreement's human rights clause” agus déanfaimid athbhreithniú ar chaidreamh na hollscoile seo le hinstitiúidí Iosraelacha sa chomhthéacs sin.

Táimid tiomanta freisin do thacaíocht a thabhairt dár gcuid scoláirí agus comhaltaí foirne Iosraelacha agus Palaistíneacha go léir. Chuige sin, ag a gcruinniú ar maidin, phléigh Foireann Bainistíochta na hOllscoile tacaíochtaí praiticiúla breise a chur ar fáil dóibh siúd atá i gceist. Seolfar amach ríomhphost eile níos déanaí sa tseachtain a dhéanfaidh cur síos ar na sonraí.

Is áit shábháilte í Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, mar Ollscoil Tearmainn, do chách agus impímid ar gach duine sa phobal, laistigh agus lasmuigh dár mballaí, a bheith mar shíochánaí, mar chomhréiteoir, ó tharla ár stair, ár nguthanna agus ár dtuairimí éagsúla rud a leagann an bhunchloch do dhaonnacht níos fearr, arna léiriú ag Nelson Mandela agus é ag siúl i dtreo na saoirse as Oileán Robben.

Le dea-ghuí,

An tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh

Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe 

Previous University Statements Israel - Gaza | Iosrael – Gaza - October 18, 2023 | 18 Deireadh Fómhair 2023

Recent events in the Middle East have once again highlighted the complex and deeply rooted tensions in the region.  As a community we are appalled by the impact of the conflict in Israel and Gaza.  Acts of terror and violence create a level of collective trauma and personal grief that is hard to comprehend.  And a horrific history happens again. 

With respect, our hearts go out to our Israeli and Palestinian students, colleagues and communities, we open our hearts to their suffering, in excellence we work every day for a better, more peaceful, more just world where communities are sustained by peaceful co-existence and a common humanity. 

We are also shocked by ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Myanmar, Ukraine and Sudan and the awful realisation that at any one time human rights abuses are taking place worldwide.  

These are profoundly difficult times but we stand for peace.  Therefore, this week, we have raised the peace flag in front of our Quadrangle Building.  We do this as an aspiration and a sign that while innocents fall victim to geo-politics, all most of us ever want in our lives is peace. University of Galway shows solidarity and sadness for all victims of violence.  We stand, as President Michael D Higgins has reiterated, for multilateralism and the rule of international law.

As the lyrics currently in our heads from The Cranberries’ Zombie go:

Another mother's breaking
Heart is taking over
When the violence causes silence
We must be mistaken

As a community we focus on our values, particularly the need to respect each other and show kindness.  We encourage our university community to make use of the supports available.  Students can find support through Student Servicesthe Students’ Union and the International Office.  Staff requiring assistance can do so through Human Resources Employee Services.

University of Galway is a microcosm of the world and we have an opportunity as a university community to show how diverse and different perspectives can coexist peacefully and constructively. 

It has been difficult to find words to make this statement.  I will finish with the final stanzas of a poem ‘The 40 Rules of Engagement’ published originally in Arabic by the Palestinian poet Marzouq al-Halabi, translated into English by Raphael Cohen, which was printedinHa’aretz in 2021:

Envisioning a future
offers protection from a cruel past
from pessimism
and stops you from falling into a pit with your enemy.

Maybe you can’t get back an orange grove
paved in concrete.
but bargain with them over the books
they confiscated,
so 
that life can continue.

The broader the vision
the more ways out of the confines
of the moment.

History
must remain free
to include a third narrative.

Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh

President University of Galway

Chuir na himeachtaí a tharla le déanaí sa Mheánoirthear béim an athuair ar an teannas casta atá fréamhaithe go domhain sa réigiún.  Mar phobal tá uafás orainn faoin tionchar atá ag an gcoimhlint in Iosrael agus Gaza.  Cruthaíonn gníomhartha sceimhlitheoireachta agus foréigin tráma coiteann agus brón pearsanta atá deacair a thuiscint.  Agus tarlaíonn an stair uafásach an athuair.

Tá an-trua againn dár mic léinn, dár gcomhghleacaithe agus do na pobail Iosraelacha agus Phalaistíneacha, is trua linn a bhfulaingt, déanaimid sárobair gach lá chun domhan níos fearr, níos síochánta agus níos córa a fhorbairt ina gcothaítear pobail a mhaireann taobh le chéile go síochánta i ndaonnacht choiteann.

Tá uafás orainn freisin faoi na coimhlintí atá ar siúl in Éimin, i Maenmar, san Úcráin agus sa tSúdáin agus an tuiscint uafásach go bhfuil mí-úsáid chearta an duine ag tarlú ar fud an domhain ag aon am ar leith. 

Is am thar a bheith deacair é seo ach seasaimid ar son na síochána.  Dá bharr seo tá bratach na síochána ar foluain os comhair na Cearnóige an tseachtain seo.  Déanaimid é seo mar ardmhian agus mar chomhartha gurb í an tsíocháin an t-aon rud atá ón gcuid is mó againn inár saol, cé go mbíonn íospartaigh neamhchiontacha thíos le toradh na geo-pholaitíochta. Léiríonn Ollscoil na Gaillimhe dlúthpháirtíocht agus brón d’íospartaigh uile an fhoréigin. Seasaimid, mar atá ráite ag an Uachtarán Mícheál D. Ó hUiginn, ar son an iltaobhachais agus an dlí idirnáisiúnta.

Tagann liricí an amhráin Zombie de chuid The Cranberries chun cuimhne:

Another mother's breaking

Heart is taking over

When the violence causes silence

We must be mistaken

Mar phobal dírímid ar ár luachanna, go háirithe an gá atá le meas a bheith againn ar a chéile agus cineáltas a léiriú.  Spreagaimid ár bpobal ollscoile le leas a bhaint as na tacaíochtaí atá ar fáil.  Is féidir le mic léinn tacaíocht a fháil trí Sheirbhísí do Mhic LéinnComhaltas na Mac Léinn agus an Oifig Idirnáisiúnta.  Is féidir le comhaltaí foirne a dteastaíonn cúnamh uathu é sin a fháil trí Sheirbhísí d’Fhostaithe in Acmhainní Daonna.

Is leagan ionadaíoch den domhan í Ollscoil na Gaillimhe agus tá deis againn mar phobal ollscoile a léiriú conas is féidir le peirspictíochtaí ilghnéitheacha agus éagsúla maireachtáil le chéile ar bhealach síochánta agus dearfach. 

Tá sé deacair teacht ar línte chun an ráiteas seo a threisiú.  Críochnóidh mé anseo leis na véarsaí deireanacha den dán ‘The 40 Rules of Engagement’ leis an bhfile Palaistíneach Marzouq al-Halabi a foilsíodh ar dtús in Araibis agus a d’aistrigh Raphael Cohen go Béarla, agus a foilsíodh in Ha’aretz in 2021:

Envisioning a future

offers protection from a cruel past

from pessimism

and stops you from falling into a pit with your enemy.

Maybe you can’t get back an orange grove

paved in concrete.

but bargain with them over the books

they confiscated,

so that life can continue.

The broader the vision

the more ways out of the confines

of the moment.

History

must remain free

to include a third narrative.

An tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh

Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe

 

President of University of Galway has paid tribute to the late Chuck Feeney: Tuesday October 10, 2023

President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, has paid tribute to the late Chuck Feeney, founder of The Atlantic Philanthropies:  

“The community of University of Galway is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Chuck Feeney, an inspiring and transformative figure whose generosity and leadership was dedicated to making real differences in people’s lives, particularly on the island of Ireland.  

“Chuck Feeney realised the importance of investment in education and our University benefited immeasurably from his investment in people, our students, our staff, our research community. Everyone associated with our university, past, present and future generations, will always be grateful for that.  

“In September 2012, our University, together with the universities of Ireland, North and South, conferred an honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) on Dr Feeney. The award symbolised the respect and high esteem with which Chuck Feeney is held for his incredible support for Irish universities over many long years.  

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

 

Statements from 2022

Governing Authority of University of Galway approves renaming institution to Ollscoil na Gaillimhe - University of Galway: 27/04/2022

Údarás na hOllscoile, the Governing Authority of University of Galway, has today approved the renaming of the institution to Ollscoil na Gaillimhe - University of Galway. 

The University is planning to formally adopt the new name at the end of the summer. 

From then the bilingual title of the university - Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway - will be used on all official documentation.

President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “I would like to thank Údarás na hOllscoile for the consideration they have given to the future name and identity of our university

“The decision to rename our University is something to which we have given a lot of thought and it is a decision which is being taken following detailed assessment of the issues and comprehensive consultation and internal discussion. We are extremely grateful to everyone who engaged in that work.

“This university has been in Galway and of Galway since the mid-nineteenth century. Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, University of Galway, gives a clearer sense of who we are as an institution and of being of our place. Galway is a place of industry and creativity, of citizenship and debate. An in-between place, at the centre of a network of campuses stretching from Shannon to Donegal, including in our Gaeltacht regions, on the edge of and between continents, we here see the horizon everyday. 

“Like all good explorers, all good adventurers, all good researchers, we know we serve our students and our society best by always wondering what’s beyond the horizon. 

“As a community of scholars in a community of scholarship, we will continue this long and distinguished tradition and trajectory of curiosity, this ambition for our place and from this place, as we progress our values of respect, excellence, openness and sustainability, for the public good.

“The university is proud of the role it has played in Galway's journey to become a global city. City and university have grown together and our new name encapsulates that history and is a promise for the future."

LGBT+ Statement of Support | Ráiteas Tacaíochta LGBT+: 22/04/22

At the start of this Semester we reminded both staff and students of NUI Galway’s commitment to respect for all people in our community, classroom and the wider society. We emphasised the importance of respectful dialogue and behaviour in all our interactions, being mindful of valuing the diversity of our staff and student body.

In the past week, we have witnessed shocking and tragic homophobic violence which has seriously impacted the LGBT+ community and allies across the country. These events are a reminder to us all that despite having a more inclusive legislative infrastructure which recognises the rights of LGBT+ people, there are still extreme challenges which prevail. NUI Galway wholeheartedly condemns these actions and the subsequent targeting of minority ethnic communities which has occurred since then. 

We are also very aware that many of our university community have been particularly impacted by this devastating violence in different ways. We will continue to strive for the rights, dignity and respect of all LGBT+ people within our university and wider community.  It is important that we celebrate our vibrant LGBT+ community on campus, in particular the work of BródSoc and the LGBT+ staff network.

At NUI Galway we have in place a number of supports for both students and staff as outlined below: 

For Students 

The Student Support and Wellbeing team have gathered some information on the supports available to students of NUI Galway.  If you feel any of these supports are relevant to you, or a fellow student, please get in touch with the particular service.  Also note: Text 'NUIG' to 50808: Free 24/7 text service available to students: 

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For Staff 

The Employee Assistance Service (EAS) is available to you and members of your household over the age of 18 for assistance and support. The Freephone number for the EAS is 1800 814 243.   You can register here.

Further information is also available at on the website Employee Assistance Service - NUI Galway The service is provided independently from the University and is completely confidential. This confidential service is accessible 24/7 365 days and is provided completely free of charge and may be of benefit to you at this time.  

For those who would like to seek support directly from LGBT+ community organisations, there are a number of options that AMACH LGBT Galway have listed here

Speak Out– Students and Staff 

We also want to remind all students and staff of the Speak Out tool. This is an online and anonymous reporting platform for you or anyone you know that has experienced any form of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime, coercive behaviour/control, stalking, assault, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. Available at https://NUIG.speakout.ie/

A comprehensive list of internal and external supports can be found on the Speak Out page by clicking here: https://NUIG.speakout.ie/all-supports  

Kind regards,

Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh

President NUI Galway

Róisín Nic Lochlainn

President NUI Galway Students’ Union 

Update on Ukraine Response | An tEolas is Déanaí maidir leis an Úcráin - 20/04/2022

Like so many others, our university community has watched in horror as the Russian invasion has brought senseless violence and aggression to Ukraine and we all feel a strong urge to find ways to show our support for the people of the region. As the events have unfolded, countless lives in Ukraine are being torn apart with indiscriminate killings, displacement, trauma, and separation from loved ones. 

If you have an offer of support for students, scholars, or academic staff coming from Ukraine please get in touch with ukrainesupport@nuigalway.ie, where we are collating this information.  You can also visit our dedicated Ukraine webpage which is being updated on a regular basis.

As a University of Sanctuary, NUI Galway welcomes the establishment of the National Steering Committee for Education to help Ukrainian scholars, students and researchers who have fled to Ireland, as announced yesterday by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris T.D.

In line with our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity and engaging openly with the world as laid out in the NUI Galway Strategy, our new Ukrainian UMT sub-group have agreed on a number of measures to help scholars and students fleeing from the conflict.

Minister Harris has confirmed that a National Student & Researcher Helpdesk is being established by the Department FHERIS on behalf of the higher education sector. We are pleased to work with Maynooth University which will host the centralised helpdesk and one-stop-shop  for all incoming refugees, students and researchers.

The helpdesk will offer the following supports:

  • Provide initial advice on nature of documents required for transfer
  • Initial check on adequacy of documents
  • Refer students and researchers as appropriate to the most appropriate higher education institution;
  • Provide consistency of approach across HEIs
  • Follow up with students and researchers as needed. 

The helpdesk will take a few weeks to get up and running. In the meantime, we have three online forms available on our website for those Ukrainian scholars, students and researchers who want to register interest in NUI Galway. We will then be able to guide and support them through the next steps once the help desk is opened. 

It is important to acknowledge that the Ukrainian exodus is unprecedented in recent European history and that the Ukrainian sub-group has been convened as quickly as possible to react to this situation, to provide practical support where necessary. We are continuing to liaise with the Department directly and through the Irish Universities Association.  

Many of us are keen to help financially and we are in the process of organising a fundraising event in the University and will keep you informed as soon we have more information. In the meantime, please consider contributing to any of the charities directly below: 

A quick reminder that The Whitaker Institute & the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at NUI Galway is honoured to host an online event on Reconstructing the Economy of Ukraine at 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 26 April.  To register for the event please click here.

Kind regards,

Professor Becky Whay

Vice President International, NUI Galway

Support for Ukraine | Tacaíocht don Úcráin - 30/03/2022

In concert with universities across Europe we have already articulated our condemnation of the illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia. We are fully aligned with the European Union sanctions on Russia and Belarus and with the interpretation of those sanctions by the Irish Government. 

In these circumstances no academic or research collaboration of any sort with Russian universities and research institutions is possible. This includes all elements of research roles including co-authorship, reviewing, membership of editorial and other boards, the provision of references. All existing collaborative research projects have been halted and no further projects will be undertaken  

We recognise that many people in Russia and Belarus are under immense pressure to align with the position of their respective governments and may not be doing so through choice.  However, until the invasion has ended and peace is restored, researchers and scholars in Russia and Belarus are now isolated and cannot participate in the international research community. While we can no longer work with entities or individuals in Russia and Belarus we remain enthusiastically committed to research collaboration across all other boundaries, regardless of nationality.

We fully appreciate that imposing these restrictions will have an impact on individual staff and students within NUI Galway, however, we see no other options in these circumstance

You may have questions about particular issues that arise. If so can you please send the query to ukrainesupport@nuigalway.ie and we will answer within two working days.

Further information and updates are available at https://www.nuigalway.ie/ukraine/

 

Support for Ukraine | Tacaíocht don Úcráin - 24/03/2022

Dear colleagues and students,

As you may know, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s has made an impassioned plea for citizens worldwide to show support for his country one month on from Russia’s violent invasion. 

In his address President Zelensky asks that we all come from our offices, our homes, our schools and our universities to demonstrate that “Freedom matters.  Peace matters.  Ukraine matters.”  

As you know the Quadrangle is currently being lit in the colours of the Ukrainian flag and we are proposing a demonstration of solidarity with the Ukrainian people there today 24 March at 4.45 p.m.  If you wish to show your solidarity, I invite you to come with a token of peace or the Ukrainian colours. 

Kind regards, 

Becky Whay 

Vice President International, NUI Galway 

Statement of Support for Ukrainian Students | Ráiteas Tacaíochta do Mhic Léinn ón Úcráin - 14/03/2022

Dear colleagues,

As you know, we at NUI Galway have expressed our outrage at the Russian invasion of Ukraine and for us, this violence is as abhorrent, as it is confusing and frightening. Although we cannot conceive of what the Ukrainian people are facing all of the University community are determined to do what we can to help.

In light of this, NUI Galway have convened a team dedicated to supporting Ukrainian students and scholars in these extremely challenging times, and following their first meeting on Friday it was decided to implement the following measures:

·           To the greatest extent possible, we will support and accommodate Ukrainians in third level education who find themselves in a position where they have to flee their country.

·           Students will be facilitated to continue, or to commence their studies at NUI Galway.

·           Ukrainian students will be treated as Irish Students in terms of their eligibility for grants and fees and we will be looking at how we can best offer scholarships to support these students.

·           The International Student Hardship Fund will be available to our current and future students as needed.

·           Pastoral care and counselling supports will be offered as an essential part of our response.

·           Research engagements and collaboration with Russia and Belarus will be cancelled, consistent with all EU sanctions in this regard.

NUI Galway is a university for the public good and we are determined to support Ukrainian students and scholars with the greatest level of flexibility and sensitivity. We are in the process of creating a webpage with more information on this and will keep you updated with any new initiatives as soon as we can.

In the meantime, for those who want to register and offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees who arrive in Ireland, you can do so here.

This is an extremely distressing time for all of us and I encourage the university community to support one another, as we look to the future with hope for peace.

Kind regards,

Ciarán

Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President NUI Galway

Statement of Support for Ukraine | Ráiteas Tacaíochta don Úcráin - 01/03/2022 

As a University community, we are deeply shocked and outraged by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and condemn this unprovoked violence in the strongest possible terms. These actions are an assault on democracy and on the values of freedom, autonomy and respect that we all hold dear. We will continue to work with our colleagues here in Ireland and across Eastern Europe to offer our support to those affected.

As some of you may have noticed, the Quadrangle is being lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag in solidarity with its people. We will continue to do this until hostilities cease. In the coming days and weeks, we will do whatever we can to support those affected and can only wish for the best in these very dark times.

NUI Galway is currently providing support to members of the University community who may be impacted by the crisis. We are mindful of the financial hardship caused by this crisis, particularly to international students and the International Student Hardship fund will be available to support them where needed. Please find information on International Student support here and staff wellbeing here.

We welcome the Irish government’s decision on the immediate lifting of visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens and in addition to this, we will open up our University of Sanctuary scholarships for Ukrainian refugees.

The Ukrainian poet, Iya Kiva writes in one of her Three Poems in 2014:

to hold a needle of silence in your mouth
to stitch your words in white thread
to whimper while drowning in spit
to keep from screaming spitting blood
to hold the water of a language on your tongue
which leaks like a rusty bucket
to mend things that are still useful
to sew crosses on the really weak spots
like bandages on the wounded in a hospital
to learn to search for the roots of a life
that has yet to learn its name.

We recognise that this is a frightening and uncertain time for all of us and I would ask, that as you always do, you continue to look out for each other and offer kindness to everyone, to mend things that are still useful, to learn to search for the roots of a life.

Ciarán

Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh

President NUI Galway

Statement of Respect | Ráiteas Ómóis - 20/01/2022

Dear staff and students,

We hope you are staying safe and well at the start of this new Semester.

As we look forward to the future at the beginning of this new year, as President of NUI Galway and of its Students’ Union, we together here express our ongoing commitment to the core values of our University, particularly in relation to the importance of respect for all in our community, in the classroom and beyond.

While we recognise that informed debate and freedom of expression is necessary to a vibrant and healthy university setting, we must always treat each other with consideration and respect, whether in person, in virtual environments, over email, or on social media. Disrespectful comments towards any members or groups in the communities we serve have no place in our university.

As a thriving university we value all experiences, traditions, gender identities and ethnicities and we know that a civil and considerate environment is integral to the health and wellbeing of our students and staff.  We ask all members of our university to recommit to treating each other well, with kindness, consideration and respect, both on and off campus.

Kind regards,  

Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh 

President NUI Galway

 

Róisín Nic Lochlainn 

President NUI Galway SU

 

 


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