University of Galway

First Years - are you ready to conquer campus and win some amazing prizes? 🏆

Join Campus Challenge-Complete The Circuit! 🗺️

How it works:
1️⃣Begin the Campus Challenge at any of the challenge stations dotted around campus.

2️⃣Complete a challenge at each station and collect a stamp from the friendly Student Ambassadors.

3️⃣Once you've collected all stamps, you need to head to the Campus Challenge Summit in Áras na Mac Léinn. Here you can also grab some snacks, prizes and the opportunity to connect with other students!

🏅 Everyone who completes the challenge and checks in at the Campus Challenge Summit, will be entered into a prize draw!

For more information on the Campus Challenge check out this webpage - https://www.universityofgalway.ie/startinguniversity/campus-challenge/

Make sure to follow to keep up to date on Campus Welcome activities!

Universities in Ireland, Poland and Spain have come together to create new studies on all aspects of housing in Europe.

The online programmes are designed for national housing and European policymakers, housing and property professionals, housing managers, students, housing providers, NGOs and others.

Key European housing issues - from rights, to tenure, to homelessness, to roles of professionals and stakeholders - are explained by top European housing experts, in 48 short, accessible sections, with national examples, and up to date references.

The Centre for Housing Law, Rights and Policy at University of Galway developed the new Online Course on EU Housing Studies - available at https://www.housingstudies.eu/about-us - along with University of Silesia in Poland, the UNESCO Housing Chair at University Rovira I Virgili in Spain, and others.


University of Silesia Universitat Rovira i Virgili - URV Housing Europe Irish Council for Social Housing Irish Centre for European Law European Commission Representation in Ireland

University of Galway students and staff will host SDG Week from September 16th-21st - dedicated to increasing awareness, engagement and action to help achieve the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ♻️🌍

SDG Week includes a mix of student and staff-led events, such as guided walks along the University’s biodiversity and SDG trails, seminars, roundtables, poster presentations, second-hand/pre-loved clothes sale and a quiz night.

SDG Week will also see the launch of the University’s Annual Sustainability Report for 2023/24, which highlights and celebrates outstanding contributions from across our University community to progress the SDGs.

A full SDG Week event listing is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/sdgweek/

Could Bangladesh’s former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, be extradited to the country to stand trial? Calls to return Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, from India are growing, but is this a feasible outcome?

RTE's ‘My Uni Life’ is returning to our screens📺 this Autumn, with a re-run of Season 2, as cameras capture life across a busy year on campus at our 8 universities including University of Galway. This 9 part series by RTÉ New Decade and Irish Universities Association.

The series is available to watch on RTE One at 8.30pm every Monday, or on RTE Player here: https://www.rte.ie/player/onnow

Beidh an Lá Oscailte Fochéime ar siúl 4, 5 Deireadh Fómhair, 9am-3pm 📚

Tapaigh an deis labhairt le hionadaithe coláiste agus ceisteanna a chur faoin staidéar in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe.

Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Ar mhaithe leatsa. Amach anseo.

4, 5 Deireadh Fómhair 2024
9am – 3pm
Ollscoil na Gaillimhe

Cláraigh anseo: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/opendays/

If you are a home care professional, researchers at University of Galway want to hear your views on pay and working conditions in this sector.

University of Galway research, funded by the Low Pay Commission, seeks to interview home-care workers employed (a) by the HSE, (b) by private sector agencies and (c) directly by families, in addition to senior leadership and policy makers, to inform policy and provide recommendations for organisations and individual workers on the provision of decent and meaningful home care work.

To find out more, scan the QR code below or email: [email protected]

Don't miss our series of Medicine talks from 11.30am and exhibitions from 9.00am - 3.00pm at our University of Galway Undergraduate Open Days on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th October in the Red Zone.

Register Now!

🗓️ 4, 5 October 2024
⏰ 9am - 3pm
📍 University of Galway

University of Galway hosts the 49th Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture and Surgical Symposium, the largest Surgical Conference in Ireland this weekend.

The symposium 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. This year’s gathering will offer a forum to discuss the future of surgical training in Ireland and the implications of Sláintecare, the Government’s 10-year programme which was launched in 2018 to transform our health and social care services.

The symposium will hear keynote addresses from leading surgeons from America and Ireland, a focus on regionalisation, surgical care delivery and training and research and education sessions across the various surgical subspecialties.

The full programme of events for the conference is available at https://freyer.ie/

Calling all parents! Join us for the parent's guide to University at our Undergraduate Open Days on Saturday 5th October at 11.30am. The session will provide parents/guardians with information on important issues like fees, accommodation and support services for students.

Register Now!

🗓️ 4, 5 October 2024
⏰ 9am - 3pm
📍 University of Galway

University of Galway Alumnus Jason Sherlock has been appointed to the NUI Senate.

An Irish Traveller, a founding member of the University’s Mincéirs Whiden Society, a graduate of our Access Centre, Jason holds a BA Economic, Sociology and Political Science (First Class Hons) and MEconSc International Finance. He was on the Washington Ireland programme in 2021 and served on our Academic Council.

Jason was appointed to the NUI by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan T.D.

Jason is pictured third from the right at the launch of Galway John room earlier this year, a teaching space dedicated to Jason’s great-grandfather, the well-known Irish Traveller John Ward, who was born and raised in Galway city in 1913 and was a firm believer in the value of education.

A University of Galway researcher whose work focuses on therapies for cancers of the brain has been awarded a prestigious €1.5million grant by the European Research Council.

Dr Catalina Vallejo Giraldo is with Biomedical Engineering in the College of Science and Engineering and is based at the CÚRAM Research Centre for Medical Devices, funded by Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland, at the University, where her research combines biomaterials, brain mechanobiology and medicine to develop new targeted brain treatments.

The grant will allow Dr Vallejo Giraldo to focus on the development of a new cancer therapy using a soft gel that contains a cancer fighting drug and is patterned with narrow channels to encourage the entry of cancer cells. Once inside, the cancer cells become trapped and compressed, disrupting their DNA repair mechanisms and rendering them susceptible to damage. This approach will improve drug-radiation effectiveness and allow localised therapy of brain cancer.

Starter Pack - e module, is a self-paced and interactive online resource to help you get set up as a student at University of Galway.

Make sure to complete Starter Pack before your Campus Welcome & Orientation on the 12th and 13th of September.

Get started here: https://rise.articulate.com/share/pJQGIZOxZczciRwEetmwbTlHWTc53yDl #/

Make sure to follow to keep up to date on services available at University of Galway and First Year Undergraduate information!

University of Galway has today announced Professor Becky Whay is to take up the role of Interim Deputy President and Registrar.

The confirmation follows the announcement on July 4th that Professor Peter McHugh was taking on the role of Interim President following the departure of Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh who stepped down as President after six and half years in the role.
Professor McHugh begins his term as Interim President on September 7th and Professor Whay begins her role as Interim Deputy President and Registrar on September 9th.

As Interim Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Whay is a member of the University Management Team and Academic Council; deputises for the President in his absence; and has overarching responsibility for academic strategy, academic promotions, and academic quality.

Professor Whay said: “It is a real privilege to have been appointed Interim Deputy President and Registrar and I look forward to the challenges as well as the opportunities ahead, both in supporting our academics and ensuring the highest standards for our students, as well as helping in the continuing development of our university for the public good.”

Read more here: https://ow.ly/Pgwn50TftoK

Join us for our Business talks at 10.00am, 11.30am or 1.00pm as part of University of Galway Undergraduate Open Days on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th October.

Register Now!

🗓️ 4, 5 October 2024
⏰ 9am - 3pm
📍 University of Galway

Professor Caroline McGregor has been appointed as the new Director of the Institute for Lifecourse and Society (ILAS) at University of Galway.

Professor McGregor is Director of Social Work at the University and a Senior Research Fellow at the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre where she led a number of projects with colleagues on themes of state care, past and present; child protection and family support; and youth civic and political engagement. She has also worked as a SFI investigator within CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices on projects including impact orientation.

Professor McGregor takes up the role in September for a four-year period, and her appointment follows the retirement of Professor Pat Dolan, who held the position from 2013-2023.

The Institute for Lifecourse and Society (ILAS) is a specially designated multidisciplinary research institute in applied social sciences which aims to contribute scientific and practical awareness of human capacity and potential from infancy to older age and to advance the lives of people who face issues with older age, living with disability, and for children, youth and parents who are vulnerable in social and other contexts.

Congratulations to Caroline 👏

Read more here: https://ow.ly/UUfY50Te4F9

Professor Frances Fahy, Director of the Ryan Institute is pictured here collecting the prestigious International Geographical Union, Planet and Humanity Medal on behalf of the renowned conservationist, broadcaster and author Sir David Attenborough.

Prof Fahy noted that “After 8 years of planning, the IGC 2024 has brought together delegates from over 80 countries in the world, and it has truly been a celebration of how diverse, inclusive and absolutely essential our subject of Geography is."

Founded in 1922, the IGU promotes the discipline of Geography globally and its most significant award was created to honour individuals who have made outstanding contributions globally to peace, welfare, or sustainability. Previous awardees include Nelson Mandela, Al Gore and Greta Thunberg.

Join us for our Undergraduate Open Days on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th October from 9am to 3pm for the full on-campus experience 📚

University of Galway. For You. For Tomorrow.

Register Now!

🗓️ 4th & 5th October 2024
⏰ 9am - 3pm
📍 University of Galway

It's that time of year again!

The University of Galway Clubs Day 2024 will take place on the 18th of September from 12:00-16:30 in the Sports Centre Hall (in the Kingfisher building) 🎉

Remember, Clubs Day isn't just for first years 💪

Anyone, whether you're heading into final year and need a way to take time away from your studies or you're entering second year and realising you haven't found your people yet, is welcome at Clubs Day 🏆

With 40 clubs there's something for everyone, whether you consider yourself an athlete or not!

Want to take in Ireland's nature while meeting friends? University of Galway Mountaineering Club might be the place for you!

Never learned how to swim? University of Galway Swimming Waterpolo and Lifesaving Club offers lessons and training for all levels 🏊‍♀️

Why not try something completely new with NUIG Table Tennis Club, UG ATUG SubAqua Club or NUIG GMIT Kayak Club 🏋

Head down to Clubs Day on the 18th to meet these clubs and many more 👏

Student Sport Ireland Kingfisher University of Galway

University of Galway outgoing president, Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said these factors appear to be threatening the student experience and a sense of belonging to the college campus.

“I think that there is a sense of a disconnect in society; it’s probably social media, Covid or division in the world. All of that has created challenges,” he said.

Read more here ⬇️

Rising student dropout rates may be linked to high rents and commuting, university chief warns University of Galway president says top students may end up going overseas

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has today released updated guidelines on the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension to better identify people at risk of heart attack and stroke.

The new guidelines have been produced by an international panel of experts, including co-chairpersons, Professor Bill McEvoy of University of Galway, and Professor Rhian Touyz of McGill University, Canada. These guidelines include a new category of Elevated Blood Pressure, more ambitious and intensive treatment targets, and, for the first time, recommendations on the use of renal denervation to treat various forms of hypertension.

The new 2024 ESC Guidelines are designed to get more patients to an evidence-based blood pressure treatment target and to increase the eligibility for blood pressure lowering medications to match the best current evidence from clinical trials.
They also provide numerous pragmatic recommendations to avoid patients becoming symptomatic from overtreatment.

Read more here: https://ow.ly/EEMs50TaBOH

Did you know University of Galway students have represented Ireland or Irish University Teams in 9 different sports? 🏈🏀🚣‍♀️

These sports include Athletics, Rowing, Golf, Volleyball, Freestyle Kayak, Basketball, Lacrosse, Frisbee and Rugby. University of Galway have also won a number a number of All-Ireland's in some of the teams listed.

Our University offer a wide selection of sporting clubs to join, at any stage of your university journey. Explore more about University of Galway sport and teams here: https://sport.universityofgalway.ie/clubs/

University of Galway Sport

A report from the WHO Regional Office for Europe reveals condom use among s*xually active adolescents has declined significantly since 2014, with rates of unprotected s*x worryingly high.

The new data were published as part of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, which surveyed over 242,000 15-year-olds across 42 countries and regions in the period 2014 to 2022.

The good news is that in the Republic of Ireland, the proportion of 15-year-olds who report having had s*xual in*******se is only 10% for both girls and boys, lower than the international average (20% of boys and 15% of girls). Girls in Ireland were also more likely than their peers internationally to report contraceptive use.

Dr András Költő, University of Galway researcher and the lead author of the report, said: “Regarding condoms, we see the same trend among youth in Ireland as in the international sample. Over each survey cycle we see less and less adolescents report they or their partner used a condom at last in*******se; in 2010, more than three quarters of young people reported condom use, whereas in 2022, less than half of youth reported condom use.”

The WHO Regional Office for Europe calls upon policymakers, educators, and healthcare providers to prioritise adolescent s*xual health by Investing in comprehensive s*xuality education, enhancing access to youth-friendly s*xual health services, promoting open dialogue and more.

Read more about the research findings here: https://ow.ly/H8Hi50TaxNu

University of Galway has issued offers to 3,753 prospective students for the 2024/25 academic year.

The following are some of the key trends following the issuing of Round One offers in the CAO process:

🔷 Cut-off levels for points for University of Galway degrees showed mixed movement with almost a third of courses increasing points or remaining steady.

🔷 Some 40% of the University’s degree programmes are between the 500-600 points range.

🔷 All Engineering and Law programmes continue to cut-off at 500 CAO points or above.

🔷 Five out of eight Commerce programmes require more than 500 points.

Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of University of Galway, said: “Comhghairdeas to the Leaving Cert class of 2024 as they embark on the next stage of their studies. They have displayed good judgment in choosing University of Galway. They can be assured that this and their experiences to date will stand them in good stead as the next adventure begins at University of Galway.”

Read more about some of the key trends here: https://ow.ly/23EX50T8MNN