UNIVERSITY NEWSA

pril

2012

- Vo

l.15

- No.

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NUI MAYNOOTHO l l s c o i l n a h É i r e a n n M á N u a d

in this issue

New Bus Route from Chapelizod to NUI MaynoothShuttle Service available to Students, Staff and General Public.NUI Maynooth announced the launch of a new bus service running from Chapelizod via Palmerstown, Liffey Valley, Lucan and Celbridge to the University. The shuttle service will operate from 8am to 7pm on an hourly basis during the academic year.

John McGinnity, Deputy Registrar, commented that “the shuttle service has been put in place in response to demand from students in West Dublin and North Kildare for a dedicated bus service to NUI Maynooth. Tickets for the shuttle service are extremely reasonably priced and we anticipate that the service will prove popular with students, staff and the general public.”

Tickets for the shuttle service can be purchased on the bus. Further information on timetable and fares can be found at http://admissions.nuim.ie/school_leavers/commuterbus.shtml

Prof Philip Nolan delivers inaugural lecture ‘A Place of Universal Learning’ at NUI Maynooth. Prof Philip Nolan, President of NUI Maynooth delivered his inaugural lecture at the University on 17 February 2012. In a wide ranging lecture to an audience of colleagues, students and representatives of the wider academic community, Prof Nolan espoused the virtues of a liberal education that prepares students for life and to be critical and rational thinkers, rather than merely trained for employment or solely to meet perceived demand in selected industries. President Nolan described learning and scholarship as having the power to change lives. This placed, he said, an enormous responsibility on the scholars and teachers of NUI Maynooth, a responsibility which they welcomed.

Prof Nolan said NUI Maynooth was the type of university he wished to lead – “one that sets itself the highest of goals, asks itself the hardest of questions, finds the best of answers and has the courage to adapt and change for the better, no matter how difficult that may be.

“Autonomy and Accountability in University Education is Key to Innovation and Prosperity” – NUI Maynooth President

Pictured at the announcement of the new bus service from Chapelizod to NUI Maynooth are James Brennan, Frances Leonard and Claire Finnegan. The shuttle service is available to students and staff of NUI Maynooth and the general public.

Prof Philip Nolan with students Aileen Bowe, Siona Cahill, Colm Peelo, Luke Staines and Ciara Connelly.

Manuel Ramos Exhibition

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Harding Cup Champions

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Equine Business Students Success

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Greening of Salamanca

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F R O M T H E E D I T O R

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who submitted articles for this publication.

Due to space restrictions my apologies to anyone who submitted an article that did not appear.

Please send any submissions for the next newsletter to communications@nuim.ie

Róisín Doran, Senior Executive Assistant Phone: 01-708 6160 email: communications@nuim.ie

If you currently receive your newsletter by

post and would like to receive it by email

please contact the office at 01-708 6160

or email: communications@nuim.ie

Published four times a year by:

The Communications Office,

NUI Maynooth.

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Department of Sociology hosts Presidential Seminar NUI Maynooth welcomed President Michael D Higgins to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its Department of Sociology. The Department announced a series of initiatives designed to place the sociological perspective at the heart of Ireland’s post-crisis transformation, including the establishment of a Network on Power, Politics and Society. The visit of President Higgins marked the historic role of sociology as a discipline in Ireland and showcased the ongoing contribution of sociology at NUI Maynooth to social change and civic engagement.

Thanking the President for his visit, Prof Philip Nolan, President of NUI Maynooth said: “It is a great

honour to welcome President Michael D Higgins to NUI Maynooth today. The project of building a socially inclusive Ireland is reflected in much of the research and practice here at our Department of Sociology and I would like to congratulate all who were involved in the Department’s success and development over the years. NUI Maynooth looks forward to working with the President in a practical way into the future in helping Ireland to become a more inclusive society.”

Prof Philip Nolan, President NUI Maynooth, President of Ireland Michael D Higgins with Dr Peter Murray and Dr Brian Conway.

The Postgraduate Open Evening was held on Tuesday, 13 March in Pugin and Renehan Halls this year.The event was very well attended with over 500 visitors to 33 stands. The Graduate Studies Office would like to thank the staff and students from all Departments and Research Institutes for their support and attendance that evening. 50 new Taught Masters Bursaries and the John Hume Research Scholarships have subsequently been launched by the Graduate Studies Office, of interest to prospective students for 2012-13. Further information, terms and conditions and application forms for these funding opportunities can be found on: http://graduatestudies.nuim.ie

Postgraduate Open Evening

Katja Nolan, Maynooth Conference and Accommodation with prospective 2012 post graduate student.

Professor of Psychology at NUI Maynooth is First Non-American Psychologist to Win Prestigious American Psychological Association Translational Research Award Prof Dermot Barnes-Holmes, Foundation Professor of the Department of Psychology at NUI Maynooth, has recently been selected as the 2012 recipient of the ABA International Don Hake Translational Research Award from the American Psychological Association. Prof Barnes-Holmes specialises in Applied Behavioural Analysis and the experimental analysis of human language and cognition. The award recognises Prof Barnes-Holmes contribution to the experimental analysis of human language and cognition and his particular conceptual approach to studying the implications for human behaviour. He has dedicated the last number of years to bridging the gap between Basic and Applied approaches to the study of human behaviour and understanding

aspects of human ability in terms of reasoning and language.

In addition to his APA award, Prof Barnes-Holmes will also be made a Fellow of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS) at the annual ACBS conference to be held in Washington DC this July.

Prof Dermot Barnes-Holmes.

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Maynooth Conference Calls for Greater Urgency in Local Government Reforms

On the day of the official launch of “A career at the heart of Europe” initiative, the Career Development Centre at NUI Maynooth welcomed Minister Creighton to address students about the career opportunities available to them in Europe.The initiative aims to raise awareness of the wide range of opportunities that exist in EU institutions and associated agencies.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Creighton emphasised the importance of ensuring that Irish people are well represented in the EU “Having a steady flow of high quality Irish candidates entering the EU institutions is not only beneficial to Ireland but beneficial to the EU. Irish graduates are highly sought after in the EU institutions. This is why I will urge them to consider careers in the EU.”

The range of career opportunities in the EU varies according to the level of qualifications and experience of graduates: opportunities range from internships (stages), to Assistant and Administrator posts.

Minister of State, Lucinda Creighton TD, Addresses Students in Drive to Promote Awareness of Careers in the EU

Minister of State Lucinda Creighton with members of the Career Development Office Staff, Lorraine Kelly, Eanan Strain and Natasha Marron.

The functions, size and scale of new and restructured local authorities was discussed at a major conference at NUI Maynooth entitled “Local Government Reform: Myth or Reality”.According to a high-level Regional Studies Association (RSA) Conference held in NUI Maynooth, the pace of local government reform on the island of Ireland needs to be considerably accelerated – in the interest of local services, democracy and economic efficiencies. The conference called into question current popular wisdom in Ireland, with speakers and participants arguing that larger units of local government are not necessarily more efficient or effective. Currently, the dominant trends throughout Europe are towards regionalisation, decentralisation and the strengthening of micro and community-level, municipal authorities. In contrast, both jurisdictions in Ireland appear to risk embarking on a course towards centralisation, which is likely to further divorce communities and citizens from local decision-making.

Contributors to this special conference noted that much of the current debate on local government in Ireland has tended to focus on the abolition and amalgamation of authorities, and is based on the assumption that ‘big is beautiful.’ However, international experience suggests otherwise, and the insights provided by Mr Frank Gensler, who is a Deputy Mayor

in the City of Neuss in Germany illustrated how municipal councils with a wide range of functions, tax-raising powers and executive mayors are efficient and innovative in delivering local services and in empowering local communities. This viewpoint was supported by Prof Robin Hambleton, Prof of City Leadership, University of the West of England, who drew on several international case studies to argue for stronger and more accountable local democracy in Ireland.

Dr Seán Ó Riordáin, Regional Studies Association; Prof Jim Walsh, Vice President, NUI Maynooth; Prof Robin Hambleton, University of West England, Bristol; Mr Frank Gensler, Deputy Mayor and City Manager, Neuss, Germany and Dr Chris van Egeraat Department of Geography, NUI Maynooth.

Department of Spanish at NUI Maynooth Partners with Mexican Embassy to Bring Manuel Ramos Photographic Exhibition to Iontas

The Department of Spanish at NUI Maynooth hosted an exhibition of photos from Mexico in the Iontas Foyer from February 22 to March 5, 2012.The exhibition was a landmark event as it was the first time that these photos were displayed outside of Mexico.

Pioneering photojournalist Manuel Ramos was one of the foremost chroniclers of life in Mexico in the early 20th century. He was a co-founder of the Mexican Photographic Association and he was commissioned on the occasion of the centennial celebrations of Mexican Independence to photograph various official commemorations and festivities during the months of September and October 1910.

The exhibition included photographs of the 1910 festivities, many of which had not been previously shown in public. It marks a significant advancement in the knowledge of Ramos’ work and underlines the multifaceted nature of his archive.

Prof Philip Nolan with Mr Carlos Eugenio Garcia de Alba, Ambassador of Mexico to Ireland.

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First Preference for Computer Science in Maynooth up 60%

NUI Maynooth Hosts Leading EU Ambassadors in Debate on Europe

Research Led by Psychologists at NUI Maynooth is Published in Prestigious Cochrane Review

Growth in students applying to Science & Technology, Law and Primary Education Courses.CAO application figures released this week show that NUI Maynooth has maintained its upward growth trend of first preference applications, growing by 4% year-on-year. The University has seen particularly strong growth in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses, Law and Primary Education.

Applications for degrees in Computer Science (+60%), Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (+33%), Science and Maths Education (+15%), Media Studies (+14%) and Law (+8%) have all seen growth. The Froebel BEd at NUI Maynooth is up 40%, with the

overall numbers nationally applying to study Education at third level declining by 6%.

Commenting on the figures, NUI Maynooth President, Prof Philip Nolan said: “We are pleased that in a year which has seen an overall drop in numbers applying to many universities, NUI Maynooth has seen such a strong growth in demand. It is particularly encouraging to note the increase in first preferences to our Science and Technology courses – a positive sign, given recent industry calls for more graduates in these areas.

A major symposium entitled ‘Europe in Crisis: present challenges, future trajectories’ took place in Renehan Hall on Thursday 1 March 2012. Organised by Dr John O’Brennan from the Centre for Wider Europe was joined by the German ambassador Dr Eckhard Lübkemeier as well as the ambassadors of Poland, Hungary, Austria and Latvia in examining the perceptions of the crises across Europe.

The symposium presented an opportunity for EU experts of all backgrounds to discuss the issues. The symposium presented an opportunity for EU experts of all backgrounds to discuss the issues. Other speakers included Prof Seán Ó Riain, Department of Sociology, NUI Maynooth; Declan Ganley, Businessman; Dr Paul Gillespie, The Irish Times and David Phinnemore, Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration, Queen’s University Belfast.

President of NUI Maynooth, Prof Philip Nolan said he was pleased with the variety of views aired at the symposium. “The symposium was the result of an innovative and fruitful partnership between the Department of Sociology and the Centre for the Study of Wider Europe. Collectively, they have made an extremely important contribution to the current debate on the Fiscal Compact Treaty and its long-term implications for Ireland” Prof Nolan said.

Group-based parenting programmes are more effective and cost-efficient in tackling childhood anti-social behaviour according to a review led by NUI Maynooth psychologists.A recently published Cochrane review, led by Mairéad Furlong and Dr Sinéad McGilloway, Department of Psychology at NUI Maynooth, has shown, for the first time, that parenting programmes delivered in group settings which attempt to change child behaviour and parental approaches to discipline, are both effective and cost efficient in reducing childhood conduct problems and antisocial behaviour.

The review highlighted the significant financial benefit to the State of early parenting programmes, with the cost of delivering parenting programmes in a group setting far outweighing the cost of long-term antisocial behaviour. A typical parenting programme costs approximately €2,200 per family while the long-term health, social, educational and legal costs associated with childhood antisocial behaviour can cost up to €315,000 per family. Group-based interventions are also shown to improve parental mental health.

The review involved a team of international experts and was funded by the Health Research Board. The lead author, Mairead Furlong, a PhD candidate at NUI Maynooth, has been invited to speak about the review findings at a prestigious Cochrane/Campbell Colloquium in Copenhagen in May.

Computer Science Department, NUI Maynooth.

Prof Philip Nolan, President NUI Maynooth, the German Ambassador, Dr Eckhard Lübkemeier and Dr John O’Brennan, Dept of Sociology, NUI Maynooth at the “Europe in Crisis” symposium held at the University.

Dr Sinéad McGilloway.

Alumnus Returns to Deliver Talk to Biology Society MembersSeamus Martin (BSc 1987, PhD 1990), Smurfit Professor of Medical Genetics in TCD, returned to Th2 to give a career talk to current biology students. Speaking with great warmth and humour in his talk entitled ‘Understanding Cell Death for a Living: From Callan Hall to California and Back’, Prof Martin provided an educational and informative evening for the many undergraduates who attended. With food and beverages sponsored by the Alumni Office, the Biology Society have decided to make an alumni evening an annual feature of their calendar of events.

Pictured (l-r); Derek Maher, Leanne Murphy, Prof Seamus Martin, Naomi McDonagh, Edel Pyke and Margaret Pierce.

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NUI Maynooth Analysis Shows the Punchestown Festival Generates €59.8m for Local Economy

The Irish National Hunt Punchestown Festival generated a record €59.8 million contribution to the economy of Kildare and its surrounding regions in 2011, according to an independent economic benefit analysis report carried out by a team of Economists at NUI Maynooth.Commenting on the findings of the report, Prof Rowena Pecchenino, Head of the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting at NUI Maynooth said “It is clear from our findings that the Punchestown Festival makes a very substantial economic contribution annually to Kildare and the surrounding areas. The direct economic value of the 2011 Festival was estimated at about €60 million although another €9 million – €12 million could be added to account for the indirect economic or expenditure multiplier effects.”

Prof Philip Nolan, President, NUI Maynooth, David Mongey, Chairman of Punchestown and Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

2012 Chinese New Year Gala Performance NUI Maynooth Language Centre, Chinese Studies at NUI Maynooth School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures, International Office (NUI Maynooth), Shanghai University and Chinese Language Council jointly organized a Chinese Spring Festival Gala Performance on 30 January 2012. An Arts troop from Shanghai University visited NUI Maynooth and performed in the Iontas Theatre. More than 200 people took part in the event and enjoyed an evening of traditional Chinese music.

NUI Maynooth Equine Business Students Sweep to an Emphatic Victory

The winning team of (L-R) Dermot Littlefield, Owen Healy, Leonora Lynch, Kate McNamara and classmate John Rowe were congratulated by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Professor David Stifter Delivers Inaugural Lecture at NUI Maynooth on Study of Old IrishDiscovery of new words in renowned liturgical manuscript will unlock secrets in other Old Irish documents.Prof David Stifter delivered his inaugural lecture to an audience of colleagues and students at NUI Maynooth, marking one year as Professor of Old Irish at the Department of Old and Middle Irish in the University’s School of Celtic Studies.

The text involved in Prof Stifter’s study is the third of three charms contained in the Stowe Missal, all concerning health afflictions. This particular charm concerns urinary disease and Prof Stifter chose it because no proper translation had ever been made of it, with some in the past describing the text as nonsensical, having analyzed the manuscript incorrectly and misinterpreted certain letters. However, Prof Stifter has linked these phrases back to Old Irish words and unearthed meaning.

Speaking at the lecture, NUI Maynooth President, Prof Philip Nolan commented: “This is a fascinating topic of research and Prof Stifter’s lecture conveyed the excitement involved in the translation of one of the most complex sections of the Stowe Missal. NUI Maynooth’s Department of Old and Middle Irish has a worldwide reputation for excellence and is renowned for its progressive techniques.”

Students from the Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) in Equine Business, NUI Maynooth achieved a decisive victory in the inaugural intervarsity challenge held during the recent Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association International Expo and Symposium. The winning team were congratulated by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny after they saw off teams from Equine courses at University College Dublin, University of Limerick, Enniskillen College and the Irish National Stud to lift the perpetual cup.

Prof David Stifter.

ESB ecars Installs Electric Car Charge Point on NUI Maynooth CampusNUI Maynooth will be one of the first universities in Ireland to have an electric car charge point on campusIt is hoped that the charge point will give students and staff the opportunity to choose more environmentally sustainable commuting practices by driving electric cars and hence make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions.

According to Prof Philip Nolan, President of NUI Maynooth, the charge point is just one of a number of measures included in a drive for sustainability on campus. Speaking at the launch of the charge point, Prof Nolan said, “The introduction of an electric car charge point is in line with the University’s overall Programme of Sustainability, including our promotion of car-pooling and increased use of public transport, with an overall aim of reducing CO2 emissions and creating a greener campus.

We are delighted that NUI Maynooth is leading the way in supporting efficient and environmentally-friendly transport options for staff and students”

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Human Resource NotesRETIREES Ms Lynne Budden, Staff Development Officer;

Dr Patrick Devine, Lecturer, Department of Music;

Dr Gerard Jeffers, Lecturer, Education Department;

Mr Jim Keenan, Cartographer, Department of Geography;

Ms Cecelia Kehoe, Library Assistant, Russell Library;

Prof John Kinsella, Department of Spanish

Ms Sheila Larkin, Library Assistant, John Paul II Library;

Ms Rose Malone, Lecturer, Education Department;

Dr Dervilla McKeith, Systems Manager, Computer Centre;

Mr Gerard McMahon, Lecturer, Department of Experimental Physics;

Ms Ann O’Brien, Director of Access;

Ms Mary Weld, Administrative Officer, Department of Geography;

Ms Penny Woods, Assistant Librarian, Russell Library

We wish them a long and happy retirement

INTERVIEWS HELD6 March 2012 Executive Assistant (Part-Time), Old & Middle Irish (Contract Post).

8 February 2012 Student Counsellor, Student Services, (Contract Post).

28 February 2012 Executive Assistant (Half-Time), Student Services, (Contract Post).

INTERVIEWS ARRANGED30 March 2012 Technical Officer, Department of Chemistry (Contract Post).

17 April 2012 Executive Assistant, Admissions Office (Contract Post).

20 April 2012 Schools’ Liaison Officer, Admissions Office (Contract Post).

NEW APPOINTMENTSWe are pleased to announce that the following have accepted appointment to contract posts in the University:

School/Departments AppointeesBusiness Dr Christina Donnelly, Assistant Lecturer in Marketing

Geography Ms Neasa Hogan, Senior Executive Assistant

History Dr Brian McKenzie, Assistant Lecturer in History

Law Ms Suzanne Scott, Executive Assistant

Mr Robert Gaudet, Lecturer in Law

Mr Gerard Kelly, Lecturer in Law

Ms Ilana Bushkin, Lecturer in Law

Psychology Ms Carol Berigan, Executive Assistant

Institutes AppointeesNCG Mr Ciaran McNamara, Technical Support

NIRSA Ms Ruth Geraghty, Research Assistant

Offices/Centres AppointeesCampus Services Mr Simon Greene, Audio Visual Assistant

Ms Rebecca Quinn, Grounds Supervisor

Industrial Placement Office Ms Martina Bourgoin, Executive Assistant

Student Services Ms Catherine Black, Chaplain

Vice President for Research Ms Shona Leith, Senior Executive Assistant

Ms Valerie Bartley, Senior Executive Assistant

LYNNE BUDDEN – RETIREMENT IN STAFF DEVELOPMENTOur colleague Lynne Budden, Staff Development Officer recently retired, we wish Lynne a long, happy and healthy retirement. We would like to thank her for her contribution to Staff Development in NUI Maynooth.

Staff Development activities will continue through the semester and places can be booked online at http://staffdevelopment.nuim.ie/Prog1011.shtml

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

The Employee Assistance Programme is a support programme provided by the University for staff members.

The Programme provides a confidential counselling service, designed to assist staff members in dealing with any issue that adversely affects their health, wellbeing, personal or professional life. If you have a problem that is troubling you, then you can get help and support.

You can avail of the service by calling the following free phone number: 1800 201 346

Prof Philip Nolan, President NUI Maynooth; Frank Fitzmaurice, Director Corporate Services; Lar Byrne, Campus Services; Colm Nelson, Campus Services and John Whelan, ESB ecars.

Professor of Human Geography and Director of NIRSA Wins Presitigous American Association of Geographers Book AwardProf Rob Kitchin has received the AAG Meridian Book Award for his outstanding contribution to geography.The Association of American Geographers (AAG) has awarded Prof Rob Kitchin, Director of the National Institute of Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) and Professor of Human Geography at NUI Maynooth, the 2011 ‘AAG Meridian Book Award for the Outstanding Scholarly Work in Geography’ for his book ‘Code/Space: Software and Everyday Life‘, co-authored with Martin Dodge, and published by MIT Press.

This award is an exceptional achievement for Prof Kitchin, as it recognises his outstanding contribution to the scholarly field of geography by one of the world’s leading associations of geographers. His work was selected from across the discipline for its “important contribution to advancing the science and art of geography”.

According to the MIT press, In Code/Space, Prof Rob Kitchin and Martin Dodge “examine software from a spatial perspective, analyzing the dyadic relationship of software and space. The production of space, they argue, is increasingly dependent on code, and code is written to produce space.” Empirical examples of code/space include airport check-in areas, cafés and other public spaces that have the capacity to act as workspaces with wireless access and other amenities.

NUI Maynooth Library: at the Forefront of Scholarship in the Social Sciences

Erasmus Student Turns Salamanca Green

How quickly can you get to an emergency room? How long does the average school run take? What was it like to travel by steam carriage in the 1830’s?

These were just some of the topics discussed at the Library Publications Festival which took place at NUI Maynooth from 24th - 27th January. The Library’s fifth Annual Publications Festival provided a unique opportunity to highlight and showcase scholarship from the Faculty of Social Sciences through a diverse programme of lectures, readings and exhibitions.

The celebration ran for the week with a series of exciting events related to the theme of Social Science including a talk by Dr Linda Connolly to celebrate the Department of Sociology’s 75th anniversary. One of the highlights of the Festival was a hard-hitting presentation by Prof Rob Kitchin, Director of NIRSA, on the economic crisis in Ireland. Prof Kitchin discussed the potential implications of ghost estates with regards to the property market and the general economy.

The festival closed with a reading of “A steam carriage calls at Carton” by Prof Seán Ó Riain in the Russell Library. This colourful account of a steam carriage journey in the 1830’s was complemented by an exhibition of 18th and 19th century books, illustrations and maps relating to transport and travel.

“The coverage and response here has been unbelievable. Everyone here in the city is talking about Ireland!”A student from NUI Maynooth, Ben Finnegan, has been adding some extra curricular activities to his time as an Erasmus student at the University of Salamanca, Spain. On St. Patrick’s Day the famous Plaza Mayor, the most important of public spaces in the heart of the city of Salamanca, was illuminated green to pay homage to Ireland and to take part in the celebrations worldwide, all thanks to Ben.

Originally from Maynooth, Ben is spending his 3rd year abroad in Spain as part of the Erasmus programme which facilitates NUI Maynooth students to spend one year of their degree in one of over 85 Partner universities with whom NUI Maynooth offers exchange programmes in Europe. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the programme.

Almost 1,000 people attended the “greening” of the Plaza on March 17th. It has been declared a complete success by organisers, with the Mayor of Salamanca assuring Ben that the Plaza Mayor will now be illuminated green annually for Saint Patrick’s Day. Ben commented “My aim is to next year get maybe three or four other cities with Irish Erasmus students to attempt the Greening and hopefully each year it will escalate.”

L to R: Cllr John McGinley; Mayor of Kildare, Michael ‘Spike’ Nolan; Prof Philip Nolan, President NUI Maynooth and Cathal McCauley, Head Librarian, NUI Maynooth.

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Ben Finnegan and Mayor of Salamanca Alfonso Fernández Mañueco.

The launch of a joint Military Academic Conference and a new book entitled ‘Building a Better Future: Contributions by the Irish Defence Forces’, edited by Tony Walsh of the Dept of Adult and Community Education, took place at the Curragh Camp on March 8th to mark the tenth anniversary of the partnership between the Irish Defence Forces and NUI Maynooth.Since its inception ten years ago, the unique educational partnership between the Irish Defence Forces and the National University of Ireland, Maynooth has gone from strength to strength.

Originally the prime focus of the partnership was the development and delivery of the MA in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies (LMDS). Its activities have now expanded to include the development of the Certificate in Strategic leadership for senior officers and the validation of the Cadet School programme.

Contributors to the book include students, military supervisors and academic staff, who address a wide range of issues relevant to a Post-Modern Defence

Force. While participants and speakers at the Conference included those from Sweden, the United States, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada and the United Kingdom, a number of graduates from the MA in LMDS were also included.

10th Anniversary of Partnership Between NUI Maynooth and Irish Defence Forces Celebrated

L to R: Mr Tony Walsh, Maj Gen Karl Engelbrektson, Swedish Mil Rep; Mr Paul Kehoe, TD, Junior Minister for Defence; Maj Gen Sean McCann, Chief of Staff; Prof Laura Cleary, Academic Director, Cranfield University; Prof John Nagl President, Center for New American Security; Comdt Mark Hearns, Instructor, Command and Staff School and Col Michael Meehan, School Commandant, the Command and Staff School & Director of Defence Forces Training.

For the first time in 36 years, NUI Maynooth Freshers’ Soccer team were crowned Harding Cup Champions.NUI Maynooth Freshers’ Soccer team captured the Harding Cup when they defeated UCD in a gripping final, 3-1 after extra-time in University College Cork on Sunday 12 February. The win was a sweet victory following defeat in the 2011 final by the same opposition and it brings the Harding Cup, the annual Fresher’s Inter-Varsity competition, back to NUI Maynooth for the first time since 1976.

The 25th Annual Galway Cycle took place from 23rd – 25th March. Over 250 staff and students, including University President, Prof Philip Nolan, participated in the 400km cycle to raise funds for Down Syndrome Ireland.The money raised this year will be used to roll out an early development program across the country which has already been piloted successfully in Kildare.

After spending Saturday 24th March in Eyre’s Square Galway, the cyclists made their way back to Maynooth where they were greeted by a large crowd in the town square. This year’s fundraising brings to almost €900,000 the amount raised since the Galway Cycle began in 1987.

“We’re very very grateful to the people and businesses of Maynooth for their generosity to us over the past 24 years,” Galway Cycle President Donnacha Gayer explained.

“We’re especially delighted that it is the community of Maynooth, in the form of Brady’s, the local branch of Down Syndrome Ireland and the Mayor of Kildare, Michael ‘Spike’ Nolan, who have come forward to help us celebrate our 25th anniversary,” he added.

MAP collaborates with a number of secondary schools in Kildare, Blanchardstown and Clondalkin supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The aim of the course was to complement the study of English in secondary schools by bringing together University lectures and interactive seminar style learning. This provided a unique forum for students to gain an insight into a range of Leaving Certificate material while also presenting them with a taste of the University experience. The sessions covered Hamlet, Poetry and Comparative Study. Each session comprised of a lecture followed by discussion and analysis.

The Maynooth Access Programme and the Science Faculty continue to work together to promote science education and progression to higher education. Last year approximately 140 students participated in the Biology and Chemistry practicals from the nine Kildare secondary schools linked to MAP. As always the pupils were immersed in the science labs and got a hands-on experience of scientific practical work and a taste of the higher education student experience.

Departments interested in hosting events that may be of interest to secondary school students should contact Loretta Mulvihill, Outreach Project Officer, Maynooth Access Programme, MAP Lodge, or phone 01 708 6614.

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Freshers’ Soccer Team Crowned Harding Cup Champions

Galway Cycle 2012 Raises over €122,000 for Down Syndrome Ireland

Maynooth Access Programme

Science faculty, NUI Maynooth.

The winning team, NUI Maynooth.

Martin Rocks leader of the 25th Cycle with (from left) Amanda Grady, Alan Nugent, Shelley Spillane, Kevin Sweeney, Conor McHugh, Caoimhe Ryan and Dave Hickey.