TODAY 1972 - 2012 Celebrating 40 years of learning and teaching
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 06/11/2012 09:32 Page 1
TODAY
Celebrating 40 years of learning and teaching
1972 - 2012
GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 06/11/2012 10:44 Page 2
GMIT Introduction
Forty years of
service to region
W
hen RTC Galway opened its doors on Monday,
September 18, 1972 there were 1,213 students
registered on a range of courses designed for trade
and industry. As GMIT marks its 40th anniversary this
academic year, the Institute continues to respond to the
Making the news at GMIT 31
needs of the region despite uncertain times, providing quality
third level education to almost 8,000 students in a range of
disciplines across five campuses in Galway and Mayo.
Times were as challenging then as they are now, as GMIT
President Michael Carmody tells journalist Brian McDonald
INSIDE
in a revealing interview on page 3: “We’ve lost 13 per cent of
President on tough times 4
our staff since 2008 and our budget has also been cut 12 to
13 per cent over the same period...whatever we do, it has to LEARNING & TEACHING
be the best thing for the students and graduates”.
GMIT’s hopes and plans for the future and the many Figuring out a bright future 6
achievements of students and staff in all of its campuses are Those appy students 9
laid out across these pages under themes reflecting the five Top teachers honoured 11
pillars of the Institute’s Strategic Development Plan 2010- Sweet success for Julia 13
2015: Learning & Teaching; Community Engagement;
The online explosion 17
Research & Innovation; Student Environment; and Interna-
tionalisation & Collaboration. RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Former Registrar Bernard O’Hara, who retired in 2010
after 39 years of dedicated service, takes us back to GMIT’s Start-ups get revved up 18
beginnings and outlines the milestones along the way, with Quite a record for IiBC 19
some very special archive photographs provided by the Making a difference 21
Connacht Tribune. To the waters and the wild 22
Volunteering and fund-raising have always been a huge
Medical matters... greatly 23
part of student life in GMIT, with students and staff raising
hundreds of thousands of euro over the years for the Galway COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Lions Club, Croí, RNLI and many more. Working with
community partners and charity organisations is now
Letterfrack at Farmleigh 27
embedded in most GMIT programmes, giving students a It’s child’s play 28
keen understanding of the society in which they live and the Sharing their talent 29
importance of being a good citizen.
GMIT is very proud of its graduates who have gone on to INTERNATIONALISATION & COLLABORATION
forge successful careers, among them furniture designer, And the winner is... 30
John Lee, who came to national prominence last November A worldwide attraction 32
when he designed and made the Presidential Inauguration
Alliances are key 34
Chair for Michael D Higgins' inauguration ceremony, and
Film & TV graduate, Gary Shore, who is making waves STUDENT ENVIRONMENT
in Hollywood as a promising young film director.
GMIT has played an important €6m sporting boost 35
role in the social, cultural and Castlebar goes green 36
economic development of the region Games and glory 37-40
over the past 40 years and there is no
doubt it will continue to be an invalu- 40 years of GMIT 41-45
able contributor to Irish education in Seat of power 46
the years to come. Artistic Alumni 47
Regina Daly,
Editor
Editor: Regina Daly Photos: GMIT Today is published by the © Copright Galway-Mayo Institute of
Editorial Consultant: Brian McDonald Aengus McMahon GMIT Communications Office. Technology (GMIT) 2012
Design & Layout: Proactive Andrew Downes
Printer: Brunswick Press Ltd Joe Shaughnessy We welcome your thoughts on this
Keith Heneghan publication. Please send them to:
Contributors: Ken Wright Regina Daly, Communications Officer,
Brian McDonald Connacht Tribune (archives) GMIT, Dublin Road, Galway.
Rosita Boland GMIT staff Tel. 00 353 91 742826
Regina Daly and GMIT staff Geraldine O’Brien Email: regina.daly@gmit.ie
2
GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:23 Page 3
Oifig an Taoisigh
Office of the Taoiseach
Message from An Taoiseach, Teachtaireacht ón Taoiseach,
Mr Enda Kenny T.D. an tUasal Enda Kenny T.D.
I am delighted to have this opportunity to mark the 40th Is ábhar ríméid dom an deis seo a fháil 40ú comóradh bliana Insti-
anniversary of the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology tiúid Teicneolaíochta na Gaillimhe-Maigh Eo a shonrú agus ba
and would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the mhian liom comhghairdeas croí a dhéanamh leis an bhfoireann,
staff, students and all who have been involved in the devel- leis na neacha léinn agus le gach duine a raibh baint acu le
opment of the Institute through the years. forbairt na hInstitiúide le linn na mblianta.
Since its birth in1972, this Institute has made a major Óna tús in 1972, rinne an Institiúid seo cion mór d’fhorbairt
contribution to the development of the western region, réigiún an Iarthair, agus rochtain ar an oideachas tríú leibhéal á
facilitating access to third-level education for so many éascú aici don oiread sin daoine óga as Gaillimh, Maigh Eo agus
young people from Galway, Mayo and beyond. Moreover, níos faide i gcéin. Lena chois sin, d’imir sí ról ríthábhachtach i
it has played a vital role in developing business and bhforbairt gnó agus tionscail sa réigiún.
industry in the region. Tharla athruithe suntasacha ar an ardoideachas in Éirinn le
The past 40 years have seen remarkable changes in linn na 40 bliain seo caite. Is norm anois é an t-ardoideachas do
higher education in Ireland. Third-level education has now líon mór daoine óga. Níos mó agus níos mó tá fir agus mná
become the norm for large numbers of young people. lánfhásta ag filleadh ar an léann agus é sin á éascú go straitéiseach
More and more mature men and women are returning to ag GMIT.
learning, facilitated, strategically, by GMIT. I gcaitheamh na mblianta sin d’fhás líon na neach léinn ó
Those years have seen GMIT numbers grow from 1,000 1,000 go 8,000 neach léinn i gcúig champas ar fud an réigiúin.
students to 8,000 students, working in five campuses across Cuireadh fáilte roimh theacht in am tráth do Champas Chaisleán
the region. The Castlebar campus, established in 1994, was an Bharraigh (1994), rud a chuir beocht sa bhaile agus sa
timely and welcome, bringing new life to the town and its cheantar máguaird.
environs. Leis an gComhaontas Chonnacht-Uladh déanfaidh Institiúid
The new Connacht-Ulster Alliance sees Letterkenny Teicneolaíochta Leitir Ceanainn, Institiúid Teicneolaíochta
Institute of Technology, the Institute of Technology, Sligo Shligigh agus GMIT comhpháirtíocht nua straitéiseach a rachaidh
and GMIT, form a new strategic partnership which will be chun tairbhe go mór do chúrsaí acadúla, agus gréasán á éascú
of enormous academic benefit facilitating networks aige idir na hinstitiúidí ar leith trí chomhchláir fhochéime agus
between individual institutions through shared, undergrad- iarchéime.
uate and postgraduate programmes. Chomh maith leis sin, is eol dom Acadamh Náisiúnta
Furthermore, I am aware of a €12.5 million National Gníomhaíochtaí Allamuigh ar chostas €12.5m a bheith á
Outdoor Pursuits Academy currently being planned. If phleanáil faoi láthair. Má fhaomhtar é, is é a bheidh i gceist
approved, this will involve building a cluster of new facili- cnuasach saoráidí nua a tógáil thart timpeall ar Loch Chaisleán
ties around Lough Lannagh in Castlebar, as a joint-venture an Bharraigh mar chomhfhiontar idir GMIT, Comhairle Contae
between GMIT, Mayo County Council and Castlebar Town Mhaigh Eo agus Comhairle Baile Chaisleán an Bharraigh.
Council. Eiseamláir iontach é sin den soláthar don ‘chomhoibriú
It is an excellent example of ‘community co-operation’ pobail’ agus do na ‘seirbhísí i gcomhar’, ar cur chuige é a bhfuil
and ‘shared services’ provision, an approach that is needed gá níos mó ná riamh leis.
now more than ever. Is a bhuí don cheannaireacht agus don fhoireann a rinne
The progress GMIT has made in the last 40 years is a GMIT an dul chun cinn sin sna 40 bliain seo caite.
tribute to the leadership and staff. Táim cinnte go mbeidh GMIT ar thús cadhnaíochta i gcúrsaí
I’m confident that GMIT will lead national and regional forbartha go náisiúnta agus go réigiúnach sna blianta atá
development in the years ahead. I wish the Institute, its romhainn. Guím sonas agus rath thar na bearta ar an Institiúid
staff and students every fulfilment and success. agus ar a cuid foirne agus neach léinn.
3
GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:23 Page 4
GMIT
TESting times are
being met head-on
BY BRIAN McDONALD
GMIT chief charts
M
ichael Carmody is too
polite to directly quote
US political consultant
James Carville, the man credited
with devising the strategy that saw
an ambitious future
Bill Clinton win the 1992 US Carville’s response to the Clinton in 1993 he became the first Registrar
Presidential election. But he might campaign team 20 years ago was “The of the Institute. His decade-long term
well have done when asked about Economy Stupid” and TES has since as President of ITT began in 2001.
the biggest challenge facing GMIT taken its place in the lexicon of no- “GMIT is a bigger operation, It’s
right now. nonsense insights into difficult times. twice the size of Tralee and it’s spread
It’s inescapable, the GMIT President over five campuses, so it’s a different
simply notes, as he reflects on the dynamic. It tends to run itself like a
reality of running the biggest Institute big liner and moves steadily along in a
of Technology on the western seaboard. certain direction.
“We’ve lost 13 per cent of our staff “The five campuses are quite
since 2008 and our budget has also different. The two campuses based in
been cut 12-13pc over the same Galway have a natural advantage in
period”. being located in a city which is a very
Throw in the series of wage-cuts popular destination for students but that
applied across the public sector, top can perhaps lead to a degree of compla-
off with the requirement for two hours cency. Castlebar, on the other hand, has
extra teaching per week as required about 800 full-time students and it tends
under the Croke Park Agreement and to be more adaptable and open to
you begin to get an idea of the scale of change and try new things, because
the task that greeted the Salthill native they’re in a smaller environment.
when he succeeded Marion Coy in
‘
April of last year.
Right now he’s trying to juggle an
annual budget of 50 million euro,
The challenge
provide leadership and vision to 620
staff and see to it that 8,000 students
here... is we
across five campuses get the third-level
education to which they are entitled.
are becoming
fee collectors
’
But it’s a challenge he relishes and the
reason he called time on his ten-year
tenure as President of IT Tralee.
Arriving at GMIT was also, of course, a “There is also a much bigger
homecoming as he grew up on mature student population in
Dalysfort Road, attended Scoil Castlebar and a lot of module-sharing
Iognaid NS and later Colaiste Iognaid, and cross-disciplinary activity. The
before qualifying as a civil engineer at Letterfrack and Mountbellew
UCG and afterwards gaining an campuses on the other hand offer
MEngSc. specialist programmes and have a
He worked with the Office of close-knit student and academic
Public Works and subsequently with community as a result.
the ESB on the design and project “I had known a lot of the staff over
management of the Moneypoint the years in GMIT and was familiar
power station construction project in with it (GMIT). I found the staff really
Co Clare before entering the world of positive when I came here. I went
academia in 1987. Three years as around to the five campuses and had
lecturer at IT Tralee were followed by a number of meetings with the staff
his appointment as Head of the and I must say I found them very
Department of Civil Engineering and supportive—a very committed group”.
4
GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:23 Page 5
GMIT Today
‘ Ultimately, whatever we do, it has to
be the best thing for the students and
graduates—that’s the bottom line.
GMIT is certainly going to need
that continuing commitment as there
is more pain on the way. Michael
Carmody is under no illusions about
what lies ahead.
“There are more cuts coming
of GMIT has made it clear that it is the
ambition to achieve TU designation,
but this will require a merger with at
least one other similar institute in
order to meet the first of a series of
demanding criteria put in place by the
’
And he doesn’t need to be
reminded of the continuing barrage
of criticism by media commentators
that public sector seats of learning
provide poor value for money. It’s
something he meets head-on and
down the line in 2013 and 2014 and Higher Education Authority. rejects out of hand.
there are so many things that we have “At this stage we would see Sligo “A private institution can decide, as
to do. The academic staff are doing and Letterkenny as the obvious part- they do, to provide business-type
an extra two hours lecturing under ners. But it is very early days yet and programmes which may be very cheap
Croke Park and, while that’s a produc- the first thing we are doing is carrying to deliver and very profitable, but we
tivity gain, they have less time to out a feasibility plan to see what is have to deliver the full spectrum of
devote to other things we’d like them involved for us in becoming a TU and programmes at all levels to service the
to be involved in. how long that could take. needs of the region - engineering,
“We want to expand our interna-
tional activities, we need to get more
involved in research and innovation
with industry and we’re trying to
develop new types of programmes of
work for workforce upskilling. All of
these challenges have to be met and
we’re doing them with less staff and
more financial constraints, so it’s very
difficult.”
It’s very difficult for students too, he
readily acknowledges. The increase in
student fees (described as contributions)
in last December’s budget, has posed
grave problems for the undergraduates
and their families themselves—and for
GMIT. The student contribution now
stands at €2,250 and the impact is
being sorely felt. All third-level institu-
tions have attempted to point out that
this is not extra funding. There has
simply been a shift in State funding—
instead of the State writing the
cheque, the students have to write it.
“The challenge here, and we’re
only beginning to appreciate it, is that
we are now becoming fee collectors.
When the amount was small, it wasn’t “It will be at least five years. We science, computing, hospitality,
an issue because people just paid it, couldn’t see it happening in less than tourism, creative arts, furniture
but we are now seeing defaults on it. five. Other criteria involve the student design, etc and they can be expensive
The difficulty, of course, is trying to profile, the number of postgraduate to deliver. You won’t find many private
get the fee in while also trying to keep students, the amount of research, the sector companies delivering these
the students on the programme which staff profile, engagement with types of programme.
is of course the primary objective. industry—those sorts of things. Ulti- “…and yes, I would think institu-
Effectively, it has become a huge issue mately, whatever we do, it has to be tions such as ours are delivering value
for us. We’ve become collection the best thing for the students and for money. The staff are very
agents, which is putting huge graduates—that’s the bottom line”. committed; if you read the reviews of
resources—which we haven’t got— Despite the ever-present and GMIT —and they’re carried out by
into trying to collect the money”. looming challenges, the GMIT Presi- external experts as peer reviews of the
Yet another major task facing dent doesn’t hide his pride in the college —they are hugely positive of
GMIT over the next decade is the achievements of the Institute, not least the staff and the interaction of our
inevitable drive towards Technological in fulfilling its remit as a public sector staff with students. Really, that’s what
University status. The Governing Body provider of education excellence. it’s all about”.
5
GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:23 Page 6
GMIT Learning & Teaching
Just the business for
accountancy students
gaining full-time college easier. The
G
MIT Business School
celebrated a milestone trainee positions familiar learning
during the past academic this year and we environment
year when Accountancy students are delighted to helped me take on
have a number of the challenge of
completed the ACCA Professional
local and national professional exams
Level Programme delivered in
accounting firms and I found the
GMIT for the first time. recruit our gradu- support and
The students progressed directly ates”. encouragement of
onto the one-year ACCA programme
Tara Lavin One of the ACCA Rosemary Atuokwu lecturers in GMIT
following completion of a three-year students, Tara very helpful.”
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Lavin from Claregalway, Co Galway, was Another student, Rosemary
Accounting degree in GMIT Business successful in securing a position in one Atuowku from Oranmore, who also
School. of the big three accounting companies passed her ACCA finals, is working in
Dr Larry Elwood, Head of Interna- in Ireland while pursuing her finals in fund administration with Credit Suisse
tional Affairs and Marketing, says the GMIT. She commenced her training in Galway. “I found the ACCA Profes-
Institute now offers GMIT students the contract in Deloitte after graduation sional programme excellent, the
opportunity to study accounting at all and unlike many of the trainees she lecturers and tutors were experienced
levels - undergraduate, postgraduate will be working with, she has all her subject experts and always approach-
and professional level. exams completed and looks forward to able. I can now look forward to
“Students who start studying gaining professional accounting expe- building on my ACCA success and
accounting at GMIT have the option to rience. becoming an investment manager in
go on to complete their final profes- “Having completed my undergrad- the hedge fund industry.”
sional examinations here.” uate studies in GMIT helped make my
“There has been a definite upturn in transition to professional level in the
the number of accounting graduates
Jobs future is bright, say experts
There are good job opportunities for
business and accounting students in
the SME sector, according to profes-
sional accountancy bodies attending a
forum hosted by the GMIT Castlebar
Business Department for accounting
and business students.
Organisations in attendance
included the Institute of Chartered
Accountants in Ireland (ICAI), Char-
tered Institute of Management
Accountants (CIMA) and the Institute
of Certified Public Accountants (CPA)
as well as local career guidance
teachers and secondary school
students.
GMIT Castlebar Accountancy
lecturer Caroline Clarke says a profes-
sional qualification in accountancy L to R: Ciara Murphy, CPA, Michael Shovelin lecturer, Carmel Brennan, Head of Accountancy
allows students to use their qualifica- Dept., GMIT Galway, Don Doyle, Mountbellew, Caroline Gordon, Gordon Accountants,
tion both in Ireland and abroad. Swinford, Caroline Clarke, Programme Chair, Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Financial
“GMIT offers excellent opportuni- Management, GMIT Castlebar, Michele Kavanagh, CIMA (speaker), and Michael Gill, Head
ties to accountancy students. of the Department of Business, Humanities and Technology, GMIT Castlebar.
Exemptions are agreed with the ICAI,
CPA and ACCA. For example, Accounting (Level 8) can qualify for the Postgraduate Diploma in Account-
students obtaining the Bachelor of exemptions from the professional ancy, ACCA Professional Level 9 and
Arts in Accounting and Financial bodies”. Master of Business in Strategy and
Management (Level 7) and the Bach- A number of post graduate opportu- Innovation in the Galway city (Dublin
elor of Business Honours in nities are also available, in particular Road) campus.
6
GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:23 Page 7
GMIT Today
Architects of their own future
An extensive exhibition of projects by
Architectural Technology students
opened to the public in GMIT during
the summer and at the Open House
Festival in the city during October. It
showcased the work of students in
each year of the four year B.Sc.
(Hons) in Architectural Technology
programme, accredited by the Royal
Institute of the Architects of Ireland
(RIAI).
“Our students are steeped in the
use of new technologies required to
provide performance and efficiencies
within the field of building and
design,” says Mary Rogers, Head of the
Department of Building and Civil
Engineering. “Across the broad range
Fourth year student Anita Koitka, studying the B.Sc. (Hons) in Construction Economics of disciplines within the department -
and Quantity Surveying in GMIT, who won Best Poster Award. Architectural Technology, Civil Engi-
neering, Construction Management
and Quantity Surveying, we aim to use
Building Information Modelling as a
tool for inter-disciplinary projects.”
“GMIT has committed significant
funding to the training and equip-
ment required by students in their
learning. The potential of both the
students and the technology to meet
the needs of industry into the future is
evident at this exhibition.”
Lecturer Denise Dillon,
Programme Co-ordinator, says: “The
project briefs provide for student
learning, relevant to the current
construction climate. The fourth year
student projects are two live retro-fit
and extension projects, one in Galway
and one in Clare”.
Second year student Urzula Jedrol, studying the B.Sc. in Architectural Technology in
GMIT, who won Best Project Award.
Fulbright
scholar
at GMIT
GMIT and NUIG presidents welcomed
a group of US Fulbright Awardees to
Galway recently to mark the
commencement of Inter-changes: an
Orientation Programme for 2011 –
2012. Two Fulbright scholars are
Pictured with Prof Gurram Gopal (centre), L to R: GMIT President Michael Carmody,
based in Galway, Professor Gurram
Outgoing Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Hildegarde Naughton, Colleen Dube, Fulbright
Gopal in GMIT and Dr Kathryn Laity
Commission, and Dr Larry Elwood, Head of International Affairs and Marketing.
in NUI Galway.
Professor Gopal has been teaching School of Business on a number of methodologies, peer-based learning
modules in Marketing and Entrepre- research projects. He is also and alumni relations, and has been
neurship and is collaborating with the exchanging information on teaching providing career guidance to students.
7
GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:23 Page 8
GMIT Learning & Teaching
Worldwide
audience
view students’
work
GMIT was delighted to be invited to
showcase students’ work at the 2012
Volvo Ocean Race Global Village from
30 June to 8 July.
A multi-disciplinary working group
of staff from all campuses curated a
selection of the best examples of
student work from areas such as Art & Lecturer Marion McEnroy with President Michael D Higgins and Mrs Sabina Higgins
Design, Furniture Design & Tech- viewing GMIT students’ work in the GMIT Pavilion during the Volvo Ocean Race.
nology, Film & TV, Engineering,
Hotel, Computing, Science, Maths, of the Global Village while the eyes of Group. “Visitor numbers were unprece-
Business, Nursing & Health Sciences the world were focused on Galway,” dented and we were proud to provide
and Outdoor Education. explains Marion McEnroy, lecturer at an opportunity for our students to
“The working group’s vision was to the GMIT Centre for Creative Arts & showcase the standards of excellence
create a dynamic platform in the heart Media and Chair of the Working across so many disciplines.”
Sinéad proves herself Big demand
a classic innovator for maths,
computing
graduates
Job prospects continue to be excellent
for students of Science, Technology,
Engineering and Maths (STEM) related
programmes despite the economic
recession, with local and national soft-
ware and IT companies continually
seeking maths, physics & instrumenta-
tion and computing graduates.
Dr Sean Duignan, Dept of Maths &
Computing, GMIT, says there is still
very strong demand for computing
graduates: “The demand for honours
Sinéad Kelly, Innovation Award winner 2012, and student on the B.A. in Outdoor graduates of the B.Sc (hons) in Software
Education programme. Development—a four-year programme
offered by the Department of Maths &
GMIT Castlebar student Sinéad Kelly studying on the B.A. in Outdoor Computing (School of Science)—is
won €1,000 and business supports in Education programme which attracts particularly strong with close to a 100%
the 2012 GMIT Castlebar Innovation students from all over Ireland. success rate for those graduates seeking
Awards for her start-up business Over fifty students entered the industry employment.
concept, an innovative therapeutic competition this year, says Maria “We have had a number of gradu-
recreational service for teenagers. Staunton, Manager of the Innovation in ates receiving multiple job offers, and,
The Dublin student was one of Business Centre (IiBC) at the GMIT in most cases employment has been
eight finalists in the ‘Dragons Den’ Castlebar campus. “These annual inno- secured by these students in advance
style competition which gives students vation awards give students the chance of completing their final exams”.
at the Castlebar campus a unique to explore ideas and see if they are “As with previous years the demand
opportunity to test their creative busi- commercially viable. A panel of for graduates is well spread across the
ness ideas and win prize money and external judges decide which idea and spectrum; from small indigenous soft-
business mentoring support. Sinéad is presentation has the greatest potential.” ware companies, to the large
multinational software / IT houses”.
8
GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:23 Page 9
GMIT Today
Apps are Helping hand for brothers
making quite
an impression
Software Development students are
fast gaining recognition for apps they
are developing for the Windows
Phone market – Labyrinth Madness,
Space Shooter, Translate the World,
Funix and Xylofun, to name just a few.
The students have been developing
apps and getting them certified and
onto the Windows Phone market on a
regular basis in recent months in areas
such as games, education, information
and novelty.
Pictured at home with Ben (left) and Joe Styles are Sharon Boyle, lecturer, Jenny Parkes
GMIT student, and Noreen Henry, lecturer.
A technology student and lecturers in them to get on Facebook and Skype
Castlebar have shown how communi- family and friends around the world.
cations technology can enrich the lives Noreen Henry, Project Co-ordinator,
of people with severe physical disabili- says educational projects such as there
ties. are very important. "The traditional
Student Jenny Parkes and lecturers academic disciplines of social care and
Noreen Henry and Sharon Boyle took technology have been very distinct
on a project to help twin brothers, Joe and are now converged into a new
and Ben Styles who have muscular programme.
dystrophy, communicate more easily A new B.Sc. (Hons) in Digital
with family and friends. They Media & Society (GA884) will be
equipped their computers with high offered in the Castlebar campus,
quality mouse-operated cameras and through the CAO, commencing
voice recognition software, enabling during the academic year 2013/14."
This new aid is a gift
GMIT students on the B.Sc. in Software
Development programme.
Damien Costello, lecturer in the
Dept of Maths & Computing, says the
increasing use of mobile telephony
and smart phones has prompted
significant changes in GMIT
computing programmes to adapt to
changing demands on graduates. “We
have been using apps as a teaching & Students Christopher Duane and Mark McClean with Ray Weldon, lecturer, Des O’Reilly,
learning tool and our final year Head of Dept, and Basil Larkin, Flaherty Markets, Galway.
students are developing these apps for Second year B. Eng Electrical Services qualified electricians who were
Microsoft Windows Phone as part of and Automation students are bene- eligible to enter year two of the three-
their course work”. fiting from the Allen-Bradley year degree due to their prior
“Our students are developing a programmable controller and simu- learning and experience.
portfolio of work that they can easily lator gifted to the college by US Lecturer Barry Finnegan says: “All
demonstrate at an interview, for company Rockwell Automation this 18 students who started in 2011 are
instance. It’s great for them and it’s an year through Galway agent Flaherty still on-board and in full attendance.
exciting time also for software Markets. The majority of students on Many had never been in full-time
development”. this programme are experienced, fully third level education before”.
9
GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:23 Page 10
GMIT Learning & Teaching
Hotel students come up
with winning strategy
Four GMIT students, representing in Kilkenny, and Patrick Hogan, Her-
Fáilte Ireland’s Trainee Management itage Hotel in Portlaoise. They com-
Development Programme (TMDP), peted against Institutes of Technology
took the top prize in the 2011 Irish Cork, Athlone, Dundalk, Dublin, Let-
Hospitality Institute (IHI) National terkenny, Waterford, and the Shannon
Business Management Game. The College of Hotel Management.
GMIT team, who work in the hospital-
ity industry and attended GMIT’s Col-
lege of Tourism & Arts for a block study
The participants spent two days
devising a strategy, planning and
managing a fictitious hospitality busi-
Cathal’s
period each academic year, scored top
marks in the competition that attracted
11 teams from all over Ireland.
ness in a simulated Irish business
environment that reflects current
economic and social constraints. The
iSpeak
The winning team, under the tutor-
age of GMIT College of Tourism & Arts
lecturer George Finnegan, included
overall prize was a three day tutored
trip for the team and its tutor to Cham-
pagne Taittinger’s historic Château de
a winner
Captain Matti Reuter of the Sligo Clar- la Marquetterie and Vineyards in GMIT won first prize in the individual
ion Hotel, Sebastian Block, Knock Reims, North East France, courtesy of category of Galway’s first app competi-
House Hotel, Co Mayo, Eoin Jacob, international wine importers Febvre tion, CodeNinja, designed by local
Lyrath County House Hotel and Estate and Company. businesses and academics to train and
encourage students to be creative in
the cultivation of their own tech-
nology-based ideas.
GMIT’s Cathal Mac Donnacha
(pictured above), a student on the
B.Sc. (Hons) in Software Develop-
ment programme, won an iPad for his
app ‘iSpeak' which allows people with
differing native languages to commu-
nicate with each other through a
Windows Phone 7 Mobile application.
One person speaks in their phrase, it
is converted to text and sent to a trans-
lation service, and the result is spoken
to the second person in their native
language.
Cathal was bestowed with an
“Honourable Mention” at the 2012
Worldwide Community App Awards
for Windows Phone 7 hosted by
WP7applist.com. The Windows Phone
community voted for the one
Front row, L to R: Sebastian Block, Knock House Hotel, Fergal O’ Connell, FIHI President, hundred plus apps that were nomi-
Matti Reuter (Capt), Sligo Clarion Hotel, George Finnegan, GMIT lecturer. Back row, L to R: nated. His iSpeak app also featured
Sean O’Malley, Fáilte Ireland, Eoin Jacob, Lyrath County House Hotel & Estate, Kilkenny, worldwide as “App of the Month” by
Patrick Hogan, Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise, and Monica Murphy, Febvre & Co. Microsoft in May 2012.
Mayoral accolade for Katherine
Katherine Long, student of the Bach- part in an activity. Katherine (right), a
elor of Business in Event Management GMIT Academic scholarship recipient
with PR programme, won the “Galway (2010), is President, chief organiser
Young Volunteer of the year” award for and administrator of the club in GMIT.
her work promoting and running the Tomás Mangan, lecturer in Event
GMIT Best Buddies (BB) charity, a
Management & PR, College of Tourism
voluntary college and civic service
which helps people with intellectual & Arts, says: “Katherine and her team
disabilities. organised the inter-college soccer tour-
Student volunteers keep in contact nament as part of an elected module
with their buddies once or twice a week which greatly helped promote the BB
and meet up every two weeks to take programme.”
10GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:23 Page 11
President’s Award for Teaching Excellence GMIT Today
2011 - Barry McMillan honoured for his vast contribution
B arry McMillan, a lecturer in
Ethics & Religious Studies,
joined the teaching staff of
GMIT in September 2008 and currently
lectures in the Schools of Humanities,
Business, and College of Tourism and
Arts. His academic specialities are
Ethics, Religious Studies, English,
Communications and Research
Supervision. He is a widely-published
writer, an acclaimed conference
speaker, and an experienced
broadcaster.
Mr McMillan has worked, nationally
and internationally, in the fields of
education and community develop-
ment since the 1990s. He believes that
every student can flourish if appropri- Barry McMillan (left) receiving the award from GMIT President Michael Carmody.
ately challenged and supported. His
commitment to this ideal is reflected in brought all subjects to life and stimu- Edel Mulvihill.
the personal testimonials of some of lated and fuelled broader independent Mary MacCague, former Head of
his students: learning and research” – Ms Aoife the GMIT School of Humanities, said:
“He was never less than passionate, Ralph. “Barry is a consummate professional,
inspiring, supportive and encouraging” “He is so supportive of students, who has the ability to bring out the
– Ms Trish Thompson. believing in them even at times when best in all his students, regardless of
“His open and honest approach they didn’t believe in themselves” – Ms their level.”
2010 - Anthony Clare’s dedication and enthusiasm
G
MIT Letterfrack lecturer
Anthony Clare is described by
colleagues as “a dedicated,
committed lecturer who has enthused
and nurtured students of furniture
design and making in GMIT
Letterfrack for over 20 years”.
Anthony Clare has been lecturing
in the discipline of furniture design
and manufacture at the Connemara
campus since 1991. He served as a
member of the GMIT Academic
Council for several years up until 2006
and is Programme Chair of the
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in
Furniture Design & Manufacture
programme since it was first set up as
a National Certificate course in the
Anthony Clare receiving the award from former GMIT President Marion Coy.
campus in the early 90s.
by the President of Ireland), the has been instrumental in the
He has prepared students for
National Museum of Ireland – Country progression, development and
various prestigious national and
Life in Castlebar (to design and make expansion of the campus over those
international competitions with many
innovative gallery seating), and years”, says Dermot O’Donovan, Head
winning top awards in the National
Kylemore Abbey (a children’s play of GMIT Letterfrack.
Skills Competition in Cabinetmaking,
trail). Projects such as these provide Letterfrack graduate Davin Larkin
and the House & Homes/Crafts
very rich educational experiences for describes Anthony Clare as “having a
Council of Ireland Student Design
both the students and staff at the passion for what he teaches and it
Awards. He has also led numerous
Letterfrack campus. shows in his enthusiastic approach to
‘live’ student design and make
“Anthony was one of the first every project and lecture he leads with
projects, with Áras an Uachtaráin (to
employees of GMIT Letterfrack and his students”.
design and make three lecterns for use
11GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:23 Page 12
GMIT Learning & Teaching
Microsoft awards heading west
Anthony,
Diarmaid
tops for
skills
L to R: Laize Wang, Helen Roberts and Yuxian Chen, Michael Meagher, Microsoft
Academic Engagements Manager, Daniel O’Meara, Cathal Tummon, and David O’Connor.
Maths & Computing students scooped from the Golden Age of Video Arcade
three awards in the 2011 XNA Ireland Games, “Frogger© Konami Digital
Challenge, a Microsoft sponsored Entertainment”; Frogger was released
games programming competition. by Konami in 1981 and is still recog-
The GMIT students won “Best Xbox nised as one of the iconic games from
A student in GMIT Letterfrack has 360 Game”, “Best in Original Audio the past three decades. It has featured
scooped the coveted top award in this Music” and “Best Multiplayer Game” in on TV programmes, cartoons, car
year’s National Skills Competition in the competition judged by industry bumper-stickers, T-shirts and cele-
Cabinet Making, making it the fourth experts. brated its 25th anniversary with the
year in a row that Letterfrack has won Third and fourth year students on release of a special edition on games
this award. Winner Anthony O’Neill the B.Sc. (Hons) in Software Develop- consoles such as Xbox 360.
(above) from Tullow, Co. Carlow, is a ment programme honoured a classic
fourth year student on the Bachelor of
Science (Honours) in Furniture
Design and Manufacture degree
programme. Five of the six finalists
It’s Castlebar’s title
were GMIT Letterfrack students.
And Diarmaid Ó Conghaile (above)
won the 2011 National Skills Competi-
tion. GMIT Letterfrack has also won
the accolade in 2010, 2009 and 2007. Participants in the Kayaking Intervarsities, which was hosted by GMIT Castlebar.
National Skills Co-ordinator,
Anthony Clare stressed that the stan- GMIT’s Kayak and Canoe Club won Kevin Pierce and Gavin Porter.
dard was very high and the the national canoe polo title in this Nigel Jennings, GMIT Castlebar
competition as keen as ever. year’s Kayaking Intervarsities which Sports Officer, praised the team for
“This achievement by Diarmaid was hosted for the first time by GMIT their intense preparations during the
and Anthony demonstrates clearly the Castlebar. Over 18 colleges partici-
winter and paid tribute to the students
exceptional skill level attained by pated in the national event.
The winning GMIT team were for organising and hosting this hugely
students undertaking GMIT Letter-
Keith Byrne, Feidhlim Dignan, Eric successful competition which brought
frack courses, given the other finalists
were apprentices working in industry”. Conway, Shona O'Dowd, Mark over 500 visitors to Castlebar and sur-
Brogan, Ken Hynes, Carol Dunphy, rounding villages for the four day event.
12GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:23 Page 13
GMIT Today
Julia wins gold
and it’s all thanks to Snow White
T hree culinary arts students
won Gold, Silver and Bronze
medals, respectively, at the
2012 IFEX ChefSkills national
competition. BA Culinary Arts student
Julia Babikova won a gold medal for
her “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”
novelty cake. Judges were very
impressed by the level of skill used to
make the features so perfectly.
Brian Dermody, a second year
student on the Higher Certificate in
Culinary Arts programme, won a silver
medal in the Ethnic International
Competition. He had 45 minutes to
prepare a two-course Italian meal. And
Julia Babikova (main) pictured with her
Mihai Schirliu, a first year student on “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” novelty cake.
the Higher Certificate in Culinary Arts Inset, L to R: Brian Dermody (Bronze), Julia
programame, and a trainee chef Babikova (Gold), and Mihai Schirliu (Silver) with
working in the Twelve’s West GMIT Culinary Arts lecturer Maria Conboy.
Restaurant, Galway, won a bronze
medal for his fish dish, preparing and most celebrated chefs in the early taking part in 25 competitions in the
cooking the meal in 35 minutes. stages of their careers. IFEX ChefSkills 2012, the three GMIT
Renowned for its high level of skill, Maria Conboy, Culinary Arts students did exceptionally well to win
the ChefSkills competitions has a long lecturer, GMIT College of Tourism & awards in their categories.”
history of honouring some of Ireland’s Arts, says: “With 220 young chefs
Traditional form,
contemporary context
Heritage Studies lecturer and sion to make the subject of the song a
acclaimed Irish traditional performer Muslim was simply a logical one. The
John Tunney was selected as one of story is a thoroughly contemporary
eight singers tasked with writing a one, right down to the hero now
suite of new songs in the unaccompa- being employed by an Irish-based
nied style of the Irish tradition as part multi-national.”
of a national project ‘As I roved Out’. “For me lecturing on Irish music
As his theme, he chose the contem- here in GMIT is probably the most fun
porary story of a Bosnian refugee who anyone could have at work. When you
escapes the Balkan war and comes to see yourself as a performing artist,
live in the West of Ireland, but participating in something like this
composes it in the traditional style. project is simply another dimension of
As part of his practice-based practice-based research. It feeds John Tunney performing one of his
research, he shared with his students directly into my teaching. For new compositions.
the process by which his song came example, I shared with students the
into being. "I wanted to take the process by which this particular new Library of Ireland, the Irish Tradi-
typical emigration song of the Irish song came into being, the nuts and tional Music Archive and The
tradition and turn it on its head. So, in bolts of how someone working within Bealtaine Festival. Singers involved in
this case, Ireland is not the country the tradition creates something that is the project include: Jerry O'Reilly,
being ‘escaped from’, but the country at the same time both contemporary John Tunney, Brigid Tunney, Clíona
that is ‘being fled to’. Having placed and traditional.” Ni Suilleabhán, Brendan Kennedy,
the infamous Srebrenica Massacre at ‘I roved out’ is supported by the Larry Joy, Roisín Gaffney and Dick
the centre of the narrative, the deci- Arts Council of Ireland, the National Hogan.
13GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:24 Page 14
GMIT Learning & Teaching
Artists of
the future
set the
standard
Hundreds of people attended the
annual GMIT Graduate Art Show in
the GMIT Centre for Creative Arts &
Media in Cluain Mhuire in June to see
the work of 78 art & design students in
Textiles, Painting, Print, Sculpture,
‘ Works ranged
from a suspended
traditional
Ceramics, Video/Sound
Photography, Drawing, Performance
and Installation.
Themes ranged from personal
memories and reflections, the envi-
ronment and social issues to
work,
conceptual ideas around art practices.
wooden currach... The show had both a contempo-
rary and traditional feel. Paintings and
to live art prints were seen alongside works in
new media and technologies. The
performances.
’
scale and presence of some larger
sculptural works sat comfortably with
the delicacy of small-scale drawings
and constructions in textiles.
Works ranged from a suspended
traditional wooden currach (centre,
left) to cloned terracotta dolls; from
video installations in specially
constructed dark rooms to live art
performances. The standard was again
very high.
14GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:24 Page 15
GMIT Today
Emergency Services impressed
by clever new car safety app
tudents on the B.Sc. programme
S in Software Development have
created an innovative app that
provides automatic assistance in the
event of an accident.
It works with the driver starting the
app at the beginning of the journey. If
an accident occurs, a loud alarm
sounds on the phone and a count-
down timer begins. If the driver is
conscious and doesn't need help they
just press the stop button. Should the
driver be unconscious and the timer
reaches zero, then the app automati-
cally requests for help from emergency
services via SMS. The message contains
the user’s details and GPS location.
The incase-of-emergency contact will
also receive a message. The app also Students Alan O’Connor (left) and Gerard Nee (right) with their lecturer Damien Costello.
stores personal medical details which generating although it is not on the got positive feedback from members of
will be of use to the first responders. market yet. the public.
Some of these details can be sent with Having consulted with the Road President of Ireland, Mr Michael D
the SMS emergency message. Safety Authority (RSA) and the Traffic Higgins, was very impressed with their
The emergency services have been Corps in the early design and develop- innovation and enthusiasm when he
very impressed with the provision of ment stages, the students have been stopped by the stand in the GMIT
GPS location data to them in the event encouraged greatly by the response Pavilion.
of an incident as this can save time for they received and are working to get Jeremy Freeley says: “The Software
the first responders. the app to market by Christmas. Development programme has given us
The three app developers, Jeremy Initially, the app will be available to the skills and know-how to develop
Freeley from Claremorris, Co. Mayo, the Microsoft Windows Phone market, apps. Also, the encouragement and
Alan O’Connor from Moyross, with Android and iPhone to follow. support from all of the staff in the
Limerick and Gerard Nee from The students recently showcased their Department of Mathematics &
Williamstown, Co. Galway are very work at the Volvo Ocean Race Global Computing, especially our lecturer,
excited about the interest the app is Village in Galway where they met and Damien Costello, has been crucial”.
Donall’s
project
is tops
PhD research student Donall Dowd
helped construction firm John Sisk &
Son win “Sustainable construction and
demolition project of the year award” at the
annual Chartered Institution of Wastes
Management (CIWM) Awards for Envi-
ronmental Excellence.
Donall worked on the Mater Adult
Hospital (Dublin) development as part
of his research into elimination of PhD research student Donall Dowd (centre) receiving his award from CIWM members.
construction waste at the design stage and John Hanahoe, lecturers in con- sector to have a positive impact on the
of construction projects which helps struction and environmental studies. built environment, specifically focusing
architects and engineers prevent waste “The Dept of Building & Civil on resource efficiency at a time when
becoming an issue on site. Engineering is delighted with Donall’s innovative approaches to sustainability
He is a member of the GMIT con- achievement. It demonstrates the will play a key role in competitiveness
struction and demolition waste potential of collaborative research of the Irish construction sector”, says
research group led by Dr Mark Kelly between industry and the third-level Dr Kelly.
15GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:24 Page 16
GMIT Learning & Teaching - Upskilling
Castlebar course proves a
major plus for employees
GMIT Castlebar continues to develop The programme provides students working in the networking area with
strong links with Cisco and the private with the training necessary, in both Westnet in Ballina, says: “I have been
sector as part of its Cisco Academy theory and hands-on practical work, to working in the network industry for a
programme with students continuing achieve the qualification of Cisco few years and wanted to get a full and
to study the Cisco CCNA qualification Certified Network Associate.
proper understanding of the
in GMIT Castlebar. GMIT Castlebar Mark Frain, lecturer, Dept of Busi-
has been offering the part-time ness, Humanities and Technology, networking protocols and concepts.
programme to full-time students of GMIT Castlebar, says there is a big The CCNA course delivered all the
GMIT since 2005. demand for this course from people knowledge I needed and more to
The one-year programme, aimed at currently working in the IT area. “The continue comfortably on my
the private sector, is for individuals Cisco programme is an upskilling exer- networking career path”.
currently working in the areas of elec- cise and directly relevant to the work GMIT Castlebar is currently
tronics, computers or the participants are currently doing.
accepting applications for this course
telecommunications who wish to Some participants are sometimes
acquire an industry recognised qualifi- between jobs, or looking, and this for the next academic year. Contact
cation. A basic appreciation of course certainly increases their Mark Frain, tel. 094-9043116 email:
computers and broadband internet employment prospects”. mark.frain@gmit.ie for further infor-
access is a prerequisite. David McDonnell, who is currently mation.
GMIT tutors and students of the Cisco CCNA course which was delivered in GMIT Castlebar during the last academic year.
L to R: Seamus Dowling, lecturer, GMIT, Patrick McDonald from Louisburgh (Western Care Association), Eadaoin Earley from
Claremorris, David Grehan from Claremorris (Schneider Electric Galway), Mark Frain, lecturer, GMIT, David Donnelly from Sligo
(CBE Claremorris), John McDonald from Westport (Ergo IT Services) and David McDonnell from Sligo (CBE Claremorris).
Funding to help jobless get back to work
GMIT has been awarded HEA funding Medical Device Technology, Pharma- opportunity to upskill.
for unemployed people to commence ceutical Science, Biopharmaceutical Peter Butler, GMIT Lifelong
Science and Engineering Science, Food Science and Building Learning Co-ordinator, GMIT Galway,
programmes, as well as some special Information Modeling. Twenty-three says the HEA initiative helps people
purpose awards this academic year people started on a new conversion who are out of work get back on their
under the 2012 Springboard initiative. programme, the Higher Diploma in feet: "Having the right qualification is
Over 130 people have commenced Software Development, in September, crucial to unemployed people getting
programmes in Energy Engineering, which gives graduates of other Engi- back into employment in time for
Mechanical Engineering, Computing, neering and Science disciplines an growth areas for the future”.
16GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:24 Page 17
GMIT Today
Online training a huge boost
at energy lab
Members of the GMIT-led Innovret energy technologies consortium, back, L to R: John Shaughnessy Daikin Ireland, Professor Dietrich
Albert, TU Graz, Simone Koplenic, TU Graz, Dr Attracta Brennan, GMIT, Dr Aurora Dimache, GMIT. Front, L to R: Dr Tom Roche,
GMIT, Dr Siobhán Wallace, Leargas, April McCale, Unitherm Heating Ltd.
project will allow students to carry out
G
alway-Mayo IT has been Dr Tom Roche, Principal
awarded substantial Investigator of the Innovret EU Project their lab work while not being
funding to develop which GMIT is leading, says that once physically present in the lab. The
innovative online training in the research programme is completed, funding we’ve received will enable us
renewable energy systems using students countrywide will be able to to research and develop best practice
the Institute’s state-of-the art carry out online experiments through teaching for further online
online energy laboratory. distance learning that would otherwise experimentation.”
Engineering lecturers and have required their presence in the GMIT currently offers a range of
researchers were awarded €250,000 lab. People working in the renewable evening courses (accredited modules)
from the EU Leonardo Da Vinci energy industry will be able to avail of such as renewable energy installation
programme to develop high-quality, individual online accredited modules maintenance and system designs in
industry-relevant online training and from September 2013. addition to full-time degree
upskilling programmes for undergrad- “Our lab is unique in that our programmes.
uates as well as individuals wishing to students can interact with systems and The consortium on this Innovret
upskill or enter the renewable energy learn about the installation, analysis EU Project, led by GMIT, comprises
sector. and performance of integrated, real- experts from academia and industry.
Some 45 academic staff have working renewable energy systems
recently been trained on online using a sophisticated web enabled
learning technologies. interface. The results of this EU
...and Science goes online too
GMIT Science School is now offering virtual classroom facility which allows Ireland and in Europe,” says Dr
the add-on honours degree in Applied for interaction between the lecturer Seamus Lennon. “A level 6 Higher
Biopharmaceutical & Healthcare and students during the lecture and is Certificate in Science is also being
Science online. The one year add-on also archived and accessible to delivered online, having commenced
was previously offered on a blended students at later dates. in January 2012. The online learning
learning basis over several years. “Such a delivery mechanism better student cohort now represents approx-
Now, students log in for weekly suits the students of this course who imately 10% of students in the Dept of
lectures using the Adobe Connect are based at various locations around Life & Physical Sciences.”
17GMIT_Today_48pp3columnv2_Layout 1 05/11/2012 17:24 Page 18
GMIT Research & Innovation
Nurturing students’ start-up ideas
website promoting Irish their final year of study in GMIT. The Patrick Dolan from Crossmolina, Co
A summer schools, a device that
helps remove wetsuits, and
unique furniture pieces are three of
successful GEP candidates this year are:
Michael Smyth, from Athboy, Co
Meath, graduate of the BA i Gno agus
Mayo, and Alan Prendergast from
Claremorris, Co Mayo, graduates of the
Bachelor of Business in Culinary Arts,
seven start-up projects currently being Cumarsáid GMIT Galway, who has who developed gluten free products;
developed by graduates of GMIT who developed a bilingual website for Irish Bill Buckley from Kinvara, Co
recently won places on GMIT’s Grad- summer schools in the Gaeltacht. Galway, graduate of the Bachelor of
uate Entrepreneurship Programme Laura Taylor from Gort, Co Galway, Business degree, who has developed a
(GEP). graduate of the BA in Outdoor Educa- chair that improves attention span and
The graduates were awarded places tion in GMIT Castlebar, who has increases physical flexibility;
on the GEP during the 2011/12 developed a device called EasyOff John Kavanagh from Borris, Co
academic year, giving them valuable which helps remove wetsuits easily; Carlow, graduate of the Bachelor of
start up supports including desk space, Jens Kosak from Germany and now Science (Hons) in Furniture Design &
mentoring and training in GMIT’s living in Oughterard, Co Galway, grad- Manufacture, who developed a range
thriving Innovation in Business Centres uate of the Bachelor of Science (Hons) of outdoor and bathroom furniture.
(IiBCs) at the Galway and Castlebar in Furniture Design & Manufacture, Danny Coleman from Tuam, Co
campuses. who offers unique furniture pieces and Galway, graduate of the Professional
Many of their concepts stemmed lighting as well as modular flat-packed Cookery programme, who offers low-
from projects they worked on during sustainable items; carb recipes using natural ingredients.
Pictured at a reception announcing the winners, L to R: Alan Prendergast, Claremorris, Jens Kosak, Oughterard (and Germany),
Laura Taylor, Gort, John Kavanagh, Borris, Co Carlow, Michael Smyth, Athboy, Co Meath, and Bill Buckley, Kinvara. Front row:
George McCourt, Manager of the GMIT Innovation Centre, Galway, Des Mahon, Chairman, GMIT, Michael Carmody, President of
GMIT, and Declan Dooley, President of Galway Chamber.
New research scholarships
GMIT has launched a new annual three-year PhD scholarships each year • Marine Science
research scholarship competition from September 2012. • Biomedical Engineering,
marking its 40th anniversary. The The scholarships will cover fees • Sustainable Energy Technologies
Institute will award seven fully funded and provide a €16,000 tax-free stipend • Humanities.
across the disciplines of:
18You can also read
