UNIVERSITY NUI MAYNOOTH August 2012 - Vol.15 - No.4 Vol.15 August 2012 - NEWS Ollscoil na hÉireann Má Nuad NUI Maynooth 3U Partnership Launched Tops Irish Rankings in World’s Best New Universities NUI Maynooth has been recognised as one of the leading new universities in the world, ranked #64 in the new Times Higher Education (THE) 100 Under 50 rankings. The University is also the highest placed Irish university in these rankings. The ranking, which lists the world’s best 100 universities less than 50 years old, is Pictured at the launch are (l-r) Prof Cathal Kelly, CEO RCSI; Prof Philip Nolan, President NUI Maynooth; An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD; Minister Ruairi Quinn TD and Prof Brian MacCraith, President DCU. published today for the first time. Universities are ranked according to a range of criteria An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD together with Minister for including research income achieved, reputation for teaching, numbers of PhDs Education Ruairi Quinn TD has announced details of the 3U awarded, the number and quality of scholarly Partnership – a major collaboration between NUI Maynooth, papers and citations from staff and numbers of international staff and students. Dublin City University (DCU) and the Royal College of Commenting on the rankings NUI Maynooth Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). President Prof Philip Nolan said, “While rankings of this nature are subjective and Building on the success of collaborative work between the institutions over the last number of years, the built largely on opinion, it does show that the new formal partnership will see significant developments in academic programmes, research, education and tremendous achievements of NUI Maynooth internationalisation. since its foundation have been internationally Speaking at the launch, on 26 June, An Taoiseach said that the partnership was vital to Ireland’s future recognised. This is due to the scholarly educational success and a cornerstone of Government policy. “This is a very significant collaboration reputations of our staff, the quality of our between three of our finest institutions with very complementary and distinct fields of expertise. Through research, and our collective efforts to provide collaboration we can achieve scale that allows us to compete more effectively on the global stage.” he said. an outstanding education for our students.” continued on page 3 in this issue 3 4 7 11 Fulbright Scholarships Access Schemes Win Excellence Award Mini Maker Faire Clubs & Societies Awards 2012 Professor Séamas Professor Martin Curley Enrolled as O Súilleabháin a Member of The Royal Irish Academy Memorial Lecture The Royal Irish Academy (RIA) has admitted Martin Curley, Professor of Technology and Business Innovation at NUI Maynooth, Co-Director of IVI, and Vice President of Intel, as a new member to the Academy in recognition of his academic achievement. Prof Curley is among 22 academics on the island of Ireland to achieve this highest academic distinction. Recently appointed Intel Vice President, Dr Martin Curley is a senior Principal Engineer and Director of Intel Labs Europe, which is a network of twenty labs and nine hundred Intel researchers and developers in Europe. Martin is Professor of Technology and Business Innovation at NUI Maynooth and co- The Education Department Director of IVI (Innovation Value Institute), helping hosted the Professor lead a unique industry-academic open innovation consortium to advance IT management and Séamas O Súilleabháin innovation. Memorial Lecture 2012 Speaking at the announcement NUI Maynooth President, Prof Philip Nolan said, “The University Prof Martin Curley and Prof Luke Drury, President of the on May 2nd in Education is delighted with this well deserved recognition of RIA. House. Dr Curley’s extensive contribution to the field of IT Prof Luke Drury, President of the RIA, said that management and innovation. All of his colleagues this group is as accomplished and as academically The guest speaker Dr Harold Hislop, Chief extend their congratulations on this wonderful diverse as any cohort elected since its founding Inspector, Department of Education and achievement.” members signed the roll in 1785. Skills, addressed the large gathering speaking on the topic of The Quality Assurance of Irish Schools: Current and Future Trends. The paper examined the Events on Campus Attract Alumni evolution of external inspection and school Access Alumni return to campus self-evaluation in the Irish school system and comments on a number of related for a celebratory evening ongoing and forthcoming developments The Maynooth Alumni Office invited Access Alumni in the quality assurance of schools. The who were supported by the Maynooth Access lecture was introduced by Prof Philip Nolan, Programme under the directorship of Ann O’Brien to President, NUI Maynooth and was chaired an evening event in the mezzanine area of Phoenix by Dr Aidan Mulkeen, Head of the Education restaurant on Thursday, 7 June. Department. A great night was had by all as graduates from 2001 onwards mingled with University staff, associates FROM THE EDITOR of Ann from the wider education community and Ann’s family. Ann’s professional contribution and Thanks to all who contributed to this edition. her forthcoming retirement at the end of June were Your news, as always, is warmly welcomed by the Communications Office. We have come to widely acknowledged. the end of another academic year and, like last Alumni who couldn’t attend on the night provided year, it has been very busy over the past few a variety of messages in support of Ann and the Sr Úna Collins with Dr Tom McConalogue and guest. weeks with the launch of the 3U partnership and evening itself. Currently 15% of undergraduate the Centre for Youth Research and Development Post Graduate Diploma in School students at Maynooth are mature entrants and among others. We are ending the year on a high Guidance and Counselling Alumni 4% are disability students. Approximately 25% with NUI Maynooth being recognised as one of of the general student body are supported by the the leading new universities in the world, ranked attend 2012 Special Guest Lecture Maynooth Access Programme. 64th in the new Times Higher list of the world’s best universities less than 50 years old. On 7 February, the 2012 Special Guest Lecture entitled ‘A Life Facing Challenges - Reflections of Lisa McVann, a School Guidance Counsellor’ was delievered Senior Executive Assistant by Sr Úna Collins. Sr Úna was the co-founder and Phone: 01-7086160 leader of NUI Maynooth’s first programme in email: [email protected] school guidance and counselling and this lecture General: [email protected] marked her retirement from NUI Maynooth. With the Education Lecture Theatre filled to capacity, If you currently receive your newsletter by alumni, faculty and friends enjoyed a heartfelt and post and would like to receive it by email often humorous account of Sr Úna’s reflections please contact me at tel: 01 708 6160 on her time as a school guidance counsellor. Prof or email: [email protected] Philip Nolan, President of NUI Maynooth and Prof Emeritus John Coolahan, former head of the Published four times a year by: Education Department, also attended this special Graduates of the University (l-r); Suzanne Losty (2005); The Communications Office, Gemma Ennis (2002) and Annie Hayden (2005) with Ann evening which was followed by refreshments in the NUI Maynooth. O’ Brien. Education Seminar Room. 2 Three Fulbright Scholarships Awarded to NUI Maynooth Two NUI Maynooth staff and a former student are among recipients of a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship for 2012-2013. Dr Rowan Fealy Department of Geography, Dr Brian Flanagan Department of Law and Caitríona Ní Chadhain, a Masters in Education alumnus, were awarded Fulbright scholarships at the Annual Scholars’ Dinner on Friday, 15 June. Dr Rowan Fealy received a Fulbright Scholar award in Science and Technology and will undertake research at the National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, one of the world’s leading research centres for atmospheric research, where he will be investigating the potential to develop next generation climate simulations. Dr Brian Flanagan, who received a Fulbright Scholar’s award in Law, will undertake research into the notion of collective legislative intentionality and the role of conceptual analysis in general jurisprudence at New York University School of Law as a Hauser Research Scholar. Caitríona Ní Chadhain, a primary school teacher in St Malachy’s Boys National School in Dublin is a Masters graduate in Education from NUI Maynooth. Caitríona received a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant scholarship which she will take up at the University of Montana. Pictured (l-r); Dr Brian Flanagan, Caitríona Ní Chadhain and Dr Rowan Fealy. Austin Currie and Liz O’Donnell US Chamber of Commerce Address Kennedy Institute CEO Honoured Ms Liz NUI Maynooth formally recognised the O’Donnell pictured achievements of influential Irish American Thomas with MA students J Donohue, in an Honorary Conferring ceremony Mary Kelly which was held on campus in May. and Paul Bailey Thomas J Donohue is president and CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce, which, with over 3 million corporate members, is the world’s largest business federation. Dr Donohue received his Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Prof Philip Nolan, President, NUI Maynooth, who described him “as a model of strong and principled leadership, a consistent proponent of individual rights and deeply committed to education”. Under his leadership, the US Chamber of Commerce has become a lobbying and political force to be reckoned with in the United States and across the globe. During Donohue’s tenure of the US Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber The Edward M Kennedy Institute for Conflict has helped secure many legislative victories, including major tax cuts, more sensible workplace and environmental regulations, and increased funding for Intervention was delighted to welcome both Austin transportation.