NUI Galway has been named University of the Year 2009 in the Sunday Times University Guide, securing the prestigious accolade for a second time. Outperforming 21 other third-level institutions, NUI Galway’s strong record in graduate employability, research commercialisation, and this year’s 11 per cent increase in CAO applications were among the reasons for the award.
NUI Galway won the inaugural University of the Year in 2002, and this year was noted as the number one university mover in The Sunday Times’ annual league table from fourth position. The award is not only based on league table position but on an assessment under 22 criteria on the university’s role on a local, national, and international level.
NUI Galway has produced six spin-out companies in the first half of 2009 and 27 patents, while research income increased by a third last year despite the economic downturn. The university was lauded for its industry collaboration, specifically in the area of medical device technologies, for which the Galway region has an international reputation. The university’s research in biomedical engineering and regenerative medicine is an integral support to the local medical device industry cluster.
Many of the newer courses at NUI Galway, which added to the rise in first-choice applications, have been designed to be responsive to the changing needs of the employment market and meet the needs of Ireland’s smart economy. New courses in energy systems engineering will support the renewable energy market; electronic engineering innovation will deliver business-savvy entrepreneurial graduates; while the range of new BA connect degrees reflect areas of research growth in the humanities.
“NUI Galway is the epitome of what third level education should be about,” said Alastair McCall, editor of The Sunday Times University Guide 2010. “It provides a first-rate student experience with modern cutting-edge facilities. Its graduates are sought after throughout Ireland and beyond, and the NUI Galway name is synonymous with high quality.
“The university is a key driver of the local economy in the west of Ireland and its commercial exports and spin-offs span the globe,” Mr McCall added. “It has forged a reputation in digital enterprise and the medical device industry that allows NUI Galway to punch way beyond its weight. Even the president of the United States is benefiting from innovations made in Galway. Making NUI Galway our Irish University of the Year was one of the easier decisions to make.”
Speaking about the announcement, president of NUI Galway Dr James J Browne said it was “very gratifying” to be recognised as University of the Year.
“NUI Galway has been rapidly developing world-class facilities on our 250-acre riverside campus, through a €320 million building programme,” Dr Browne said. “Our new sports centre and swimming pool opened last year, a state-of-the-art concert hall and conference facility opened this month, and construction has just begun on a new €40 million engineering building.
“The university offers our students world-class teaching and encourages active engagement with the learning experience through opportunities such as volunteering, work placement, international exchange programmes, sports clubs, and vibrant student societies,” he added. “Our focus on student engagement contributes to our leading retention rate among universities and strong employment figures for our graduates.
“On a national level, our institutional agenda engages with the needs of the economy and the Government’s strategy for the smart economy. Our strong record of industry collaboration and world-class research in fields such as biomedicine, renewable energy, and internet technologies feed into and support the national agenda and economy.”
In terms of research, The Sunday Times also noted the internet technology deployed by the Obama administration’s recovery.gov website to bring an unprecedented level of transparency to the US government, which was developed at NUI Galway’s Digital Enterprise Research Institute.
With more than 16,000 currently registered at the university, NUI Galway will welcome prospective undergraduate students and their families to the campus on Friday October 2 and Saturday October 3 during its autumn open days.
