Atlantic Technological University Magazine - Issue 18

Editor: Anne Donnelly

Design: The Foundation

Photography: Conor Doherty, Alison Laredo, Anna Leask, James Connolly, Jessica Priddy, Mike Shaughnessy, Clive Wasson, Aengus McMahon. Lauren Fitzgerald, Paul McGuckin, Brad Anderson, Katarina Rozvadska, Ugnius Brazdziunas and ATU staff

Cover photo: Pictured in ATU Sligo, the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid.

Contributors: ATU Communications team, Lauren Reynolds, Orlaith Ní Mheachair, Stephen Glennon, Dr Niamh Plunkett, Dr Carina Ginty, Elaine Mears, Dr Janine McGinn, Grainne Meehan, Nigel Jennings, George Onofrei and Xavier Velay.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: If there is anything you would like to see in future issues of this magazine, please email anne.donnelly@atu.ie

01

Welcome from the Editor

03

University Updates

- Approval to Appoint ATU’s Executive Management Team

- ATU to Explore Educational Partnerships with Palestinian Universities

- First Ever Entrance Scholarship Awards

- ATU awarded €426,081 Sports Capital and Equipment Grant 09

Alumni Profile

- A Life of Mapping, Sharks, and Conservation

11

Research News

- Tackling Cyber Violence against Women and Girls

- ATU supports students at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2025

- The Vital Role of Lakes in Ireland

19

Innovation and Engagement

- Irish Aid Fellowships bring African Healthcare Leaders to ATU

- Social robotics set to ‘Blossom’ at ATU

- AIM Centre launches AI Studio for Manufacturers

Welcome from the Editor

Dear Reader,

I am delighted to welcome you to issue 18 of our ATU Magazine. Momentum continues to gather in the University - ahead of our third birthday on 1 Aprilwith approval granted to ATU (on 22 January), to commence the process of appointing an Executive Management Team.

Also, in January we welcomed the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, to our Sligo campus to discuss opportunities for collaboration in online and flexible learning as well as possible research partnerships. You can read more about her visit on page 4.

Amongst the many topics we cover in this issue, I’d like to highlight some of the research activities, the University is involved in. On page 14 we bring you coverage of some of the second-

level student projects we supported in the lead up to this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. With projects as diverse as using sheep wool to reinforce concrete to extracting algal oils from seaweed, more second-level students than ever before engaged with ATU when working on their projects.

We also feature the research of one of our alumni, Simon Dedman, and how he uses technology to unlock the mysteries of the ocean and ensure that sharks and other marine species are protected for future generations. You can read more on page 9.

Not forgetting the many research activities our staff are involved in, we look at the work of Dr Janine McGinn who as a seconded national expert within EIGE’s Gender Based Violence team managed a group of researchers focusing on cyber

aggression against women and girls. The new policy brief which Dr McGinn edited makes several recommendations for digital platforms in tackling cyber violence against women and girls. You can read more about the new policy brief on page 11.

There are many more interesting articles in this issue and whether you are a member of our student or staff body, or are one of our regional, national or international stakeholders, I hope you find something of interest here.

Best Wishes

Anne Donnelly

Focal ón Eagarthóir

A chara,

Tá an-áthas orm fáilte a chur romhat chuig an 18 eagrán d’Iris OTA. Leanann móiminteam ag bailiú san Ollscoil - agus muid ag ceiliúradh 3 bliana ar 1ú Aibreán - agus cead tugtha anois don Ollscoil (ar 22 Eanáir), tús a chur leis an bpróiseas chun Foireann Bainistíochta Feidhmiúcháin a cheapadh.

Chomh maith leis sin, i mí Eanáir chuireamar fáilte roimh Ambasadóir na Palaistíne in Éirinn, an Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, ar champas Shligigh chun deiseanna comhoibrithe i bhfoghlaim ar líne agus i bhfoghlaim solúbtha a phlé chomh maith le deiseann comhpháirtíochta taighde féideartha. Is féidir tuilleadh a léamh faoi chuairt an ambasadóra ar leathanach 4.

I measc na n-ábhar go leor a chlúdófar san eagrán seo, ba mhaith liom aird a tharraingt ar chuid de na gníomhaíochtaí taighde a bhfuil baint ag an Ollscoil leo. Ar leathanach 14 tá roinnt de na tionscadail a rinne na scoláirí dara leibhéal, agus ar thugamar tacaíocht dóibh le roimh Thaispeántas Eolaí Óg na bliana seo. Agus tionscadail chomh héagsúil ó úsáid olann chaorach chun coincréit a threisiú chun olaí algach a bhaint

as feamainn, bhí an líon is mó scoláirí dara leibhéal riamh ag obair le OTA agus iad i mbun a gcuid tionscadal.

Tá píosa freisin ar an taighde a rinne duine dár gcuid alumni, Simon Dedman, agus an chaoi a n-úsáideann sé an teicneolaíocht chun rúin an aigéin a scaoileadh agus a chinntiú go gcosnaítear siorcanna agus speicis mhuirí eile do na glúnta atá le teacht. Is féidir tuilleadh a fheiceáil faoi seo ar leathanach 9.

Gan dearmad a dhéanamh ar an iliomad gníomhaíochtaí taighde a bhfuil baint ag an bhfoireann leo, féachaimid ar obair an Dr. Janine McGinn a bhainistigh mar shaineolaí náisiúnta ar iasacht laistigh d’fhoireann Foréigean InscneBhunaithe EIGE grúpa taighdeoirí a dhírigh ar chibearionsaitheacht in aghaidh ban agus cailíní. Déanann

“ Má tá nithe faoi leith ar mhaith leat a fheiceáíl sna heagráin atá le teacht, is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh liom anne.donnelly@atu.ie ”

an treoir beartais nua a chuir an Dr. McGinn in eagar roinnt moltaí maidir le hardáin dhigiteacha chun dul i ngleic le cibear-fhoréigean in aghaidh na mban agus cailíní. Is féidir tuilleadh a léamh faoin treoir beartais nua ar leathanach 11.

Tá go leor míreanna suimiúla eile san eagrán seo, mar sin, más ball foirne nó mac léinn atá ionat, nó dream dár bpáirtithe leasmhara réigiúnacha, náisiúnta nó idirnáisiúnta, tá súil againn go bhfeicfidh tú rud éigin a mbeidh suim agat ann.

Le dea-ghuí, Anne Donnelly

University Updates Approval to Appoint ATU’s Executive Management Team

The then Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD, granted approval for ATU to commence the process of appointing an Executive Management Team on 22 January.

This marks the beginning of an open recruitment process for senior leadership roles that will play a critical part in shaping the future of ATU. These appointments will enable us to further our mission of delivering balanced regional development and supporting the industries and communities we serve across our campuses.

Speaking on this development, President of ATU, Dr Orla Flynn, said: “I am delighted to see the approval

of a senior leadership team structure for ATU; appointments in key roles will allow us to continue the momentum built over the last three years and to take the next steps towards achieving all we have set out in our strategic plan. I want to thank our Minister, officials of DFHERIS and the HEA for their support and guidance throughout this process.”

Alongside ATU, Minister O’Donovan also granted sanction for similar leadership teams at three other Technological Universities: Munster Technological University, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands and Mid-West, and South-East Technological University.

Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President

ATU to Explore Educational Partnerships with Palestinian Universities

Pictured at the Palestinian Ambassador’s visit to ATU, left to right: Dr Jacqueline McCormack, Vice President for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Online Development, ATU; Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland; Dr Michèle Glacken Registrar & Vice President Students, Teaching & Learning, ATU and John Anthony Bonar, Vice President for Research, Equality & External Affairs, ATU.

ATU is set to explore avenues to collaborate with Palestinian universities in Gaza and the West Bank.

The initiative aims to support students in these regions in continuing and expanding their studies, particularly in areas that contribute to the rebuilding of Gaza, including engineering, construction, and water treatment.

The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, visited ATU’s Sligo campus on 23

January, to discuss opportunities for collaboration in online and flexible learning as well as possible research partnerships.

During her visit, the Ambassador delivered a public address to students and staff of the University. Her address focused on fostering connections between ATU and Palestinian universities to provide students with the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome educational challenges in a region affected by conflict.

Recognising education as a cornerstone of development, ATU is examining ways to offer specialised courses tailored to the immediate needs of Gaza and the West Bank. As one of the leading providers of online and flexible education in Ireland, we will explore possibilities to work with Palestinian universities and educators using online platforms to support provision of high-quality education to students facing extremely challenging circumstances.

Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid said ATU’s online expertise will help students in Gaza to continue their studies: “We have been discussing this for the past few months with our Palestinian universities and they are really welcoming. We’re talking in particular about online learning, which ATU

already give a good example of a working platform, an active and successful platform. We want to give this to help our students from Gaza, not to leave Gaza, to give them support for their education through the online platforms.

“The Palestinian children, adults, and young people, the whole population in Gaza, they passed through a very difficult trauma. The focus on education and the ways of bringing them back to schools or in groups, as if they are in class, would give them hope.”

Proposed areas of focus include engineering and construction, project management, water treatment and environmental management, amongst other subjects, in an aim to help in the future rebuild of Gaza.

“This initiative is at an exploratory stage, focusing on how ATU could possibly collaborate with universities in Gaza to support students and lecturers in continuing their studies during exceptionally challenging circumstances. With our experience in delivering remote learning globally, we are examining how we might contribute to helping Palestinian students and educators access education and resources in ways that suit their unique needs.”

Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President

ATU President Dr Orla Flynn welcomed the visit from Ambassador Abdalmajid and said it was an opportunity to explore how ATU can assist with third-level education in Palestine.

The meeting with the Ambassador identified ways in which ATU’s expertise can complement the aspirations of Palestinian universities, particularly in advancing education that contributes to societal and infrastructural reconstruction.

ATU Presents First Ever Entrance Scholarship Awards to 73 First Year Students

Over three days in January, ATU presented 73 Entrance Scholarship Awards to current first year students who achieved between 550 and 625 CAO points in the Leaving Certificate.

Three awards ceremonies took place across ATU in the Sligo, Letterkenny and Galway City Dublin Road campuses. Award recipients and their families, along with their former post-primary school principals, viceprincipals and guidance counsellors attended these events.

Each award winner received a €500 scholarship and a trophy designed by ATU Connemara graduate Eoin Kirwan, from Irish Laser wood Designs.

The event marked and recognised the incredible accomplishments and achievements of these young students.

Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President, presented the awards to each of the 73 award winners and in her address, she commended the students on their efforts and acknowledged the support of their families and schools.

Dr Flynn said: “I want to extend my congratulations to all the students on their incredible achievement in the Leaving Certificate examination. This award acknowledges the hard work and dedication of those students who have achieved over 550 points in their Leaving Certificate. ATU’s vision and mission is rooted in values such as inclusivity and respect. As these students progress in their academic journey at the University, we are committed to delivering on those values and supporting each of

them in every aspect of university life –ensuring that they feel encouraged and empowered to achieve their goals.”

Dr Michele Glacken, Vice President for Students, Teaching and Learning said: “At ATU, we attract students from a wide range of backgrounds, which includes high points students such as those recognised at this event. As a technological university we create pathways, options and supports for all students, whether they progress direct to us from Leaving Certificate or come to ATU as a mature student. This event allows us to celebrate the achievements of those students who excelled in their Leaving Certificate, and these awards form part of a suite of scholarship offerings available across ATU.”

Students recognised at the events are studying across ATU’s nine campuses on a variety of programmes across a wide range of discipline areas.

“I encourage you to embrace the opportunities ahead,

make

the most of your time at ATU and know that we are here to support you every step of the way.”

Dr Orla Flynn, speaking to the ATU Entrance Scholarship awardees

Jessica Casey receiving her Entrance Scholarship award from Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President.

These students included Jessica Casey from Charlestown, Co Mayo, who received an award at the Sligo event and is now studying the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Business and Irish. Jessica, a former pupil of St Attracta’s College in Tubbercurry, recently signed for Sligo Rovers for a second time. She is also an ATU Sports Scholarship recipient.

Jake Lambe and Isabelle McDonnell receiving their Entrance Scholarship awards with Dr Orla Flynn and Príomhoide/Principal, Coláiste Oiriall, Muineachán/Monaghan, Brendan O’Dufaigh.

Deele College Raphoe students and best friends Corey Gallagher and Ethan Doherty receiving their Entrance Scholarship awards.

Recognised at the Donegal event were former Deele College (Raphoe) students and best friends Corey Gallagher and Ethan Doherty. Ethan is studying the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering and Corey is studying the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science at the Letterkenny campus.

At the Galway City award ceremony, Príomhoide/Principal, Coláiste Oiriall, Muineachán/Monaghan, Brendan O’Dufaigh attended the event to mark the achievements of two of his former students, Jake Lambe and Isabelle McDonnell. Isabelle is studying the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Applied Biology and Biopharmaceutical Science and Jake is studying the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Medical Science. Brendan commended his students and their progression at ATU at the event.

ATU awarded €426,081 Sports Capital and Equipment Grant

ATU has successfully been awarded a grant allocation of €426,081 by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.

The funds will contribute to upgrading and developing An Dánlann, a multipurpose sports centre located on the Donegal, Letterkenny campus.

Henry McGarvey, VP Finance and Corporate Services, said: “ATU is delighted to receive this funding through the Sports Capital and Equipment grant and acknowledges the work of staff in making the application and the support of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.”

The funding will be used to enhance and develop the following facilities: additional gym floor space, additional multi use studio space with flexible configurations for the gym operation, an office, a storeroom, improved building energy performance, PV panels, modernised mechanical and electrical controls and systems, upgraded building fabric and finishes.

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is a government lead initiative by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media that supports the renovating and developing of sports facilities.

“The proposed project addresses space constraints in our gymnasium, which serves both students and staff. We will also improve the building energy performance and modernise mechanical and electrical controls and systems and upgrade building fabric and finishes.”

Henry McGarvey, VP Finance and Corporate Services

Alumni Profile A Life of Mapping, Sharks, and Conservation

Simon Dedman, ATU PhD Researcher (2017), is a dedicated elasmobranch scientist specialising in spatial modelling, utilising advanced machine learning techniques

From PhD research in the Irish Sea to groundbreaking shark conservation work in the Bahamas, his career has been a testament to the power of combining science, technology, and a deep passion for marine ecosystems.

Simon’s journey into the world of marine science began with a childhood fascination with sharks. Like many of us, the film Jaws left him terrified but captivated by these incredible creatures. His curiosity turned into a career that has taken him from the waters of the Irish Sea to the remote coasts of the Bahamas and now to the heart of shark research in the U.S. What sets Simon apart is not just his commitment to studying these fascinating animals - it’s how he uses technology to unlock the mysteries of the ocean and ensure that sharks and other marine species are protected for future generations.

Blending passion and technology

Simon’s expertise lies in the intersection of marine science and technology, particularly through spatial modelling and machine learning. During his PhD at ATU, Simon became deeply immersed in mapping and programming.

“I was determined to solve a problem,” he recalls. “I found this machine learning model that could predict where animals like sharks go based on environmental factors like temperature and depth, but it was incredibly complex and difficult to use. So, I learned to code and created

a software package that simplified this process. I wanted to make it easier for researchers and managers - people who don’t want to spend hours programming - so they could get their results faster.”

This tool, gbm.auto, became a gamechanger, allowing marine scientists to analyse species movements with unprecedented ease. Simon applied his work to studying four species of rays in the Irish Sea, where he not only mapped their movements but also built a decision support tool that helps marine managers determine where to protect vulnerable species while balancing the needs of local fishermen.

A career built on curiosity and adventure

Simon’s path to shark science wasn’t a straight line. After completing his bachelor’s degree where his thesis focused on the movement of tope and smoothhound sharks, Simon ventured into a variety of research roles around the globe. He spent time in the Bahamas, tracking baby lemon sharks, before moving to work in government and fisheries management in the UK. After returning to academia in Galway, his passion for mapping and

programming flourished, leading to the development of gbm.auto.

From there, Simon’s career took him to Stanford University, where he worked on large-scale research projects involving Atlantic bluefin tuna. The goal was to understand how subtle behavioural differences could help distinguish the American and European stocks of this incredible fish.

Now, Simon is based at Florida International University, collaborating with renowned shark ecologist Mike Heithaus and shark movement expert Yannis Papastamaiou. Together with his colleague Jerry Moxley, Simon hosted a groundbreaking workshop on the ecological role of sharks and co-authored a paper in top journal Science Magazine, explaining the ecological role of sharks, and why it’s so important to protect them.

The research Simon and his colleagues are doing isn’t just about sharks - it’s about understanding how they fit into broader ecosystem dynamics. Sharks play critical roles in maintaining the balance of marine life, from regulating fish populations to protecting vital habitats like seagrass beds.

“We know sharks help prevent

overgrazing by certain species, which in turn protects seagrass, an essential habitat that locks away large amounts of carbon,” Simon explains. “But much of this knowledge is based on studies from coastal areas and large sharks. We still don’t know what roles sharks play in polar ecosystems or deep-sea environments.”

Simon’s research aims to fill these gaps, particularly focusing on large sharks like great whites and hammerheads. These predators are vital for the health of the ocean, and understanding their behaviour and movements is key to effective conservation.

Future projects and global impact

Looking ahead, Simon is involved in several exciting projects that aim to further the understanding of shark ecology and improve conservation efforts.

He has also teamed up with global

conservationists to build an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool designed to accelerate the process of mapping marine species’ movements.

Another innovative project involves using isotopic analysis to pinpoint feeding areas for sharks across the globe. By understanding where sharks feed, Simon hopes to identify key areas that need conservation attention.

A global perspective on shark conservation

Simon’s work demonstrates the power of combining research, technology, and passion. Whether working remotely from his base in California, collaborating with international partners, or contributing to global conservation initiatives, Simon’s career is dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems and ensuring that sharks continue to thrive in oceans.

Photo credit: Andrew Fox (Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions)

Photo credit: Michael Heithaus

Research News

Tackling Cyber Violence against Women and Girls: The Role of Digital Platforms

Moderation policies of digital service providers

One of the biggest challenges digital platforms face today is addressing cyber violence against women and girls. Women and girls are more likely to be the targets of this form of violence and, as a result, they experience significant physical, sexual and psychological distress and/or financial difficulties. Incidents of cyber harassment, cyber stalking, coercive control, hate speech and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images cause severe distress.

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) latest policy brief explores the role of digital platforms in tackling cyber violence and it holds important messages for Digital Communication, Social Media regulation and for all our online futures.

Digital platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, X and Reddit are forums for public and private expression

“The alarming fact is, that one in four women in the EU have reported adverse effects of cyber violence, in the form of harassment, stalking, image abuse or hate speech. In reality, it is much more widespread as many do not report these crimes. In 2024, the EU introduced a new directive criminalising these activities.

The responsibility for combating this lies not only with the digital platforms and legislative processes, we are all responsible and we must check our own online behaviours and ensure that we think before we write and engage in harmful behaviours using digital media.”

Dr Janine McGinn

and social interaction, and they provide many other useful services. However, the online space is not always welcoming. In an environment of pseudo-anonymity and limited accountability, exclusionary and harmful narratives are often unleashed. Spreading virally, these practices are categorised as cyber violence and can have significant emotional and physical impacts on human lives.

Dr Janine McGinn, ATU lecturer, project manager and editor of this policy as part of the future focused team at the European Institute for Gender Equality says: “As part of my brief during my secondment at EIGE in Vilnius, Lithuania, I managed this cyber research project which spanned the twenty-seven EU Member States. One of the research outcomes was this policy brief which aims to strengthen digital media platforms’ processes to combat gender-based violence online.”

Cyber violence against women and girls occurs as part of the broader continuum of gender-based violence, which is embedded in persisting unbalanced power structures. This new policy brief aims to support digital and social media platforms by providing evidence-based actionable recommendations on how to strengthen their policies and practices to combat cyber violence against women and girls.

Key challenges for digital platforms

The tackling cyber violence against women and girls policy brief acknowledges that digital platforms have many initiatives in place to deal with abuses of standards, breaches of user agreements and incidents of technology related violence, in addition to many other violations. However, these initiatives tend to focus on a general user audience

The policy brief goes on to outline the key challenges to be tackled by

digital platforms in the fight against cyber violence against women and girls including:

• A lack of gender focus in standards and trust and safety policies.

• Data fragmentation due to variations in cyber violence definition.

• Insufficient provision for moderation, reporting and response mechanisms.

• Insufficient cooperation, transparency and collaborative support across relevant stakeholders.

Recommendations for digital platforms in tackling cyber violence against women and girls

The policy brief makes several recommendations on how digital platforms can tackle cyber violence against women and girls:

To address the challenge of inadequate gender focus in standards and trust and safety policies the policy brief recommends a gender-sensitive approach in the creation of policies and moderation procedures, fostering

Spotlight on Reddit’s moderation system regarding nonconsensual intimate images

Reddit is divided into thousands upon thousands of different subreddits created by users and primarily moderated by users according to rules appropriate to the particular subject of the subreddit.

Reddit supports the moderators’ ability to have those rules and provides them with tools to enforce them more efficiently. Generally, Reddit will not intervene with rules specific to subreddits unless there is behaviour violating Reddit’s

a more inclusive environment and improving content moderation.

To tackle data fragmentation due to variations in cyber violence definitions, digital platforms should aim to use common, harmonised definitions of the different forms of cyber violence against women and girls

To improve provision for moderation, reporting and response mechanisms, the policy brief’s recommendations include implementing user-friendly guidelines and mechanisms at the level of reporting, and reacting and responding quickly to reports of harmful content.

To improve cooperation among relevant stakeholders, the policy brief makes several recommendations including the need for digital platforms to collaborate further with researchers and contribute data, to provide greater public transparency when it comes to the reporting and follow-up of gender-based violencerelated behaviour and violations. The policy brief also stresses the need for training and supporting internal platform stakeholders particularly human content moderators, as they play a crucial

platform-wide content policy. Every individual user on Reddit has a role to play in content moderation through democratic means, as content on Reddit is primarily sorted by the upvotes and downvotes of the users.

Most of the NCII abuse that Reddit takes action on is flagged by either automation or humans. When Reddit is taking that content down, most of the reports (around 75 %) come from Reddit’s automation rather than user reports or moderator actions. Reddit recognises that it is very distressing for people to be victims of this type of behaviour; therefore, it has a help

role in evaluating and addressing such cases of cyber violence.

The policy brief is now available online and you can access and read it by clicking here

One digital platform the policy refers to is Reddit and its moderation system. Dr McGinn says: “Reddit’s moderation policy is highlighted here as it was innovative, in crowd-sourcing moderation. This has come into focus recently; in January 2025 META in the U.S. issued plans to move further towards this method of moderation. A CNN article on 7 January stated that: ‘Meta’s complex systems to moderate content have mistakenly resulted in too much non-violating content being removed from the platform.’

“This could mean that bigger agencies and digital service providers are moving towards less censorship on their platforms and are offering the responsibility of moderating abusive content to the crowd. This is a controversial move and a move which could have implications for those more typically targeted by online abuse such as the LGBTQ+, Jewish, Roma communities and women and girls. This will be a hotly debated topic in 2025.”

centre article that directs victims to resources for this situation and gives them instructions on how to engage with the StopNCII image-hashing database, if they would like to put their content therein. Reddit also has a partnership with Crisis Text Line, which people can use to get one-to-one help from trained crisis counsellors.

Source: Provided with permission from Reddit interview

About the European Institute for Gender Equality

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) produces independent research and shares best practice to promote gender equality and eliminate discrimination based on gender. As the EU agency for gender equality, they help people achieve equal opportunities so

everyone can thrive, independent of their gender and background. They combine research, data and tools to help policymakers design measures that are inclusive, transformative and promote gender equality in all areas of life. Further details on EIGE publications can be found at by clicking here

About Dr Jainine Mc Ginn

Janine Mc Ginn is a lecturer at ATU Galway-Mayo Business School based on the Mayo campus. Her principal focus at ATU is postgraduate research support and her own research focuses on digital media in business and addressing EU and regional economic and gender-related inequalities in female leadership and entrepreneurship.

She was a seconded national expert within EIGE’s Gender Based Violence team in Vilnius, Lithuania managing a team of researchers focusing on cyber aggression against women and girls. She substantially contributed to other research projects during her secondment including publications relating to humanitarian issues during conflict and mass migration. These included: ’Women Fleeing War’ and ‘GBV in Crisis’.

She brought digital media research methodology expertise to EIGE from her academic background in ATU, her PhD in educational research, her MBA, and other qualifications. She is a member of the Atlantic Futures Shared Island research project, focusing on female entrepreneurship across borders in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Previous publications and ongoing research in Ireland relate to gender disparities in political leadership, entrepreneurship and digital media. Contact Janine at Janine. mcginn@atu.ie

ATU supports students at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2025

Students from Ballinrobe Community School Mayo, Luke Molloy, Emma Sweeney and Emily Butler with their teacher Barry Rourke at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

Students competing in this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology exhibition benefitted from ATU’s research expertise and facilities in the lead up to this year’s event where for the second year in a row ATU sponsored the award for 'Best use of technology in a project'.

ATU’s involvement in the exhibition went beyond sponsoring and presenting an award. The University supported some of the participating students’ research activities for their projects, by giving them access to ATU's facilities, specialised equipment, and by providing research and academic support. With projects as diverse as using sheep wool to reinforce concrete to extracting algal

oils from seaweed, more second-level students than ever before engaged with ATU when working on their projects, some of which won category awards at this year’s exhibition.

The observation of the feeding habits of fledgling Common Swifts (Apus apus) correlating to weather conditions

A group of students from Ballinrobe Community School, Mayo linked in with ATU during their project which focused on 'The observation of the feeding habits of fledgling Common Swifts (Apus apus) correlating to weather conditions'. Students, Luke Molloy, Emma Sweeney and Emily Butler attended the exhibition and

won the 1st place Senior Group Biological and Ecological Sciences Category Award and also the Met Éireann Award for their innovative project.

ATU graduate Jaroslaw Majkusiak worked with the students during the project availing of a large bank of video footage gathered using ATU’s equipment at a site in Maguiresbridge in Fermanagh. The students analysed the data and found that an increase in temperature led to an increase in feeding among fledging swifts, which, due to climate change, may lead to a rise in their population. Sadly, even though feeding conditions have improved, Ireland has seen a 40% decrease in the Swift population in the last 15 years. To help address this, the students from Ballinrobe Community School are advocating for more Swift nesting boxes to be installed in public buildings in Ireland.

Dr Justin Kerr, ATU Vice President Mayo Campus and Head of School said: "On behalf of ATU Mayo, I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to the students and teachers of Ballinrobe Community School on their incredible achievement at the BT Young Scientist competition. Their project, demonstrates an impressive dedication to scientific enquiry and a deep appreciation for our natural environment. At ATU Mayo, we are passionate about fostering innovation and curiosity and it is inspiring to see local students making such meaningful contributions to environmental research.”

Sheep Strength: using wool to reinforce concrete

Students (Aoife Fadian and Jessica

Aoife Fadian and Jessica O’Connor from Ursuline College in Sligo at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

O’Connor), from Ursuline College in Sligo availed of ATU’s facilities in the Sligo campus during their project research. Aoife and Jessica’s project 'Sheep Strength: using wool to reinforce concrete,’ tested the feasibility of mixing different types of sheep wool with concrete as a more

sustainable strengthening agent instead of polypropylene.

Their project won the overall group runner-up award, and they also received the Taighde Éireann –Research Ireland Award.

Dr Trevor McSharry, Head of Faculty of Engineering and Design, ATU Sligo said: “ATU are delighted that the Ursuline College got second place overall in a very competitive field and this achievement recognises the ongoing support Anthony Carolane and all at the Ursuline College provide to promoting females in STEM over many years. We look forward to supporting the further development of this important research in every way we can.”

As part of their project the students developed four difference concrete mixtures and conducted a series of tests to assess their durability. The first sample featured concrete reinforced with polypropylene, the second incorporated sheep wool and concrete, and the third used a hybrid of both wool and polypropylene. The final mixture contained just plain concrete.

One of the tests performed was a compression test, which was

performed by using a specific machine, after the students gained access to equipment at ATU Sligo.

The sheep wool mixture with concrete performed best overall for strength and durability and the students have plans to develop and scale up their project to see if it can be commercially used.

Harnessing Donegal's coastal wealth

ATU also supported student Klara Peichocka from St Columba's Comprehensive School, Glenties in her research activities. She worked with Dr Denis McCrudden, Department of Life and Physical Sciences, ATU Donegal. Klara's project focused on 'Harnessing Donegal's coastal wealth; The sustainable and renewable harvesting of Donegal seaweed using the advanced solar drying method for biodiesel production’.

Klara visited ATU and became familiar with the equipment and methods required for extraction of

Student Klara Peichocka pictured with Fiona Kelly, Marketing Manager from ATU.

the algal oils from seaweed. and the esterification of the oils to biodiesel to reduce the viscosity

Delighted with Klara’s success, Dr McCrudden said: “Klara contacted us seeking interest amongst our science staff in assisting with laboratory facilities and equipment that would be required to produce biodiesel from seaweed. Since our group were already involved in research projects with local Donegal based seaweed companies, we were delighted to support this project. Many young scientists such as Klara have excellent projects and ATU realises the importance in giving recognition and providing support for their innovative ideas. We were delighted when her project was highly commended and received a special award from SSE Airtricity at this year's event.”

Teen-Turn

Participants at the BT Young Scientist and Technology exhibition also included groups from Teen-Turn. Galway-Mayo Teen-Turn participants are regular visitors to ATU’s Galway City campus participating in the TeenTurn Physics and Robotics Club, which runs once a month with the support of Boston Scientific.

Teen-Turn aims to provide teen girls, particularly those from underserved areas, the opportunity to gain handson STEM experience so that they can visualise themselves in STEM careers and make third level course choices accordingly.

ATU has supported the Teen-Turn girls in many ways over the past three years. Their project squad girls have attended super sessions in ATU where they worked on their science projects - for both Scifest and the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition - with academic staff, PhD students and industry volunteers.

ATU staff have facilitated 3d printing and testing sessions for the girls and hosts monthly PLUS sessions where they participate in workshops in robotics, coding, physics, engineering and cybersecurity run by academic staff and led by Dr Carine Garchon and Jack Saad along with industry volunteers from Boston Scientific.

Dr Carine Garchon, Head of Transcend, ATU said: "Working with TeenTurn is extremely rewarding. These teenage girls give up their Saturdays to come to work on STEM projects, which is amazing considering all the other activities

that they could choose from. We had over 50 of them at some of the sessions, and their motivation and enthusiasm are uplifting. "

Winner of ATU’s sponsored award, ‘Best use of technology in a project’

This year's winners of the ATU sponsored award for ‘Best use of technology in a project’ were a team from Christ Kings Girls' Secondary School, Cork. The members of the winning team comprised of Lena Ogonowska, Kristin Cahill and Ritika Rose Sam with their project, 'Bright Minds App; A brighter way for children to learn'. The project developed software that enables children to learn in a motivating, stimulating and fun way.

The award is presented to the project that develops, showcases the use of or has researched the benefits of a new emerging technology in learning and education. The technology should have the potential to be more widely adopted and applied and may include, among others, the use of AI, AR, 3D and wearable technologies.

Dr Orla Flynn presenting ATU's award for 'Best use of technology in a project' at this year's BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition to Christ Kings Girls’ Secondary School, Cork.

The Vital Role of Lakes in Ireland

The island of Ireland is home to an extraordinary number of lakes, which serve as both vital ecosystems and significant cultural landmarks. A new open access digital book, ‘Lakes in Ireland – Mirrors of Change’, delves into the origins, biodiversity, and

environmental challenges facing these bodies of water.

The book, edited by researchers Dr Catherine Dalton (Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick), Dr Elvira De Eyto (Marine Institute,

Newport, Mayo), and Prof Eleanor Jennings (Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies, Dundalk Institute of Technology), brings together leading experts to present an in-depth exploration of Ireland’s lakes, their history, geography, science and the growing threats they face.

Three academics from ATU, Dr Heather Lally, Senior Lecturer in Freshwater Biology and Ecology, Dr Emma Gray, Assistant Lecturer in Freshwater Ecology, and Professor Frances Lucy, Director of CERIS, the Centre for Environmental Research Innovation and Sustainability at ATU, contributed towards two book chapters.

Drs Lally and Gray co-wrote Chapter 5, Biodiversity in Ireland’s Lakes: Nature in balance? which immerses readers in the dynamic world of biodiversity in Ireland’s lakes. The chapter explores the trophic dynamics, food webs, and the significance of small ponds.

Highlighting species from the microto macro-scopic scale underscores the importance of lakes in Ireland for biodiversity and demonstrates how some species are under threat due to habitat loss, disease, catchment modifications and climate change.

Dr Lally says: “This book chapter highlights the importance of lakes in Ireland for biodiversity particularly small lakes which can contain rare and threatened species. These species are under threat due to habitat loss catchment modifications and climate change. The inclusion of small lakes to National monitoring programmes would aid conservation efforts by allowing

greater understanding of small lake ecosystems and the rare species that inhibit them”.

Professor Frances Lucy led and cowrote Chapter 13, Invasive Aquatic Species: Lake Aliens, which sheds light on the vulnerability of Ireland’s aquatic environments to Invasive Alien Species (IAS). Framed within the EU IAS risk assessment/regulation approach, the chapter traverses the history, geography, and establishment of IAS, explores their spread in Irish lakes, the impacts they pose, and ongoing management efforts.

Prof Lucy says: “There are recognised pathways of introduction and spread for IAS in all environments and lakes are particularly vulnerable. There are positive changes we can implement to protect aquatic biodiversity and we all need to get moving on these. The new launched Shared Island project on invasive alien species is a positive driver for the island of Ireland.”

This comprehensive volume covers the geological forces that shaped Ireland’s lakes, including the movement of glaciers and the island’s temperate, Atlanticinfluenced climate. As outlined in the book, these lakes have supported human settlement and cultural development for millennia. They continue to play a central role in recreation, amenity, and community activism today.

However, the authors caution that not all is well. While Ireland has been spared the severe droughts and floods afflicting lakes elsewhere in Europe, issues like nutrient overenrichment, or eutrophication, pose significant threats. Algal blooms, such as the 2023 crisis on Lough Neagh, highlight the dangers of pollution and the urgent need for action.

The book also addresses broader environmental concerns, including climate change, invasive species, and hydrological alterations. Irish lakes are warming due to humaninduced climate change, and the implications for biodiversity are severe. The experts state that without a concerted effort to mitigate these pressures, the health of lake ecosystems will continue to deteriorate.

There is a need for a coordinated, multi-agency approach to lake management and the authors of this book advocate for better regulation, inter-departmental collaboration, and more robust community involvement in the stewardship of these vital water bodies. It also highlights the pressing need for research to address knowledge gaps and inform future policies that protect Irish lakes.

This digital book has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of leading researchers, environmentalists, and government agencies dedicated to protecting Ireland’s natural heritage and is freely available on the Marine Institute’s Open Access Repository. You can access it by clicking here The authors hope that making the book freely available to everyone will foster accessibility and encourage environmental education and advocacy. By equipping communities and policymakers with knowledge, the authors hope to inspire action that will safeguard Ireland’s lakes for future generations.

Innovation and Engagement

Irish Aid Fellowships bring African Healthcare Leaders to ATU

Dr Evelyn McManus, Andrew Gweh (Liberia), Grainne Meehan and Dympna O Connell.

ATU welcomed three international scholars to its St Angela’s Campus this academic year, each receiving fullfee scholarships through the Ireland Fellows Programme. These scholars, selected for their commitment to advancing healthcare in their home countries, are enrolled in the MSc in International Healthcare Management and bring a wealth of experience and ambition to the ATU community.

James Swarray, a public health professional from Sierra Leona, Dr Mohamed Mukhtar, a medical doctor from Somalia with significant experience at the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNIFIL, and Andrew Gweh, a medical assistant leading public health initiatives in Liberia, all chose ATU as their first

choice for its growing reputation as a centre of excellence in healthcare management and international education.

The presence of these scholars highlights ATU’s growing status as a global leader in healthcare education. Through the MSc in International Healthcare Management, these professionals will deepen their expertise in healthcare systems and leadership, equipping them to drive impactful change in their respective countries.

Seamus Dolan, Programme Coordinator says: “The purpose of the Master of Health Science in International Healthcare Management is to prepare healthcare professionals

to assume the role of managers/ leaders in various healthcare settings globally. One of the key ways the programme develops a knowledge of and an appreciation of global healthcare is by bringing students of different nationalities and professional backgrounds to study together.

“The students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs Fellowship Programme have made significant contribution to the master’s programme. By sharing their experiences of professional practice in different countries and in different cultures they have enriched the learning of fellow students. These contributions have provided valuable insights into the differences and the similarities of working in various healthcare systems. The academic staffs’ understanding of global healthcare has been deepened by working with the sponsored students. It was evident that this learning was reciprocal as the Fellowship students themselves benefited from the shared experience of studying on the programme.”

The ATU St Angelas wider community has also benefited from the students’ active participation in the University’s wider activities. The overall experience of having the fellowship students studying on the programme was a rewarding one. The three scholars kindly took time out of their busy schedule to talk to us about their experiences.

Left to right: Seamus Dolan, Programme Coordinator, Msc in Healthcare Management (International Stream), Dr Mohamed Muktar Ali (Somalia), James Swarray (Sierra Leone),

Dr Mohamed Muktar

Why did you choose to study at ATU St Angelas?

When I applied for the Ireland Fellowship Program, St Angelas was my first choice because of its unique focus on International Healthcare Management. It is the only institution in Ireland offering this specialised program, which perfectly aligns with my aspirations as both a public health professional and the managing director of Garab Consulting Ltd. The program's comprehensive curriculum integrates strategic management with public health improvement, equipping me with the knowledge to lead and grow my firm while advancing global health outcomes.

I am proud to be the only Somali recipient of this fellowship this year, and my goal is to apply these competencies to address healthcare challenges and promote sustainable, evidence-based healthcare practices globally.

What were your first impressions of St Angelas and Sligo?

From the moment I arrived at St Angela, I was struck by the warm and welcoming environment. The University fosters a sense of community that has made it easy to transition into life here. The faculty are

supportive and genuinely invested in their students' success, and the small class sizes allow for personalised attention, which has enhanced my learning experience.

As for Sligo, it’s a wonderful place to study. The town's serene environment, nestled between mountains and rivers, creates a peaceful atmosphere that is perfect for focusing on my education. I especially enjoy the balance Sligo offers—it's quiet enough for concentration and reflection but still rich in culture and natural beauty, making it a fantastic place to live and learn.

How will studying on this programme enhance your profession and discipline back home?

Studying this programme will equip me with advanced skills in healthcare management, leadership, and strategy, which I will apply to improve public health systems and healthcare delivery in developing countries.

How much of an impact will this experience make to the people of your country?

This experience will allow me to bring back innovative solutions to improve healthcare systems, ultimately benefiting the health and well-being of my communities.

About Dr Mohamed Mukhtar

Dr Mohamed Mukhtar is a public health professional and a medical doctor. He holds an MBBS from the University of Hargeisa and a Postgraduate Diploma in Epidemiology and Medical Statistics from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

His career spans various roles, including working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, where he was instrumental in strengthening healthcare systems, improving immunization coverage, and advancing maternal and child health in Somalia. He is also the founder and managing director of Garab Consulting Ltd, a healthcare consulting firm that focuses on improving healthcare delivery and public health outcomes in lowresource settings.

Andrew Gweh

Why did you choose to study in Ireland?

Through a competitive application process, I was awarded a fully funded one-year scholarship to study in Ireland. I would not have been able to raise the funds to support my master’s program if I had not gotten the Irish Aid Fellowship.

After completing the course, I will return to Liberia to restart my professional life. As a healthcare manager, I will be committed to improving efficiency in this field and the quality of care provided in my organisation. This international qualification will enable me to pursue my dream of making health care accessible to everyone with more confidence and composure.

What are your first impressions of St Angelas and Sligo?

St Angelas was my first choice when I decided to sign up for a master’s

course. Ireland seemed to be the ideal choice for my study program, considering that it is home to some of the finest universities in the world.

The first look at your infrastructure had me in awe, not to forget the urban touch that your university reflects to an outsider. My dream was to experience the life and culture of a university abroad, which would help further my interest in meeting new people, learning about different cultures, and embracing new thought patterns.

How will studying on this programme enhance your profession and discipline back home?

As a healthcare manager, I will be committed to improving efficiency in this field and the quality of care provided in my organisation. This international qualification will enable me to work towards building a resilient healthcare system that is accessible to everyone with more confidence and composure.

How much of an impact will this experience make to the people of your country?

After my study, I aim to diligently provide my experience and expertise in technical innovations, and improving human resources for health structures, and driving resultoriented financial plans to improve the healthcare system.

About Andrew Gweh

Andrew Gweh served as the Community Health Department Director for the Ministry of Health in Liberia. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with over seven years of extensive experience in public health and has dedicated his career to improving health outcomes and promoting wellness within communities. His journey in public health has been driven by a passion for making a difference in the lives of others, and he firmly believes that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right for all individuals.

James Swarray

Why did you choose to study at ATU St Angelas

I choose Saint Angela due to its research background, public health management systems and its agenda of training health management professionals to attain sustainable development plans through equity health-based ideology.

This scholarship opportunity is a stepping stone for me to achieve my goal of becoming a health management specialist.

What are your first impressions of St Angelas and Sligo?

Sligo has many mountains, rivers and quiet for learning and comprehension. Above all this reconnects me with my country.

About James Swarray

James Swarray has a first-class honours bachelor's degree and a higher diploma in community health systems and clinical studies coupled with extensive professional work experience of over a decade in health programme management and leadership, logistics and finance.

He was the area coordinator of GOAL Sierra Leone in the north and northwest regions providing strategic project insight to the health team on a regular basis, technical guidance, and leading the implementation and operationalisation of the health component of the Country Strategic Plan.

How will studying on this programme enhance your profession and discipline back home?

The knowledge I gain will enhance cross cultural learnings between Sierra Leone and Ireland and strengthen our bilateral relationships. It will enable me to identify growth factors from Ireland and implement those workable solutions to strengthen our health systems.

It will also give me a better understanding of how to manage Irish Aid funds to Sierra Leone and ensure those aids align with government and my organisation’s priorities and provide the required outcome to the Irish government which promote trust and accountability.

I am passionate about becoming a health systems strengthening specialist to advocate, design and implement promotional health programmes and policy that mitigate leadership and governance issues within the health systems of Sierra Leone.

Social robotics set to ‘Blossom’ at ATU

Stuart Lawn of ATU MakerSpace explains the process of building a social robot to ATU lecturers Drs John Pender and Perry Share and PhD student Jack McAteer Wallace.

For the first time in Ireland, social care practice students have been afforded a learning opportunity that paves the way for a multidisciplinary exploration of care and social robotics, and ATU is leading the way.

Final year students undertaking the BA (Hons) Social Care Practice programme have enrolled on the elective module ‘Futures of Care, Society and Welfare,’ of which a key component is to anticipate the varied futures, social care practitioners may encounter in their future careers.

ATU lecturers Drs John Pender and Perry Share, who have created two ATU Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on Social Robotics under the Innovation theme of the Higher Education 4.0 Project, and PhD student Jack McAteer Wallace, recently joined Stuart Lawn of ATU MakerSpace on the Sligo campus to

start the process of building a social robot called Blossom.

Drs Pender and Share have undertaken extensive research on the possibilities of human-robot interactions in the delivery of future care. While issues of policy, ethics and practice are explored on the module, this year’s student cohort will get to build a social robot.

“We came to Stuart following some research that Perry had undertaken a few months ago about the availability of a DIY social robot assembly that had been developed by a university in California,” says Dr Pender.

The Blossom robot was developed by Cornell University and Google and simplified for easier and cheaper construction by the University of Southern California, under the leadership of Prof. Maja Matariç.

“We want to enable and empower students undertaking social care practice to actually see social robotics in real time and help build one themselves.”

Dr John Pender

“That really fitted the needs of Perry and I as we are delivering a module this semester on the Futures of Care and technology and social robotics,” continues Dr Pender. “We want to enable and empower students undertaking social care practice to actually see social robotics in real time and help build one themselves.”

In conjunction with ATU’s MakerSpace facility, and because of a creative commons licence, students will build Blossom robots and gain invaluable insights into the mechanics on robot construction.

Dr Share says that he and Dr Pender have been exploring the field of social robotics, especially in the areas of social and health care, for the last eight years.

“We have explored many ways to try and introduce students to social robotics. These are students who wouldn’t have a technical background; they are not like our computing or engineering students who might be routinely exposed to robots. These are people who maybe never have seen or touched or experienced a robot before. So, it is quite a big step for them to get involved and really explore different ways of doing it.

“We run simulations where people talk about the ethics of robots; we have got students to present on different individual robots that they have found. We have brought in examples of robots and asked students to use them and to interact with them.

“And now, with the development of the ATU MakerSpace here, we have a fantastic opportunity to move to the next step – which is students constructing their own robots and programming them and thinking about what they might do with those robots. It is a unique opportunity for students here in ATU.”

PhD student Jack McAteer Wallace also attended the workshop at ATU MakerSpace. The title of his thesis is ‘An investigation into how Blossom, the social robot, functions as a body double for neurodivergent students in Ireland: benefits and educational implications’.

“I did my undergraduate in social care last year and I had the privilege of working alongside John and Perry for a simulation. However, instead of just doing a simulation this year, the students are getting an opportunity to create their own robots, and I think this is going to amplify the module,” says Jack, who works with residential children in social care.

For Stuart Lawn of ATU MakerSpace, he believes projects like that of Drs Pender and Share can thrive in his lab. “The Blossom robot is an opensource design and, essentially, we can use all the technology in ATU MakerSpace to 3D print and laser cut the parts and then piece it together using motors and electronics which will hopefully get the robot working.

“It is a perfect project for ATU MakerSpace. This allows students and lecturers to build up skills and experience in an area where they otherwise might not necessarily get the chance to do that,” concludes Stuart.

Meanwhile, this year, Drs Pender and Share will join an Interreg Europefunded project (TechSocialCare) that will explore ways to regulate assistive technologies in care, including social robotics.

This will provide an excellent opportunity to link the work they and students engage in on this module to the broader ethical, social and political implications of these emergent technologies.

To watch Stuart Lawn, Drs Pender and Share and PhD student Jack McAteer Wallace talk about building the social robot, Blossom, please click here

For more on social robotics, why not check out ATU’s free short online courses here. To read more on ATU MakerSpace, please click here.

Stuart Lawn working on the social robot called Blossom.

AIM Centre launches AI Studio for Manufacturers

The AIM Centre, a partnership between ATU and Sligo County Council, has announced the establishment of an artificial intelligence (AI) Studio, a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower manufacturing SMEs across Ireland by showcasing the transformative power of AI and automation technologies. This ambitious project, supported by Enterprise Ireland, positions the AIM Centre as a national leader in driving digital transformation in manufacturing.

The AI Studio is officially launching in the first quarter of 2025, offering SMEs hands-on access to AI demonstration projects, a structured accelerator program, and the opportunity to engage with a travelling AI Studio that will bring cutting-edge technologies to businesses throughout Ireland.

The AI Studio will prioritise impactful outcomes such as:

• Demonstrating AI applications in predictive maintenance, energy optimisation, and quality control.

• Running a structured AI Accelerator Program to develop tailored AI adoption roadmaps for participating SMEs.

• Offering a travelling AI Studio, providing regional access to AI technology and expertise.

Commenting on the launch, Julie Dowling, CEO of the AIM Centre, said: “AI represents an incredible opportunity for Ireland’s manufacturing sector to enhance

The AIM Centre, which will soon be launching a new AI Studio.

competitiveness, productivity, and sustainability. The AI Studio @ AIM is about making AI accessible and actionable for SMEs, bridging the gap between understanding AI’s potential and implementing it in real-world operations. This national initiative will bring innovation to the doorstep of businesses, ensuring that no company is left behind in the digital transformation journey.”

The AIM Centre has also committed to working collaboratively with

organisations such as the Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), RDI Hub, CeADAR, and others to create a cohesive national network of AI innovation and support.

Chris O’Malley, VP for Enterprise and Engagement of ATU and Chair of the AIM Centre Board, said the University looks forward to working with the AIM Centre in supporting SMEs across the region in meeting the challenge of AI in their business.

Why AI Matters in Manufacturing

• Reduces operational costs through efficiency

• Enhances productivity with automation

• Improves decision-making with data insights

• Drives sustainability and reducing energy consumption

“The challenge of AI is massively complex, and we need to work with businesses in the region to work out the most effective and practical ways in which to harness this new technology.”

Chris O’Malley, VP for Enterprise and Engagement, ATU

Martin Lydon, CEO of Sligo County Council, emphasised the regional and national significance of this initiative and said: “The AI Studio is not just a win for the Northwest region; it’s a win for Ireland. It aligns perfectly with our strategy to position the Northwest as a hub for manufacturing innovation and economic growth. By collaborating with other regional centres and national bodies, the AIM Centre is strengthening Ireland’s position on the global stage.”

Méabh Conaghan, Enterprise Ireland Regional Director, highlighted the importance of this project. She said: “The AIM Centre’s AI Studio is a critical step in Ireland’s journey to becoming a leader in AI-driven manufacturing. Enterprise Ireland is

delighted to support this initiative, which not only drives innovation but also ensures that SMEs across the country can leverage AI to remain competitive in a fast-changing global economy. The AIM Centre’s ability to collaborate and complement the work of similar hubs around the country, such as IMR, CeADAR and RDI Hub, is a testament to its commitment to national progress.”

VEX Robotics at ATU

The AIM Centre, in partnership with AbbVie and ATU Sligo, successfully hosted the inaugural VEX Robotics North West Regional Finals on 31 January. The competition, held at ATU Sligo, saw teams from communities across Sligo, Leitrim, North Mayo, and South Donegal

showcase their creativity, engineering skills, and problem-solving abilities in a thrilling robotics contest.

Following an exciting day of intense competition and teamwork, two of the teams have successfully qualified for the VEX Robotics National Finals: Holy Family N.S. of Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal and Breaffy N.S. of Castlebar, Co. Mayo. The finals are set to take place in MTU Cork on 27 February. The winning teams will compete for a chance to advance to the prestigious VEX Global Finals in Texas, representing Ireland on the international stage.

“ATU is proud to sponsor the VEX Robotics event, seeing the students engage so enthusiastically is fantastic. By taking part, they dive into the world of STEM, the building blocks of so many incredible things. They learn skills of critical thinking, problem solving and working as a team which are skills that are critical in everyday life as well as being what scientists, engineers and innovators use every day to make the world a better place.”

Finola Howe, Head of Enterprise and External Engagement at ATU

Sustainability Advancing Sustainability Across Universities and Communities

EU GREEN University Alliance are currently running a monthly online lecture series designed to connect academic research with practical sustainability practices. Spanning nine partner universities across Europe with over 150,000 students and staff, the EU Green Stakeholders Lectures are bringing students, staff, external stakeholders, and community representatives together to foster dialogue on global and local sustainability challenges.

These webinars serve as a platform to share best practices, promote innovative solutions, and inspire meaningful dialogue on sustainability challenges at both global and local levels.

The objectives of the monthly online lecture series are to:

• Enhance understanding of sustainability concepts among university communities and stakeholders.

• Showcase innovative sustainability practices and solutions implemented by external organisations.

• Encourage collaboration between universities and external stakeholders to drive sustainable change.

• Motivate participants to integrate sustainable practices into their institutions and communities.

• Discuss policy development and sustainability challenges with a focus on actionable solutions.

The first online lecture titled “Blue Bioeconomy and Sustainability" was hosted by ATU on 31 January and featured Dr Majbritt BoltonWarberg, Blue Economy Programme Manager at the Marine Institute. The lecture explored the blue bioeconomy’s role in driving sustainable practices within marine ecosystems and beyond.

Dr Bolton-Warberg coordinates the Marine Institute’s participation in the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, supports the national blue bioeconomy sector, and leads a JPI Oceans Joint Action on Blue Carbon. Her lecture focussed on the concept of the blue bioeconomy and its role in sustainability. Dr Bolton-Warberg discussed how the Marine Institute supports the Irish sector through raising awareness, connecting stakeholders, facilitating funding and collaboration opportunities, and informing policy development and research strategies.

Professor Frances Lucy, EU GREEN lead at ATU, said: “Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and

About EU GREEN

education plays a pivotal role in driving change. This series highlights the transformative power of collaboration in addressing global challenges. By bringing together experts and stakeholders from nine countries, we can develop innovative solutions that benefit both society and the environment.”

Dr Maijbritt Bolton-Warberg

EU GREEN, a European University Alliance is co-funded by the European Union, and is dedicated to sustainability, inclusive education, and environmental stewardship. The alliance spans nine universities across Europe from Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Poland, Romania, and Germany, united in a shared mission to foster sustainable growth and educational practices. Together, these universities engage students, staff, and regional stakeholders to work towards a sustainable future. For more information, please click here.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Growing Compassion, Respect, Inclusion and Belonging

The power of compassion was highlighted at the ‘Thriving’ conference held in ATU Sligo in January of this year. The ATU Health, Wellbeing and Counselling team and the ATU RESPECT team jointly hosted the conference which explored compassionate university approaches to further enable student and staff experiences and enhance learning. The conference platformed national and international experts who shared their research and practice in the areas of compassionate leadership, compassionate campus approaches and trauma informed practices, all of which foster a more inclusive and nurturing university environment.

ATU President, Dr Orla Flynn opened the conference by highlighting the energy, optimism, and positivity reflected in the focus of the conference ‘Thriving’. She said that the mental health and wellbeing of staff and students is a priority for the University.

Dr Maura Finnegan, ATU Head of Student Health, Wellbeing & Counselling addressed the challenges for student health and wellbeing and spoke to the importance of recognising that these challenges are many and

varied and can intersect to create an experience that is difficult to manage and navigate. She also described the epidemic levels of Gender-Based Violence in Ireland and how this is negatively impacting students.

Dr Deborah Lee, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Author, and Trauma Specialist discussed self-compassion as a ‘resilience capacity’ and a precursor to ‘Team Compassion’. She identified compassion as a motivator and as a basic human need which builds ‘resilience capacity’ and is a precursor to ‘Team Compassion’.

Dr Lee provided an overview of the development and implementation of a comprehensive compassionate leadership programme she developed at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust. The programme encourages leaders to adopt compassion as a core motivational driver, influencing their interactions and decision-making processes, and develops leaders’ selfawareness with a view to enabling them to create and promote compassionate habits in the workplace.

Dr Claire Bohan, Dean of Students in DCU discussed the development and implementation of DCU’s ‘Care and Connect’ programme which

is an initiative designed to support student wellbeing.

ATU’s Dr Ruth Quinn, Anne Tynan, Yvonne Sarsfield, and Maureen Haran gave an interactive session on enhancing inclusion and wellbeing using Universal Design for Learning and Dr Erica Riba, JED Foundation, discussed the JED Campus Program, a programme established in 2000 in the US focusing on mental health promotion and suicide prevention in educational institutions.

A panel discussion on ‘Thriving’ was then facilitated by Caitríona Gleeson, ATU Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Manager and included representatives from the Students’ Union, EDI and Registrar’s function. Throughout the event John Graham provided meditative grounding practices, which helped attendees to maintain presence and focus.

Dr Michele Glacken, Registrar and VP of Students closed out the event and noted that by embracing compassion, the higher education sector can create environments that support the holistic development of students and staff, ultimately leading to more successful and thriving institutions.

ATU Celebrates Civil Engineering Apprenticeship Consortium win Award

At the annual Regional Skills West Awards, which celebrates excellence and innovation in industry-focused education and training across the region, the Civil Engineering Apprenticeship Consortium were honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Industry Award.

The Consortium received the award for their ground-breaking work in developing and expanding apprenticeship programmes in civil engineering. Their initiatives aim to address the growing demand for highly skilled engineers while providing learners with a clear pathway from Higher Cert to eventually Master’s via apprenticeship.

Along with ATU as coordinating provider, the Consortium includes: the Construction Industry Federation, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland, Uisce Éireann, the Irish Universities Association, and Local Government Management Association.

The Consortium has successfully introduced two innovative civil engineering apprenticeships at Levels 6 and 7. In response to the evolving needs of the industry, they are now in the process of developing additional apprenticeship levels, including Level 8 and even a Master’s programme. These offer learners the opportunity to progress through to the highest levels of qualification.

“We are extremely proud to be recognised with this prestigious

Mark Gantly, Regional Skills West Forum Chair presents Emma Britton, Director of Civil Engineering Apprenticeship at ATU, with the Outstanding Contribution to Industry Award at the 2024 Regional Skills West Awards.

award,” said Dr Emma Britton, Director of Civil Engineering Apprenticeship. “This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the development of these programmes.”

“The civil engineering industry is facing a critical skills shortage, and by creating these apprenticeships, we aim to provide a sustainable, accessible route for learners to acquire the skills and qualifications needed to excel in the field.”

Dr Emma Britton, Director of Civil Engineering Apprenticeship

Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President said: “ATU have a very proud history of developing Consortium led apprenticeships with industry partners and are delighted to be leading out in the provision of these civil engineering programmes to address skills deficits in sectors of key strategic national importance. The demand for these programmes is significant, and as a result, the programmes will be rolled out by additional providers in due course.”

The new apprenticeships are designed to offer an alternative, workbased pathway into civil engineering, combining hands-on experience with academic learning. This approach not only equips learners with essential practical skills but also allows them to earn while they learn, making it an attractive option for those looking to enter the industry.

The Civil Engineering Apprenticeship Consortium is committed to working closely with industry partners to ensure that these programmes remain relevant and responsive to the needs of employers. With plans to further expand the apprenticeship offerings, the Consortium is laying the groundwork for a new generation of civil engineers equipped with the knowledge and experience to drive industry innovation and development.

For further information on these programmes please email: civilapprenticeships.sligo@atu.ie.

ATU Students’ Sports Success

February was a good month for ATU Sports with Ben Edel winning gold in the 400m Irish Indoor University Athletics Championship and the ATU Galway camogie team winning the inaugural Aisling Murphy Cup beating Queens University in the final.

ATU Mayo student, Conor Culhane and ATU graduate, Matty White, won gold in the Canadian Canoe Race at the Kayak Intervarsity competition held in Limerick and ATU Mayo’s Axel Delimata May won gold in the beginner’s section at the Climbing Intervarsity competition held in Cork.

Major Milestone in ATU’s Commitment to Teaching and Learning Excellence

ATU has become the first university in the Republic of Ireland to be designated as an Accredited Institution of Advance HE, a major milestone in the University’s ongoing commitment to teaching and learning excellence. This achievement enables ATU to independently assess and award Advance HE Fellowships through the ENGAGE Programme, (ATU’s in-house Fellowship attainment programme), further embedding professional development and reflective practice within the University.

This initiative was spearheaded by Dr Niamh Plunkett, Head of Teaching & Learning at ATU (Sligo), whose vision and leadership have been instrumental in ensuring that ATU remains at the forefront of educational innovation.

Reflecting on this historic accomplishment, Dr Plunkett said: "This accreditation is a game-changer for ATU. It not only acknowledges the quality of our teaching and learning culture but also empowers us to further support our staff in their professional development journey.

“The ENGAGE Programme has already made a significant impact, with over 60 staff members securing Fellowships and many more actively engaged in the process. These Fellowships recognise excellence in teaching and learning, ultimately benefiting our students by promoting an environment of innovation, inclusivity, and academic excellence.”

Dr Plunkett also expressed her deep appreciation for Dr John O’Callaghan,

Academic Writing Instructor at ATU (Sligo) and ENGAGE Programme Lead, for his meticulous work in overseeing the rigorous application process.

Advance HE is a member-led charity of and for the higher education that works with partners across the globe to improve higher education for staff, students and society. They are experts in higher education, with a particular focus on teaching and learning, governance, leadership development and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Karen Hustler, Head of Accreditation and Excellence Awards, Advance HE, also commended ATU on its achievement and said: "Advance HE is delighted to award Teaching and Learning Accreditation to Atlantic Technological University (ATU). ATU is our first accredited institution in Ireland and this achievement reflects the success ATU has had with supporting its staff to achieve one of our four categories of fellowship in recognition of their excellent learning and teaching practices. ATU is now part of our network of 181 accredited member institutions around the world. We are very proud to be working with ATU and wish the team every success as they launch the new ATU ENGAGE scheme.”

The ENGAGE Programme continues to shape teaching practice at ATU, ensuring that staff are equipped with internationally recognised Fellowships that enhance both their professional development and the overall student experience.

Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President emphasised the significance of this achievement and said: "I am delighted to celebrate the news that ATU has now been designated an Accredited Institution of Advance HE for our ATU ENGAGE Fellowship programme. This is strong recognition of ATU’s commitment to supporting staff professional development in inclusive teaching and learning, and it is noteworthy that ATU is the first university in the Republic of Ireland to achieve this recognition. Our first Strategic Plan, published in autumn 2024, includes Enabling Education as one of its guiding lights, and this Advance HE designation illustrates our intention to make a true difference in this area.”

“Securing approval as an Accredited Institution of Advance HE for our ATU ENGAGE Fellowship programme clearly signals ATU’s intent to ensure students receive a quality teaching and learning experience that will enable them to achieve success. ATU is committed to staff development in teaching practice and offers a range of accredited and nonaccredited programmes to support academic staff at every stage of their careers. Regardless of their level of teaching experience, our university provides opportunities for professional and personal growth, with the ultimate aim of enhancing student learning outcomes.”

Dr Michele Glacken, Registrar & VP Students, Teaching & Learning, ATU

About ATU’s ENGAGE Programme

ATU ENGAGE supports ATU educators in achieving an Advance HE Fellowship, which is an internationally benchmarked professional recognition of high-quality practices, impact and leadership in teaching and/or supporting learning.

ATU ENGAGE provides the opportunity for all staff with a role in teaching and/or supporting learning to develop professionally by reflecting on and articulating the effectiveness of their practice in the context of ATU’s teaching and learning strategy and the Professional Standards Framework for Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education 2023 (PSF)

Benefits of ATU ENGAGE and Advance HE Fellowship include a commitment to learning, teaching, and student experience, personal development and professional practice with international recognition.

To find out more about ATU ENGAGE please click here.

Dr Niamh Plunkett, Head of Teaching & Learning ATU (Sligo)

Dr John O’Callaghan, ENGAGE Programme Lead, ATU

ATU Built Environment Student Challenge

ATU engineering students Shauna Cleary, Sean McNamara and Odhran Quinn won first place in this year’s ATU Galway Student Challenge. They were among 85 final year Building and Civil Engineering students who took part in the day-long competition in ATU Galway on 30 January, judged by 10 industry representatives. The student teams had to consider an 18-apartment development currently under construction in Galway and produce four tasks by lunchtime:

1. A Risk Register with associated cost contingencies.

2. A review of the extent of fit out and finish provided for each apartment to optimise the available sales price and margin.

3. A Method Statement showing a clear sequence of activities for the excavation of the basement (including any necessary temporary works) and the construction/installation of new permanent basement structure.

4. A Logistics Plan (to include consideration of deliveries, cranage and loading bays.

In the afternoon, the multidisciplinary student teams (in disciplines such as Architectural Technology, Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering and Construction Management) had to present their work to panels of the expert judges and deal with their questions.

The adjudication panel comprised of representatives from the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Sisk, BAM Ireland, JJ Rhatigan, Coffey, RPS, Simon J Kelly Architects, Eugene Mulcaire Architect, Peter F Costello & Partners (QS) and Linesight (QS).

Commenting on the success of the challenge Michelle Fahey, Building & Civil Engineering Dept, said: “The ATU Student Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for students to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment. The tasks were challenging and reflected the type of issues that they would experience in the workplace. This challenge allowed them to put what they have learnt over the last four years into practice. The students enjoyed showcasing their work to an experienced panel of industry

judges, and we are grateful to the judges for giving their time to the challenge again this year”.

Justin Molloy, Director, Western and Midland Region, Construction Industry Federation, said: “The Annual Built Environment Student Challenge allowed me to connect with the next generation of construction professionals. The future of the industry is certainly in capable hands. Congratulations to all the students and their lecturers for their hard work and dedication to the challenge.”

Winners of the ATU Student Challenge pictured with the industry mentors.

ATU’s Psychology Programme Accredited

ATU recently celebrated its Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology being accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).

The accreditation, valid for the period 2024-2026, paves the way for full accreditation following a review in 2026. This recognition comes just over a year after the programme’s launch and serves as a strong endorsement of the programme’s quality and a promising opportunity for current and future students.

Based in the University’s Mayo campus in Castlebar, the programme will help to address a pressing need for skilled psychologists in the region. Completion of a PSI accredited undergraduate degree is an important first step in any aspiring psychologist’s career. Students with a second-class honours from a PSI accredited degree are eligible to

apply for postgraduate training in a range of specialisations in psychology.

Dr Justin Kerr, Vice President, ATU Mayo Campus and Head of School Health Science, Wellbeing & Society, highlighted the significance of this achievement for the future of the programme:

He said: “This recognition is a testament to the quality of our programme, our dedicated staff, and the hard work of our students. In the coming years, we will continue to work closely with the PSI. This ongoing work will enhance opportunities for our graduates, particularly when pursuing postgraduate study.”

ATU Lecturer, Dr Elaine McHugh, emphasised the strategic design of the programme to meet PSI standards.

She said: “The accreditation process is very comprehensive, involving a thorough review of the course curriculum and delivery, as well as an on-site review with our management, staff and students.

“We have designed the programme from the outset with the PSI’s rigorous standards in mind, ensuring a strong foundation for academic excellence. As a result, we are proud to offer an extremely comprehensive, singlehonours psychology programme. Our students will graduate with an in-depth knowledge of psychological science and a robust, hands-on understanding of its applications, which prepares them to excel in their future endeavours.”

Small class sizes have enabled meaningful interaction between students and lecturers, fostering an environment conducive to hands-on learning and mentorship. The programme’s core lecturing team brings a wealth of expertise in both research and practice across diverse fields, including clinical psychology, addiction, cognition, child development, and disability.

To find out more about the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology please click here

Dr Elaine McHugh, lecturer in Psychology at ATU.

ATU Conferences

CAR (Operations and Supply ChAin Research) Winter Symposium

On 9-10 January, ATU Sligo hosted the OSCAR (Operations and Supply ChAin Research) Winter Symposium which marked a significant milestone for the research centre. The event highlighted the exceptional work of OSCAR's PhD researchers, who presented their literature review findings, showcasing depth, rigor, and innovation in their respective studies.

Special recognition was given to Dr Gabriela Gliga, Dr Conor McTiernan, Dr Mara Sintejudeanu and Dr George Onofrei for sharing their PhD

methodologies and offering valuable insights into the dos and don’ts of research. Their contributions were both inspiring and insightful for all attendees.

Gratitude was also extended to Prof Paul Coughlan, Prof Paul Humphreys, Prof Amir Azadnia and Prof Alan McKittrick for providing expert feedback and guidance to the researchers. Their support is instrumental in shaping the next generation of scholars.

Symposium on Modelling and Computation for Health and Society

The 3rd ATU Winter Symposium on Modelling and Computation for Health and Society (MOCHAS) took place at ATU Donegal, Letterkenny Campus on 15-16 January.

This year, the symposium centred on the theme of ‘Pathways to Impact’ and brought together over sixty academics and students from the fields of mathematical and computational modelling, data analytics, sensor technologies, engineering, science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

As with all MOCHAS events, the symposium was open to multidisciplinary researchers across ATU. This year, the attendees were tasked to reflect on the impact of their research and challenged them with three different formats to present their work:

• A traditional poster,

• A six-minute, single-slide impact talk, or

• A three-minute presentation using any medium to convey the impact of their research.

All presentations had to be aimed at a cross-disciplinary audience including a panel of judges. The judges’ assessment was based on each presentation’s simplicity and impact, deducting marks for overuse of graphs and formulae. Judges said that they were very impressed with how well the students rose to the challenge. The presentations and poster session were dynamic, informative and entertaining, and the students all agreed that they enjoyed this new challenge.

The symposium also featured four guest speakers, each of whom shared insights from their own careers and challenged the audience to continually seek new pathways to impact in their current and future careers.

Prof. Kevin Curran from Ulster University discussed ‘Amplifying the Influence of PhD Research’ and advised the students on the best path for various types of academic impact in their future careers.

This was followed by Juanita Blue from the ATU Research Office, presenting

on ‘Sustainability in Motion and its role in advancing the Global Development Goals’. Juanita emphasised the importance of becoming sustainability experts in their own domains and shared details of how to do this via the recently developed MOOC from the EU project SDS4HEI on which ATU is a partner.

On the second day Dr Kieran Ryan, ATU’s Head of Knowledge Transfer, addressed the symposium’s central theme, ‘Pathways to Impact’ and challenged the students to envisage how and where their research would impact the world in terms of new discoveries, commercialisation and society.

Finally, ATU’s Dr Ciarán Ó hAnnrachain spoke of the ‘Impact power of Networking’ and outlined how to build successful networks nationally and internationally. Ciarán is Operational Board Chairman of the World Technical Universities Network (WTUN) and showed the attendees how the WTUN can provide excellent opportunities for researchers within the network of which ATU is a partner.

Left to right: Dr Liam Morris, Dr Marion McAfee, Dr Kieran Ryan and Dr Eoghan Furey at the MOCHAS symposium.

Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Symposium

ATU and Ulster University continue to work together on vital research in relation to university students’ mental health. A recent symposium held at ATU Donegal on 31 January, provided an opportunity for the two universities to share the outputs and progress of their research.

Over 120 people attended the event which was funded by HEA North South Research Programme. Attendees included academic staff, PhD researchers, students, HSE stakeholders, student support services, parents/guardians and members of the public.

The keynote speaker at the event Gareth Hughes, psychotherapist, researcher and UK and internationally recognised expert on university mental health and wellbeing, delivered a talk on the current state of university student mental health, common challenges, gaps and the importance of whole university approaches.

Dr Elaine Murray (UU), Dr Louise McBride (ATU), Dr Margaret Mc Lafferty (ATU) and James Sweeney (ATU) provided an overview of the Irish Student Wellbeing and ADHD Project – (I-SWAP) outcomes, progress and further developments in terms of ATU/UU collaboration. The HEA North-South Research Programme funded I-SWAP project, aimed to improve the wellbeing and help-seeking behaviours among students living with ADHD on the Island of Ireland.

Speaking at the conference, Dr Louise McBride, Head of the Department of Nursing and Health Care, ATU Donegal, said: "Following our very successful conference hosted last year, the I-SWAP research team were delighted to share the outputs and progress of the project including further collaboration with UU on another Research Ireland funded project in this area.”

Dr Elaine Murray, UU said: “Identifying strategies to improve mental health and wellbeing in the student population is a key priority for universities across the UK and Ireland. The symposium provides an excellent opportunity to showcase our ongoing collaborative cross-border student mental health research programme between Ulster University and ATU, the positive impact it is having on students, and hear from expert stakeholders working in this area.”

“ Trends continue to suggest we need to continuously inform our student support services with best practice evidence in relation to college students’ mental health and wellbeing at all levels of education including higher, secondary and primary level.”

Dr Louise McBride, ATU Donegal

ATU Hosts European Delegates for WeSTEMEU Study Visit on Gender

Inclusivity in STEM

The Interreg Europe WeSTEMEU project, aimed at advancing gender inclusivity in STEM fields across Europe, held a two-day study visit in October in Letterkenny. ATU Donegal coordinated the visit as part of ongoing efforts to foster interregional learning and support women's involvement in STEM fields across Europe.

This visit facilitated valuable knowledge exchange and brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from academia, industry, and local government. By connecting stakeholders with similar goals, the event aimed to stimulate dialogue on challenges and strategies for gender inclusivity in STEM.

The study visit provided an opportunity to learn from successful regional initiatives and to discuss actionable approaches for enhancing women's participation in STEM careers.

Through presentations, site visits, and thematic workshops, participants engaged in meaningful discussions, ultimately strengthening collaborative networks and broadening the scope of the WeSTEMEU project’s impact across multiple regions.

Stakeholder dissemination

A Stakeholder Dissemination Event included presentations by local leaders, such as Joanne Sweeney of GEMX Northwest, who highlighted regional collaborations promoting STEM skills, and Grace Korbel of Donegal’s Local Enterprise Office, who introduced AMBITION, an innovative local program supporting female entrepreneurs.

What is the Interreg Europe WeSTEMEU project?

The four-year project (2023-2027), led by Igualada City Council in Spain, brings together partners from Lithuania, Ireland, Greece, Albania, Romania, and Poland with a total budget of €1.7 million. In Ireland, the project is coordinated locally by the WiSAR Lab at ATU, with Donegal County Council as an associate partner.

Study visits

The study visit included multiple site visits to showcase real-world examples of successful initiatives and collaborations that support STEM education and promote women’s involvement in technical fields. These visits provided a unique opportunity for participants to engage with local leaders and organisations driving innovation in education, industry, and entrepreneurship.

Project delegates visited Donegal ETB’s Errigal College, where they toured the school’s innovative STEM and coding lab. This facility was developed in partnership with Optum through a five-year collaboration aimed at transforming an existing computer classroom into a dedicated STEM lab. The lab is designed to foster early interest in coding and STEM fields, with a strong emphasis on encouraging female students to pursue careers in these areas

The delegation also travelled to Carndonagh to visit Welditz Ltd., a company providing comprehensive welding and fabrication services to a diverse range of industries, where codirector Maureen Cuddihy emphasised

the positive impact of inclusivity on company culture and performance.

Case studies

The visit also included an interregional exchange of case studies, showcasing regional programs like the Atlantic Futures initiative at Ulster University, which provides mentorship and resources for women entrepreneurs.

Dr Gary Cullen from ATU Donegal’s Department of Computing discussed ATU’s collaboration with secondary schools across the northwest region. These projects aim to increase young people’s engagement in STEM, particularly focusing on broadening participation among girls. By working directly with schools, ATU has been able to inspire students and foster an early interest in STEM fields, thereby contributing to a more inclusive pipeline for future technical talent.

Work-life balance

The study visit culminated in a workshop focused on work-life balance, a critical component for sustaining a diverse and inclusive STEM workforce.

Dr Shagufta Henna from the ATU Donegal Department of Computing led discussions on flexible work practices, while Margaret Quinn of Donegal Digital and Elaine Whoriskey of Donegal County Council highlighted how digitalisation can facilitate greater work-life balance.

Dr Shagufta Henna of ATU highlighted the importance of the visit and said: "Hosting this international delegation underscores ATU's commitment to fostering inclusivity and innovation in STEM. By sharing ideas and strategies, we’re taking tangible

steps towards breaking down gender barriers in education and employment."

In conclusion, the Letterkenny study visit contributed to the project’s overarching mission of driving systemic change and improving policies for gender inclusivity in STEM across Europe. Participants returned to their regions equipped with valuable insights, strengthened connections, and transferable good practices in fostering a diverse and equitable STEM ecosystem in their respective regions.

“The Letterkenny visit has provided invaluable insights into how local innovation can inform broader European policies. The engagement, collaboration, and ideas exchanged here set a benchmark for fostering gender inclusivity in STEM right across the EU.”

Dr Nick Timmons, ATU

The WeSTEMEU Study Visit on Gender Inclusivity in STEM delegates visited Errigan College as part of their visit.

N-TUTORR News

How N-TUTORR has Transformed Learning and Teaching

Dr Carina Ginty, ATU lead N-TUTORR and sectoral co-lead for the student empowerment stream reflects on the success of the N-TUTORR program for the technological higher education sector in Ireland.

The N-TUTORR programme of work (2022-2024, 40 million fund, 7.11 million ATU allocation, funded by NextGenerationEU) was designed to transform learning in

the technological higher education sector by focusing on three streams:

• Stream 1: Student empowerment and partnership

• Stream 2: Building staff capabilities

• Stream 3: Digital transformation in our learning and teaching environment

The impact in ATU is wide ranging and a strong culture of engagement

and commitment to the N-TUTORR themes was evident across ATU’s nine campuses.

In December 2024, the ATU engagement numbers reached 6,918 unique participants including 5,568 students and 1,350 staff across the nine campuses. The figures represent engagement and interest in 150+ funded initiatives delivered over a two-year timeline, under the themes: education for sustainability, academic integrity, UDL, EDI, and digital teaching and learning (see Figure 1).

“When students are given the power to make decisions to drive change in their university or higher education institution it enhances the teaching, learning and assessment experience.”

Dr Carina Ginty

Student empowerment

Student empowerment is a high priority within the higher education sector and was placed at the centre of the national N-TUTORR program of work. N-TUTORR funding provided the opportunity to promote greater student empowerment and partnership across the sector.

Empowerment has multiple benefits. It builds students’ self-confidence, enhances problem-solving skills, and helps them to make evidence-

based decisions. This all leads to opportunities for students to engage with what’s happening in society and the world. It inspires them to be successful and to make positive changes in society and higher education. It’s a win, win for everyone involved.

Some of the key initiatives that had a significant impact on the learning and teaching experience at ATU include the Students as Partners in Innovation and Change Fellowship programme.

At a sectoral level the fellowship programme involved 175 project teams and in ATU alone, 35 projects were implemented involving a network of 350 staff and students across ATU’s nine campuses. A book of impact case studies from the N-TUTORR Students as Partners in Innovation and Change Fellowship Programme is now available to view on ATU ISSSU here

The projects presented have an estimated projected reach over the

Figure 2

next one-three years at 17,000+ students and 1,700 staff. In addition, most of the projects (89%) either successfully or mostly achieved their aims. The case studies clearly demonstrate the significant impact that can be achieved with modest funding, when students and staff work in partnership.

While the funding was important, the evaluation of this initiative suggests that the supportive structure and recognition were also critical to project success. A crucial driver of this supportive structure was the network of Student Empowerment Co-ordinators (SECs) across the seven partners. The fellowships simply would not have happened without them.

N-TUTORR week

Further activities that featured highly during the review process was N-TUTORR week (February 2024) delivering 50 events across ATU’s nine Campuses. Students and staff engaged in exciting activities such as discussing career opportunities in social care and STEM with industry leaders at several Careers Fairs, networking with peers at the Breakfast Club, showcasing their eco-knowledge in an Online Sustainability Tournament, exploring library database eResources, tackling the Impact of Unconscious Bias, and even winding down with free head and neck massages.

Under the work stream, building staff capabilities, a Community of Practice in Teaching and Learning Enhancement came together monthly across five technological universities and two institute of technologies. A Masterclass series delivered a wide range of HE hot topic themed sessions with over 2,000 participants engaging across the sector in 2024.

Curriculum Framework and AREA Student Competency Framework

A further achievement under the N-TUTORR programme of work has been the development of the Curriculum Framework and AREA Student Competency Framework (AREA stands for Awareness, Responsibility, Empowerment and Action, see Figure 2).

Together, both frameworks have embedded the theme of education for sustainable development and digital competences into programme design and delivery at ATU.

The AREA framework will launch in the coming months with a suite of two Discovery Digital Badges covering digital skills assessment including Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy and a green competency based online assessment tool aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At a sectoral level, the AREA Discovery Tool will launch later this semester on MyDigitalBackpack.ie as a national badge opportunity for students to access.

MyDigitalBackpack.ie

A standout innovation under N-TUTORR has been the development of MyDigitalBackpack.ie, where the design and development involved 100 student champions from across the sector.

Engagement to date has been excellent, with 8,000 national digital open badges issued following short online course completion across several themes including Academic Integrity, Introduction to the SDGs, Study Skills, Community Engagement, EDI and UDL.

Upcoming courses launching this semester include: Financial Readiness Toolkit, Employability,

Design Thinking, Disability Awareness, Student Ambassador Training and more.

The main idea behind the backpack interface is to empower students to build a variety of skills, providing additional awards and opportunities, that will further enhance their learning experience and support their transition out of Higher Education and into employment. We encourage students to celebrate and display their achievements widely

The Digital Backpack also provides opportunities for lecturers to embed the short courses into existing curriculum as continuous assessment components. In addition, a bonus includes access to the learning resources for our EU GREEN Alliance partners. This semester ATU will launch the Introduction on the Sustainable Development Goals online course and digital open badge to staff and students in the EU GREEN Alliance network.

Digital transformation specialist projects

Moving on to ATU’s digital transformation specialist projects, N-TUTORR funding has enabled significant investment in the implementation of 45 theatres and meeting rooms that have been upgraded as a hybrid learning and collaboration space.

A VLE integration project named the ATU Learning Ecosystem project has now been mainstreamed and will further expand over the next four years. In addition, we have invested in the foundation of a MYATU APP, a Chatbot solution and a state-ofthe-art media production facility, exam management solutions and a unified applications CRM solution for ATU. A collection of case studies outlining the ATU specialist projects is available here.

Engagement and Collaboration

Overall N-TUTORR has been impactful, creating a culture of engagement and collaboration both at a sectoral level and across the university, involving staff and students. The collaboration was unique, and the relationships established across seven institutes is invaluable.

ATU were awarded N-TUTORR funding from the EU and the HEA In April 2022, which coincided with ATU's establishment. This provided an opportunity to build a community and culture of engagement across nine campuses including staff and students working together under the six N-TUTORR development themes.

In addition, some of our N-TUTORR partners had become technological universities and we all moved forward together, transforming the learning experience for the sector with a focus on student empowerment, building staff capabilities, and digital transformation.

We greatly benefited from being open, honest and committed to the programme of work from the start and a sharing culture was evident from the beginning and this continued throughout. Looking to the future, we are well positioned to respond to future collaborative funding calls and build on what has been achieved collectively for the technological higher education sector.

ATU in the Media

The Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting

In an article on RTÉ’s Brainstorm, ATU lecturer Ruth Quinn writes about why we should be collecting and using rainwater. Rainwater harvesting is a possible small solution to some very big problems - and not just gardening. Rainwater harvesting has been used for centuries as a supplementary water source during dry weather and drought. Currently in Ireland, we only use harvested rainwater for non-potable uses such as washing clothes, toilet flushing and, most commonly, watering gardens. Still, these demands alone can account for upwards of 30% of our overall water use. To find out more please click here.

Collapse of European Native Oyster Reef Ecosystems

Dr José M. Fariñas-Franco, a marine ecologist at ATU, co-authored the paper “European Native Oyster Reef Ecosystems are Universally Collapsed”, which was recently published in the well-known journal Conservation Letters.

The study revealed that the once-thriving native oyster reefs across Europe have now been classified as “collapsed” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Ecosystems criteria. Historically, these reefs spanned vast areas, including a now-destroyed 20-mile-long reef off the coast of Arklow, Ireland. To find out more please click here.

Photo by Dr José M. Fariñas-Franco

Rain, floods and storms

Violent storms are becoming more commonplace in Ireland and worldwide bringing damage and flooding in their wake. In a recent RTÉ Brainstorm Podcast, ATU lecturer Ruth Quinn took part in a panel discussion on why weather conditions are getting wetter. To listen to the podcase please click here.

What is Project WAVE

Project WAVE provides individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to attend college. It is a comprehensive programme, addressing students’ social, academic, and vocational needs. Students in Project WAVE will experience college life at ATU by attending classes with other students and participating in clubs and societies. Students can choose from four different ATU campuses to study at. To find out more about Project WAVE, please click here

Reformer Pilates machine designed for home use

The Irish Times New Innovator section recently featured Hannah Joyce, founder of Flexera. Hannah is on our current Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers programme at ATU Sligo-Donegal. Her foldable reformer Pilates machines are designed for home use and supported by an app. Her business is going from strength to strength with ambitious plans in the works. To read the article please click here.

A real sense of belonging

“People with special needs need to be included, I have special needs, and I want to feel included.” These are the words of one of our Project WAVE students at a seminar titled ‘Voices from the Field’, held at ATU Sligo in December.

Project WAVE students from our Mayo, Sligo and Donegal campuses were involved in hosting the event which focused on Inclusion, Lived Experience, Co-Production and Mental Health, and was funded through N-TUTORR and PROJECT WAVE. To watch an uplifting video which features some of the event’s participants please click here

News in Brief

ATU student Kevin Jordan selected to represent Ireland in the College University Football League (CUFL)

Kevin, a third-year student at ATU Donegal Letterkenny campus, is currently studying a Bachelor of Science in Sports & Exercise with Physical Education. An ATU sports scholarship recipient for the past three years, his enthusiasm for sports is evident on and off the pitch. To find out more about his selection to the national team, please click here

Tirlán (Glanbia) Process Excellence Showcase

ATU lecturers Mary Malone and Brian Coll were invited to attend the Tirlán Process Excellence Showcase in Kilkenny in November 2024. This event recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements of teams from across Tirlán in driving process excellence and Lean Six Sigma initiatives.

New part-time programme in Community Development and Youth Work

In December, ATU launched a new part-time Higher Certificate in Community Development and Youth Work programme. This new programme will provide new opportunities to access third level education and will enhance ATU’s engagement with local communities. The programme commenced in January in ATU Mayo. To find out more please click here

ATU Sligo have provided White, Yellow and Green Belt training to over 500 Tirlán / Glanbia employees in Ireland and the USA. Several of the projects on show were completed by Tirlán employees as part of their ATU Sligo Green Belt award.

Left to right: Seán Molloy, CEO, Tirlán; Mary Malone, lecturer, ATU Sligo and Brian Coll, lecturer, ATU Sligo.

ATU’s BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care Receives CORU approval

ATU’S Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Health and Social Care has been formally approved by CORU, Ireland’s multi-profession health regulator. The course based in ATU Donegal is the third course at ATU to be approved by CORU in recent years and marks its commitment to providing high-quality education in the field of Health and Social Care Practice. The approval ensures that graduates of this programme meet the Social Care Standards of Proficiencies (SOP) as set out by CORU, allowing them to apply for registration and use the protected title of “Social Care Worker” once registered. To find out more about the course please click here

Climate Justice and the University

New Adjunct Nursing Lecturers at ATU

The new posts, which will benefit students studying on a range of ATU nursing and health care programmes, were developed in partnership with the HSE and Health Service Providers. ATU’s Academic Council formally approved the posts in November. To find out more please click here

ATU hosted Professor Jennie Stephens on 22 January for a discussion on her new book, 'Climate Justice and the University – Shaping a Hopeful Future for All' at our Mayo campus. In her book Professor Stephens reimagines the potential of higher education to advance human wellbeing and promote ecological health.

Drawing on over thirty years of experience working on the climate crisis within higher education, she offers a provocative and pathbreaking vision of how higher education can accelerate the shift toward more equitable, healthy, and stable futures for all.

In her review of the book, Dr Mary Robinson said: “This powerful book inspires the transformative change that the world needs. Jennie Stephens convincingly shows that institutions of higher education can and should play a leading role in advancing climate justice. A hopeful vision for a better future!”

To find out more about the book please click here

ATU Podcasts

Dr

Mary Robinson’s message

of hope

At a ceremony to award her an ATU honorary doctorate, Dr Robinson spoke about the urgent need to resolve conflicts around the world, calling for peace and unity in these challenging times. She also highlighted the escalating impacts of climate change, urging immediate and collective action. Above all, she conveyed a message of hope, inspiring the ATU community to remain steadfast in their efforts to build a better, more equitable future. To listen to her speech please click here

Una Parsons reflects on her time in ATU

Recently retired Head of College at ATU Sligo, Una Parsons talks to Aidan Haughey on her 12 years at ATU. She shares her life story, proudest achievements, and her hopes for the future. Join us for an inspiring conversation with a leader who has left an indelible mark on higher education in the region. Please click here to listen.

Dr Jerry Bird looks back on his long career

After 50 years in academia and research, Dr Jerry Bird reflects on an incredible career on the eve of his retirement. Prior to retiring Dr Bird was Head of Science at ATU Sligo. To listen please click here.

ATU Donegal Letterkenny

ATU Sligo

ATU Donegal Killybegs

ATU Mayo

ATU Connemara

ATU Mountbellew

ATU Galway City

ATU St Angelas