Issue One | May 2022
06 President in Profile, Dr. Orla Flynn 07 Message from Maura Mc Nally, Chair of ATU Governing Body 08 Minister Simon Harris launches Atlantic TU
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Message from Maura Mc Nally, Chair of Atlantic TU Governing Body
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Welcome from Atlantic TU President, Dr Orla Flynn
05 Minister Simon Harris Launches Atlantic TU
10 Cover photo: Ms Maura McNally, SC, Chair of Atlantic TU Governing Body speaking at the launch of Atlanic TU.
Editor: Anne Donnelly Design: Seán Clancy Photo Credits: Keith Heneghan, Mike Shaughnessy, Paul McGuckin, James Connolly, ATU Staff LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: email: anne.donnelly@cualliance.ie
Here is your new University – Atlantic TU
06 President in Profile
Atlantic TU Brand and Logo
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Celebration of Conservation Successes on Lough Arrow
29 Atlantic TU at the Institute of Guidance Counsellor (IGC) Conference
Atlantic TU Launch Celebrations
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Transitioning towards a Climate Action University
Atlantic TU Mental Health Research Project Spotlight
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From Wildflower Meadows and Living Classrooms to Collaboration with Galway National Parks
Atlantic TU Key Facts and Figures
Our President’s First Eleven Days
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What does Atlantic TU mean to our region?
ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
Welcome From Atlantic TU President,
Dr Orla Flynn Dear Reader,
Welcome to our new university magazine. I hope you enjoy reading about our first month’s activities as a technological university.
We are delighted to bring you news on our launch celebrations and all associated events. Sustainability and well-being were the predominant themes during launch week, and we also focus on these themes in this issue. Our three Institutes of Technology have come together to form Atlantic Technological University. As a three-way partnership we’ve had to work that bit harder to find our common road, but we’ve done it. Our challenge now is to entwine our three separate paths, face in one direction, and walk side by side together. 1|
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across all campuses, and to better understand the needs across the wider region.
We will be an anchor institution with a footprint in every corner of our region.
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To better understand our region, we will continue to work with our political representatives, state agencies, industry, business and community representatives. Collaboration and partnership with all stakeholders is essential. In April, our launch events celebrated the establishment of Atlantic TU and the formation of a new community that will serve the west and north-west region and beyond. Now we must put our shoulders to the wheel and make our aspirations a reality. I look forward to working with staff, students and our external stakeholders to make this happen.
As a new technological university, we will build on what we’ve developed over the last ten years on our Connacht-Ulster Alliance journey. We will develop a technological university to serve a unique region by:
• Providing excellent educational opportunities
• Developing collaborative and engaged research
• Building relationships and
forming collaborations outside the region by developing international partnerships overseas and with our cross border neighbours
Over the next few years, we will develop a coherent and cohesive strategy. Some of our current values will remain at the forefront of what we do, and our values and commitment to students will carry through to Atlantic TU.
When we are thinking of how best to serve the university’s learners, we won’t go too far wrong. If there is one value that I would urge us all to embrace in the coming months, it is to be generous. For our new university to thrive, it needs us to show generosity of spirit, to get to know one another
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir. Guím gach rath orainn sna blianta atá amach romhainn.
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An Artist’s Depiction of Atlantic TU This painting by Dr Janine McGinn represents and celebrates the merging of GMIT, IT Sligo and LYIT and the formation of Atlantic TU. The logos of the three institutes are found inside this piece, with the sea as a backdrop.
Atlantic MagiMix (Acrylic on Canvas) by Dr Janine McGinn, Chair, Post-graduate Programmes in Digital Media and Marketing and second-year student of the Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Art Practices BACAP in ATU Mayo.
Students from St Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina visit ATU Galway City Campus during launch week. 3|
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Literary Journal Launch On April 29 ATU Sligo hosted the launch of the Scrimshaw Journal of New Writing and Visual Art, the first literary publication for Atlantic TU. The journal was edited and produced by third year writing and literature students from ATU Sligo. Staff, students and alumni from across the university contributed poetry, fiction, essays, play excerpts and visual art. ATU President, Dr Orla Flynn attended the launch and commended the editorial team and designer on putting together such a professional journal. The editors of the journal were Margie Molloy Hoffman, Peter Symonds, Kevin Gallagher, David Byrne and Jessamine O’Connor. Sarah Glendon, a graphic design and illustration student from ATU Galway City won the design/layout of the year category at the Irish Student Media Awards for her design of the journal. There are still some complimentary copies available. Please email anne.donnelly@cualliance.ie if you’d like a copy.
Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President at the launch of the new Scrimshaw Journal of New Writing and Visual Art
The Scrimshaw editorial and design team and contributors at its launch. May 2022 Issue One
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Here is your new University
Atlantic TU
All new Atlantic TU merchandise is sustainable
We are a multi-campus university, here to serve our community, our culture and our economy. We are diverse, sustainable, inclusive and social. We are learners, educators, thinkers, makers and innovators. We grow together, collaborate, investigate and connect. We inspire and are inspired. We promote excellence. We ignite passion. We combine academic and research excellence, matched with quality of life and opportunity. Our impact is global, but our hearts are local. We are vibrant, energetic, effective and compassionate. We are here for opportunity, possibility, ambition, commitment and achievement. Here is your new university – Atlantic TU The future is here.
Click here to watch the Atlantic TU welcome video. 5|
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Atlantic TU sought a suite of sustainable promotional goods to promote our new TU. We encouraged suppliers to provide a selection of goods and services that have a reduced impact on the environment throughout their lifecycle. As a leader in sustainability and education, ATU is committed to working with suppliers to achieve greater transparency in our supply chain and stimulate a market for more environmentally conscious products and services.
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President in Profile Dr Orla Flynn is the first President of Atlantic TU. She believes the new university will play a key role in the social and economic development of the west and north-west. “Part of our remit is trying to grow the population in the region and to do that we need to make it an economically attractive place to live and work,” she says. Dr Flynn served as President of GMIT from March 2020 to March 2022 having previously served as Vice President for External Affairs in Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) for six years.
Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU.
PICTURE BY BRIAN FARRELL
A graduate of University College, Cork in mathematical physics and computer science, she holds an MA in Management in Education from Waterford Institute of Technology and a PhD from the University of Limerick. During her time at CIT, she was a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Computing, Head of School of Humanities and of the Department of Media Communications, and latterly Head of the Crawford College of Art and Design.
A proud Waterford woman she played camogie for Waterford for 10 years and won the Ashbourne Cup, the All-Ireland university camogie competition during her time at UCC. She believes strongly in the power of sport to support the development of young people. Dr Flynn is also a keen gardener and beekeeper. She says that the life cycle and resilience of our native Irish honeybee fascinate her and keep her “grounded.”
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Message from Maura Mc Nally Chair of Atlantic TU Governing Body
As a native of Leitrim, I see Atlantic TU as a vehicle for ensuring access to justice and access to education. The new university is an opportunity to educate ourselves, our young, and our old, regardless of race, colour creed or gender.
Access to education allows for the growth of a person and the growth of a person leads to the growth of a community and the growth of a community leads to the growth and sustenance of the region.
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It’s an opportunity for ensuring counterbalance and by that, I mean that if you put a weighing scale on our country it would automatically weigh to the east. Atlantic TU is the means and method of ensuring that the west and northwest not only sustains itself but that it grows for this generation and the next generation. It is also an opportunity to ensure that the highest standards of education, research and innovation are achieved in this region. We can become leaders in education. The Atlantic TU is a rising tide. Its aim is to raise everyone with it. It is our university. It is your university. It’s an opportunity to be grasped by both hands. I would like to wish all staff and students every success in this endeavour. 7|
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Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President and Ms Maura McNally, ATU Governing Body Chair, pictured with Governing Body members, Ms Anne McHugh, Chief Executive of Donegal ETB, Ms Oonagh Monahan, founder and Managing Director of Alpha Omega Consultants Ltd and Mr Felim McNeela, founder of Avenue Mould Solutions.
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Minister Simon Harris Launches
Atlantic TU
On April 4 2022, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, launched the new Atlantic Technological University (Ollscoil Teichneolaíochta an Atlantaigh.) At midnight on March 31, we said goodbye to GMIT, IT Sligo and LYIT and hello to Atlantic TU. The excitement was palpable across the west and north-west region. Staff and students gathered on April 1 on all eight campuses as the Chair of our new governing body, Maura McNally, SC, and our new President, Dr Orla Flynn spoke to us for the first time. On Monday, April 4 we welcomed guests from all walks of life into our campuses to celebrate our new technological university and to witness Minister Simon Harris launch Atlantic TU.
The launch was anchored in the Knocknarea Arena on the Sligo campus of ATU, with live virtual contributions from campuses in Donegal, Mayo and Galway.
Minister Harris called the launch a landmark day and said that ATU would become a ‘powerhouse’ in the region and would play a pivotal role in the strategic regional development of the west and north-west.
Minister Simon Harris TD speaking at the launch of Atlantic TU. May 2022 Issue One
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The formation of Atlantic TU creates university campuses in counties Donegal, Sligo, and Mayo for the first time while giving Galway city a second university option. It also offers students in surrounding counties the option of a university education.
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He said: “The establishment of Atlantic Technological University, the fourth TU in the State, is a significant occasion for higher education in Ireland and in particular for the west and north-west regions. I know today is a day of mixed emotions as we dissolve GMIT, IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT but it should be a day of immense pride too to the management, governing authorities and staff of the three institutions.”
Ms McNally said: "ATU will give people an education here and as they are educated that will assist the region in growing and allow for the sustainability that we all aim for.” Left to right: Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President, Minister Simon Harris TD and Ms Maura McNally, ATU Governing Body Chair at the ATU launch.
He added: “Both Orla Flynn as President of the new TU, and Maura McNally as Chair of the Governing Body bring exceptional experience to the roles. I know they will work together to deliver real change and reform.” ATU President Dr Orla Flynn said: “Today is the beginning of an exciting journey for our entire Atlantic TU community, and I am looking forward to the challenge of bringing us together as one university to serve the needs of our unique region.” ATU Governing Body Chair, Maura McNally SC sees Atlantic TU as an opportunity to counter-balance the emigration experienced in the west and north-west.
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Speaking on behalf of the new ATU Students’ Union, Colin Kearney said: “Most of our students chose to study in GMIT, LYIT or IT Sligo because of small classes, friendly atmosphere and the applied learning that Institutes of Technology are famous for. I’m confident that these will be defining features of Atlantic TU but with even more opportunities.” The launch ended with our ATU virtual choir, featuring staff and students singing “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman. You can watch the recording here.
ATU Students’ Union representative, Colin Kearney speaking at the launch of Atlantic TU.
Click here to watch a recording of our external launch on April 4.
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Atlantic TU Name and Brand Atlantic TU is a hugely appropriate name for a technological university with an international reach without borders, on the edge of Europe, spanning thousands of kilometres of coastline including the Wild Atlantic Way, a gateway to the rest of the world.
“Atlantic” conveys power, strength, inspiration, creation, vast horizons – a distinctive geography, rich history and shared heritage.
ATU Logo The ATU logo is a central part of our visual identity, providing a memory trigger for what ATU represents. It is an icon made up of an abstract letter A and lettering to show the university name. The abstract letter A depicts the waves of the Atlantic Ocean with the sun overhead. May 2022 Issue One
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ATU Launch Celebrations
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Our President’s First Eleven Days Dr Flynn and Dr Brendan McCormack at ATU Sligo’s Funday on Sunday April 3.
If our new President’s first eleven days are anything to go by then we have an exciting journey ahead of us. Dr Flynn travelled the length and breadth of the west and north-west, a region as big as Wales, to visit each of our eight campuses. She joined staff and students in celebrating various events held to mark the launch of Atlantic TU. On Friday, April 1 she was in Letterkenny for the first governing body meeting and our internal launch. The following Monday she was in Sligo for our external launch and here’s a snapshot of the rest of her first eleven days.
Tuesday April 5, ATU Sligo
Dr Flynn with members of the Higher Education 4.0 Project Team.
Higher Ed 4.0 Launch This €12.5 million project funded under the Human Capital Initiative, is designed to transform the way adult learners and employers engage with third level education. By developing a new suite of tools and services Higher Education 4.0 will enable greater access to third level education, enhance partnerships with employers, and meet more diverse student needs. To find out more about the Higher Ed 4.0 project click here and to watch a recording of the launch click here.
Dr Flynn pictured at the start of the 5K walk and run in Letterkenny.
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Dr Flynn with the ATU Mayo Green Campus Committee.
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Wednesday April 6, ATU Mayo Dr Flynn travelled to ATU Mayo for the Climate Action University Virtual Conference. Staff and students across the ATU gathered online to discuss our collective vision for sustainability and why it is core to our purpose at Atlantic TU. For more on the conference see page 23.
Wednesday April 6, ATU Virtual Exercise Challenge Also on Wednesday, students and staff went on a virtual journey together to all the ATU campuses, which is a round trip journey of 668 km. They walked, ran, cycled and swam, and covered a combined distance of over 1500 Km. Participants warm up for the ATU Virtual Exercise Challenge at Lough Lannagh in Castlebar
ATU Virtual Exercise Challenge participants at ATU Sligo
Members of the ATU LGBTQI+ Staff and Allies Network raise the Pride flag in Sligo with Dr Brendan McCormack, Head of Sligo College
Wednesday April 6, ATU Sligo Dr Flynn also found space in her diary on Wednesday to attend the lunchtime virtual launch of the ATU LGBTQI+ Staff and Allies Network. The network brings together the existing staff networks in Galway-Mayo, Sligo and Donegal. The Pride flag was flown on all campuses during launch week to symbolise ATU’s commitment to equality, inclusion and diversity. May 2022 Issue One
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Thursday April 7, ATU Galway City Galway City campus hosted the France Ireland Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism (FICAHT) Forum and the Dairy Chef competition with the support of the French Embassy. All dishes in the Dairy Chef competition were based on the theme, “Sustainability and innovation in meals for the future.” On Thursday evening ATU also hosted the annual Gòut de France dinner in partnership with the French Embassy. The dinner was attended by His Excellency Mr. Vincent Guérend, Ambassador of France to Ireland, Dr Flynn and by finalists of the Dairy Chef Competitions from culinary schools in Ireland and France, and other delegates from the field of gastronomy, business and tourism. Dr Flynn and His Excelllency Mr. Vincent Guérend, Ambassador of France pictured with some of the Dairy Chef Competition participants.
Students Jordan Keilty and Cathal Ó Fáharta with His Excellency Mr. Vincent Guérend, Ambassador of France (pictured middle) at the annual Gòut de France dinner. Jordan and Cathal acted as floor supervisors for the 5 course dinner.
Thursday April 7, ATU Connemara ATU Connemara hosted the Islands Project Launch on Thursday. The project aims to build a network for sustainable living to ensure people from the region can learn, work and live in their own communities. Representatives from county councils, tourism, renewable energy, community and enterprise development agencies across the west and north-west attended the event to discuss the needs of the nine inhabited islands off the west coast from Galway to Donegal. The inaugural initiative is a research project on Sustainable Destination Management for Island Tourism. The data for which will be gathered Paul Leamy, ATU Connemara, presents Dr Flynn with a ripple sycamore this summer utilising the European Tourism Indicator System. desk plate made by Daniel Collins. This model allows researchers from Atlantic TU to collaborate with island communities, tourism Dr Flynn with ATU staff, researchers and regional partners at the Islands Project Launch stakeholders, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fáilte Ireland, destination managers, and local authorities, to better inform the sustainable management of island tourism destination.
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Dr Flynn pictured with staff and students at the Creative Waves Project Launch.
Friday April 8, ATU Galway City Dr Flynn was back in Galway on Friday to launch the Creative Waves Project; a celebration of creative output from the region involving students and graduates of Atlantic TU. It brings together and integrates the work of various creatives to create a cohesive artistic and cultural experience. Work will be displayed on each ATU campus over a period of time. The visitor will engage in a physical, visual, aural, and emotional experience, sitting on a hand-crafted chair, perhaps viewing a work of art, watching a film and listening to a musical piece, that all work together thematically.
Dr Flynn plants an oak tree at ATU Connemara to mark the launch of ATU. Left to right: Dr Paddy Tobin, ATU Galway City, Paul Leamy, ATU Connemara, Anne Boner, ATU Donegal Letterkenny, Dr Brendan McCormack, ATU Sligo and Dr Orla Flynn.
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Friday April 8, ATU Mountbellew Agtech in Action Conference ATU Mountbellew celebrated the launch of Atlantic TU with a special Agtech in Action conference. Demonstrations explored the use of technology in every-day agricultural life, to enhance sustainable production systems in Irish agriculture. The day was supported by several agricultural businesses from all over the ATU catchment area.
Left to right: Dr Anne-Marie Butler, Teagasc Head of Education, Dr Edna Curley, ATU Mountbellew Head of Centre, and Dr Flynn at the Agtech in Action Conference.
Dr Flynn shows us how it’s done on a driving simulator at the Agtech in Action Conference.
Demonstration of live monitoring of animal performance at the Agtech in Action Conference.
Monday April 11, ATU Donegal Killybegs Killybegs Marine Cluster Launch Mr. Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine was in Killybegs on Monday April 11 to launch the Killybegs Marine Cluster. The cluster is one of twelve clusters on the Island of Ireland and part of Enterprise Ireland’s National clustering programme. It is the only dedicated Blue Economy Marine Cluster in Ireland, with 20 members, combined revenues of €300m and 1,000+ employees. The unique ecosystem creates an attractive environment and one-stop shop for all things marine. To find out more about the Marine Cluster click here. 19 |
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What does Atlantic TU mean to our region
Having a university in our region means more collaboration, more research, more funding, more innovation and a smarter more sustainable place in which to live and work. The Northern and Western Region Assembly is excited about the Atlantic Technological University and the prospect of a brighter future it creates for our young people. We are really looking forward to supporting ATU and collaborating to advance our entire region.
David Minton, Director, Northern and Western Region Assembly (NWRA)
I’m excited to be able to call Sligo my hometown, a university town now. It’s great for young people to have a university on our doorstep and the possibilities it brings. Welcome to ATU!
Mona McSharry,
Olympic Swimmer,Team Ireland May 2022 Issue One
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Secondary students can look forward to having Atlantic TU in the heart of the region that they come from. This means more choices, more opportunities, and the option should they wish to pursue a university education in the west and north-west region.
Maria Taylor,
Guidance Counsellor, Summerhill College, Sligo
Donegal has a proud reputation in developing and nurturing innovation and fostering the skills that employers need across our region. The new Atlantic TU will have a significant impact in attracting more investment as well as research funding. This will greatly benefit our region’s economy and skills offering. I wish the ATU the very best of luck for the future.
Andrea McBride, Head of Global Delivery Centre, Tata Consultancy Services
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I’m so excited that the west and north-west of Ireland has a new university. It’s brilliant for young people in the region. And I just want to wish everyone associated with Atlantic TU the very best for the future.
Derval O Rourke,
Irish Olympic and World Champion Athlete, Entrepreneur
For a company like CBE, Atlantic TU is a great addition to our region. It will help produce the graduates and skills that companies like ours need, creating a culture of innovation, investment and jobs for our young people. On behalf of CBE, I want to say, welcome ATU.
Dominic Feeney, CEO, CBE
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Atlantic TU Transitions towards a
Climate Action University On April 6, over 80 staff and students from across our eight campuses attended a virtual conference to discuss ATU’s sustainability ambitions and goals. Panellists included staff and students from Galway, Mayo, Donegal and Sligo and reflected on how our individual experiences and unique skillsets can be brought together to drive our commitment to sustainability leadership and climate action. The event was chaired by Dr Orla Flynn. Panellists included Dr Mark Kelly, Fiona Britton, Mary Daly, Dr Frances Lucy, Dr Deirdre Garvey, Lynda Huxley and Emily McGroary.
ATU has the strength and capacity to innovate and be leaders in the sustainability space.
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Dr Flynn opened the discussion and said: “The call to arms is never more important than now. We need to work together and be outward-looking beyond our campus gates.” Dr Deirdre Garvey (Head of Department, Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences, ATU Mayo) said: “We have a great opportunity as a regional university to mobilise our students to be active and informed citizens and provide regional leadership. We can create and design a future we want in this region.”
Green Campus Committees All ATU campuses actively participate in the Green Campus programme run by An Taisce. The Green Campus committees on each campus are a vehicle to encourage our students to get involved in addressing climate change. Emily McGroary, (Students' Union Vice-President for Mayo Campus) urged all students interested to join one of the Green Campus Committees. Fiona Britton (Sustainability Officer, ATU Sligo) said: Our students are facing a different and uncertain future. We have a duty of care to them to prepare for the challenges ahead. Embedding sustainability in our core values gives us more opportunity to be creative in how we respond to the climate challenge.”
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Retired member of staff Lynda Huxley, spoke about her work with the Green Campus Committee on the Mayo campus. She was instrumental in the Mayo campus becoming the first Institute of Technology campus in the world to achieve Green Flag designation.
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An expert in swift conservation, Lynda also coordinated the installation of Swift nest boxes on the campus. In 2012, 4 triple entrance Schwegler 17A Swift nest boxes were installed providing 12 nest sites. In 2019, an additional 2 triple boxes were installed providing another 6 nest boxes and giving a total of 18 nest sites.
Swift entering nest box at ATU Mayo
Education for Sustainability Dr Mark Kelly (Head of Sustainability, ATU Galway City) spoke about how we are embedding sustainability in our curriculum and outlined an online module “Education for Sustainability,” on offer to all ATU staff. The Level 9 ten credit module aims to build on existing sustainability initiatives across all campuses to create a dynamic community of practice, consisting of staff, students and community stakeholders, who are committed to a holistic approach to sustainability. The module explores research-informed and applied teaching and learning approaches, which are framed within the 5 Cs of Culture, Campus, Curriculum, Community and Collaborative research and are underpinned by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr John Scahill and colleagues in ATU Mayo are developing a 20 credit Level 6 special purpose award in sustainability for students consisting of 4 modules, which will be on offer next September.
ATU are currently working with educational partners DCU, TU Dublin and UCC on developing a new National Digital Badge “Introduction to Education for Sustainability.” It is funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and will be available to all higher education staff in October 2022.
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External Engagement Professor Frances Lucy (Head of Department of Environmental Science, ATU Sligo) spoke about two external sustainable future programmes, that ATU is currently involved in. The first is a five year Human Capital Initiative project with UCC and Maynooth, funded by the Higher Education Authority. It focuses on climate action, sustainability, and decarbonisation in industry and enterprise. This project aims to empower leaders to act. Students are sponsored by their organisations to do an MSc in Sustainable Enterprise. ATU will also design Continuing Professional Development Programmes for industry partners. The second sustainable futures programme is a well-established international summer school involving ATU, Mid Sweden University,
Applied Universities in Amsterdam, Geneva and Osnabruck undergraduate students and lecturers. Students come from across all disciplines gather annually for two weeks to work on local and global sustainability issues. This year the summer school will be in Sligo from the 8th to the 19th of August. Dr Lucy said: “A sustainable future depends on engagement with wider society, industry, enterprise, international students, and community. We work with different teams to educate and empower in sustainability.”
Buildings and Estates Mary Daly (Estates Manager, ATU Donegal Letterkenny) outlined how Buildings and Estates departments (B&E) across the ATU are committed to working towards a more sustainable university. Projects underway across all campuses include energy retrofitting projects which include switching from fossil fuels to renewable fuels and improving building fabric, ventilation and comfort conditions. B&E will endeavour to ensure that new buildings will be designed to meet the highest sustainability standards and ensure sustainability is embedded in all stages of the design and implementation of projects. Mary noted the five key areas that B&E can assist and support ATU in achieving our sustainability objectives. These include energy management and decarbonisation, water conservation, supporting active travel and migration to electrical vehicles, grounds management to support biodiversity, and supporting waste minimisation and recycling by providing waste segregation facilities, high quality drinking water dispensers and cup wash facilities to promote the use of reusable cups. Mary said: “In addition to meeting energy targets we must demonstrate best practice as an exemplar to our staff, students and community. Students must see it to be it.” To watch a recording of the virtual conference please click here. 25 |
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Responding to a call from IBEC Food and Drink Skillnet, a Master’s programme has also been developed on Sustainable Food Systems. Students’ work-based assignments enable them to reflect on how they can affect real change in terms of sustainability for the food industry across Ireland.
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Panellists pictured left to right, top to bottom, Dr Orla Flynn, Dr Mark Kelly, Fiona Britton, Mary Daly, John Scahill, Emily McGroary, Dr Deridre Garvey and Dr Frances Lucy at the Climate Action University Virtual Conference.
Upcoming Education with Sustainability (EwS) Conference, 15-17 August 2022 ATU Sligo will host the 3rd International Education with Sustainability (EwS) Conference, in association with Mid Sweden University and the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI). This event will address the challenges and opportunities for educators as we weave the golden thread of sustainability into all aspects of the teaching curriculum. The conference will draw together national and international educators in focused paper sessions with thought-provoking keynote speakers and opportunities for academic staff and researchers to participate in training workshops.
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From Wildflower Meadows and Living Classrooms to
Collaboration with Galway National Parks ATU Galway City Campus New Biodiversity Vision Developing wild-flower meadows, using land areas as living classrooms on campus lands, embedding biodiversity into curriculum design, and proactive participation in community-led biodiversity initiatives are key actions of an ambitious new vision for biodiversity recently launched by the Centre for Sustainability based on our Galway City campus. The vision acknowledges our dependence on biodiversity and will respond to the biodiversity crisis, cognisant of its links with climate change and societal sustainability challenges by demonstrating regional leadership to assist in putting biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. We will empower our communities by sharing knowledge and providing the training necessary for transformative change. Dr Mark Kelly at ATU Galway City’s Centre for Sustainability will lead out on the plan.
Wildflower meadows in Co Mayo
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It’s three years since the Irish Government acknowledged the severity of the challenges by declaring a ‘biodiversity emergency’ and it’s encouraging to see ATU stepping up to play our part, taking an active role in protecting biodiversity on our campuses and within our communities. Our efforts will also contribute to ongoing projects within the Galway National Park City initiative.
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Dr Katie O'Dwyer, Lecturer in Aquatic Ecology, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, ATU Galway City
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Celebration of Conservation Successes on Lough Arrow A fascinated audience of anglers, conservationists and academics met on the shores of Lough Arrow in Co Sligo on April 7. In the sunshine between hail flurries, they celebrated the conservation successes on Lough Arrow and learned about plans for the site. The event included a practical demonstration from Dr Joe Caffrey of INVAS Biosecurity (pictured below) on how the invasive weed is ideally evolved to spread within the lake and how easy it is for fragments of the plant to infect neighbouring water bodies through the equipment and boats of lake users. Although it may be that the weed can never be eradicated due to practicalities and cost, the idea of using jute matting to suppress the weed in biosecure channels has long term potential. This means that people can safely access the deep weed-free waters to fish, swim, and boat without breaking weeds, preventing spread within or out of the Lough.
The CANN project, funded by the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, through the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to the tune of €9.4 million, is working with 11 partners to deliver conservation targets across Northern Ireland, the border region of Ireland and western Scotland. The CANN project is also match-funded by the Department of Agriculture. Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, NatureScot in Scotland and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Ireland.
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Professor Frances Lucy (Head of Department of Environmental Science, ATU Sligo) said: “The Nuttall’s weed has been entirely suppressed under the matting and, even more importantly, the charophytes or stoneworts that are such an essential part of the lifecycles of the lake are successfully growing through the jute.”
An announcement was also made at the event that the Lough is due to be central within the next stage of the River Basin Management Plans, and so work and research will continue on the Lough, carrying CANN’s legacy into the future.
Left to right: Darren Garland (PhD student, ATU Sligo), Dr. Sara Meehan (CANN co-ordinator and freshwater ecologist ATU Sligo), Prof. Frances Lucy (CANN lead and Head of Department Environmental Science, ATU Sligo) and Hagen O’ Neill (CANN uplands researcher, ATU Sligo) May 2022 Issue One
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Alantic TU at the CGC Conference Institute of Guidance Counsellor (IGC) Conference April 2, 2022 National Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Experience ATU was a supporting sponsor of this year's IGC Conference. Unlike previous years this event was a focused CPD event for members. The conference was a resounding success with ATU delivering the following workshops virtually:
‘Sexting’ – What’s the Story? This workshop focused on the potential adverse consequences of sexting behaviour, including the potential application of the law on child sexual abuse imagery and exposure to sexual coercion and extortion. The workshop looked at the role of educators in empowering young people to manage this aspect of 21st century life. It was facilitated by Dr Sharon McLaughlin, Law Lecturer from ATU Donegal Letterkenny
“Adverse Childhood Experiences – Trauma Informed Practice”: The impact of trauma on education and learning Children impacted by trauma can experience a lack of ability to regulate their behaviour. This workshop applied a regulatory lens view to behaviour to move our thinking from “mis-behaviour” to “stress behaviour.” The workshop was facilitated by Mary Skillington, Leturer in Early Childhood Education and Care, School of Health Science, Wellbeing and Society, ATU Mayo.
Counselling and Social Prescribing This presentation examined the expansion of social prescribing in Ireland and the role of the social prescribing link worker. It also explored future directions for professional development. It concluded with a pedagogical description of the Certificate in Social Prescribing at ATU Sligo. The presentation was delivered by ATU Sligo colleagues (pictured left): Dr Natalie Delimata, Lecturer in Social Sciences and Social Prescribing Course Director, and Anna Fewer-Hamilton. C. Couns. Psychol., Ps.S.I. Lecturer in Social Sciences: Psychology and Counselling Programme Chair. 29 |
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Atlantic TU Mental Health
Research Project Spotlight Researching students’ opinions on mental health A collaborative ATU research team are currently gathering students’ opinions of mental health and mental ill-health as well as hearing directly from students about their challenges and required supports in relation to their mental health. The team hope that this project will act as a baseline for periodic gathering of data which will inform mental health promotion policy and supports with ATU and St Angela’s College, Sligo. “Exploring definitions of Mental Health and Mental Ill-Health & Establishing Validated Assessment Tools for a Mental Health Situational Analysis amongst Student Populations within the 3rd Level Setting” is the first project to take a holistic approach to gathering attitudes and opinions to mental health and mental ill-health from students across all ATU campuses and St Angela’s College, Sligo. The project is also investigating students’ views on what they perceive are their needs and requirements in relation to mental health supports, services and policies. This project is funded under the CUA Bursary fund.
The team includes Margaret McLoone, Principal Investigator, ATU Sligo, Machailla McCabe, Postgraduate Researcher, ATU Sligo, Renagh Linnane, ATU Galway City and Dr Gail Cummins, ATU Donegal Letterkenny. The research design focuses strongly on the recently published National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework by the DEFRIS and the HEA. Margaret McLoone says: “Mental ill-health is one of the largest and fasted growing categories of the burden of disease worldwide according to the most recent OECD reports. 1 in 4 people of the general population experiences mental health issues.”
Machailla Mc Cabe, Postgraduate Researcher says: “Adolescence and early adulthood is the peak time for the onset of mental health difficulties, and it has been reported that 75% of all mental health disorders that persist into adulthood emerge before the age of 25. Students are therefore identified as a high-risk group for mental health difficulties.” Studies like the Union of Students in Ireland Survey (2019) acknowledge that third level education is a significant life transition and can be an extremely stressful time for students.
A National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework for Ireland
Ireland has one of the highest rates of mental illness across Europe, with 18.5% of the population recorded as having a mental health condition such as anxiety, bipolar, depression, or substance misuse.
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38.4% of students experience severe levels of anxiety 29.9% of students experience depression
Union of Students in Ireland (USI),
17.3% of students experience stress
2019, Survey Findings
32.2% of students had a formal diagnosis of mental health difficulties at some point in their lives Mental health practitioner Renagh Linnane, Student Counsellor, ATU Galway City says: “While student counsellors are very aware of the issues students present with to counselling, through their practice and other research, the focus of this participatory action research is students’ perceptions of mental health and mental ill-health. The open-ended enquiry method is a new departure from other models which ask students to self-identify on predetermined categories/ diagnoses/ labels which can be pathologizing and run the risk of feeding established dominant discourses on mental health and illness versus generating curiosity in the participant and consumers of the research and challenge or interrogate the root causes or social determinants of mental ill-health.”
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Renagh hopes this participatory research will give a true unifying voice to ATU students and will illuminate our students’ perceptions, experiences and vision for policy and support types and delivery with regards to their mental health and life-wide education. Dr Gail Cummins, ATU Donegal Letterkenny says: “ATU Donegal Letterkenny are delighted to
be a partner in this innovative and inclusive research project. Understanding and responding to the health needs of our student cohorts is a priority for us. This project through its participatory approach will enable us to gain a better understanding of the mental health and well-being of students and identify the key issues that they feel are most important in their lives.”
Understanding the mental health and wellbeing of students within ATU and St Angela’s College, Sligo is critical to ensuring effective service provision, policy-making and ensuring all our students reach their optimal potential.
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If you are a student and wish to participate in the online survey or one of our group discussions either virtually or on campus please e-mail Machailla Mc Cabe, mccabe.machailla@ itsligo.ie or Margaret Mc Loone, mcloone.margaret@itsligo.ie You can access the survey link via your student email account from your Students' Union as well as on all ATU and St Angela’s College Sligo, Students' Unions social media platforms. The Mental Health Project Research Team pictured left to right, top to bottom: Renagh Linnane, ATU Galway City, Machailla McCabe, Postgraduate Researcher, ATU Sligo, Dr Gail Cummins, ATU Donegal Letterkeny and Margaret McLoone, Principal Invesitgator, ATU Sligo.
Please click here to access the anonymous online student survey. OR scan the QR code:
Mental Health Support Services Mental Health Ireland: 01 284 1166 www.mentalhealthireland.ie HSE Mental Health www.hse.ie A Lust for Life www.alustforlife.ie Reach Out www.reachout.com Turn2Me www.turn2me.ie ATU Mental Health Support Services can be contacted on the phone numbers below: ATU Galway/Mayo 091 74 2118 ATU Donegal 074 918 6855 ATU Sligo 071 930 5463 St Angela's College 071 660 9209 May 2022 Issue One
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Atlantic TU Key Facts and Figures
1
Region
8
600+
Research Centres
Programmes
8
4,977
Graduates Annually
Campuses
20,418 Total Students
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2,253 Total Staff
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Research
International Participation
463 Students Engaged in Research
149% Increase in research provision in the past 3 years
1397 International Students from 93 Countries 44% Online 32% Part-Time 24% Full-Time
New Entrants @ 31st Oct 2021 Total 3,499 Engineering & Design
Business, Humanities, Social Science & Tourism
Science
21%
The most popular field of study was Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction, accounting for of new entrants
67%
of new entrants went into an Honours Bachelor Degree Programme
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Enrolments @ 31st Oct 2021 Total 20,418 Part-Time
Full-Time
63%
11% Remote / Online
26%
56% Undergraduate
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<1% Postgraduate
86% 35 |
44%
14%
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
ATU Donegal Letterkenny ATU Donegal Killybegs ATU Sligo St Angela’s* ATU Sligo ATU Mayo ATU Connemara ATU Mountbellew ATU Galway City
1
2
4
3
5
6 8
7
* Subject to formal incorporation of St Angela’s College into Atlantic Technological University May 2022 Issue One
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AS A WESTERN AND NORTHWESTERN MULTICAMPUS TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, WE ARE DEDICATED TO ENABLING SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT; CONNECTED TO OUR REGION AND WITH A MINDSET THAT REACHES FAR BEYOND IT. www.atu.ie @atu_ie
