NUACHTÁIN SAOR IN AISCE VOL.18 ISSUE 07. 10 JAN 2017
Student Independent News
ECO EFFORTS Motion for full divestment of fossil fuels by NUI Galway expected early this year By Sorcha O’Connor Efforts made by students from the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) Society of NUI Galway, and Students’ Union President Jimmy McGovern late last semester to commit NUI Galway to divestment of its €3.4 million worth of fossil fuel shares have been met with support from NUI Galway President Dr James Browne. “It is important for students to consider their role as global citizens who will shape our planet’s future,” he said. “By advocating for an ethical policy on institutional investment, the CCAFS society and the Students’ Union leadership
are highlighting an important global issue which impacts on climate change, social equity and a range of important ethical issues today.” The students met with Dr Browne on 30 November 2016 to discuss the divestment of the shares. This meeting resulted in a motion for the divestment being drawn up by February, which will seek full divestment of fossil fuel shares, and the implementation of an ethical investment policy. “I look forward to working with our students to promote a transparent and ethical investment policy at NUI Galway, including fossil fuel divestment,” said Dr Browne.
NUI Galway President commits to fossil fuel divestment. Colm Duffy, Auditor of the CCAFS Society and Director of the Fossil Free Campaign was delighted with a significant and positive step towards divest-
ment: “We are thrilled with the response so far from Dr Browne, and see today’s result as a significant step towards divestment,” he said on the day.
New NUI Galway Arts Dean keen to encourage critical thinking amongst students By Sorcha O’Connor NUI Galway has announced the appointment of Professor Cathal O’Donoghue as the new Dean of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. “I’m delighted to welcome Professor Cathal O’Donoghue to NUI Galway as Dean of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies,” said NUI Galway President Dr Jim Browne. “Cathal is a distinguished scholar who has significant policy and leadership experience in the social sciences. He brings a great breadth of experience and I look forward to working with him to strengthen and build on the strong foundations in the College of Arts and to further developing new programmes of research and teaching initiatives.”
Professor O’Donoghue has expressed great enthusiasm for the new role. “I am very energised by taking up this role. As the world has become more complicated and volatile, where big data, 24 hour news and social media bombards us with information, there has never been a greater need for Arts and Social Science graduates and research,” he said. He also commented on the importance of the Arts in terms of critical thinking and the current political landscape, explaining that he intends to encourage and inspire students to develop analytical skills and cultivate their creativity. “We have seen in recent years, that if we don’t get the foundations of society and the economy right in terms of
inequality, culture, identity, language, heritage, we get crisis, marginalisation and the large political and social upheavals we are experiencing now.” “The world needs graduates who can distil and critically assess information; have independence of thought; apply creativity, communication and analytical skills; and are adaptive team players. While many traditional professions become obsolete due to advances in technology, there will always be a need for graduates, with these, the core Arts skills,” he continued. “I look forward to working at NUI Galway to enhance the offerings in Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies which will build this critical capacity.” Formerly the Head of Teagasc’s Rural Economy and
Development Programme, one of the four research programmes of Teagasc, Professor O’Donoghue was a member of the board of Teagasc’s research directorate. He was also a member of the Fund Council of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), a $1 billion a year International Agri-Food Research organisation from 2014-2016. From 2012-2014, he was CEO of the Irish Government’s Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas 2012-2014, Chairman of the Irish Sport Horse Strategy Committee 2013-2015, was President of the International Microsimulation Association 2011-2015 and is on the Executive of the UK Agricultural Economics Society.
“We are looking forward to announcing NUI Galway’s commitment to divestment, and implementation of an ethical investment policy in
February. We are hopeful that successes here, and in Trinity College, are the beginning of a cascade effect among Irish Universities.”
Students' Union by-election to be held later this month The Students’ Union will be holding a by-election to fill the recently vacated part-time officer post of Students’ Union Postgraduate Officer on Thursday 26 January. Nominations open at 10am Thursday 12 January. Nomination forms will be available from the Students’ Union Office in Áras na Mac Léinn and the Students’ Union website. Completed nomination forms must be returned to the box in the SU Office at 5pm Wednesday 18 January. Votes will be cast by registered Postgrad students only in this election but the Students’ Union advises that all students can run for this position. The Postgraduate Officer is responsible for developing Students’ Union policy on postgraduate issues and lobbying for improved induction, training, services and facilities for postgraduate students. They work closely with the Vice-President/Education Officer on postgraduate related issues and encourages postgraduate involvement in the Union and in University life. If you are interested in running for this position, contact the Students’ Union President Jimmy McGovern on su.president@nuigalway.ie for more information.