In the News..

A new micro-credential course to encourage sustainability in the medtech, pharma and public sector in Ireland has been launched at University of Galway.  The Green Labs initiative has been spearheaded since 2019 by Dr Una FitzGerald, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the School of Engineering and a Principal Investigator within CÚRAM, the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices.  The new 10-week microcredential programme is aimed at Ireland’s extensive laboratory industry, including medtech and pharma, healthcare and science and the research sector and builds on the success and impact of the Green Labs initiative, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of laboratory practices.  Dr Una FitzGerald said: “Once I took on board the considerable contribution that sustainable lab practices can make to global efforts to reduce GHGs and different kinds of waste, I felt compelled to act, because I supervise and teach many different cohorts of students. I feel I have a duty to do all possible to mitigate the climate and biodiversity crisis and feel fortunate that I am in a position to help.  “As Ireland’s medtech and pharma sectors continue to grow, so too does the responsibility to operate in an environmentally sustainable fashion. Laboratory testing is a crucial part of operations in these organisations, as well as for hospital and environmental testing - just think of how many lab tests are require to diagnose disease or to prove that the water you are drinking is safe. Medical device manufacturers also need lab tests to prove that implantable devices are sterile, and pharma companies use labs characterise the properties of drugs.”  The green labs journey commenced in 2019 with CÚRAM becoming the first laboratory in Europe certified as ‘Green’ by American non-profit, My Green Lab. Meeting this standard required raising awareness of the impact of lab work on the environment and prompted efforts to reduce plastic waste, energy and water usage and adopt green principles of synthetic and analytic chemistry.  One fact learned was that a single ultra-low temperature freezer, used to store lab samples, uses as much energy as the average household.  In 2020, Dr FitzGerald developed a course module for postgraduates on green lab principles and practice, which more than 170 students have taken to date, including online at universities in England, Scotland, Germany and Denmark.  On Earth Day in 2022, Irish Green Labs (IGL) was launched by Dr Fitzgerald, in collaboration with Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland and Dublin City University to promote sustainable methods within public and private laboratories on the whole island of Ireland.  The new online microcredential programme Green Labs Principles and Practice, will go further to address the lack of awareness of the impact that lab practices and behaviours have on the environment.  Employees in corporate and public sector are being targeted through this course and the first 20 places are funded through Springboard. The first students enrol in September.  Microcredential courses are short and accredited to meet the demands of learners, enterprise and organisations, created by Irish Universities Association (IUA) partner universities in consultation with industry and enterprise, under the MicroCreds project.  Green Labs Principles and Practice will allow employees to examine how the organisation of, and practices in, scientific laboratories can be reformed to reduce their environmental footprint and be established on a more sustainable basis.  The Irish Green Labs network is run on a voluntary basis, supporting more than 37 organisations within the public and private sectors, including all the higher education institutes, the Environmental Protection Agency, 10 hospitals and seven companies. Dr Fitzgerald’s work in this area ultimately led to inclusion of sustainable lab practices in Taighde Eireann/Research Ireland’s Climate Action Strategy and an addition of Green Labortatories as a subtheme to An Taisce’s Green-Campus Programme.  Ends

University of Galway has announced its first Widening Participation Strategy, which aims to enhance educational opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups. The launch was led by Head of Access Policy with the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Dr Louise Callinan, and took place at this year’s European Access Network (EAN) Conference, marking a pivotal moment in the University’s ongoing commitment to widen access and participation in higher education. Dr Louise Callinan, Head of Access Policy with the Higher Education Authority (HEA), said: “I am delighted to formally launch the University of Galway’s first Widening Participation Strategy, which builds on the considerable track record of the University in delivering on equity of access objectives and supporting the successful participation of the most underrepresented groups in higher education. The Strategy is strongly aligned with the objectives of the National Access Plan and adopts the whole-of-institution approach necessary to achieving meaningful and sustained progress toward a more diverse and inclusive higher education system.” Professor Ciara Meehan, Dean of Students at University of Galway, said: “The University of Galway’s Widening Participation Strategy reaffirms our institutional commitment to equity and inclusion, in alignment with the National Access Plan. This strategy represents a significant step in ensuring that all learners - particularly those historically underrepresented - have the opportunity to access, participate in, and succeed within higher education. It reflects our strategic goal to foster a diverse and inclusive university community that benefits all.” To deliver on its commitment to ensure University of Galway remains at the forefront in developing educational opportunities for the most underrepresented in society, the Widening Participation Strategy 2025-2028 focuses on four overarching goals: To increase access and participation in higher education for people from underrepresented socio-economic groups, and minority status groups. To develop collaborative strategic partnerships internally within the university to promote the widening participation agenda. To engage with schools, Further Education and Training providers, community groups, employers and the wider community to foster sustained change in beliefs and attitudes about higher education. To collect and disseminate research on widening participation activities delivered throughout the University. The Widening Participation Strategy follows on from the University’s Access Centre last year marking its 25th anniversary and the 3,500 people from traditionally underrepresented groups and disadvantaged backgrounds who have come through its programmes. Speaking about the launch of the Strategy, Imelda Byrne, Head of the Access Centre at University of Galway said: “I warmly welcome the launch of the Widening Participation Strategy 2025–2028. This inclusive vision reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed and thrive in higher education. The strategy rightly emphasises removing barriers, increasing support for underrepresented groups, and fostering a culture of belonging. These are values we live by every day at the Access Centre, and we are proud to play a central role in delivering targeted support and tailored interventions that make a lasting difference.” Dr Daniel Savery, Widening Participation Officer at the University of Galway said: “The launch of our first Widening Participation Strategy represents the culmination of extensive engagement with internal and external stakeholders in the strategy development process. We are grateful to the schools, community groups, and statutory bodies that engaged with us in this process. We look forward to continuing this collaboration in delivering on our strategic commitments and ensuring that University of Galway is reflective of the diversity we find more broadly in society.” To find out more about University of Galway’s Widening Participation Strategy, please go to: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/access/wideningparticipationstrategy/ Ends

IdeasLab, University of Galway’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, has celebrated student entrepreneurs and innovators at the 2025 Start100 programme.   Now in its fourth year, the six-week incubator brings in partners from the world of business and enterprise to support students and student teams as they develop early-stage business ideas. The programme culminated in a Demo Day, where the students pitched their ideas to a panel of expert judges and an audience of peers, mentors and leaders in enterprise. Sean Allen, from Four Mile House, Co Roscommon, showcased his concept - LeukoCheck - an early-stage idea for a continuous blood monitoring system designed to support ICU patients. It explores how real-time biomarker analysis might enable earlier detection of sepsis and, in time, contribute to improved patient outcomes. He was inspired by his family’s personal experience of undetected sepsis.    Sean Allen was recently awarded the Séamus McDermott Entrepreneurial Scholarship, sponsored by The Liffey Trust, in partnership with IdeasLab at University of Galway.   The ‘One to Watch’ award, sponsored by WestBIC, was presented to Joseph Tannian, a PhD student in the University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. The award recognises the potential of his concept - DuaLine - which aims to reimagine diabetes care. Building on scientific advances that have extended the lifespan of implants from just three to four days to up to eight weeks, DuaLine seeks to explore how these breakthroughs could be translated into real-world impact through the design of a compact, next-generation pump.   Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “Congratulations to both of our innovative students on receiving their Start100 2025 awards by demonstrating such exceptional ideas and entrepreneurial talent. Our students are not just preparing for the future - they are helping to shape it. Start100 is a powerful expression of University of Galway’s commitment to innovation with impact. Through IdeasLab, we foster creativity, collaboration and the confidence to tackle complex challenges. In a rapidly changing world, this kind of applied, values-driven learning is essential - not just for our students, but for the future of our society and economy.” Méabh Conaghan, Regional Director for the West and North-West Regions, Enterprise Ireland, said: "The Start100 series of incubation supports are to be commended as they help students to explore, develop and validate their ideas in a structured and safe environment. Enterprise Ireland is delighted to collaborate with University of Galway and its IdeasLab team on Start100 2025. “It is a privilege to preview the project ideas, and I am excited to say that there are some strong business prospects in the mix. Enterprise Ireland welcomes the Start100 initiative, recognising it as an avenue for future enterprise success and is happy to support this worthwhile programme. Supports that encourage and develop student entrepreneurship at all levels are crucial to a vibrant start-up ecosystem." Start100 is designed to nurture creativity, confidence and entrepreneurial thinking through a blend of mentorship, skills-building workshops and real-world exposure. This year’s students explored diverse opportunities and challenges across sectors such as health innovation, education, accessibility, AI, and creative technologies. Each team worked closely with a mentor from their field, while expert-led sessions focused on market validation, storytelling, tax, intellectual property and pitch delivery. Students were also hosted by CREW and Platform94, strengthening their understanding of the regional innovation ecosystem. Guest speakers included leaders from Enterprise Ireland, WestBIC, and the Local Enterprise Office (LEO), the award-winning SymPhysis Medical and Start100 alumni Sam O’Neill from Rowteic. Final pitches at Demo Day were evaluated by an expert judging panel: Dr. Helen McBreen, Partner, Atlantic Bridge, Méabh Conaghan, Regional Director, Enterprise Ireland, John Brennan, CEO, WestBIC and Conor Carey, Director, Fairstone Ireland. Dr Natalie Walsh, Director of Entrepreneurial Development at IdeasLab, University of Galway, added: “Showcase Day is always a reminder of the boldness and creativity of our students. Start100 is not about having all the answers - it’s about stepping into the unknown, testing ideas, and building the confidence to take the first steps toward impact. What we saw at the event was a room full of energy, curiosity, and students willing to challenge themselves and think differently. That is the essence of innovation, and it’s exactly what IdeasLab was created to support.” Ends