PRESIDENTS NOTE
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Jim Browne NUIG President
A chairde, On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI), I am delighted to congratulate all involved in the development of this truly ground-breaking NUI Galway project. In my former role as Registrar, I had the privilege of being part of this initiative from its inception in 2001. From its earliest beginnings, I have been heartened to see colleagues and students respond enthusiastically to the CKI vision "to effect positive social change by promoting active involvement and critical citizenship in partnership with students, staff and the wider community". I believe that NUI Galway is a national leader in civic engagement and it is gratifying to see many other higher institutions follow suit. Like all birthdays, the 10th anniversary, give us pause to reflect on our achievements and CKI can be justifiably proud of the milestones it has reached. Most heartening for the campus community is the fact that almost 40 degree programmes now incorporate service learning; with 100 academic staff and 800 students involved annually. It is worth remembering that over 3,000 students have volunteered with ALIVE in over 150 local, national and international organisations. Volunteering can be a life-changing experience, instilling a sense of social justice and civic engagement in volunteers. By promoting volunteerism, NUI Galway is helping to foster a civic ethos or social conscience in our students; which will have impact on wider society for years to come. CKI's achievements have been recognised internationally in plaudits as diverse as the MacJannet Prize and the Junior Chamber International Outstanding Young Persons of the World. CKI seeks to share its experience and participate in global civic engagement fora, such as Campus Compact and the Talloires Network, to learn and to share in best practice internationally. Our recent international service learning collaboration within Jordan and Lebanon, funded by the EU Tempus programme, is another step in this direction. Engagement is a distinguishing feature of our University. Our Strategic Plan 2014 sets out these values and commits us to build on our work in civic engagement by embedding civic virtues at the heart of the student experience and through the ALIVE programme. We will continue to use our resources of knowledge as a basis for engagement with communities and as a means of building a better society at local and national levels. In conclusion, I want to pay tribute to all those who have contributed to the success of CKI over its 10 year history. I salute the leadership of so many dedicated staff from right across the University; the involvement of thousands of students who have shown the energy for good which exists in Ireland today; and the partnership of numerous organisations who have harnessed that energy into real social action. Thank you for building the success of the Community Knowledge Initiative. NĂ neart go cur le chĂŠile. James J. Browne PhD, DSc, MRIA, CEng UachtarĂĄn - President
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