The Bridge 2018 - Maynooth Alumni Magazine

BRIDGE

The

Maynooth Alumni Magazine 2018

Foothold in Fuzhou MU establishes International College of Engineering in China

What can David Bowie teach us about business?

Depts of Business and Music team up on innovative interdisciplinary course

A 21st birthday like none other

Lenny Abrahamson, Eimear Quinn '03 and Michael Longley honoured

Three MU women leading the fight for gender equality Plus New Strategic Plan 2018-2022 â‚Ź300m Campus Expansion #HomeToVote And much more

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Maynooth University

Contents 1 2

President’s Message

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Graduations 2018

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MU East

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Revealing the Secrets of Cells

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A 21st birthday like none other!

17 Ireland: No Country for Women?

A rich harvest for Research Week this year

frontier of high-tech disease and diagnosis?

Prof Damien Woods explains

MU office connects students with alumni and others to prep them for careers, and life

35 IFI Irish Film Archive @Maynooth University

It’s been 100 years since the women of Ireland got the right to vote but has anything really changed?

Preservation of Ireland’s national film heritage for generations to come

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Developing a culture of inclusivity at MU

An MU postgraduate degree might be just the kick-start your career needs

37 Giving back and Going Forward

Donation of Master’s scholarship paves the way for Business students

21 MU is first Irish university to install EnergyPods

38 University Sport

22 Economists Come Home to Maynooth

41 In Memoriam

President’s Message

36 Rediscover MU in 2019

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18 Three MU Women Fighting for Gender Equality

€300m Capital Development Plan to enable strategy

34 Experiential Learning

Apparently a lot – fresh perspectives abound when you bring different disciplines and sectors together Social (and digital) activism – with a Maynooth alum in the thick of it

of the 2018-2022 MU Strategic Plan

32 DNA and Molecular Computing. What’s the next

16 #HometoVote

Tá athbheochan na Gaeilge ag dul ar aghaidh i gconaí, dar leis an Ollamh Fionntán de Brún

30 Research Week 2018 at MU

14 What can David Bowie teach us about business?

28 Research and Postgraduate Education at the heart

International College of Engineering established in China

12 Summer Soirée 2018

Alumnus Christine Mulligan’s personal story is the inspiration behind her research in parental mental health

26 Foinse Féidearthachtaí

Welcome to your alumni community, Class of ‘18!

Maynooth alumni enjoy a range of events in 2018

Dr Stephanie Keogh is at the cutting-edge of drone safety

24 Inspired by Experience

Show your support with a legacy gift

New research at MU may provide the key to improved treatments for leukaemia

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23 Ground to Air

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Remember Maynooth

10 Reconnecting and Remembering

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A 20-minute nap anyone?

Central Bank Deputy Governor joins expert panel at MU

Athletes do MU proud in 2018 Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse

Editor’s Note A chairde, What a year it has been! From turning 21 years old to opening an MU outpost in China, from starting work on the next phase of campus development to graduating our first class under the revised MU curriculum – 2018 has been full of firsts.

And the thing is, there is not a single sign of the pace slowing in 2019. When Maynooth University President, Professor Philip Nolan, launched the University Strategic Plan 2018-22 with Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, in October, he did more than publish a grandiose document; he put meat on the bones. The meticulously thought-through plan is as much GANTT chart as it is Vision Statement.

In other words, there is no time for messing around. After all, as the fastest growing university in Ireland we have an institutional responsibility to continue to adapt – just as we impress upon our students the need to prepare today to adapt to the unpredictable career paths of the future.

As you’ll read in the pages of The Bridge ahead, the MU of today is well up to the challenge. Whether it’s our groundbreaking research in inflammation and leukaemia, or the global attention paid to Dr David Malone’s work examining the energy consumption of cryptocurrencies, or the pioneering interdisciplinary teaching methods exemplified in the article “What can David Bowie Teach Us about Business” – MU is The Bridge Editorial Team: Rebecca Doolin, Christopher Massi, Karen Kelly, Niamh Connollly and Daniel Balteanu Print – Essentra Design – Catalysto

pushing the boundaries. We’re expanding internationally and right here at home, and re-imagining what a postgraduate degree means in today’s environment.

Maynooth University accounted for more than 22% of enrolment growth across the university sector since the economic recession began in 2008. Along with Ireland’s other universities, MU scrimped and stretched to meet this demand, and yet still ensured students were graduating ready to take on the challenges before them. But there’s no guarantee the future chapters of that success story will be written. The time has come for investment.

To prepare for Ireland’s demographic swell and ensure quality does not decline, MU is proud to support the Irish Universities Association’s #SaveOurSpark campaign, to put in place a mechanism for proper funding of third-level education. It’s long overdue, so I urge you to check out the campaign, sign the petition and support our effort.

There is no time to press pause on the story that’s playing out.

At MU, there’s only fast forward.

Le meas,

Rebecca Doolin Director of External Relations Cover Image – Fuzhou University Special thanks to: Keith Arkins Photography and to our guest writer, Dr Claire O’Connell.

Why not connect with us and be a part of the conversation?

Maynoothuniversity.ie/alumnicommunity

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elcome to the 2018 edition of The Bridge, a remarkable celebration of Maynooth University’s alumni, friends and academic community. The magazine includes articles about our exciting new partnership with Fuzhou University, China; scientific breakthroughs from our academics leading the fight against disease; alumni and friends giving back to the University and to society; Maynooth University and the Central Bank; our commitment to addressing gender equality and diversity; and much more.

The common thread underpinning these stories is our recently unveiled Strategic Plan 2018-2022. The plan focuses on the further development of our research capacity and postgraduate studies, as well as our continued success in undergraduate education, with the University aiming to grow its doctoral community to 600 and increase the number of master’s students at the University to 1,600.

A €300 million capital investment will transform the Maynooth University campus experience. This will include construction on a new state-of-the-art academic centre that will begin in early 2019. In addition to a range of innovation, sports and recreation amenities, a new Student Centre and on-campus student bed accommodation for 1,000 students will form part of a sustainable Campus Master Plan.

At the launch of our Strategic Plan, I also announced a joint International College of Engineering at one of China’s leading universities that will see us offering Maynooth University degree programmes in computer science and electronic engineering at Fuzhou University, beginning in 2019 and growing to 1,200 students over four years.

Maynooth University continues to be a close-knit and vibrant university leading the way in Irish higher education.

I am inspired by colleagues who continue to break new ground in research and teaching, and also forge ties to industry, public bodies, government and communities where we can work together on important problems. I am inspired by our students – the most diverse student body in Ireland – who bring passion, curiosity and vivacity to campus. And I am always inspired by our alumni who serve society in a wonderful variety of roles. You are the cornerstone of Maynooth University and an inspiration to our current students.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Philip Nolan President, Maynooth University

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Maynooth University

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Graduations 2018

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aynooth University conferred more than 3,000 students this year, including first Bachelor of Arts degrees under its new curriculum

Among the many proud students who graduated in 2018 were 22-year-old twins Rebecca and Karl Finnerty, from Lucan, Co Dublin.

Maynooth University this year conferred more than 3,000 students with a range of degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate level, including 46 PhD graduates.

Rebecca Finnerty, who was awarded a Bachelor of Arts (English and History), said, “I’m taking a gap year out for new experiences and my plan is to come back and do a Master’s in Education, possibly in Maynooth.”

Dr Maighread Tobin (PhD in Sociology) with her niece, Fiadh Campion

Her twin brother, Karl, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, and said his next step is to sit the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) to study medicine in Ireland.

This year marked the first graduation for the students under the new Bachelor of Arts. The University restructured the degree three years ago to provide greater flexibility, the ability to specialise immediately or wait until after first year, opportunities to take electives, and an emphasis on critical skills. Also, for the first time, Maynooth University conferred Doctorates in Higher and Adult Education, Psychological Science, and Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in International Justice and Law.

Welcome Class of 2018 to the Maynooth University Alumni Community!

Don’t miss out - Join the Maynooth Alumni Community on maynoothuniversity.ie/alumnicommunity 22-year-old twins Rebecca Finnerty (BA) and Karl Finnerty (BSC) from Lucan

Remember Maynooth

What is your legacy?

Legacy gifts make a lasting impact at Maynooth University.

Some alumni and friends may leave their entire estate or a home, others may leave a specific gift, but every legacy, large or small, ties together the past and future of Maynooth University.

For more information on how to leave a legacy to Maynooth University, or to let the University know that you have already quietly made plans, please email Maynooth University’s Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Chris Massi, at Christopher.Massi@mu.ie.

Would You Support Maynooth University?

Maynooth University is deeply committed to changing lives, and with the largest number of students receiving financial assistance at any Irish university, Maynooth also has amongst the best results for students finishing their degrees. At the same time, Maynooth University has been ranked in the Top 100 global universities under 50 years old.

You can make a difference through regular gifts – annual donations to support bursaries or other priorities.

Donors may also want to consider larger major gifts, which support university priorities such as named scholarships, programmes and even buildings.

Other friends may remember Maynooth University through their wills by leaving a legacy.

Your gift matters and YOU can make an impact this year in a real and meaningful way. When you go to the donation page, you can select your giving priority from the drop-down menu. Please visit maynoothuniversity. ie/alumni-office/waystogive for more information or contact Maynooth University Foundation CEO Chris Massi at Christopher.Massi@mu.ie.

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Maynooth University

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MU East

Maynooth launches landmark International College of Engineering at Fuzhou University in Fujian Province, China

By Rebecca Doolin and Niamh Connolly

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In October 2018, Irish and Chinese dignitaries gathered in Fuzhou for a formal inauguration ceremony full of fanfare. The event marked the first step in a partnership with one of China’s leading universities that will see 1,200 Chinese students graduate with degrees in computer science, engineering, robotics and web programming from Maynooth University over the next four years.

Photo credit: Fuzhou University

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itting in one of Fuzhou University’s half a dozen student-run cafés, more Asian bohemian than Irish hipster (novels on shelves, postcards from friends abroad, video games, a guitar), it’s clear that the next generation of Chinese leaders is well disposed to putting their own stamp on their country’s future.

Thirty-five thousand young people in this city of five million, in a province of 37 million, are preparing to do just that. Across Fuzhou University’s (FZU) seven campuses, they buzz on electric motorbikes to class, to meet friends or hit the library. They jog

through the lush, tropical campus that proudly boasts a dormant (thankfully) volcano and tranquil, lakeside tea house.

And by the spring of 2023, 300 of those 35,000 will become the newest class of Maynooth University alumni.

Their fate (or, destiny, rather) was sealed on 23 October 2018, when an MU delegation travelled to Fuzhou to officially launch the Maynooth International College of Engineering, Fuzhou. The inauguration ceremony marked the first step in a partnership with one of China’s leading universities that will see 1,200 Chinese students graduate with degrees in computer science, engineering, robotics and web programming from Maynooth University over the next four years.

Also part of the event were Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD; representatives of the Fujian Provincial Government; Irish Ambassador to China, Eoin O’Leary; President of Maynooth University, Professor Philip Nolan; and Niall O’Donnellan, Head of

ICT, International Services and Client Management Development at Enterprise Ireland. With the pageantry of a true Chinese celebration, speeches from both university presidents and Minister Halligan, and the unveiling of the new official logo for the college, the partnership was underway.

each institution. Both find themselves in educational environments that are more competitive than ever – in geographies equally as competitive – and both chose to respond similarly: by boldly looking to the future.

Then, the real work began. Departmental planning meetings, lab tours, patient translators, and relationship-building ensued. There are students and lecturers to recruit, a website to build, calendars and facilities and expectations to manage – all necessary steps to give the programme its best chance for success.

The partnership will prove to be a powerful model of third-level internationalisation, one in which we engage fully with and learn from the local culture and local academic environment

After all, the MU-FZU partnership is only the second Sino-Irish joint college at undergraduate level (the other: Beijing-Dublin International College, a UCD partnership with Beijing University of Technology founded in 2012), and it comes at an important moment for both institutions. In the last year, each institution has celebrated a significant anniversary (MU turned 20 and FZU 60), so the partnership represents a new chapter, a new phase of expansion, for

Located in the southeast of China, Fuzhou University in Fujian Province has been identified as part of China’s Project 211, which aims to bolster the standards of the top 100 Chinese universities and cultivate strategies for socio-economic development.

Continues overleaf ☞

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Maynooth University

The partnership not only supports this goal, but also encourages the exchange of knowledge, research and students. The initiative is assisted by Enterprise Ireland and is expected to enhance global research endeavours while also raising Maynooth’s profile in the world’s fastest growing market.

Minister Halligan described the inauguration ceremony as “an auspicious moment” for both Ireland and China’s collaboration in education. “The launch of Maynooth International Engineering College, Fuzhou University, with a yearly intake of 300 students, is a great achievement and augers well for the future relationship between both of our countries,” the Minister said.

The joint College will offer four undergraduate programmes: BSc in Computer Science & Software Engineering, BE in Electronic Engineering, BSc in Robotics and Intelligent Devices and a BSc in Mobile Multimedia and Web Programming.

Maynooth University is currently recruiting a team of 13 lecturers plus administrative support for the venture as part of a commitment to developing a world-class education partnership. Professor Ronan Reilly, who is Associate Vice-President for International Affairs (Asia) at Maynooth University, will be Executive Vice-Dean of the new College.

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in key sectors that are critical for the new era in the Chinese and the world economy.

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2017

“We see the IEC as a win-win partnership that will serve as a foundation for the development of additional innovative programmes in the future.”

Ireland’s higher education institutions are known for delivering ‘employment-ready’ skills so students can transition smoothly into the workplace, according to Niall O’Donnellan, Head of ICT, International Services and Client Management Development at Enterprise Ireland.

“This has been an important driver in Ireland’s transformation into a high-tech, knowledge-based economy. This new partnership exemplifies that innovation, as students here will gain expertise in the key disciplines that will drive the future for us all,” Donnellan said.

Professor Philip Nolan expressed hope that the partnership “will prove to be a powerful model of third-level internationalisation, one in which we engage fully with and learn from the local culture and local academic environment and strive together for worldclass development by exchanging knowledge and collaborating on research in a deeper and more sustainable way.

“This bold initiative by Maynooth University, as well as being an important partnership in undergraduate education, will foster future research and postgraduate collaboration through scholarships, joint workshops and academic cooperation.”

Professor Wang Jian, Vice-President of Fuzhou University, welcomed the college as “a significant opportunity for both institutions to mutually benefit through the enhancement of education and research

2000 BSc, 2013 PhD, CEO & Co-Founder of Margin Jonathan Maycock is a pioneer in fintech (financial technology for trading and investment). With two Computer Science degrees from Maynooth University, Jonathan worked in software development and at a robotics lab in Bielefeld, Germany, until he and two colleagues became interested in cryptocurrencies. Jon’s Science course at Maynooth allowed him pursue other interests during his degree, including physics and mathematics, which would become important during this phase of his career. With the breadth and depth of computer science and mathematics at his fingertips, Jon, along with his co-founders Christof Elbrechter and René Tünnermann, developed algorithms for trading Bitcoin and from there they created a cryptocurrency trading platform, Margin.

The Margin trading platform (https://margin.de) includes interactive charts, drag and drop orders, bots, technical analysis tools, news and social media feeds. As software providers, they don’t store customer funds; rather, customers connect directly to their accounts on multiple cryptocurrency exchanges around the globe through Margin’s software. Margin has a dozen employees and a growing retail and B2B business. The company in 2018 generously donated Margin’s trading terminals to the University’s Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting as learning tools. Head of Department Fabrice Rousseau remarked, “Students in our Finance courses will be learning on the latest platforms thanks to Jon and his company’s innovative work.”

Jonathan added, “My Computer Science degree allowed me to specialise, but physics and math allowed me to broaden my horizons to different areas. This was essential as Maynooth University gave me the confidence to move through different fields of interest.”

Alumni Profile

2013 Jonathan Maycock

Professor Philip Nolan and Fu Xianzhi, President of Fuzhou University

Fujian Province native earns MU degrees, lands job at Deloitte Ireland From High School in China to Springtime in Maynooth

“When I arrived, I was nervous being so far away from home. At the start, my English wasn’t so good and I wasn’t familiar with the environment. But there were other Chinese students in my English class, and I met people from different backgrounds and ages, and made friends.”

Fujian Province native Wanjun Yang has found her BA and MA in Accounting from MU opened doors for her in the corporate world

She completed a one-year International Foundation Programme at Maynooth University in 2012, to develop her English and study skills, followed by a four-year BA in Accounting and Finance.

Wanjun Yang was struck by the beauty of the Maynooth University’s historic South Campus when she arrived to Ireland six years ago from her home city of Xiamen in Fujian Province.

It was her first time travelling such a distance, she explains. At 18 years and fresh from high school, she recalls how the small town of Maynooth seemed poles apart from Xiamen city with its high-rise tower blocks, 24-hour shops, constant traffic and frenetic activity.

“After I finished in high school in China, I came straight to Maynooth to learn English and get work experience,” she says. “Before I came here, I asked to see photos of the University and I thought it was really pretty, especially the old, South Campus. It’s very lovely, especially on a sunny spring day.

She completed a nine-month work placement with the global consulting and finance company, Deloitte, and is now employed on a three-year contract with the company. In November, Wanjun graduated with an MA in Accounting from Maynooth University, which was funded by Deloitte.

Maynooth University brought some more good fortune: This summer, Wanjun became engaged to the boyfriend she had met in her English class six years ago. Xiang Xu graduated with an MSc in Computer Science from Maynooth, and works as a senior software developer at Cartell.ie based in Clane, Co Kildare.

She notes that the new Maynooth University International College of Engineering, at Fuzhou University, specialises in Xiang’s subject, computer science, and is just a two-hour drive from her home city in Fujian Province, opening new prospects for the future.

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“In the past decade, Maynooth University has been building major expertise in the area of human health, and particularly in immunology and chemical biology. We have already made significant contributions, and I see enormous potential for us to be able to contribute further to the scientific understanding of the underlying causes, and even potential treatments for inflammatory disorders such as sepsis, diabetes and asthma.” -- Vice-President

for Research and Innovation, Prof Ray O’Neill.

Harnessing the power of cells for calming therapies

Revealing the Secrets of Cells

Our body’s immune system protects us, but if it goes awry it can boost inflammatory diseases. So says Dr Karen English, who is on a mission to develop stronger, ‘calming’ cells for therapies to get things back on track.

New research at Maynooth University may provide the key to improved treatments for an aggressive form of leukaemia and treating dangerous inflammatory diseases

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hen a person develops an aggressive form of leukaemia called acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), their healthy cells are eliminated by the leukemic cell, preventing the production of healthy blood cells needed by the body.

which were published in the prestigious Cell Stem Cell 2018 journal and high profile journal, Nature Communications, in 2018.

Now, an international team of researchers that includes Prof Ken Duffy at Maynooth University has made important breakthroughs in the study of AML, which could lead to improved treatment for sufferers of this aggressive blood cancer.

Prof Duffy has been at Maynooth University since 2005 where he is Director of the Hamilton Institute, Maynooth University’s interdisciplinary STEM research institute.

He believes the breakthrough could have major implications for future treatments of AML.

Prof Duffy has worked with a team that includes Dr Christina Lo Celso of Imperial College London on two important studies

The team observed the way in which blood stem cells, primarily in the bone marrow, can produce all of the cells found in the blood, including cancer-fighting ‘Natural Killer’ cells. They found that if they preserved these rare blood vessels through pharmaceutical intervention, they could prevent the disease from wiping out blood stem cells, and so, improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

“Our findings suggest that if we can target treatments that protect the rare

The immune system is our ‘White Knight’ - fighting off invaders such as bacteria and viruses, and rushes in to help when tissues and organs are ailing.

This ‘inflammation’ response to disease and injury is important for keeping us healthy – but what happens when we really do want an invader in our body in the form of a replacement organ or a bone marrow transplant? blood vessels that are associated with the blood stem cells then we can improve the therapeutic options available to those suffering from AML and, perhaps, other forms of leukaemia,” says Prof Duffy.

“This research is the result of collaboration between researchers and clinicians across the globe from London to Maynooth to Glasgow to Melbourne. I would like to congratulate my computational team at Maynooth, and all of our colleagues involved in this project on what is a fantastic breakthrough.”

Or what if the inflammation burns too long and damages our tissues, fuelling conditions such as diabetes and chronic lung damage?

Dr English, Principal Investigator at Maynooth University’s Department of Biology and head of the Cellular Immunology Lab, is working to harness the power of cells. “We are using a type of cell called a mesenchymal stem cell, which the body naturally makes in places such as the bone marrow,” she explains.

These mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, are naturally able to calm down inflammation in the body.

Dr English is looking to make them even stronger and use them as a form of therapy in inflammatory diseases.

“In inflammatory diseases, the immune system has an overzealous

response and causes damage to tissues,” she explains. “That’s what we see happening in the lung in conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis, and in the pancreas in Type 1 diabetes.”

MSCs have immune-calming and pro-healing powers. “These cells come from a lot of different tissues in the body, including fat, but we get them from bone marrow and we look at ways to treat them in the lab so they can be better administered as therapy,” says Dr English.

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Fresh insight into treating sepsis and other inflammatory diseases In another important field of research, a breakthrough in understanding inflammatory diseases such as sepsis, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis (MS) was made by Professor Paul Moynagh, Head of the Department of Biology.

Leading an international team of researchers, Prof Moynagh discovered a protein in the body that is a key driver of inflammation. The blockade of this protein suppresses inflammation and so may offer a new approach to treating inflammatory diseases.

Inflammatory diseases are considered among the most difficult to treat, with sepsis posing a critical challenge to frontline health care professionals.

Health Service Executive (HSE) figures for 2016 found sepsis occurs in only 3.4% of hospital cases, but contributes to 25% of all hospital deaths.

Her lab research has shown the positive effects of MSCs in animal models of lung fibrosis and COPD.

“Inflammation is the body’s response to infection by disease-causing micro-organisms. This involves the movement of white blood cells, such as neutrophils, from blood vessels, into the infected tissue where they destroy the invading micro-organism,” explains Prof Moynagh.

She has also made strides to understand why an incoming graft, such as a bone marrow transfusion, might reject the host.

“In the case of sepsis, we see inflammation spread rapidly throughout the body as a response to a bacterial infection in the blood, which can lead to life-threatening organ dysfunction.”

“MSC therapy can be used to treat these patients who don’t respond to steroids, but again the cell therapy doesn’t work well in all of those patients,” says Dr English.

Dr English is now looking at other ways to boost the performance of MSCs, including switching off various genes in the cells, and she is keen that the discoveries made in Maynooth will move towards the clinic to help patients.

Dr Karen English graduated with a BSc, MSc and PhD in 2008 from Maynooth University, and received a Marie Curie Fellowship to carry out her postdoctoral training at the University of Oxford. She returned to Maynooth University as a Health Research Board-Translational Medicine Research Fellow and later a Science Foundation Irelandfunded Starting Investigator. She was appointed Lecturer in the Maynooth University Biology Department in 2015.

Professor Moynagh and his team have discovered an essential role for a protein called Pellino2 in how the body triggers inflammation and neutrophil movement into tissue. It is through finding ways to block this protein, he says, that chronic inflammation and sepsis can be treated.

“We have already seen success with treatment models for sepsis in the laboratory by blocking Pellino2. We have seen inflammation reduce considerably where the protein was blocked, and we believe this is the first step to developing a robust new treatment for sepsis,” he says.

“We now hope to take these findings and develop drug molecules to target Pellino2. If blocking the protein works to prevent and treat sepsis, we have every reason to believe that a similar approach can be used to help those suffering with other inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s, psoriasis and even multiple sclerosis.”

The research findings have been published in the highly prestigious scientific journal, Nature Communications.

MU gratefully acknowledges support from Science Foundation Ireland, the Health Research Board and the European Commission in funding this work.

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Reconnecting and Remembering

Selfie time for the Class of 2003; Judy MacNamara, Colm O’Connell, Sarah Devlin, Thomas Reilly and Aine Hyland

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Class of 1998 - Claire O’Brien,Treasa Fagan, Michelle Foley, Siobhan Tighe, Jennifer Smyth, Miriam Hewitt and Rosemary Feely

Class of 1988 - Evan Cullen, Sara Trepanier, Robert Jennings, Michael Mailoux and Damien Power

Save The Date

14 September 2019 Lemoncello (Laura Quirke - BA International 2017 and Claire Kinsella - BA 2016)

Maynooth alumni return to campus for cultural, educational and social events Carol Service – December 2017

Brexit Breakfast Briefing – April

A festooned Pugin Hall with super-sized Christmas tree combined with a fantastic performance of music and song in the College Chapel, ensured a memorable start to the festivities for attending alumni. Over 200 alumni and friends mingled with President of Maynooth University, Professor Philip Nolan, enjoying a postcarol service reception of mulled wine and Christmas fare. Alumni travelled from as near and far as Carlow and Canada on a cold December night. As one alumnus put it:

Scheduled as part of Maynooth Week 2018 and the University’s 20th anniversary celebrations, this breakfast briefing with alumnus Thomas Burke (BA 2004, MA 2005), Director of Retail Ireland, explored the hot topic of ‘Retail & Brexit - Just what will Brexit mean for Irish Retail?’ Chaired by Professor Peter McNamara, Head of Maynooth University School of Business, the briefing took place in Ibec premises in Dublin.

“The readings, carols, the organ, brass ensemble and congregational singing were all amazing.

O Holy Night sung by the Choral Society was particularly uplifting on a night of much memorable singing.”

Summer Soirée – June

Culminating in a year-long celebration of the 1997 foundation of NUI Maynooth as a separate entity, the 2018 Summer Soirée was a real show stopper. Read more about it and the awards presented on the night to director Lenny Abrahamson, poet Michael Longley and classically trained soprano, Eimear Quinn (BA - Music 2003) on page 12.

From Limerick, Liverpool and Lusaka – Maynooth Alumni return to campus for the 2018 Maynooth Alumni Reunion

2019 Alumni Reunion

Next year’s Alumni Reunion will take place on Saturday, 14 September and will celebrate anniversary years for the Classes of 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014. If you’re a Maynooth graduate and would like to attend this event, just email alumni@mu.ie. All alumni are welcome to attend the Reunion - it might not be your anniversary year, but it’s always your night. Just let us know if you fancy coming along.

The highlight of the Maynooth Alumni calendar, the Alumni Annual Reunion took place on campus on Saturday, 15 September.

Celebrating anniversary years for the Classes of 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013, over 130 alumni and friends enjoyed a sociable, fun-filled evening. With harmonious melodies by Lemoncello (Laura Quirke and Claire Kinsella, two Maynooth graduates who met while studying at the University), the evening began with a prosecco and canapé reception followed by dinner in the Phoenix Restaurant. Former Student Union President and Chair of the Maynooth Alumni Advisory Board (MAAB), Peter Finnegan (Class of 1976), regaled guests with an after-dinner speech containing humorous memories of Maynooth student days while encouraging alumni to connect with the University to support philanthropic and career mentoring initiatives. Many alumni travelled far and wide to attend the evening, including one guest who travelled from Lusaka, Zambia.

Save The Date 7 February 2019

Alumni Lecture ‘Leonard Cohen, philosopher’

Leonard Cohen is a much celebrated musician and poet. Join us for an exploration of the rich philosophy in the music of Leonard Cohen as Professor Philipp Rosemann, Head of the Department of Philosophy at MU, delivers a reprise of his inaugural professorial lecture just for alumni at a venue in Dublin. Keep an eye on your emails for more information on this.

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A 21st birthday like none other

Eurovision song contest winner and MU graduate Eimear Quinn ‘03 was presented with a 2018 Maynooth University Award for Arts and Culture and performed ‘In Paradisum,’ a piece she composed, for attendees. She was accompanied by Dr Antonio Cascelli from the MU Department of Music.

MU turns 21 years old, celebrates its unique contributions to Irish arts, culture and interdisciplinary research at 2018 Summer Soirée Lenny Abrahamson, Eimear Quinn ‘03 and Michael Longley honoured at outdoor festival and awards gala Maynooth University celebrated its 21st birthday as an institution by honouring some of Ireland’s leading voices in arts and culture at a gala Summer Soirée and awards ceremony on Saturday, 16 June.

Eurovision song contest winner and a graduate of Maynooth University, Eimear Quinn, both of whom were presented with the 2018 Maynooth University Award for Arts and Culture.

The event fell 21 years to the day that the Universities Act was signed, creating Ireland’s newest university — then known as the National University of Ireland, Maynooth — a university independent from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, whose history dates to 1795.

Taking to the stage after the awards presentation, the current Maynooth Alumni Chamber Choir together with a reunion (specially organised for the Soirée in collaboration with the Department of Music) of former choir members took the roof off the marque with an intense and emotionally charged performance.

Conducted by Dr John O’Keeffe, former Chamber Choir member, Eimear Quinn also joined other choir members on stage.

The first highlight of the evening was the presentation of two new sets of inaugural awards: The Maynooth University President’s Medal and the Maynooth University Award for Arts and Culture.

This year’s recipients included: Oscar-nominated Irish film director Lenny Abrahamson, presented with the 2018 Maynooth University President’s Medal; acclaimed Irish poet Michael Longley and 1996

A full programme on the night of exciting performances and cutting-edge, interdisciplinary installations and lightning talks

by Maynooth University lecturers, post-graduate students, and alumni, captured the spirit of youth and dynamism of Maynooth University at 21.

Michael Longley, Prof Philip Nolan, Eimear Quinn and Lenny Abrahamson

Spoken word artist, Felispeaks (Felicia Olusanya, BA 2016)

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Bringing different disciplines and sectors together often creates fresh perspectives for all involved

By Dr Paul Donovan and Dr Alison Hood

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avid Bowie is celebrated for both his musical genius and his endurance. With a career spanning almost 60 years, Bowie is an outlier in the throwaway world of popular music by staying at the top of a business that is constantly seeking the next new thing. Bowie never stood still, and this may partly explain his staying power. A feature of his reign at the top has been his ability to reinvent himself – to create the ultimate evolving persona.

But what can others learn from his legacy? Could business organisations also benefit from Bowie’s craft? That’s one of the many issues that students from Maynooth University are trying to answer in an innovative approach to teaching and learning.

What is different about this initiative is that it’s a collaboration between two different academic departments, Music and Business. In a novel, interdisciplinary approach to education, 140 undergraduate students from both departments work in mixed groups to examine key issues of our time, bringing their own world view to bear and thereby offering fresh perspectives to each other. Music students get to learn business thinking and vice versa.

The idea is the brainchild of two Maynooth academics, Alison Hood from Music and Paul Donovan from

Image Credit: Mihail Macri

1997

With this in mind, the School of Business is helping to get students ready for the world of work where they will have to take on board a wide variety of opinions and world views in order to get the job done. Because of this, the practice of working side by side at university with others who see the world in a different light can only help broaden their perspective.

This teaching and learning initiative works in many different ways. It sets challenges for students which are difficult but interesting. In class, they examine questions that are relevant to the modern world and which have overtones of organisational change and musical performance – thus integrating both business and music. For example, in teasing out what can Bowie teach business about change, students interviewed veteran DJ, author and journalist B.P. Fallon who knew Bowie in the early years. Fallon was able to provide insights into how Bowie’s ability to stay relevant could guide business leaders today.

Other projects deal more directly with people issues in the workplace. In asking, “Why don’t women get to conduct the great orchestras?”, one group staged a live blind audition to show how women may get fairer treatment when unconscious bias is removed, a practice that could promote equal opportunity in recruitment and selection situations.

One of the quirkier questions was, “What might Christopher Columbus’ playlist have been when he was selecting a crew for the New World?” This task required students to explore through music how one must overcome doubt in others and in ourselves when trying to achieve significant change against formidable odds. Another team showed how to use music to build teamwork by training students to sing a beautiful Irish air in harmony. Goosebumps.

This initiative also makes for a very interesting classroom atmosphere and experience. Passive PowerPoint slide shows are a thing of the past and have been replaced by greater student participation and engagement. Each week brings new performances from the students. In delivering these performances, they may choose any medium they believe will best get their message across – role-play, game show, comedy sketch or some other engaging performance – always involving music.

The students know they must bring their audience of fellow students with them on the journey and this will almost always involve audience interaction and participation. When each performance ends, the group receives immediate feedback from their lecturers out of earshot of the main group. At the same time, the rest of the students work in groups preparing their assessment of the piece. The session concludes with an open discussion of the strengths and development needs of the performance, an essential part of the learning process.

Enthusiastic reactions in the classroom show that students like the new approach. Student representatives have given the approach a firm thumbs up and the anecdotal evidence is very positive.

Dr Paul Donovan is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Business at Maynooth University. Dr Alison Hood is Dean of Teaching and Learning and a Senior Lecturer in Music at Maynooth University.

Gráinne Hope 1997 BA Music (Hons)

Artistic Director, Kids’ Classics Gráinne Hope brings music, and perhaps some measure of healing, to people across Ireland, but she would be the first to say that it was an unexpected journey. “I was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, studying cello after Maynooth University when I had the opportunity to perform in a nearby hospital. These visits changed my life.”

Today, Gráinne is the creator and artistic director of ‘Kids’ Classics,’ a non-profit organisation that designs, manages and delivers professional music projects and programmes in healthcare settings around Ireland. With her fellow musicians, she visits neonatal, paediatric, oncology, geriatric, psychiatric, dementia and alzheimer’s units. In 2012 she designed and delivered Ireland’s first paediatric hospital music residency in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and in 2015 was also a member of the steering committee that oversaw an independent evaluation of Kids’ Classics live music activities in a children’s hospital.

She remains in high demand by professional ensembles in Ireland, performing with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra, Wexford Festival Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra and more, but the impact of her work in hospitals and nursing homes has been transformative.

As the project grew, she qualified as a trainer of Musicians in Healthcare, one of a team of three Irish musicians chosen to be part of a pioneering European programme with Music Network, Ireland; Musique et Santé, France; Turku University, Finland; and the Royal Northern College of Music, UK in Training Trainers for Music in Healthcare Settings.

A renaissance woman at heart, Gráinne chose Maynooth University because she could combine her interests – Music along with Greek and Roman Civilisation – so her willingness to create new combinations after university – music in hospital wards and hallways – should come as no surprise. “Music helps gives a voice and bring some fun and welcome distraction to children in hospitals, and an opportunity for all members of our society whether in residential care or in treatment in hospitals access to a cultural activity.’

She added, “Would I do the same Maynooth degree again? Absolutely.”

Gráinne has recently being awarded a Wellcome Trust Fellow 2018/2019 in partnership with the Clore Leadership Programme UK, which is a ‘unique programme of cultural leadership development that seeks to enrich and transform cultural practice and engagement’.

Alumni Profile

What can David Bowie teach us about business?

Business, who are leading the project. Both see the need to prepare students for careers in today’s organisations where disciplines don’t exist, but integrated issues do. Graduates join a world where day to day problems are interdisciplinary by nature.

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Frances Smyth 2002 BSc, 2007 MSc Scrum Master ClaimVantage

Ireland:

#HometoVote Maynooth alumna and former VP for Welfare for Maynooth Students’ Union, Frances Smyth, shares with The Bridge how she continued her interest in women’s rights by becoming one of the early volunteers for #HometoVote You graduated in 2002 with a degree in Biology and in 2007 with an MSc in Biology. Were you politically active while you were at Maynooth University?

In 2002-03, I served as the VP for Welfare for the Maynooth Students’ Union, so I had an interest in basic human rights and in particular, women’s rights.

Although you studied Biology, you now work with the software company ClaimVantage. How did that happen?

My graduate degree from Maynooth University is actually in bio-informatics, so I had already begun a transition to interdisciplinary work. Now, I work as Scrum Master, which is a bit like a project manager. We design software for the US insurance market and I couldn’t really predict my job because it didn’t exist while I was in school.

What gave you the idea to volunteer for #HometoVote?

Growing up, I was aware of the rights that we didn’t have as women, so I knew that I – we – needed to fight for them; they wouldn’t

No Country for Women?

We had a massive surge in donors willing to help people get home to vote – more donors than voters at the start. As this took off during the week, we ended up funding voters within seconds. I was awake for two and a half days and then I went to vote and fell asleep.

just fall in our laps. It stuck with me and now as an adult, the need to organise and act came back.

When the moment came, this happened very quickly. The founders set up the hashtag and I thought it was a great idea, but it was also very low key, so I started re-tweeting and pushing the message. I had an injury that kept me from canvasing, so I hit the keyboard. #HometoVote was originally meant to bring just a few people home to vote in the Eighth Amendment referendum, although we never questioned whether someone was voting for or against. After sharing and tweeting, we had a few hundred people at the beginning of the day. By the end of the day, we had a few thousand. Obviously, it snowballed pretty quickly from there.

What was it like when this took off?

It all happened over the course of a few days. I joined this effort as a volunteer on the Monday and it took off on Tuesday with the vote on Friday.

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Image Credit: Zcbeaton | Wikimedia Commons | Public Domain

018 marks a century since women got the vote. The intervening 100 years have seen plenty of change for women’s rights in Ireland, but there’s plenty of work left yet. That’s according to Professor Linda Connolly, Director of the Maynooth University Social Sciences Institute, who delivered her Inaugural Professorial Lecture in October during the University’s annual Research Week.

there has been huge progress since the 1970s, women have entered the workplace in large numbers and we recently saw the referendums on same-sex marriage and to repeal of the 8th Amendment to the Constitution, but there should be no room for complacency,” she says. “There are also huge areas of concern and there is substantial room for improvement. We have cultural developments such as the #MeToo movement and we have had scandals in women’s health and we have the enormous social issue of homelessness, which we know disproportionately affects women. So there is a need for balance when we address the question.”

During the talk, titled ‘Ireland: No Country for Women?’ Professor Connolly looked at women’s rights and social change. “Obviously

“There is still a need for a feminist perspective on Irish society - who else is going to raise the questions?”

It started out as helping a few people find the funds to travel back to Ireland to vote, so we were connecting a few donors with a few voters. We had older donors in Australia who had lost their right to vote in Ireland crying tears of joy as this all came together. I don’t think any of us were prepared for that.

To say that this was unexpected doesn’t really cover it. To have that amount of support, that huge voice for the people, was overwhelming.

Everyone I knew well at campus all those years ago, I’m still friends with. It was a brilliant moment in time, but the friendships are enduring.

“This hash-tag is up on the wall at Twitter as one of the most powerful tweets ever, not just in Ireland.”

What are your lasting memories of your time at Maynooth University?

I didn’t have time to think about it until I woke up and saw the result. That’s when it hit me. The altruism blew me away. It was incredibly powerful.

The changing landscape highlights the ongoing need for social analysis of the problems and changes,” notes Professor Connolly.

Did you have any idea that this would have such a huge influence on Ireland?

Do you think this is a one-time hash-tag or is it something more?

It was something more, much more, because this was part of a larger turning point for Ireland. We had seen this during the Marriage Equality Referendum as the country found its voice. We were getting people home to vote and it ended up creating and marking a more enduring social change.

I visited a couple of years ago and I’m amazed at how much the campus has grown, but the University is on the right path. I remember knowing almost everyone on campus – the students, administrators, and the faculty. Even the chaplain came out for drinks on my birthday. Even though Maynooth University has grown, I love that it’s still small in many ways.

I never hear anyone from other universities talk about their love of their universities the same way that we do.

Do you have any words of wisdom for today’s students at Maynooth University?

Take the courses that you are interested in because you never know where life will take you. My career on paper doesn’t make sense because technology, industry and life change so fast that you need to be adaptable. What you think about the workplace in your first year will change by the fourth year and it will certainly be different by the time you are out of university five years later.

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“This is about inclusion.

Everyone benefits from the changes.”

-- Dr Karen English

Three MU Women Leading the Fight for Gender Equality

In a time of societal discussions ranging from #MeToo to gender quotas in government, women in STEM and in the boardroom, Maynooth University has committed to eliminating gender bias and developing a culture of inclusivity. Dr Claire O’Connell spoke to three academics leading the campaign for equality in higher education at Maynooth and beyond.

By Dr Claire O’Connell Dr Karen English, Professor Linda Connolly and Claire McGing of the Maynooth University Athena SWAN Gender Equality Steering Group

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the news came out officially, and it was a milestone arlier this year, Professor Linda Connolly Eventually, for the higher education sector in Ireland: In April 2018, MU had some good news, but she had to keep became the first Irish university to receive the Bronze Institution under the newly expanded Athena SWAN charter that it under wraps for a little while. Maynooth Award includes Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences as well as Science, University had been awarded a ‘Bronze Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine.

Institution Award’ under the Athena SWAN programme, an initiative that supports fair and “We decided to do an in-depth and anonymous questionnaire, that gave inclusive workplaces.

Athena SWAN, which is run by the British Equality Challenge Unit, recognises institutions and departments that undertake work to address gender equality. To apply for bronze accreditation, a university must carry out a rigorous self-assessment, capturing data about workplace culture and processes, and identifying how to make them more inclusive.

“We submitted the application to Athena SWAN in November 2017, then we were informally notified that we were successful by email,” recalled Professor Connolly, who chairs of the Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team. “But apart from the Team and senior staff at the University, we had to keep it a secret for about a week, as there was a press embargo.”

people the freedom to be very honest.”

-- Prof Connolly

Professor Connolly, who directs the MU Social Sciences Institute, was keen that the self-assessment should be thorough and honest.

“It’s very easy to estimate, but we decided to do an in-depth and anonymous questionnaire,” she explained. “That gave people the freedom to be very honest so we could build up a clear appraisal of gender equality and how it intersects with other categories of exclusion.”

Questions covered topics such as the gendered allocation of workload, the impact of family-related leave on career progression

and whether people with children feel supported in their work.

“We had really positive responses, people felt that their issues were being addressed once they brought them to the attention of their manager,” says Professor Connolly. “But we did see the need for building more visibility of women in the culture of the University.”

A cornerstone in the Athena SWAN application was the Gender Action Plan for MU, which sets out several actions, including the appointment of a Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Interculturalism, the launch of a Gender Identity and Expression Policy and a strategy to address the under-representation of women in different disciplines and grades within the University.

“It is not confined to promoting and encouraging women, this is about inclusion, and everyone benefits from the changes.” -- Prof Connolly Claire McGing, a frequent voice in the media on issues related to gender and politics, is the Athena SWAN Project Officer at MU and is responsible for ensuring that the actions in that plan are

implemented. She believes that research is an effective tool for changing policy around gender.

Her own research explores how local barriers can slow the progression of women in politics, and she has been instrumental in bringing about change - most recently she was involved in the establishment of the Irish Women’s Parliamentary Caucus.

McGing can see the potential impact of the Athena SWAN Charter for change in higher education. “In Ireland, many research funders are now linking Athena Swan accreditation to their grants, and I am sure that has focused a lot of minds, then through self-assessment we also gather the data, so it’s a powerful combination,” she says. “And research does show that when you have parity in the workplace, performance improves.”

Because MU now has its Bronze Award, individual departments in the University can apply for their individual Athena SWAN accreditations, and several are lining up to do so, explains McGing.

“I am working with departments on their own applications,” she says. “Three are already applying – the Department of Biology, the Department of Geography and the School of Business.”

Dr Karen English was on the self-assessment team for MU’s Bronze Award and she is now chairing the Athena SWAN self-assessment Continues overleaf ☞

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committee in the Department of Biology. The process involved gathering the data on gender breakdowns and also carrying out focus groups with students and staff.

“We had an overwhelmingly positive response; the majority of people find the Department of Biology a family-friendly place to work,” says Dr English.

“But we did find issues with career progression for women, so we are making our mentoring processes more formalised, and that is something both men and women can benefit from. In focus groups, PhD students identified that they needed more rounded support, so we are redesigning our progress report meetings to ensure that happens. We are also starting the Kathleen Lonsdale Seminar Series, named after the famous Kildare woman who made discoveries in X-ray crystallography, in which we will invite women scientists to give public talks.”

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be used to calm the symptoms of chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes and graft-versus-host disease. Read more on page 9.

She believes the self-assessment process has delivered important insights that can improve the workplace for all.

“We can see the issues, we listened to staff and students and we have come up with workable actions,” she says.

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#IfStudents DidLibraries

Dr English’s research, which is funded by the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland, explores how adult stem cells can

Bitcoin Research on Energy Consumption Attracting International Media Attention Researchers at Maynooth’s Hamilton Institute, Dr David Malone and Karl O’Dwyer, have found that the energy footprint of “mining” bitcoin raises serious questions about its environmental impact.

The energy footprint of the cryptocurrency bitcoin has now overtaken the electricity consumption of Ireland because the combination of interest in bitcoin mining and the technology involved is not improving in efficiency.

“When we add the overhead energy consumption for things like cooling for bitcoin mining operations, we can see the energy footprint outstripping the usage of entire countries like Ireland,” Dr Malone said.

News on anything crytocurrency related is hot. The MU research findings have been featured in CNBC, The Washington Post, and dozens of other media outlets worldwide.

MU student, Donald Mzondo

MU becomes first Irish university to install high-tech EnergyPods

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aynooth student’s winning pitch shows that a 20-minute nap is more effective than a cup of coffee Maynooth University has become the first Irish university to install high-tech EnergyPods, which allow students to take 20-minute naps to help keep their energy levels up during a busy day at college.

Earlier this year MU installed two EnergyPods in the Library and one in the MU Access Office. The initiative is the result of the 2017 MU Library Innovation Award and the #IfStudentsDidLibraries campaign.

The competition saw approximately 40 students submit their proposals on how to improve the Maynooth University Library. A shortlist of seven finalists pitched their innovations ‘Dragons’ Den’ style to a panel of judges, who chose a winner to receive €1,000 and implement their idea in the library.

The winning idea came from first-year student Brian Crinion, who is studying for a BSc in Robotics and Intelligent Devices. In his pitch, Crinion outlined the proven benefits of napping, citing research that shows that a 20-minute nap is more effective than a cup of coffee in restoring energy levels – with the bonus of not coming with any associated ‘crash’ as is the case with sugar or caffeine.

The EnergyPods were designed for high-pressure business environments and are being leased from MetroNaps UK. They feature a privacy visor and built-in speaker system to block out surrounding distractions. An interface on the chairs includes a timer that will allow the student to rest for 20 minutes before waking them with an alarm.

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2009

Economists Come Home to Maynooth

Central Bank Deputy Governor Spells Out Rationale for Capital Buffers

Dr Stephanie Keogh 2009 BA, 2015 PhD

National Centre for Geocomputation, Social Science Institute (MUSSI), Geography, Maynooth University

Prof Gregory Connor, Dept of Economics, Finance and Accounting; Dr Robert Kelly, Deputy Head of Financial Stability at Central Bank of Ireland; Dermot O’Leary, Chief Economist at Goodbody Stockbrokers; Dr Bridget McNally, Lecturer in the Dept of Economics, Finance and Accounting; Sharon Donnery, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank. Robert and Dermot are both graduates of the Economics and Finance programme.

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Dermot O’Leary (BA ’02 MA’03), Chief Economist at Goodbody Stockbrokers, as well as Professor Gregory O’Connor, who discussed a range of issues on the theme of macroprudential policy.

The Deputy Governor was joined on the day by an expert panel including Maynooth alumni Dr Robert Kelly (BA ’03, MA ’04, PhD ’09), Deputy Head of Financial Stability at Central Bank of Ireland, and

The Deputy Governor noted that despite the very positive developments in the Irish economy in recent years, certain challenges remain as a legacy of the crisis, including the extent of long-term mortgage arrears and the relatively high level of private and public debt

haron Donnery, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland and former Maynooth University lecturer, used a speech at Maynooth on the 31st May this year to set out the rationale for a countercyclical capital buffer for Irish banks.

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In order to build resilience in the face of uncertainty, Sharon Donnery emphasised the importance of using the gains from strong cyclical dynamics to build up sufficient buffers to withstand the losses that will arise during a downturn.

One proposed instrument available to the Central Bank is the Countercyclical Capital Buffer (CCyB). The buffer works by increasing the minimum capital requirement of banks when cyclical risks begin to build. During downturns the buffer is then released by reducing minimum capital requirements in a sustainable way.

Mitigating the systemic risks associated with economic downturns requires talented economists with the skills necessary to identify, measure and manage these risks.

The Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting are clearly at the forefront when it comes to producing graduates with the required skillsets.

Alumni Profile

2009 Robert Kelly Deputy Head of Financial Stability Central Bank of Ireland

2003 BA, 2004 MA, 2009 PhD In 1999, a young Robert Kelly marked Computer Science as his 1st choice university course before changing his mind at the very last moment. In his words, he was a “quant guy” and went on to earn his BA in Economics from Maynooth in 2003, his MA in 2004, and his PhD in 2009 under the supervision of current Chair of the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting Fabrice Rousseau. During his time as a graduate student, he taught economics to undergraduates, but after his PhD left academia for a far more tumultuous world.

Ireland in 2009 was in the throes of a financial crisis and Dr Robert Kelly was called to the Central Bank’s Financial Stability division.

Robert said, “As an economist, I could make a real contribution to helping Ireland regain its footing. It wasn’t easy; there were a lot of difficult policy choices, but Ireland is now seeing the benefits and is among the fastest growing economies in Europe.” Robert recently took up the role as head of the Macro Financial Division, where he is responsible for assessing risks from across the financial system and defining the appropriate macro prudential policy. The best-known example of such a policy is the loan-to-value and loanto-income limits on mortgages introduced in 2015.

Robert recently visited Maynooth University’s Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting where he said: “I apply what I

learned at Maynooth University every day to my role in the Central Bank working in the public interest, striving to meet the challenges of future risks.”

The student and teacher in Robert remains, as he added: “I was at Maynooth for a decade and caught the bug of contributing through writing and publishing papers on important policy issues. Learning is a habit and I’m grateful to the faculty, friends and colleagues, and that’s why I enjoy returning to catch-up and present recent work.”

“Maynooth University is different. It is large enough to offer a broad range of courses for students to develop the required skills, but small enough to retain the personable approach to teaching and developing the next generation of policy makers.”

Ground to Air

At the Cutting-Edge of Drone Safety

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he U-Flyte team at Maynooth University has completed its first search and rescue tests off Ireland’s south east coast.

Dr Stephanie Keogh explains how their pioneering drone technology will aid emergency services.

When Storm Helene hit Ireland in the September week scheduled for U-Flyte’s drone tests off the south east coast, the weather alerts threatened to derail months of painstaking planning.

Luckily, the coast of Waterford escaped the worst of the status Orange warnings, and the blustery rain even provided some real life conditions to test the drone’s innovative search and rescue potential.

After the week of intensive tests, Dr Stephanie Keogh, a member of U-Flyte’s team at Maynooth’s National Centre for Geocomputation (NCG), presented the ground-breaking findings to aviation experts and emergency search and rescue services, including the Irish Coast Guard.

“Our tests were exploring how drones could complement search and rescue services, and de-risk some of their activities. We would also hope that it might reduce the cost of some existing search and rescue services, for example, the use of helicopters and search and rescue vessels,” Dr Keogh explains.

“My skill sets fitted with research in drone technology as this involves the collection of climate data,” she said. “Drones are another way for us to capture data in a consistent way. It’s about looking at that data and being able to couple it with what’s on the ground and in the air.”

Coordinated by Maynooth University, U-Flyte is a research partnership funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and industry collaborators including Airbus, Irelandia Aviation and INTEL. The project was launched at Waterford Airport in May with Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development.

John Halligan TD. The National Centre for Geocomputation (NCG) in Maynooth has been “at the cutting edge of testing drones for data capture,”she explained. “But the question has increasingly been: How do we create and manage protocols that allow drones to operate in a safe, secure manner?”

“We need to establish how to manage Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems because this type of traffic is only going to increase.”

Led by drone expert Dr Tim McCarthy at Maynooth University, the U-Flyte team conducted five separate tests demonstrating how drones could be deployed safely and swiftly for search and rescue.

One demonstration featured Dr McCarthy wading fully clothed into the sea off Dunmore East to play the role of ‘swimmer in distress’ for test purposes.

“In these demonstrators you play more than one role, we have a dynamic team that are not afraid to get their hands dirty or their feet wet,” Dr Keogh says.

Graduating with a BA in European Studies at Maynooth University, having studied geography as a core subject, Dr Keogh developed a strong interest in climate change during an Erasmus year in Toulouse, France. “I was fortunate in that when I returned, the MSc in Climate Change was launching at Maynooth,” she says.

Climate change and the urban environment became the subject of her PhD at Maynooth, focussing in particular on air quality and carbon dioxide levels in Dublin city.

The U-Flyte team: Dr Tim McCarthy, Dr Stephanie Keogh and Fearghus Foyle

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Maynooth psychologists work on HSE-funded research to help families struggling with mental health

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hristine Mulligan’s personal story of a child trying to cope with a parent’s depression is not unique, and it highlights the urgent need to tackle parental mental illness and its impact on families.

For the first time in Ireland, a team of psychologists at Maynooth University’s Centre for Mental Health and Community Research (CMHCR), is researching how services can better support families facing the traumatic challenges experienced by Christine Mulligan as child.

Professor Sinéad McGilloway and Dr Mairead Furlong are leading the ‘PRIMERA’ research programme, funded by the HSE Mental Health Division. This programme is playing an important role in increasing awareness among mental health professionals of the impact of family mental health on children.

Professor McGilloway, the Principal Investigator of the programme at Maynooth’s Centre for Mental Health and Community Research, said children of parents with mental health difficulties are at risk of poor mental and physical health, impaired social relationships and low levels of educational attainment. As a result, they are among the most vulnerable hidden groups in society.

Inspired by Experience Studying to support families burdened by parental mental illness

Professor Sinéad McGilloway and PhD student Christine Mullligan (BA 2017)

2017

“Balancing the needs of a parent in recovery with the needs of children in their care is challenging. Current mental health services typically offer an

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s a young girl, Christine Mulligan never dreamt she would go to university. Growing up in a family struggling to make ends meet, she was just eight years old when her mother attempted an overdose.

Now a PhD scholar, Christine is a member of Maynooth University’s PRIMERA team, researching ways to support families affected by mental illness. She tells her story:

“Education was a low priority in my family growing up, overshadowed by my parents’ struggle to raise four young children all aged under four years. Homeless for a time, squatting in Ballymun towers, we were eventually housed in Kilbarrack. Like so many of my parents’ generation and socio-economic background, life was a daily struggle to make ends meet. Despite my parents’ best efforts, our home was fraught with parental mental ill health and addiction.

“One early memory of my parents’ struggle to cope was when, at the age of 8, I woke up to hear my dad shouting to rouse my mum from an overdose she had taken the previous night. Her grief at the recent loss of her mother had tipped the delicate emotional balance she had been maintaining against all the odds. It took

individualised model of care, and this move to a ‘whole family approach’ requires a significant shift in attitudes and practices.

We are already informing and shaping that shift through our research, and at a pace that exceeds similar projects in other jurisdictions.” -- Prof Sinéad McGilloway

The PRIMERA Programme – Promoting Research and Innovation in Mental Health Services for children and families – is identifying, helping to implement and evaluating family-focused interventions for families with children aged 5-18 years, in which a parent has mental health difficulties.

To date, a total of 14 mental health sites across Ireland – including HSE adult, child and adolescent mental health services, TUSLA, and St John of God Hospital – have agreed to participate in the PRIMERA research.

Twelve of these sites are undergoing training in, and are implementing, an intervention called Family Talk, which began in October 2018. A further two sites will trial a systemic family therapy and multi-family group intervention. The process of reaching out to suitable families is now underway at all sites including Donegal, Galway, Mayo Drogheda, Dublin and many counties in-between. The first findings should be available from early 2020.

years for me to realise that growing up and knowing about suicide, was not ‘normal’.

Unfortunately, it was ‘my normal’.

“However, all illusions that early encounters with suicide had not had a negative effect on me, were washed away on the day the body of my 20-year-old brother was pulled by police divers from the River Liffey.

Tragically, he had succeeded where my mother had not.”

After a period in the workforce, Christine longed to return to full-time education and was accepted as a mature student in Maynooth University to study psychology, selling her house to fund her studies. She graduated with a First-Class Honours last year and second in her cohort. Now she is working on a PhD at the University’s Centre for Mental Health and Community Research on the PRIMERA research

programme for children and families.

Funded by the HSE Mental Health Division, the programme is helping develop and evaluate services aimed at supporting the whole family when a parent has mental health issues.

“Prior to this, I had never dreamt of attending university, let alone undertaking a PhD,” Christine said.

“We hope through this important research, to shine a light on, and address, the potential risks for young families living with parental mental illness.”

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n-insint ag filí na scol, sainaicme i sochaí na hÉireann a raibh ardmheas orthu ar feadh na gcéadta bliain, go dtí deireadh an 17ú haois.

Foinse Féidearthachtaí Ní amháin gur nasc ábhartha idir an t-am atá thart agus Éire an lae inniu í an Ghaeilge ach is foinse féidearthachtaí í freisin

Mínítear sa scéal gur thug 30 fealsamh rabhadh ag tús an domhain go raibh díle le teacht, díle a chuirfeadh deireadh le ciall agus le réasún. Nuair a fuair na fealsúna amach nár thug aon duine aird ar an rabhadh a thug siad, chuaigh na fealsúna ar foscadh i bpluais. Nuair a tháinig na fealsúna amach as an bpluais, fuair siad amach go raibh an chiall caillte ag gach duine eile toisc go raibh siad amuigh sna ceathanna báistí. Bhí ar na fealsúna cinneadh a dhéanamh ansin, ar cheart dóibh leanúint ar aghaidh agus ‘cith na baoise’ a sheachaint agus an chiall a bhí acu a choinneáil nó ar cheart dóibh seasamh faoin gcéad chith eile agus a bheith cosúil le gach duine eile.

D’aontaigh na fealsúna nach raibh luach ar bith leis an ngaois a bhí acu agus chinn siad gur cheart dóibh seasamh faoin gcith báistí ionas go mbeidís in ann a bheith cosúil le gach duine eile. I leagan amháin den scéal, dúradh: “Beag díol na cruinne dar gcéill”. Tar éis mheath na mbardscoileanna, rinneadh tagairt don scéal faoin 30 fealsamh i ndán a chum Gairdian Choláiste na nGael sa Róimh, an fealsamh agus an diagaire Proinsiasach Froinsias Ó Maolmhuaidh – dán a foilsíodh sa bhliain 1677.

Ina dhán, cáineann Ó Maolmhuaidh muintir

s minic a shamhlaítear athbheochanachas na Gaeilge le tréimhse chúng stairiúil amháin idir na 1890í agus na 1920í, tréimhse ar a dtugtar ‘Athbheochan na Gaeilge’.

Is den chúngú céanna ‘Athbheochan na Gaeilge’ a thuiscint mar chéim a bhrostaigh bunú stáit neamhspleách sa bhliain 1922.

Cé go bhfuil muintir na hÉireann ag comóradh ‘Deich mBliana na gCuimhneachán’ san am i láthair, tá an iomarca béime ar aon athbheochan amháin seachas ar fheiniméan leathan sin an athbheochanachais.

Sin an argóint a dhéanann an tOllamh le Nua-Ghaeilge in Ollscoil Mhá Nuad, Fionntán de Brún. Deir sé:

Súil Eile Bronnadh Buaicghradam Cumarsáide an Oireachtais an bhliain seo ar an alumnus Pádhraic Ó Ciardha (BA 1975, MA 1976), le feiceáil sa phictiúr seo ag an searmanas bronnta lena bhean chéile Mary (BA 1975, AD san Oid, 1976) agus lena mhac Seán. Is duine de na príomhcheannródaithe in earnáil na cumarsáide Gaeilge le cúig bliana is fiche anuas é Pádhraic. Is as Cois Fharraige i nGaeltacht Chonamara do Phádhraic ó dhúchas agus is craoltóir fíor-chumasach é a d’oibrigh trí mheán an Bhéarla agus trí mheán na Gaeilge le linn a shaoil ghairmiúil. D’fhill sé ar OMN i 2018 chun dul i mbun léachtóireachta le Roinn na Nua-Ghaeilge.

“Ceangal ábhartha atá sa Ghaeilge, ceangal a chinntíonn go bhfuil leanúnachas idir an t-am atá thart agus Éire an lae inniu. Tá i bhfad níos mó ná nasc ábhartha i gceist áfach, is meán í trínar féidir breathnú ar an domhan ar bhealach iomlán difriúil. Is féidir leis an Ghaeilge bonn seasmhach a chur fúinn agus muid a athrú ó bhonn ag an am céanna.

Tá an cheist seo ar cheann de na príomhábhair a pléadh i léacht tionscnaimh an Ollaimh de Brún ‘Ag seachaint ‘cith na baoise’ - an Ghaeilge, an tAthbheochanachas agus Stair na nIdéanna’.

Deir sé: “Má tá Gaeilge againn, is féidir linn nasc a dhéanamh ar an bpointe lenár stair féin. Trí ainmneacha Gaeilge a thuiscint fiú – logainmneacha nó sloinnte, nó céad ainmneacha fiú – fuasclaítear eolas dúinn a bheadh ceilte murach an tuiscint sin. Is féidir leis an bhfonn féin – an mhian a thugann spreagadh dúinn eolas ón am atá thart a athbheochan – saoirse a thabhairt agus an duine a athrú ó bhonn. Tugaimid athbheochanas ar an mhian sin agus ba mhinic a tugadh neamhaird uirthi.”

Déanann ‘cith na baoise’, an nath ó theideal léacht an Ollaimh de Brún, tagairt do cheann de na scéalta fáthchiallacha a bhíodh á

1980 John Eves 1980 BA

CEO, Thornton Group John Eves (Irish and Sociology, 1980) followed a path from Donegal to Maynooth expecting to pursue a vocation, but he instead he chose Irish and Sociology – and his fellow student, Patricia (Gallagher), just a year behind him at university. Patricia pursued her degree and went on to teach Irish and eventually to serve as Deputy Principal of a local school. (They married in 1985.)

After making the difficult decision that the clerical life was not for him, he had to reconsider his options. Teaching was the most obvious path with an Arts degree in those days. However, he set out on a business qualification journey.

Jobs were hard to come by in the early ‘80s, but John wanted to stay in Ireland, so on his return to Donegal, he was ready to take any post. Working in a medical devices company, he joined the Human Resources Department as the company was rapidly expanding. He loved the hard work and when things calmed down at his first job, he drove from Donegal to Dublin for an interview as a Loss Adjuster at Thornton & Partners. John was 23 years old at the time

na hÉireann toisc gur ghéill siad do chith na baoise. Taobhaíonn sé le muintir na hÉireann, idir óg agus aosta, tréigean sin na litearthachta a chur ina cheart agus, ar an gcaoi sin, athrú drámatúil a thabhairt ar a dtodhchaí féin. Mar a mhaígh sé féin: “Fill anosa, a aos mh’anma, ná bí go dian dogharmtha, ’s nach cian ó chathshaoirlios Chuinn, Go mbia an t-athaoibhnios againn.”

Bhí an méid seo le rá ag an Ollamh de Brún: “Meabhraíonn an úsáid a bhain Ó Maolmhaidh as an scéal faoin 30 fealsamh sa dán an rogha a bhí acu agus an rogha atá ag muintir na hÉireann a n-oidhreacht intleachtúil a thabhairt slán.”

Díríonn an athbheochan léinn agus litearthachta sa Ghaeilge atá molta ag Ó Maolmhaidh ar rogha a dhéanamh, fiú nuair atá sé níos éasca imeacht le sruth an tsaoil, agus a gcinniúint féin a chumadh fiú má théann sé i gcoinne an tsaoil mar atá.

D’iarr Ó Maolmhuaidh ar mhuintir na hÉireann an todhchaí a athshamhlú trí fhilleadh ar an méid atá tréigthe acu – litearthacht sa Ghaeilge sa chás seo – agus áitíonn de Brún gur cheart dúinn glacadh leis an gcomhairle sin sa lá atá inniu ann. Maidir le rogha a dhéanamh agus le caomhnú cuí ár gcuid acmhainní intleachtúla agus cultúrtha is ceist í atá níos leithne ná ceist na Gaeilge.

Ar an dóigh chéanna, níl in ‘Athbheochan na Gaeilge’ ach sampla amháin de ghluaiseacht athfhillteach stairiúil an athbheochanachais.

Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh, TD.

Maynooth University has a proud record of alumni achieving high office in Government, particularly in the education portfolio. Minister of Education and Skills, Joe McHugh (BA 1992, HDip Ed 1993), joined those ranks in October.

Former Ministers for Education include Mary O’Rourke (HDip Ed 1967) and Mary Hanafin (BA 1979, HDip Ed 1980). Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TD, also graduated from MU with an MEd in 2002.

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and after two lengthy interviews, he joined the firm. Some years later, he qualified as a Certified Accountant. Six years after that, John was Thornton’s youngest-ever Partner and later, Managing Partner. The firm grew and became incorporated, and John was appointed Managing Director. He is now their largest individual shareholder. He was appointed President of the Insurance Institute of Ireland, and on the international front, was elected President of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters based in London, the first time someone from the Republic of Ireland held that role.

John notes that, “I started out in the vocations, studied Irish, moved to Donegal to work in HR, and moved to Dublin to work as a Loss Adjuster when I had little idea what they did. I was interested in niche professions that had variety and I was fortunate in that regard. For most students, career paths present as somewhat restricted options. However, opportunities are limitless, and organisations are crying out for diversity at all levels, gender, skillsets, culture and experience. Always read the small print on qualification pathways.

There are often hidden gems there.”

As the CEO of an Irish-based business that moves quickly to assess insurance claims ranging from homes to gorse fires threatening businesses, to power stations, and product recalls across the globe, John

has a personal understanding of unexpected change. He remains active with his local parish and is increasingly active with Maynooth University where he looks forward to speaking with students about careers. “My story of change is the norm and I hope that it can spur students to trying their hand at different opportunities, whether it’s on campus, or off. Maynooth is a great place to begin your journey. It prepared me very well for what followed.”

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Research and postgraduate education at the heart of Maynooth University Strategic Plan 2018 – 2022

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“Last year, Maynooth University marked its 20th anniversary as an independent institution, and its achievements in that time have been remarkable.”

€300 million Capital Development Plan to enable strategy

-- Prof Philip Nolan, President of Maynooth University

International Centre for Science Technology & Innovation – RKD Architects

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reland’s fastest growing university has unveiled plans to grow research to address global and societal challenges and expand total postgraduate enrolments by more than 60% over the next five years.

academic future.”

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into

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“The plan builds on Maynooth University’s work in widening participation and expanding student choice through the introduction of a new undergraduate curriculum that is regarded as the single most important development in undergraduate education in Ireland in recent years,” she said.

At the launch of its Strategic Plan 20182022 Maynooth University also announced a joint International College of Engineering at one of China’s leading universities that will see 1,200 Chinese students graduate with Maynooth University degrees in computer science and electronic engineering over the next four years. (See page 4) Under the new strategic plan, a €300 million capital investment will transform the Maynooth University campus experience.

Construction on a new state-of-the-art academic centre will begin in early 2019.

In addition to a range of innovation, sports and recreation amenities, a new Student Centre and on-campus student bed accommodation for an extra 1,000 students form part of a sustainable Campus Master Plan.

powerhouses

A new Student Centre, designed by Scott Tallon Walker Architects, will open to MU students in 2021.

Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TD, launched the University Strategic Plan, saying, “Maynooth University has made enormous strides during its relatively short history as an independent institution. Its work in undergraduate education in recent years has

been remarkable and I greatly welcome the strategic vision and roadmap set out in this latest plan to drive research, postgraduate studies and internationalisation at the University. These are three drivers of excellence in global education and will position Maynooth well as one of Ireland’s

Maynooth University President, Professor Philip Nolan, said the institution now aims to grow its doctoral community to 600 and increase the number of master’s students at the University to 1,600.

“Last year, Maynooth University marked its 20th anniversary as an independent institution, and its achievements in that time have been remarkable. We are recognised for our world-class research which drives the excellent teaching at the University. Our new undergraduate curriculum, rooted in the tradition of a liberal education, has brought unparalleled

choice to students and is better preparing them to adapt to the careers of the future. It is now timely to focus on the postgraduate and research aspects of our mission to drive us forward over the next five to 10 years.” said Professor Philip Nolan.

• Grown its CAO first preferences by more than a third (to 3,408) in the same period

Key to bolstering Maynooth University’s international credentials is the establishment of its first joint International College of Engineering, with Fuzhou University in the Fujian province of China, which will see around 300 students graduate annually with Maynooth University degrees when it reaches full capacity.

• Expanded staff numbers by 37% to 428 since 2012

Commenting on the partnership with Fuzhou University, Professor Philip Nolan said: “This is a necessary move for a bold, progressive young university. It is about embedding ourselves in the local culture and academic environment to strive together for world-class developments. Fuzhou has been selected as one of the highest potential universities in all of China and a long-term partnership is the appropriate way forward to develop a flow of knowledge, research and students.”

In recent years Maynooth University has witnessed significant growth and progress.

It has: • Increased student numbers by over 60% to 12,500 since 2008

• Seen the number of international students more than double to 1,100

• Delivered a diverse collection of high technology start-up companies, supported by the MaynoothWorks business incubator • Built strong links with more than 50 enterprise partners across the country in a range of areas • Cemented its position as the national leader in widening participation in university education. More than 45% of new MU undergraduates are the first in their families to experience higher education.

Maynooth University is Ireland’s fastest growing university and is ranked as one of the top 100 global universities under 50 years old by the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings.

Maynooth University Strategic Plan 2018-22 is available here: https://mu.ie/strategicplan

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Professor Victor Lazzarini, Dean of Arts, Celtic Studies and Philosophy, and Professor AC Grayling, who delivered the Dean’s Lecture during Research Week

A Rich Harvest for Research Week 2019 In October, Maynooth University brought its research to life with over 30 public lectures, competitions, and dynamic workshops featuring MU’s vibrant research community of scholars and students

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enowned philosopher and cultural commentator Prof AC Grayling visit MU for 2018 Dean’s Lecture

This year’s Dean’s Lecture, entitled, ‘The Meaning of Brexit for the Westminster Model and the Future of Democracy,’ delivered

by Prof AC Grayling at the annual Dean’s Lecture couldn’t have been more timely. In discussing the political implications, Professor Grayling said:

“Brexit exposes the way that the ‘Westminster model’ of democracy is failing, by showing how it represents not the interests of the nation but of partisan interests within it who have their hands on the constitutional levers.”

Other highlights of Research Week 2018 IGNITE -- No long-winded academics need apply for this fastpaced competition! Academics deliver 5-minute presentations in which slides auto-advance every 15 seconds. Topics ranged from the robot apocalypse to memories of cinemagoing in 50s-60s Ireland, from Bitcoin energy consumption to human milk banks.

‘Soft Power: Building and Maintaining Effective Collaborations’ – Head of the MU School of Business, Prof Peter McNamara, presented his latest research on how social ventures can successfully mobilize resources and gain wider support, based on a study of 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

‘Myth, Poetry and Medicine in Medieval Ireland’ – A packed house welcomed Dr Deborah Hayden, an IRC Laureate based in Maynooth’s Department of Early Irish (Sean-Ghaeilge), to hear about her ground-breaking research into Medieval Irish Language medical manuscripts.

And more: • ‘3 Minute Thesis’ Competition • Undergraduate Research Symposium (SPUR) • ‘Mammal: Motherhood and the Arts and Humanities’ • Lecture and launch of MU’s Sexualities and Gender Research Network (MU SexGen) • Argentine Film Festival • GIS Workshop: ‘Data for Decisions’ • Lecture by Prof Jim Walsh and Prof Mary Gilmartin: ‘Visions and Plans for Regional Development in Ireland since the 1960s’ • ‘Fantastic DNA’ Primary School Roadshow

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“Molecular computing will likely find applications initially in tools for scientists to explore fundamental questions, and into the future it could have a huge impact on medicine.”

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DNA and Molecular Computing: The next frontier of high-tech disease diagnosis

This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 772766).

New MU Prof Damien Woods (BSc 1999, PhD 2005)

By Dr Claire O’Connell

John Ghent 2001 BSc, 2005 PhD

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omputers are everywhere, but how will they work in the future? Could we harness the richness of molecular interactions to store and process information? To find out, Professor Damien Woods has returned to his alma mater to further his research into molecular computing.

This approach processes information through the interaction of molecules such as DNA, and it could lead to breakthroughs in fundamental science and in areas such as diagnosing disease in medicine.

Professor Woods has had a longstanding interest in how we can push the boundaries of computing. His PhD at Maynooth focused

on using light as a basis in ‘optical’ computing, and he has since worked on computational theory and exploring the power of selfassembling molecules.

He built his research at University College Cork and at the University of Seville in Spain before moving to Caltech in California to work with a pioneer in the field of molecular self-assembly. Wishing to return to Europe, Professor Woods moved to INRIA in France and he successfully won a prestigious European Research Council grant to explore how DNA molecules can be used in computing and building nanostructures.

In August 2018, he took up a Professorship at the Hamilton Institute at Maynooth University, alongside three other new colleagues. Professor Andrew Parnell joins the Hamilton Institute to work on statistical analysis across a range of socially important issues, including climate change; Professor Vicenc Torra joins to continue his work on data privacy and machine learning; and Professor Subhra Dey joins to progress his research on control systems and signal propagation in telecommunications networks.

At the Hamilton Institute, Professor Woods will carry out ERC-funded research into molecular computing and building tiny nanostructures with DNA molecules.

“Molecular computing will likely find applications initially in tools for scientists to explore fundamental questions, and into the future it could have a huge impact on medicine,” he says. “We might be able to control molecules directly in cells in order to monitor for or diagnose disease.”

For now though, Professor Woods is enjoying the challenge of theorising, designing and building a new generation of computers.

“For me the joy is in looking at fundamental scientific questions,” he says. “I really enjoy exploring new directions.”

CEO, Sytorus John Ghent is a successful serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Sytorus, a Dublin-based company with offices in London, Stockholm and Frankfurt. Sytorus is a technology firm involved in data privacy training and risk assessment. His entrepreneurial streak has remained close to his BSc and PhD in Computer Science, as has his love of Maynooth University. John mentioned that he earned a scholarship during his time at Maynooth in the first years of the University’s independence. He is keen to give back through industry partnerships, mentoring students and working with the Computer Science Department.

John was a serious academic, securing Science Foundation Ireland and Enterprise Ireland grants with primary researcher Dr John McDonald, so he was well-used to success when he won Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founder of the Year award from Enterprise Ireland.

John Ghent said of his time at Maynooth: “I want to help Maynooth University produce leaders. We are one of the country’s quiet success stories and I love telling others about our students.”

Alumni Profile

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Personal and Professional development for MU Students

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he MU Office of Experiential Learning, established in 2016 as part of the University’s undergraduate curricular reforms, assists students in connecting Focus on You – classroom content with real-world experiences.

Self-Awareness Examples include: professional development, Elevator Pitch Teamwork: undergraduate research, service learning and Interviewing Problem Solved and community engagement. for Firms

Me Inc. – Your Professional Brand

Employer-Led Interactive Skill Workshops

Pitch Perfect – Perfecting Your Presentation Skills

Enterprise Uncovered

Excelling in Interviews and the Workplace The Art of Leadership

Applications and Group Assessment

Pat O’Meara (BA 1980, HDip Ed 1981)

2018 marked the first graduation for students under the new Bachelor of Arts degree, a result of undergraduate curriculum reforms MU implemented in 2015.

One such alumnus was Pat O’Meara, Principal Consultant, Woods & Associates.

“No one ever learned to ride a bike or to swim by reading a book or attending a lecture about it. This is why the MU Learning-by-Doing Programme of Experiential Learning matters so much.”

Experiential learning professional development and employability modules are available to eligible second year students. The key purpose of these modules is to facilitate students in their academic, personal and professional career development, so that they will be well equipped to secure internships and to successfully enter the graduate labour market. The modules, involving a number of employers, will provide students with the opportunity to develop a strong sense of self-awareness, as well as enabling them to identify and develop a range of employability skills, which will be fundamental to their future career.

MU students can now experience more from their degree programme by developing and cultivating high-impact learning experiences, both inside and outside the classroom, where students learn by doing. These experiences are delivered in collaboration with academic educators, employers, alumni and community partners.

They connect classroom content with realworld experience, empowering MU students to grow and develop with the relevant knowledge, skills and competencies that they need for lifelong learning success.

Internships

If you’d like to assist our students with internships, placement opportunities or would like to assist with future Experiential Learning initiatives, please contact the Development and Alumni Relations Office at alumni.office@mu.ie.

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new purpose-built moving image preservation at Maynooth University was launched by Josepha Madigan T.D., Minister of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in 2018.

The largest facility of its kind in Ireland, this state-of-the-art building triples the IFI Irish Film Archive’s current storage capacity, thereby ensuring the preservation of Ireland’s national film heritage for generations to come.

Films from directors including John Huston, Neil Jordan, Jim Sheridan, Lenny Abrahamson, Mary McGuckian, Pat Murphy, Aisling Walsh, George Morrison, Paddy Breathnach, Bob Quinn, Louis Marcus, Joe Comerford and Alan Parker amongst many

1994 Sinead Scully

1992 BA, 1994 MSc Director of Enterprise Sales, IBM Ireland

Sinead Scully took full advantage of a Maynooth University education with her 1992 undergraduate degree in Classic and Economics and a Master’s degree in Computer Science – the first Maynooth degree of its kind in 1994.

Sinead enjoyed her undergraduate maths, but at the time, there were no opportunities for cross-enrolment into Computer Science, so she pursued her other academic and personal interests. As a child, she owned a Commodore 64, which led to her working in IT Support at the University for two summers. On the verge of accepting her offer to a Higher Dip in teaching, she noticed adverts popping up for the new Master’s degree in Computer Science. In the class of four (two men and two women), she thrived and after responding to a job advertisement from IBM posted on campus (referred to at the time as ‘milk round’), she was offered a job in programming at IBM.

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, T.D. (in front), Professor Philip Nolan, President, Maynooth University and Ross Keane, CEO/Director of the Irish Film Institute

others will be stored at the facility as part of the Institute’s collections, plus a large number of amateur films from the IFI Film Archive’s vast repository.

In November 2011, the IFI officially launched the IFI Irish Film Archive Preservation Fund after its archive building in Temple Bar reached capacity. Through this innovative partnership with Maynooth University and support from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Maynooth University, the Irish Film Board, and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, the IFI Irish Film Archive @ Maynooth University has come to fruition. Measuring 180 sq m (1,900 sq ft), the facility contains 120 sq m (1,300 sq ft) of climate-controlled vault space to help house part of the IFI Irish Film Archive’s vast collection of 30,000 cans of film dating from 1897.

A strong advocate for soft skills, Sinead moved into sales at Big Blue because she could understand both programming and customer needs. With these interests, she has risen to the role of Director of Enterprise Sales at IBM Ireland where she is responsible for the IBM Ireland Sales organisation, responsible for hardware and software sales as well as the enterprise consultancy into the Ireland marketplace.

Sinead said: “Programming is essential, of course, but I’m interested in what technology can do for people. My broad education at Maynooth University made this career possible.” Today, Sinead is giving back to MU, sharing her expertise as a member of the Computer Sciences Advisory Board.

Alumni Profile

Widely seen to be the single most important development in undergraduate education in Ireland in recent decades, the programme increases the emphasis on the fundamental skills of critical thinking and clear communication.

Unique subject combinations and the provision of experiential learning have resonated with students and with alumni, who, following an appeal from the Development and Alumni Relations Office, returned to campus to conduct simulated interviews with MU students as part of their experiential learning experience.

State-of-the Art Preservation Facility IFI Irish Film Archive @ Maynooth University Opens

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Rediscover Maynooth in 2019

Choose from over 125 postgraduate programmes at Ireland’s fastest growing university

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Giving back and Going forward Maynooth grads, together with the Affinity Credit Card, ensure Taught Master’s Alumni Scholarships continue in 2018

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s Maynooth continues to expand its bursary and scholarship opportunities, successful 2018 applicants for the Maynooth Alumni Taught Master’s Scholarships, Sinéad, John and Clíodhna will continue their postgraduate studies at MU, thanks to the goodwill and generosity of Maynooth graduates.

Clíodhna Duffy

John McEneaney

Sinéad O’Connell

“Chuala mé faoin scoláireacht seo thart ar sé mí ó shin ó mo léachtóirí sa NuaGhaeilge nuair a bhí orm cinneadh a dhéanamh fanacht in Ollscoil Mhá Nuad don mháistreacht. Leis an scoláireacht seo a fháil tá an t-ádh orm go bhfuil mé in ann leanúint ar aghaidh ag déanamh ar theanga na tíre seo in áit a thug an oiread sin deiseanna acadúla agus sóisialta dom le ceithre bliana anuas mar fhochéimí.”

“I first heard about the scholarship from a lecturer who I had spoken to about doing my masters. If it was not for this alumni scholarship, it is likely that I would not have been financially able to do this course.

I’m very grateful for this opportunity as it will really help me pursue a career in the field of Data Science.”

“I really enjoyed my time as an undergraduate in Maynooth. It was an easy choice to return to the university to do a masters and qualify as a teacher. I’m very proud to have been awarded the alumni scholarship, and it will really ease the burden of funding this course. “

(MA Nua Ghaeilge)

Enhance Your Employability

Reap the career benefits of a postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate qualifications are positively correlated with earnings potential. 88% of Maynooth University Master’s survey respondents and 91% of our PhD survey respondents were in employment within nine months of graduation.

Top 400 in the World / 200 in Europe

The 2018 Times Higher Education global rankings place Maynooth University among the top 400 universities in the world and in the top 200 universities in Europe.

Number One in Student Experience

The 2017 International Student Barometer Survey ranked Maynooth University first among Irish universities.

Postgraduate Scholarships

Maynooth University invests €1.4 million annually in our postgraduate students at Master’s and PhD level. Our postgraduate scholarships are open for application in January 2019.

Campus Experience

Over the last 5 years, the Maynooth University campus infrastructure has expanded through the development of our state-ofthe-art library, the addition of 300 places to our campus accommodation, the opening of a new School of Education building and the opening of Eolas, our award-winning enterprise and technology hub.

Postgraduate Open Day 26th February 2019, 4-8pm

www.maynoothuniversity.ie/postgraduate Maynooth University – Know no Bounds

Interested in a Change of Subject?

It is possible to move into a new area through a postgraduate conversion programme. These popular courses offer a path into postgraduate studies in business, IT, international justice, human rights, and more. Students without prior experience in these subjects are welcome, and Maynooth University values the professional and life experience of applicants as well as their undergraduate qualifications.

(MSc Data Science and Analytics)

New Gift for Master’s Degree Scholarship Deirdre Coghlan Murray, Managing Director of Clark Recruitment, based in Naas, recently announced funding for the Clark Recruitment and Executive Scholarship as part of the company’s 20th Anniversary celebration. The Master’s degree scholarship supports students in the Maynooth University School of Business, one of the University’s fastest-growing disciplines. The company will also welcome their scholarship students to Clark, where they will undertake their Business Research Projects (BRP) as part of their coursework the summer after the classroom instruction. The partnership between Maynooth University students and Clark marks a new era in philanthropy supporting graduate Business studies at Maynooth University.

(PME Secondary Education Year 1)

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Champions at Carton House, winning United States Golf Association (USGA) women’s team with the WATC - Espirito Santo Trophy; Kristin Gillman, Lilia Kha-Tu Vu, Team Captain, Stasia Collins, and Jennifer Kupcho (World No1).

University Sport Team Ireland - Robin Dawson (2017 BBS Equine Business, Paddy Harrington Golf Scholar) and 2016-2017 Maynooth student, John Murphy

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s many a Maynooth grad knows, the ‘Maynooth Experience’ is not all about the books – the social and sporting aspects of college life are just as formative and memorable. Over the years, the University has increased its investment in sport and developed key strategic partnerships in rugby (Maynooth University – Barnhall RFC), in soccer (Maynooth University Town FC) and in golf (GUI and Carton House Golf Club). Sports scholarships also go a long way in assisting many students who select Maynooth as their academic and sporting home.

World-Class Golf at MU Top golfers from across the globe were welcomed to Maynooth University in late summer for the opening of the 2018 World Amateur Golf Championships, which were held up the road at Carton House.

As the designated “Athletes’ Village,” MU hosted 450 of the world’s top amateur golfers from at least 70 countries, their coaches and representatives from national federations over the two-week tournament.

The athletes stayed in student accommodation and had meals in the Phoenix Restaurant daily. They were also provided with access to Sports Centre facilities, fitness centre, sports halls, training rooms, and a games room.

The Phoenix Restaurant played host to a celebratory 700-person Championship Gala Dinner on Saturday, 1 September. Maynooth University was firmly on the world golfing map this year, playing host to more than 450 of the world’s top amateur golfers from at least 70 countries - as well as their coaches and representatives

Maynooth’s teams had a great season on the domestic stage, winning the Irish Colleges Match Play Championship, the inaugural Irish Student Sixes and the Munster Students team event. Overseas, Maynooth men’s triumphed at both the BUCS Fife tournament and BUCS Stirling International overcoming the best teams in the United Kingdom.

from national federations - at the 2018 World Amateur Team Championships (WATC) which took place at Carton House.

Leading the charge for the Irish Team was alumnus and recently turned golf professional, Robin Dawson (BBS Equine Business 2017). Dawson had an incredible year in becoming the first scholar to win Ireland’s biggest amateur prize, the Irish Amateur Open Championship last May. Current scholar Caolan Rafferty (1st Year Business & Management), who now replaces Dawson as Ireland’s leading ranked player, currently #56 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, recorded four top twenty finishes at international events during the season.

Maynooth player to win the event following alumnus Stuart Grehan (2017) and Gary Hurley (2013), both of whom are now playing professional golf in Europe. The tournament boasts the top 40 male and top 20 female collegiate players from across Europe.

Mullarney’s victory meant he gained an automatic place on the International team which faced ultimate winners, the United States, in the Arnold Palmer Cup, an annual Ryder Cup style match which showcases the best collegiate talent around the World against their US counterparts in team match play. MU has now had seven representatives at the last six stagings of the Arnold Palmer Cup which is unmatched by any institution outside of the United States.

Ronan Mullarney (BBS - Business & Management, 2017) set a new record for the programme by winning four collegiate titles in one season. Last October, Mullarney became the first Maynooth male player to win a British Universities Colleges Sports (BUCS) tour title by claiming the Fife Tournament at Fairmont in Scotland.

Mullarney’s most prestigious win came last April when he won the coveted R&A Foundation Scholar’s Tournament at the home of golf in St. Andrews, Scotland. In doing so, he became the third

On the Irish amateur circuit, Caolan Rafferty won his first senior provincial title, winning the 2018 South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Lahinch. Alan Fahy (1st Year Arts) also won his first senior title in winning the Munster Stroke Play Championship in Cork, helping him gain selection for the Leinster Interprovincial team. On the women’s circuit, Meadhbh Doyle (3rd Year Accounting & Finance) claimed her third career women’s senior title in winning the Munster Women’s Championship in Killarney.

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Maynooth University

The Bridge

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In Memoriam John Coolahan Ireland lost a giant in education with the recent death of Professor Emeritus John Coolahan on 3rd June 2018.

John was Professor and Head of Maynooth University’s Department of Education for 17 years and during this time he profoundly influenced his colleagues and students. Former students will remember his passion for the History and Structure of Irish Education and all will remember his support, encouragement, collegiality and leadership.

Beyond the department, John played a significant role in the development of the educational landscape across all sectors, both nationally and internationally. In the 1990s alone, he particularly played a pivotal role in the development of educational policy across the early childhood, primary, post-primary and adult education sectors.

Maynooth University Town FC, FAI New Balance Intermediate Cup winners

Soccer

Bob Joyce

Winning finalists of the FAI New Balance Intermediate Cup in the Aviva stadium (beating Firhouse Clover 4-1), and the first club from Kildare ever to appear in the final, Maynooth University Town (a collaboration and partnership of Maynooth Town Football Club and Maynooth University), went on to reach the last 16 of the FAI Senior Cup. Intervarsity soccer had some key sporting highlights during the year. The Ladies Senior Squad reached the semi-final of the Colleges and Universities Football League Premier Division, losing 2-1 away to eventual winners, Carlow IT. Reaching the CUFL quarter final, the men’s senior team were defeated by UCC 2-1 in Cork while the Men’s C team, reached the CUFL Division 2 semi-final. The victorious Fresher squad beat DCU in the CUFL Division 3. Making her Irish senior international debut this year, former MU soccer scholar, Amber Barret (BA 2017), also picked up the Women’s National League Player of the Year and Top Goal Scorer awards. Jamie McGrath and Sean Hoare, also former MU soccer scholars, won the League of Ireland with Dundalk FC.

Maynooth University lost a great advocate in May 2018 when Bob Joyce died after a long struggle with cancer.

Rugby Rugby at MU continues to go from strength to strength. Playing opportunities for all levels of rugby are plentiful with 5 men’s sides, a women’s side and a Premier U20s XV taking the field as Maynooth University Barnhall RFC each week. The University’s flagship Al-Ireland League side have maintained a steady top of division 2 of the national league throughout the year while a winning streak from women’s team (Division 3) has been hugely beneficial in their progression through the leagues. In 2018, MU female players had a strong representation across the Inter-Provincial competition.

Katelynn Doran and Ciara Carbery both represented Leinster at under 18 level in all three of their Inter-Provincial games, while Keelin Brady represented Ulster at senior level in all three of their Inter-Provincial games – a superb achievement for someone so young. Under 20 rugby continues to attract the best school leavers to our academic programmes. Coming on the back of two successful seasons at Premier 2 level, MU Under 20 rugby won two league titles playing a very attractive brand of rugby. Darren Hudson followed up his huge achievement of captaining the Irish Universities in 2017 (to a 36-36 draw in Oxford versus England) with a repeat victorious captaincy in 2018 against Scotland in Edinburgh.

In 1998, Bob Joyce set up his pensions trust business, Joyce Consultants, but his passion lay in helping the community. A grand-nephew of James Joyce, he raised hundreds of thousands of euros to create Dublin’s Joyce Centre from a shell of a house in North Great George’s Street. With Senator David Norris and others, he launched a museum dedicated to promoting an understanding of the life and works of James Joyce.

Darren Hudson in action for Maynooth University Barnhall versus Dungannon RFC in the All-Ireland League

GAA The Maynooth University Senior Hurling team continued their progressive form, coming through a tough championship campaign to secure a second Ryan Cup championship win in four years, running out 2-19 to 0-09 against University of Ulster Jordanstown.

PME Primary Teaching student and Kilkenny All Star defender, Padraig Walsh, captained the side with a powerful performance from wing back. Arts student and Tipperary star, Brian Hogan received the Player of the Match award after a towering performance from centre back. Brian was rewarded for his championship performances by receiving the Higher Education GAA Electric Ireland Rising Star award for the centre back position. In the U21 All-Ireland hurling championship, the winning Tipperary team included BBs Business & Management student, Conor Stakelum. MU GAA Camogie Player of the Year award winners included Sarah Walsh (Senior – Offaly) and Ruth Hassett (Fresher – Tipperary).

Kildare GAA U20 footballers reached unprecedented heights in the summer of 2018, winning the Leinster and All-Ireland championship titles. The Kildare U20 team displayed class in abundance throughout the championship campaign. MU players represented on this team included Stephen Comerford (BBs Accounting), Jason Gibbons (Bachelor of Science), Brian McLoughlin, Ruadhan O’Giollain, Jack Cully, Luke Mullins (BBs Business & Management) and Jimmy Hyland (BA student) who was awarded the 2018 GAA U20 Football Player of the Year. On the Ladies football scene, MU GAA Player of the Year award winners included Aimee McNally (Senior - Louth) and Emily Flanagan (Fresher – Dublin).

Bob married Joyce Ryan in 1969. Joyce Joyce set up the catering service for the Joyce Centre, ran a Montessori group, and after her four boys were finished school, attended Maynooth University and graduated with a BA in 1969. With her urging, Bob became more involved with Maynooth University as it transitioned to university status. She says of her late husband, “Bob had a great sense of humour and was so much fun to be around. When it came to the Joyce Centre or to launching the Maynooth University Foundation, he had no fear of asking for funds to help a cause he believed in. I remember him walking right up JP McManus, whom he’d never met before, to ask for funding for the Paddy Harrington Golf Scholarships. He said, ‘yes’, of course.”

Bob joined the Maynooth University Governing Authority in 2003 under Maynooth President William Smyth and he became a regular visitor to official campus events, such as the Carol Service, but very importantly for the University, he became a great champion of the Maynooth University Foundation.

Bob – always a keen sportsman – played golf with Paddy Harrington (father of famed Irish golfer Pádraig Harrington), and with Bob’s connections to Maynooth University, he managed to bring his interests together. Bob knew the owners of a Portuguese golf resort and was very happy to introduce the Maynooth golf team to the course. Bob attended the yearly training session in the Algarve and according to the Maynooth University Golf Officer, Barry Fennelly, Bob was central to everything golf-related at Maynooth University. “Thanks to Bob Joyce,” Fennelly said, “Maynooth has a very close partnership with Carton House, where we’re now based. He wanted to

British Open Champion, Pádraig Harrington with Bob Joyce and the Open Championship Trophy, the Claret Jug

attract and keep the best young golfing talent in Ireland so that they didn’t have to go abroad to learn. We’ve now had over 100 student golfers receive the Paddy Harrington Scholarships.”

Robert Joyce died peacefully while surrounded by his loving family.