2006 IRISH SCIENTIST YEAR BOOK

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National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Bernard P. Mahon
NUI Maynooth announces new initiatives for "fourth level" students

Consisting of over 1100 postgraduate students, NUI Maynooth has one of the highest proportions of postgraduates in the student body of any Irish university. Nevertheless, the new NUIM strategic plan includes ambitious targets for enhancing the scale of research activity at the university, and significantly increasing the number of postgraduate students in line with national targets, both through PhD research and masters programmes. To achieve these ambitious goals, NUIM announces a number of initiatives.


Scholarships to support fourth level students

Postgraduate training has to be centred on high quality research. A strong indication of NUI Maynooth's commitment to research and to PhD education is the John and Pat Hume Scholarship scheme . Beginning with a first cohort of scholars in 2005, the university now offers 30 scholarships annually, each valued at �28,000 over three years, to outstanding students wishing to undertake PhD research in any discipline at the university. In addition a number of MSc scholarships for taught and research driven programmes are available (details http://research.nuim.ie/ ). These scholarships are awarded following open competition and represent a major investment in research support by the university.


John and Pat Hume Scholarships are available for NUIM postgraduate study


New research institutes

An important development in December 2005 was the establishment at NUI Maynooth of the Institute for Microelectronics and Wireless Systems, headed by Dr Ronan Farrell ( http://imws.nuim.ie ). The Institute plays an important role in the SFI/Bell Labs Centre for Telecommunications and Value-Driven Research, and in training research students to solve problems relevant to the microelectronics industry. Likewise the National Centre for Geocomputation ( http://ncg.nuim.ie ) at Maynooth is leading research in the rapidly expanding area of geocomputation to cut crime, improve health provision and to plan for Ireland's future needs. These centres offer exciting prospects for postgraduate students beginning their research careers.


New fourth level opportunities

Each year NUI Maynooth offers a range of PhD opportunities in the fields of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Experimental Physics, Mathematics, and Mathematical Physics (details: www.nuim.ie ). From 2006, PhD students will also be supported by a new graduate school based on the Faculty of Engineering and Science that will deliver specific courses and skills training to ensure that NUIM postgraduates are the best prepared for careers that await them. These initiatives are complemented by a new taught MSc Immunology and Global Health which commenced in October 2006. This development will educate postgraduates on global health problems, train them in cutting edge research technologies and demonstrate how the knowledge and skills acquired can be applied to tackling real health issues, particularly those of the poorest and most vulnerable regions of the World. Researchers at NUI Maynooth have a world-class track record in scientific research to alleviate global problems. These initiatives will help the scientists of tomorrow continue that tradition.

Contact: Nuala Travers,
Faculty of Science Office,
NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare.
Tel: 01 7083638
E-mail: [email protected]