Director of Sport & Physical Activity Ref: 007827

Strategic Goal 7 - Develop enhanced Partnerships internally and externally

The Regional Sports Centre is an initiative in which the University works in partnership with the local sporting community. Volunteers from the sporting community take the main responsibilities for booking and managing the facilities, which include an athletics facility comprising a six lane track and field event facilities, a grass pitch and a synthetic pitch with a sand-based multi-sports surface.

At an operational level, relationships between the Regional Sports Centre volunteers and the University appear to be good. However, there appeared to be considerable scope for strengthening the partnership between the two organisations to ensure that the facilities supported both community and University sport to their fullest potential. Whilst the track and synthetic pitch are certainly important to the local sports community and clubs there is no real evidence of regional plans and structures for the development of sport in the West of Ireland being based around these facilities. The facility management of the track and the pitch is handled by hard working volunteers and part-time employees.

Participation by NUI Galway nominees on the Board of Management for the Regional Sports Centre should be reviewed in the interests of progressing partnership with the Regional Sports Centre. Whilst recognising that there would be resistance to the University appearing to take over the Regional Sports Centre, there is no reason why the University should not take responsibility for the full operational management of these facilities within a framework agreed with the Regional Sports Centre Board. This would release the volunteers from day to day operational matters and allow the University and the Board to consider the wider contribution which might be made by NUI Galway and the Regional Centre to sports development throughout the West of Ireland. Integrated operational management of the Regional Sports Centre facilities and the University’s own facilities would also allow the optimum use of both by the University and community alike.

NUI Galway could be a major centre for sport in the West of Ireland and if this is to happen it will require the development or expansion of a range of partnerships. Specific reference has been made above to the potential of the Regional Sports Centre and of the major governing bodies and we recommend that these areas be pursued urgently.

It was noted above that the present relationships with local clubs and community organisations are good and it is recommended that the community use dimension of the new facilities should be reviewed to establish appropriate policies and practices for the future.

Actions

Appendix 1

1. 
   The aim of the NUI, Galway Sport and Recreation Union shall be to enrich the lives of the University community through participation in sport and physical recreation.
   

2. 
   The Membership of the NUI, Galway Sport and Recreation Union shall comprise all registered students of the University, together with staff of the University. Members of the NUI, Galway Alumni Association and any other persons may be admitted to Union membership on such conditions as may be laid down from time to time by the NUI, Galway Sport and Recreation Union Committee.
   

3. 
   The Management of the NUI, Galway Sport and Recreation Union shall be carried out by a Committee, hereinafter called the NUI, Galway Sport and Recreation Union Committee.
   

4. 
   The functions of the NUI, Galway University Sport and Recreation Union Committee shall be:
   

• 
  To formulate and to recommend policy in relation to the provision, delivery, staffing, and management of sport, physical recreation, sports scholarships, and any other activities in support of participation in sport and physical recreation at NUI, Galway.
  
• 
  To agree the distribution of such funds as are allocated to the Union.
  
• 
  To be an advocate for the development of sport and opportunities for physical recreation at NUI, Galway
  
• 
  To advise as appropriate on the physical resources and infrastructure for the accommodation of Sport and Physical Recreation at NUI, Galway, e.g. playing fields, sports’ buildings, changing rooms, water-sports facilities.
  

5. 
   The NUI, Galway Sport and Recreation Union Committee shall comprise 14 members appointed as follows:
   

5 members shall be elected to provide representational input from sports clubs on the basis of the following groupings of clubs in the manner set out herein:

4 members shall be co-opted by foregoing 10 members, 2 of whom shall represent the interests of students involved in physical recreation activities other than through Sports Clubs.

As new Clubs receive full recognition, the NUI, Galway Sport and Recreation Union has the Authority to allocate them to a grouping.

Group representatives shall be elected at the beginning of each academic year, at a duly convened election, and election shall by simple majority. Each group will be a constituency for the purpose of conducting an election. The candidates for election for the position of group representative in any constituency must be an officer of a Club within the group, nominated by a Club within the group. The term of office of group representatives will be one academic year, and no representative can serve more than three consecutive terms. The Secretary of the NUI, Galway Sport and Recreation Union will act as Convenor and Returning Officer for all elections provided for under these terms of reference.

6. 
   The Committee shall meet no less than three times each semester. Meetings shall be held during regular term; not to be normally held during “Study Week”.
   

7. 
   Members of the NUI, Galway Sport and Recreation Union Committee who do not attend at least one meeting of the Committee in any six month period shall forfeit membership of the Committee and shall be replaced.
   

Appendix 2

1. 
   The name of the Group will be the University Centre Planning and Management Group (UCPMG).
   

2. 
   The function of UCPMG will be to discuss and advise on arrangements for the construction and management of the Sports Centre, Water Sports Centre and the Cultural Centre which together constitute the University Centre project. In doing so the group will have oversight of the setting of service level agreements in terms of operations for the three projects including related tendering processes.
   

3. 
   It will report to Údarás na hOllscoile through the President.
   

4. 
   The President will chair the UCPMG Group or in his unavoidable absence, nominate an alternate.
   

5. 
   Meetings will occur monthly during the academic year with a schedule of dates issued at beginning of Academic Year and listed in Liosta na gCruinnithe.
   

6. 
   The Students' Union representatives will be responsible for representing the interests of the student population through consultation with the Clubs and Societies, and through regular consultation with the Class Representatives Council.
   

7. 
   The composition of UCPMG shall be as that outlined in the Údarás na hOllscoile meeting of 5^th March 2004 (UO/M19/3.7) with the formal addition of the Vice President for Student Services & Human Resources at the next meeting of Údarás (14 December 2007).
   

7.2: The President shall ask the Bursar to nominate a member of staff to be present at all meetings of the group.

Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh National University of Ireland, Galway

National University of Ireland, Galway was established in 1845 as Queen’s College, Galway, by Charter under the Queen’s Colleges (Ireland) Act. Under the Irish Universities Act 1908, it became a Constituent College of the National University of Ireland established under that Act, and a new Charter was issued, changing its name to University College, Galway.

Under the Universities Act, 1997, the College (together with the other Constituent Colleges) was reconstituted as a University and its title was changed to National University of Ireland, Galway/ Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh. It is at the same time a Constituent University of the National University of Ireland, almost all of whose functions were transferred under the Act to the Constituent Universities.

The legal standing of the University derives from the Irish Universities Act 1908, its Charter issued under that Act, the University College Galway Acts, 1929 and 2006, and the Universities Act 1997. The provisions of these instruments are further developed in Statutes and Regulations, made in accordance with those Acts and Charter.

The University’s general relationships with the State are mainly conducted through the Higher Education Authority.

2. Authorities

The Charter and relevant legislation provide for two authorities, Údarás na hOllscoile (The University Governing Authority) and the Academic Council.

Subject to the provisions of the relevant Acts and Charter, Údarás na hOllscoile is empowered to manage and control all the affairs of the University. Its membership (40) for the three-year period 1 February 2013 – 31 January 2016 is as follows: an external Cathaoirleach (Chairman), the President, the Registrar and Deputy-President, 5 Professors/Personal Professors, 5 other academic staff, 3 other employees, 2 elected officers of the Students’ Union, 1 postgraduate student, 4 graduates, 7 elected by the local authorities of the region, 2 nominees of the NUI, 3 nominees from selected external organisations (including business and industry), the President of St. Angela’s College, Sligo, a member drawn from artistic and cultural interests, and 3 nominees of the Minister for Education and Skills.

Under the Universities Act 1997, the question as to whether the President, or another person (not an employee of the University or a member of Údarás na hOllscoile), is to be Cathaoirleach of Údarás na hOllscoile is a matter for decision by Údarás na hOllscoile at its first meeting and from time to time thereafter.

The Academic Council is the chief academic authority and, subject to review by Údarás na hOllscoile, controls the academic affairs of the University, including the curriculum, instruction and education provided by the University. Its members are the President, the Registrar and Deputy-President, the Vice-Presidents, the Deans of Colleges, Heads of Schools, the Professors (including Personal Professors), the other Heads of discipline and other members drawn from the other academic staff grades and the student body, the Librarian, Director of Information Solutions and Services, Director of Lifelong Learning, the Príomhfheidhmeannach of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, the Director of the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching; its present total membership is about 150. The President is entitled to preside at all meetings of the Council.
3. The President

Under the Universities Act, the President is responsible to Údarás na hOllscoile (The University Governing Authority) for the efficient and effective management of the University and for the due performance of his/her functions, and is subject to such policies as may be determined from time to time by it. S/he shall, subject to the Act, manage and direct the University in its academic, administrative, financial, personnel and other activities and for those purposes has such powers as are necessary or expedient.

The University Management Team comprises:

The President

The Registrar and Deputy-President

The Vice-President for Innovation and Performance

The Executive Director of Operations

The Bursar

The Secretary/An Rúnaí

The President is the head and chief officer of the University and is appointed for a 10-year period, subject to retirement at 65 (for those already employed in the public sector in Ireland). The Vice-Presidents are initially appointed for a four-year period and are eligible for reappointment for one further four-year term. Acting under the President, the various members of the UMT each have specific policy and line-management responsibilities and functions. These responsibilities and functions will be reviewed from time to time. The Vice-President for the Student Experience and the Vice-President for Research will be full members of the UMT from 2016.

5. Strategic Plan 2009-14

In September 2009, following widespread consultation, the University published the NUI Galway Strategic Plan. NUI Galway offers a holistic, educational and cultural experience to its diverse student body. Our University is recognised nationally and internationally for innovation, excellence and leadership in selected and distinctive programmes of teaching, research and scholarship. Our programmes reflect the strengths of the University, national priorities, and the strengths and needs of the region. We have a particular commitment to Gaeltacht regions and the Irish language community. The University seeks to develop and sustain effective strategic partnerships with relevant regional, national and international stakeholders and organisations.

A copy of the Strategic Plan is available online: http://www.nuigalway.ie/president/reports.html

6. STUDENT SERVICES

NUI Galway has historically provided a variety support services for students. Up to 1970s this was through Deans of Residence (the Chaplain and Lady Superintendent) and directly by academic staff. Since then, as the University expanded, a more structured approach was adopted, including setting up a Student Services Committee and hiring of specialist staff (Student Services Administrator, Accommodation Office, Counsellor, Sports Officer and Careers Officer). In 2004, the first Vice President for Student Services was appointed, reflecting the vision of the University to be student-centred. In the intervening period, the Vice President post has been refocused and renamed as Vice President for the Student Experience. In 2013 a Director of Student Services was appointed to provide leadership in the integration of the student services functions and for the provision of high quality and comprehensive non-academic support and wellbeing services for students. Student Services currently encompasses the following areas: Access including mature students; Accommodation; Counselling; Chaplaincy; Disability; Medical Unit; Societies; Sports (Clubs & Participation); and Welfare including Financial Aid, Health Promotion and Mentoring. The total staff complement is shown under Organisation and Management (Appendix 1).

The Student Services team are core to the personal and academic development of students. This is embodied in our vision and mission statements and the University’s strategic plan. The shared vision of Student Services which inspires its actions is:
‘Every NUI Galway student will be supported to actively engage with the University experience to maximise their potential for learning and leadership for life and work’

The achievement of this vision is through our mission:

7. 
   Colleges and Schools
   

• 
  Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies
  
• 
  Science
  
• 
  Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
  
• 
  Engineering and Informatics
  
• 
  Business, Public Policy and Law
  

7. 
   Academic Programmes
   

The University has displayed considerable dynamism in the development of programmes to meet the evolving needs of society.

The University also provides a programme of Lifelong Learning and conducts a number of Summer Schools.

The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) plays a central role in relation to academic staff development, audiovisual services, learning technologies, language laboratories, teaching and learning policy, and (through the Community Knowledge Initiative) civic engagement and service learning.

7. 
   Student Body
   

7. 
   Research
   

The overarching objective of NUI Galway’s Strategy for Research and Innovation (2009-2014) is that NUI Galway be firmly embedded within the top rank of research universities internationally, in selected prioritised areas. To meet this objective, the University has identified and prioritised a set of cross-disciplinary research themes, building on our research achievements to date, and is focusing its resources and efforts on these themes through targeted recruitment and resource allocation, and the establishment of a number of specialised research institutes and centres.

Our approach to research is guided by the following principles:

• 
  The process of prioritisation in building on the academic strengths of the University
  
• 
  Responsiveness to regional, national and international interactions, allied to the national demands to support the achievement of the knowledge and innovation economy and society
  
• 
  Partnership and collaboration with regional, national and international research organisations which enable the achievement of greater effectiveness, complementarities and economies of scale
  
• 
  Organisational restructuring to facilitate new interdisciplinary modes of interaction
  
• 
  A commitment to knowledge transfer and innovation, which is underpinned by an intensification of knowledge dissemination and a particular focus on technology transfer and commercialisation.
  

The five thematic research priorities of the University are:

1. 
   Biomedical Science and Engineering
   
2. 
   Informatics, Physical and Computational Sciences
   
3. 
   Environment, Marine and Energy
   
4. 
   Applied Social Sciences and Public Policy
   
5. 
   Humanities in Context
   

7. 
   Staff
   

Human Resource issues are managed within the Human Resources Office, under the direction of the Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, working with the Executive Director of Operations and with appropriate liaison with the Registrar and Deputy-President, who has a special responsibility for academic staff.

7. 
   Finances
   

The University has a special obligation, and a policy, to promote the use of Irish in its teaching and administration. The original legislative mandate was set out in the University College Galway Act 1929. Under an amendment to that Act in 2006, made at the University’s request, the obligation that competency to carry out the duties of the post through Irish constitute a factor (and in certain circumstances a decisive factor) in all appointments was removed; in its stead, the Act now provides a re-statement of the University’s unique strategic commitment to Irish by requiring that the provision of education through Irish shall be one of the principal aims of each strategic development plan. In line with other organisations in the public sector, the University also has a Scéim Teanga in operation under the Official Languages Act 2003/Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003.

Under the University’s Strategic Plan 2009-14, which includes as one of its strategic priorities the development of an exemplary bilingual campus, a number of specific initiatives have been undertaken, most significantly the establishment of a new, integrated structure (Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge) within the University, to plan and implement academic programmes through Irish, responsive to the community’s educational and developmental needs, in addition to the traditional programmes and courses offered in a number of areas, and the further development of the University’s Gaeltacht centres in Galway and Donegal. Irish is in use in the administrative services of the University, particularly in its central offices, and facilities are offered to assist staff and students in developing their competency in Irish.

In addition to Áras na Gaeilge (the centre for Irish-language activities on the main campus), the University, with support from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Údarás na Gaeltachta, operates three Gaeltacht centres – Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain in An Cheathrú Rua, Áras Shorcha Ní Ghuairim in Carna and Ionad an Acadaimh in Gaoth Dobhair – which, aside from tailored language courses for students, staff and outside organisations, provide Diploma, Degree, Higher Diploma and Master programmes and research services, with a view to the sustainable development of the Gaeltacht and the Irish language nationally. Language courses are also offered in some 20 other locations outside the Gaeltacht.

NUI Galway is strongly committed to the principle of expanding social and geographic access to its programmes and to forging and maintaining links with the communities of its region, through a variety of educational, community service and social inclusion initiatives.

The University has operated an educational outreach programme since the 1960s, whereby off-campus educational programmes are offered throughout the region and across Ireland. Outreach programmes include the provision of fulltime, part-time and open and distance learning programmes at certificate, diploma, degree and postgraduate levels. The cumulative impact of outreach and non-traditional programmes can be appreciated from the fact that close to 40,000 individuals have participated in its programmes over the last 40 years. Such courses have also been provided abroad, in the Baltic countries and in Sri Lanka and Kosovo.

To facilitate access for the socio-economically disadvantaged and non-traditional groups, the University, alone and in partnership with other institutions, has established a range of Access and Foundation courses for school-leavers and adults across the Border, Midland and Western Region (which enjoys Objective 1 status). Completion of these gives students special admission to the University’s full-time and part-time undergraduate programmes.

The University has a longstanding involvement in the promotion of indigenous enterprise and the direct provision of services to locally-based industry. The first incubator centre on an Irish university campus was set up here in 1984 and a significant number of campus companies have been established as a direct result.

The Technology Transfer Office is a high-performance team that guides breakthrough NUI Galway research to business reality through comprehensive support services. Its Business Innovation Centre provides an environment for entrepreneurship and new business growth, with 23 incubation units which offer the necessary infrastructure to support biomedical and biotechnology start-up companies and with priority given to companies spinning off from campus research. The Office also provides expert Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property support.

15. Links with other Third-level Institutions

In addition to a wide range of international links, the University has a longstanding relationship with St. Angela’s College, Sligo, originating in its becoming a Recognised College of the NUI in 1978 under the supervision of NUI Galway, but which has since led to an increasing number of joint educational and developmental initiatives.

That culminated in St. Angela’s College becoming a College of NUI Galway on 1 January 2006 under a formal Agreement, while retaining an appropriate degree of autonomy and preserving its separate legal status and its traditional ethos. There is appropriate cross-representation of staff on the academic bodies of the partner institutions, including membership of Údarás na hOllscoile for the President of the College.

In 2003 the College was designated by the Minister for Education and Science as henceforth the sole national centre for the training of teachers of Home Economics, with a consequent growth and diversification of its specialisms within that discipline. Its educational provision, however, has expanded beyond that original remit. Today it offers programmes at Bachelor, Master, Higher Diploma and Diploma levels in a wide range of aspects of Home Economics, Education (including Special Education Needs), Nursing (General and Intellectual Disability), Food, Textiles, Fashion and Design; it also provides an Access course for the socioeconomically disadvantaged in association with the University, and cooperates in the delivery of NUI Galway’s BA programme in Youth and Family Studies. It also has an important Food Product Development Centre and has been involved in a variety of cross-Border projects with educational institutions in Northern Ireland. The College currently has an enrolment of 510 full-time and 472 part-time students and a staff of 87 full-time and 19 part-time.

The University also has incroporated Shannon College of Hotel Management, under which students of that College pursue, under the supervision of the University, a BComm degree, the final year of which is spent in the University. A BBS degree in International Hotel Management commenced in 2001 in collaboration with and under the supervision of the University. In that year the College also became a Recognised College of the NUI.

Also in Co. Clare, the University partners Burren College of Art in the offering since 2003 of a postgraduate programme leading to the award by NUI Galway of the Master of Fine Arts degree. A PhD research programme in the College in Studio Art has also been approved by the University.

In 2000, in the context of the National Development Plan which projected significant investment for the new Objective 1 (Border, Midland and Western) region, the University, which is the only University in that region, initiated broader cooperative links with all the higher education institutions in the region, in the form of a unique Regional Higher Education Network (LÍONRA). This network, which formalises at institutional level a wide range of cooperative measures and maximises the provision of education and training opportunities for all residents of the region through innovative approaches and the use of new technologies, comprises the University, St. Angela’s College, Sligo, and the Institutes of Technology in Galway-Mayo, Sligo, Athlone, Dundalk and Letterkenny.

The University, through the Atlantic University Alliance, is engaged in an inter-regional technology transfer project with University College Cork and the University of Limerick. The AUA aims to pool their individual expertise and resources, making them available through joint projects in training, education and Research and Development. At the heart of the Alliance is its interaction with academia and industry. Among its projects are part-time Diploma, Degree and Master programmes delivered by distance/on-line learning in areas such as Technology Management and Science and Technology Studies.

Abroad, there are direct programme linkages with Regis University (Denver, Colorado) and the Ahavoli Institute of Psychology (Jaffna, Sri Lanka).

In 2010, the University launched a Strategic Alliance with the University of Limerick, across all key areas of activity, in support of the social and economic development of our wider region. By combining the strengths of the two universities, we will enhance the services we provide to our students, (through a student mobility Link to Learn programme) and to the community, while being responsive to the needs of our industry and business partners. The Alliance has an international dimension, through a partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology in the US. The Institute will work with the Alliance to establish a translational research institute to focus on technology commercialisation with industry partners.

The main University Campus, with an area of some 105 hectares in the heart of the city of Galway, is attractively situated on the west bank of the River Corrib, and stretches from Nuns’ Island in the south to the Sports Grounds in Dangan to the north.  Other facilities are located at An Cheathrú Rua (Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge), Carna (Marine Science Research Facility, and Áras Shorcha Ní Ghuairim), Mace Head, Carna (Atmospheric Research Station) - all in Co. Galway - and Carron and Finnevara in Co. Clare (Natural Sciences Field Stations), and Ionad an Acadaimh in Gaoth Dobhair in Co. Donegal. The oldest building on the main campus, the original Quadrangle building, of limestone in a Tudor style, dates from 1849.  The Clinical Science Institute is located on the Galway University Hospital site beside the main campus.  The University premises comprise of 177,098 sq. m. of buildings, including student residences on the north campus and satellite locations (at Carna and Carran, for example).

The following construction projects have been completed in recent years:

• 
  Marine Science Buildings at Carna and the Main Campus
  
• 
  Student facilities, including a new Sports Complex, a refurbished Cultural Centre (Áras na Mac Léinn) and a refurbished restaurant (An Bhialann)
  
• 
  Nursing Library
  
• 
  Award-winning Engineering Building
  
• 
  Park & Ride facility
  
• 
  The O’Shaughnessy Bridge (in conjunction with Galway City Council)
  
• 
  An extension to the James Hardiman Library
  
• 
  Biosciences Building
  
• 
  Lifecourse Institute
  
• 
  Clinical/Translational Research Building
  
• 
  
  
• 
  The University is continuing its major campus development programme under the Strategic Plan 2009-2014 including a Human Biology Building and a new theatre and arts building
  
• 
  
  
• 
  17. Library
  

The James Hardiman Library is the main Library for the University and is located at the heart of the campus. There is also a separate Medical Library located in the Clinical Sciences Institute at University College Hospital.

The Library contains approximately 480,000 printed books, with the total library stock, including bound periodicals, being nearer to 700,000 volumes. There is a strong emphasis on electronic access and NUI Galway is a member of IReL (the Irish Research eLibrary), a nationally-funded programme to acquire electronic content on a consortium basis. The Library provides access to over 35,000 electronic journal titles in full text, along with 350,000 electronic books. Full details of all holdings are available through the Library website.

Archives are vital to the academic mission of the University. Holdings include the Douglas Hyde manuscripts, Galway’s municipal records dating from 1484, the literary archive of John McGahern, and a wealth of material in theatre, film and the performing arts, with a particular focus on companies such as the Druid Theatre, Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe and the Lyric Players Theatre in Belfast. A major project to digitise the archive of the Abbey Theatre is currently in progress. Complementing the archives are special collections, whose particular strengths include folklore, Irish-language materials and travel literature relating to Ireland.

Library services to academic staff include information skills training, notably a researcher-specific workshop series, online courseware and advisory services on effective literature searching, using reference management software, getting published, disseminating research and measuring its impact. A team of subject librarians and a Research Services Librarian provide these and other services, including course reading list support. The Library also manages the ARAN service, which provides open access to the full text of University research publications, and the Academic Writing Centre.

Full details of all Library services are available at: http://www.library.nuigalway.ie

The University’s ICT services are provided by Information Solutions and Services (ISS). ISS reports to the Executive Director of Operations and has a staff of 50 FTEs.

There is a high-speed campus network and internet connection provided by HEAnet, the Irish national research and education network. This is complemented by an extensive wireless network. High-speed network links are also being provided to outlying research stations at Carna, Mace Head and Carron, and to the Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge locations at Gaeltacht sites in An Cheathrú Rua, Carna and Gaoth Dobhair. 

University-wide eMail services are provided to staff and students. A University-wide directory service with associated file storage and print services has been implemented.

The main ICT resources for teaching and learning are the eResources provided by the James Hardiman Library, the Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), and about 150 specialist software packages. Delivery of the VLE is led by CELT. A range of specialist software packages are currently hosted on some 1,800 computers distributed across the campus in about 60 computer suites.  About half these computers are available for general student use; the other half are restricted to use by students in specific academic units. There is also some specialised local ICT provision for student use in areas such as Engineering and Informatics and language learning.

ISS manages the University’s analogue and VOIP telephone networks and supports a range of enterprise applications (Student Records, Finance, HR/Payroll and Estates Management) to support the administration of the University. 

Quality Assurance of research, teaching and support services is the responsibility of all staff across the University. All staff are responsible for the effective implementation of the University’s various Policies and Procedures and also for continuously seeking ways to improve quality and efficiency. All units are also responsible for assuring quality through their Operational Planning and Performance Measurement process that encourages changes and ideas that are innovative and will increase value for the University’s various stakeholders including students. The Quality Office is primarily responsible for managing the peer review element of Quality Assurance. Expert reviewers and external examiners are retained by the Quality Office to provide recommendations for improving research, teaching and support services based on their experience at leading Universities around the world. Quality Reviews mainly focus on the operational plans and improvement initiatives within units and on ways to enhance this change management process. Quality reviews can also be thematic, focusing on such issues as student feedback, internationalisation and research outputs. A recent quality review focused on research performance across all Schools. This initiative and others will be developed and improved in coming years with the aim of maintaining the University’s standing as a leading University in research and teaching.

The University has a formal Learning, Teaching & Assessment Strategy which is regularly reviewed (http://www.nuigalway.ie/celt/documents/revised-LTA-2012.pdf) and which provides both an overview of our educational philosophy and specific actions that aim to ensure the highest possible quality learning experience for our students, one that enriches, enthuses and empowers them for their future life and careers . The Centre for Excellence in Learning & Teaching (CELT) plays a key role in shaping and supporting the implementation of this strategy, as well as undertaking pilot studies and research on aspects of pedagogy and policy.

1. 
   Application
   

1. 
   Current NUI Galway employees
   

If you are not a current NUI Galway employee please use the NUI Galway online recruitment portal to apply for this post. The following is a link to the online recruitment portal:

The completed application document must be submitted online to reach the Human Resources Office no later than 17.00 (GMT) on Friday 18^th September 2015.

2. 
   All applicants will receive an acknowledgement of application. If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application or if you have any other queries regarding the application process please contact recruit@nuigalway.ie
   

3. 
   Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER):
   

4. 
   Pension Entitlements:
   

The Pension element of this appointment is subject to the terms and conditions of the Pension scheme currently in force within the University. This Scheme may be amended or revised by the Irish Government or its agents at any time.

The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 set a minimum retirement age of 65 and removed the upper compulsory retirement age for certain New Entrants to the Public Sector on or after 1 April 2004. Effective from 1^st January 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks.
Retirement age set, initially, at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the State Pension Contributory (SPC) age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028.
Compulsory retirement age will be 70.

5. 
   Declaration:
   

Applicants may be required to complete assessment tests appropriate to the requirements of the role.

Referees listed on the application forms of shortlisted candidates will be contacted prior to interview.