University of Galway has announced a new partnership as lead academic partner with Galway Science & Technology Festival, formalising and building on a successful and established collaboration which goes back 15 years.
The new partnership will allow University of Galway and Galway Science & Technology Festival to co-create and build on the educational, cultural and societal objectives of the festival to ensure its ongoing development and success.
The Partnership will foster the development of accessible educational outreach programmes for schools, the public and under-represented groups through collaborations with volunteer groups and local organisations.
University of Galway has played a significant role in facilitating the growth and expansion of the Galway Science & Technology Festival since its inception in 1998. The University began hosting the annual Festival Exhibition Day in 2010 – the hallmark of the weekend, featuring interactive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-themed events and activities from companies, including the festival’s main sponsor Medtronic, professional organisations, schools, volunteer groups, Atlantic Technological University and state agencies. The event draws more than 15,000 people to campus each year.
Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “As lead academic partner of the Galway Science & Technology Festival, we are delighted to formalise this relationship after 15 years of successful collaboration. Our ongoing commitment to the festival demonstrates University of Galway’s dedication to encouraging innovation and interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and how these STEM subjects apply to other areas such as medicine, business and the creative arts, among school children.
“The annual festival exhibition is very much the focal point of the festival and has been hosted by University of Galway since 2010, showcasing educational shows and workshops, and immersive interactive exhibition stands by world leading global companies, local primary and secondary schools and research centres. The festival exhibition inspires a curiosity and an interest in STEM among school children, encouraging them to consider STEM subjects in school and for their future studies and careers.”
Paul Mee, Chairman of the Galway Science & Technology Festival, said: “We are thrilled to be able to strengthen our partnership with University of Galway. Our access to the University’s wonderful campus, not to mention the amazing student volunteers, is a key element for the successful future running of the festival. We look forward to many more festival days on the campus.”
Founded in 1998, Galway Science & Technology Festival runs every November and is part of Taighde Éireann-Research Ireland’s National Science Week. The festival delivers over 200 free shows and workshops to 35,000 primary and secondary schools throughout Galway City and County. Its aim is to inspire young people to develop an interest in STEM subjects and to communicate the significance of these educational areas in everyday life and society, making these fields more accessible and engaging.
Anne Murray, Festival Manager of the Galway Science & Technology Festival, said: “We are absolutely delighted to formalise our long-standing relationship with the University of Galway as lead academic sponsor, who hosts the annual exhibition. This partnership builds on 15 years of successful collaboration, enabling us to deliver impactful and inspiring STEM-based events that ignite curiosity and encourage young people along with their parents to explore the limitless possibilities of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We look forward to continuing this shared mission of inspiring future generations.”
Professor Mark Healy, Vice-Dean Student Recruitment and Personal Professor of Civil Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, said: “We welcome this opportunity to celebrate and reaffirm in a formal way our involvement as lead academic sponsor of the festival. The festival exhibition day is a fantastic way to effectively communicate the significance of STEM in everyday life, thereby making it more accessible and engaging.”
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