University of Galway has been successful in its bids to host a number of major international conferences and events in next two years, reinforcing its position as a global hub for academic excellence, collaboration and cultural exchange.    The prestigious International Association for Media and Communication Research Meeting will be hosted by the University in 2026, with 1,500 delegates expected to be welcomed to the Galway region, generating an estimated €2.8 million for the local economy.     In 2027, the University will host the Alliance of Digital Humanities Organisations Annual Meeting, which attracts more than 750 attendees and is forecast to contribute €1.4 million to the local economy.    A further 3,000 visitors will descend on the Galway region in August 2027 when the World Association of Marching Showbands Event takes place. The successful bid to host the event was made in partnership with Galway City Council and the Irish travel agency Celtic Horizons.    Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “By successfully bidding for events and conferences, the University helps with economic development of our region. These events also offer invaluable opportunities for academic collaboration, industry networking and cultural exchange as well as showcasing Galway as a world-class conference and event destination. This underscores our ambition to be a leader in research, education, innovation and cultural engagement on the international stage, while also delivering tangible benefits to the Galway region.”    Paul Mockler, Head of Commercial Development at Fáilte Ireland, said: “We are delighted to see such diverse business events confirmed for Galway, shining a spotlight on the attractiveness of Galway as a place to invest, visit and live. Working with our passionate Conference Ambassadors, International Association Conferences have the potential to drive significant economic impacts for our country as well as supporting wider government policies in the development of positive social impacts in a sustainable manner. By working in partnership with University of Galway and Galway Convention Bureau to attract business events to the West, Fáilte Ireland can support the sustainable development of Galway while maximising the environmental, societal and economic contribution of tourism to Ireland.”    Patricia Walsh, Head of Conference Services at the University of Galway, highlighted the institution’s ability to attract prestigious gatherings: “Our success in securing these major events is a reflection of the strong connections and leadership of our academic colleagues, whose international networks are instrumental in bringing these conferences to Galway. Equally significant is the robust support ecosystem at University of Galway and the wider region. This includes the University’s dedicated Conference and Events team, world-class facilities, and the support of Galway Convention Bureau, Galway City Council and Fáilte Ireland. We look forward to collaborating with partners across the city and beyond to create exceptional experiences for delegates and visitors alike.”    These successful submissions are just a number of international events that University of Galway is actively bidding to host in the coming years, reinforcing its strategic vision to be a key player in global academic and cultural exchanges.      Ends 

Two University of Galway students took home top awards at the GradIreland Undergraduate of the Year Awards 2025. The awards recognise and celebrate Ireland’s most outstanding undergraduate students. This year, 16 University of Galway students were shortlisted for the finals. Second year Electronic and Computer Engineering student Sarah Jane Hughes from Redgap, Co Louth was presented with the Innovation Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard. A Stanford University Innovation Fellow and finalist for the Siemens Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award, Sarah Jane Hughes developed AscertPro, an app revolutionising construction site inspections. Recognised with University of Galway’s IdeasLab President’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Sarah Jane is a dynamic leader committed to solving real-world challenges through innovation, collaboration, and sustainable solutions. Passionate about leveraging technology for impact, she has experience in engineering, consulting, and digital marketing and as part of the award she will have the opportunity to earn a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute. Anna Connors, a fourth year Energy Systems Engineering student, received the Renewable Energy Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by Bord Na Móna, earning a place on the Graduate Programme within renewable energy, personal and professional development. Originally from Ballinalee, Co. Longford, Anna completed an academic work placement at engineering consultancy company Buro Happold in Leeds, UK. In addition to her studies, Anna is passionate about sustainability, the environment and finding carbon neutral energy solutions for the current climate crisis. Marie Laffey, Head of the Career Development Centre at the University, said: “University of Galway is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability within our university community, and it’s fantastic to see our students leading the way. The prestigious GradIreland Undergraduate of the Year awards are a benchmark of excellence and are highly valued by employers. We are delighted to celebrate Sarah Jane’s and Anna’s success and look forward to seeing the positive difference they will make in their future careers.” Ends

University of Galway is celebrating a standout performance at the 2025 National Student Media Awards with students securing three major awards. The winners were led by first-year Bachelor of Arts Journalism student Vladyslav Piatin-Ponomarenko who secured Film Documentary of the Year for his personal and emotional short documentary, Imagine War – 75 Days of Survival in Mariupol, which documents his escape from Mariupol at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Students secured two other awards: Emma Van Oosterhout, a fourth-year BA Global Media student, was named “Collaborative Journalist of the Year”, and Áine Ní Shíocháin, a BA Cumarsáid student, received an award for excellence in Irish-language journalism. Tom Felle, Associate Professor of Journalism at University of Galway, said: “We are immensely proud of our students' achievements and these awards are a testament to their talent, resilience, and dedication. I would also like to acknowledge my colleagues across the Journalism and Media team for their hard work and support of our students throughout the year.” University of Galway students were shortlisted for eight awards in total, including a nomination for its hyperlocal news site, Galway Pulse, in the “News Site of the Year” category. Ends