In the News..

University of Galway has adopted the ALTITUDE Charter, a national initiative promoting inclusive educational opportunities at third level and encouraging institutions to embed universal design across higher and further education. Funded by the Higher Education Authority, ALTITUDE – the National Charter for Universal Design in Tertiary Education, is an extensive cross sectoral collaboration involving six national agencies, 15 higher education institutions and six Education and Training Board representatives.  By adopting the ALTITUDE Charter, the University is committing to build on its Universal Design and Accessibility Policy, which has integrated a universal design approach across all levels of the institution, keeping student voices and experiences at the centre of ambitions to create an inclusive and accessible campus and community. The University aims to share insights and best practices with colleagues across the further and higher education sector to advance universal design in education.             University of Galway President, Professor David J. Burn, welcomes the adoption of the ALTITUDE Charter saying: "The diversity of our staff and student community is a core strength, and universal design is central to meeting their needs. Embedding a universal design approach ensures equity of opportunity and enhances the learning experience for all. We support this cross-sectoral initiative and will continue to progress the actions and goals outlined in the ALTITUDE Charter."             Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Dr Helen Maher said: "Universal design is integral to advancing inclusion by design at University of Galway so that our university can be accessed understood and used to the greatest extent possible by our university community. ALTITUDE gives us a clear framework to support our University to be more accessible and inclusive, where equality and student experience are central to all aspects of university life."     Professor Ciara Meehan, University of Galway Dean of Students, said: “Adopting the ALTITUDE Charter reinforces our commitment to ensuring every student can fully engage with their learning experience. By embedding universal design across teaching, assessment, and support services, we are creating a campus where all students have equitable opportunities to thrive."             Izzy Tiernan, Disability Rights Officer with the University’s Students’ Union, said: "The adoption of the Altitude Charter is a great step forward for Universal Design and ensuring access for all students to the quality of education they deserve. The involvement and consultation of students from the outset has been, and will continue to be, integral to designing a campus that is inclusive and equitable for all." For more information visit www.universityofgalway.ie/equalityanddiversity/altitude/ Ends

University of Galway has extended warm congratulations to alumna Fiona Murtagh, who claimed gold in the women’s single sculls at the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai. The Galway rower, who started in the sport with Galway Rowing Club and now rows with the University of Galway Boat Club, led from the early stages and secured the top spot on the podium in a photo finish, in a time of 07:12.27, just 0.03 seconds ahead. President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: "On behalf of the entire University of Galway community, I want to congratulate Fiona on her gold medal success in Shanghai. We are immensely proud of her journey from our campus to the world stage - not least as she continues to represent University of Galway Boat Club. “Fiona’s victory in Shanghai is a pinnacle of a remarkable career and a phenomenal level of dedication, talent and athleticism that is required to compete in elite rowing. Even moreso, winning world championship gold in the single sculls - the gladiators of rowing - confirms her place among Ireland’s sporting heroes. She will be an even greater inspiration to current and future generations of athletes at the University and much further afield." Des Ryan, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing, University of Galway, said: "Fiona’s achievement is nothing short of extraordinary. To win a World Championship gold medal in such dramatic circumstances demonstrates her incredible talent, determination and composure under pressure. She is an inspiration to all of us here at the University, particularly our student athletes who can see what is possible with dedication and hard work." Fiona Murtagh’s World Championship gold follows on from Olympic bronze in Tokyo 2020, when she rowed in the Women’s Four. The win was followed by Fintan McCarthy and Mags Cremen in the mixed double sculls, who also secured gold. Fiona Murtagh completed the MBA at University of Galway, graduating in 2023. She has won numerous national titles for the University of Galway Boat Club – the latest being a member of the women’s senior 8 in July 2025. She will be representing the University at the prestigious Head of The Charles in Boston over the weekend of October 17-19, 2025 - one of rowing’s flagship events, passing by the famous Harvard Boat Club.   Ends

Lone parents and survivors of domestic violence in Galway are to receive free, confidential help with their tax affairs under a landmark new initiative launched this week.  The programme, called ‘Enabling Tax Literacy and Empowerment: Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities’, is the first public tax education partnership of its kind in Ireland. It is being run jointly by Galway Public Libraries and the University of Galway’s award-winning Tax Clinic.  Designed to help people navigate the State’s increasingly digital tax system, the service offers one-to-one consultations with trained tax advisers and supervised student volunteers. It will be available at selected library branches, with the option of online support. Recruitment is being handled through Family Resource Centres, FLAC, INTREO and the library network itself.  Eileen Ruane, Director of Services at Galway County Council, said: “This marks a significant step forward in inclusive financial literacy. Embedding tax education in trusted community spaces helps tackle financial abuse and economic exclusion while strengthening libraries’ role as hubs for lifelong learning.”  County Librarian Elizabeth Keane, said: "This project is about more than taxes, it’s about empowerment. By bringing professional tax guidance into our libraries, we are helping lone parents and survivors of domestic violence reclaim control over their finances, build confidence, and take ownership of their futures."  The University of Galway Tax Clinic, established in 2020, is Ireland’s first free tax clinic. Initially founded to serve students of the University, the clinic has since expanded through community partnerships to provide assistance to vulnerable members of society. It also serves as a training ground for the next generation of student tax advisors, who gain practical experience under the supervision of professional advisors.  Commenting on the launch, Professor Emer Mulligan, Director of the University of Galway Tax Clinic, said: “Our clinic was founded on the principle that everyone should have the opportunity to understand and engage with the tax system with confidence. Since 2020, we have grown from supporting students on campus to reaching some of the most vulnerable groups in our community. I very much welcome this new partnership with Galway Public Libraries, which enables us to build on that work, expanding access to tax education in trusted community settings and providing our students with invaluable practical learning experiences.” The University of Galway Tax Clinic was recently awarded the Excellence in Education Award at the Irish Accountancy Awards 2025 for its innovative approach to tax education and public engagement. This pilot initiative sets the foundation for regional and national expansion, offering a replicable model for inclusive financial literacy in safe, accessible environments.  Galway Public Libraries and the University of Galway say the pilot will serve as a blueprint for regional and national roll-out, creating a replicable model of inclusive financial literacy in safe, accessible community settings.  For more information visit https://www.universityofgalway.ie/taxclinic/ or email taxclinic@universityofgalway.ie, or contact Meliosa McIntyre in Galway County Council at mmcintyre@galwaycoco.ie.  Ends