01 December, 2008 - Speech by the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD, on a visit to the National University of Ireland, Maynooth

President, Trustees of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, members of the Governing Body, students, ladies and gentlemen.

My plans to attend here today were made before I heard of the unfortunate fire that destroyed the student restaurant on Friday.
 

I wish to offer you, the college community, my sincere condolences.
 

We are all glad that there was no loss of life or injury.
 

I understand that swift action by the university's personnel ensured speedy evacuation of the restaurant and I commend all concerned, including the fire-fighters who contained the blaze, for their great work.
 

Attending, as I am to announce good news, will, I hope, bring some relief.
 

The good news is that I am announcing approval to proceed with the development of an extension to the library at the college.
 

The planned extension will expand the existing library by over 6,000 square metres to give a total area of 10,000 square metres.
 

The project will be funded under the National Development Plan 2007-2013.
 

I understand that the college authorities plan to have the project ready for construction next year.
 

In addition to providing the university with critically needed additional space, the project will also have positive indirect benefits of providing job opportunities in the construction sector in these difficult times for our economy.
 

The need for this extension reflects the increased and growing student numbers attending the college.
 

In this regard, the university has demonstrated consistent steady enrolment growth rates over the years, with current enrolments standing at 6,000 undergraduate students and 1,000 post-graduate students.
 

Reflecting the university's strong IT focus, the planned new facility will contain reader stations with appropriate IT infrastructure that will facilitate the use of PC clusters and individual laptops.
 

This will enable the university to provide a comprehensive range of services necessary to support the full implementation of its teaching and research strategies which in turn complement national strategies for the sector.
 

NUI Maynooth has developed strong positive working relations with the nearby Intel plant in Leixlip.
 

Earlier this year, the university announced that it had reached agreement with the global computer giant to deliver an innovative Masters of Engineering programme for Intel engineers.
 

This is the first formal accreditation link-up between the two parties and it places NUI Maynooth at the forefront of university-industry collaboration in Europe.

The partnership between NUI Maynooth and Intel symbolises the transformation that has taken place in the decade since the university established its own unique identity since separating from St Patrick's College.

In that time, student numbers have grown and the university has competed very successfully for research funds.
 

Special employment preparation classes for undergraduates have helped it achieve a very impressive employment record of almost 100 per cent.
 

All of these factors have contributed to making NUI Maynooth the 2008 Sunday Times Irish University of the Year.
 

I congratulate all concerned for the achievement of this accolade.
 

Research activity is central to the mission of NUI Maynooth.
 

The university's Research Charter provides the institutional framework for developing research activities while the Office of Research and Graduate Studies operates a range of supports for researchers.

Across many specialist fields, the university has won an international reputation for the standing of its research expertise in areas as diverse as immunology, agro-ecology and space technology.
 

NUI Maynooth has a reputation for providing a student-friendly campus environment with world-class teaching and research facilities.
 

The student body is drawn from all over Ireland and from more than 20 overseas countries.
 

This diversity is enhanced by significant numbers of mature students and dedicated access programme entrants.

It is ironic that, with the advent of the digital age, many thought that libraries would become obsolete.
 

Conversely, new technologies and the internet have made them even more relevant as information hubs today. 

I want to congratulate everyone who has been involved in NUI Maynooth's past successes and I look forward to working with you on the delivery of a library facility that will be worthy of the aspirations of this fine institution well into the future.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.

ENDS