News - June 2016

14 June 2016 - New Physician Associate course to meet growing healthcare sector demand

Game of Thrones Ulster University has created Northern Ireland’s first ever Physician Associate Postgraduate Diploma course to meet growing healthcare sector demands.

Ulster University is giving graduates with life sciences and healthcare-related degrees the opportunity to specialise in a rapidly growing, high demand healthcare role for the first time.

The two-year full-time programme will provide evidence-based teaching coupled with hands-on workplace training.

The new course will fully equip students with the skills and knowledge required to support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients. It will be delivered in partnership with multiple Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts in Northern Ireland. There are 20 places available for the incoming academic year, starting in September 2016.

Ulster University's Professor Tara Moore said: "A lack of trained Physician Associates locally and nationally means that career prospects for graduates are excellent. This educational provision is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and will lead to the first Physician Associates employed within hospitals in Northern Ireland.

"These graduates will play a pivotal role in providing a permanent solution to the ever-growing work pressures in general practice and NHS Trusts over the coming years where there is an unprecedented challenge to meet increasing patient needs."

For more on the story: Ulster University

20 June 2016 - Ulster University opens direct entry route for Letterkenny pharmacy technician students

Game of Thrones Ulster University has announced a new partnership with Letterkenny Institute of Technology that will enhance the skills base in the wider North-West region and beyond.

The partnership will enable Higher Certificate level pharmacy technician students at Letterkenny IT who meet the Ulster University entrance qualification to automatically progress to Ulster University's Masters level Pharmacy course.

With Ulster University recently named as the UK's top university for Pharmacy and Pharmacology in the Guardian League table for the third year running, the partnership will enable even more people to access one of the best university-level pharmacy teaching experiences currently available.

Ulster University's Head of School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor Paul McCarron said: "This is an exciting new cross-border collaboration that will attract and retain skilled people into the pharmacy profession, especially those from the North-West area, which in turn will deliver significant healthcare-related skills and economic benefits to the wider region.

"This partnership aligns perfectly with our ambitions for the North-West region, ensuring that we maximise our collective strengths and ensure access to quality teaching and opportunity. We very much look forward to welcoming the first students from Letterkenny Institute of Technology to our accredited Master of Pharmacy course in September 2016.

"Letterkenny Institute of Technology's Head of Department of Science Dr Joanne Gallagher commented: "We are delighted to have established this partnership with Ulster University. The agreement, between LYIT and Ulster University, provides a unique progression pathway for LYIT students who wish to study Pharmacy."

Further information is available from Dr Kathryn Burnett

Source: Ulster University

10 June 2016 - Countdown to Rio at Ulster University

Game of Thrones With just over 50 days until the Olympics in Rio, Ulster University has become a pre-Games training base for the Irish, Spanish and Canadian hockey teams who have been taking advantage of the world-class sporting facilities at its Jordanstown campus.

The University, which this year celebrates 60 years of hockey at Jordanstown, welcomed the Spanish women's team for a week-long training camp. Ahead of the Games, the Canadian and Irish men's hockey teams have also been staying and playing on campus as well as benefiting from the University's first-rate fitness and recovery suites.

Back in April, Ulster University marked 100 days to Rio with the announcement of £100,000 of sports scholarships that will help high performing student athletes excel in both their studies and sporting ambitions.

The Performance Sport Scholarship Awards will provide funding to support one year of Ulster University tuition fees for students who represent the University in a range of sports at senior intervarsity level.

Students will also be given access to an individually tailored programme of support services from University experts and will benefit from flexible learning opportunities to enable them to pursue their sporting careers at the highest level while successfully completing their university degree.

Image: Dr Nigel Dobson, Head of Sports Services, with captains Megan Frazer for Ireland and Rocio Ybarra for Spain, and Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Noreen McClelland.

Source: Ulster University

7 June 2016 - Game on for next generation of construction professionals at Ulster University

Game of Thrones Ulster University is helping to address the future skills shortage in the construction sector with the development of a new interactive game that aims to inspire the next generation of industry leaders.

Researchers from Ulster University have worked closely with local primary and post-primary schools to further develop the BelMCraft game, a computer game, based on the Minecraft platform, which allows players to create and explore a virtual city. The game helps young people better understand the built environment and aims to excite them about construction careers.

Architectural technology researcher and lecturer at Ulster University, David Comiskey, said: "As the economy continues to recover it is vital that we attract young talent into the workforce to help drive future growth of the construction sector. The aim of the game is to promote the relevance of construction related professions to school children and inspire them to pursue further study and careers in the industry.

"Through this game-based learning Ulster University is highlighting how technology is changing the face of the construction sector."

Chair of the industry body, Construction Group for NI, Stephen Kane added: "It is critical that we engage the next generation of construction professionals and highlight the importance of the sector to them. This game does just that and importantly makes learning fun which is a key factor to engaging young people in what can be a incredibly exciting career."

The game is currently in a pilot phase and has been developed by Ulster University researchers in partnership with digital consultancy, Ardvisory and education consultancy, ImmersiveMinds.

Image: Patrick Woods and Molly Tumilty from St Patrick's Primary School Mayobridge.

For more on the story: Ulster University

30 May 2016 - Ulster University partnership with Almac Discovery and McClay Foundation to explore diseases of the eye

Princess Anne Almac Discovery and the McClay Foundation are to fund a two year research collaboration with Ulster University to investigate if a specific type of protein could help to treat diseases of the eye.

A form of the protein, which can reduce the growth or formation of blood vessels, is currently in clinical development by Almac Discovery as a cancer treatment. Using state-of-the-art technologies, Ulster University's Professor Tara Moore and her team of researchers will closely examine the effects of the protein, known as FKBP-L, after it is administered to the eye. The objective will be to observe the protein and develop an understanding of precisely how and why it works so that methods of treatment delivery can be created or refined.

Professor Moore explains: "This particular form of the protein, known as a peptide, has anti-angiogenic properties meaning that it prevents the growth or formation of blood vessels.

"Blood vessel formation is a known factor in tumour growth, as well as being a key factor in eye conditions including wet age related macular degeneration, and the cause of distorted vision and blind spots.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Almac Discovery and the McClay Foundation to conduct research into this protein and its potential as a treatment for blinding eye diseases."

Stephen Barr, President, Almac Discovery added: "It is great to have such excellence on our doorsteps in Northern Ireland and we look forward to a productive and informative collaboration with Professor Moore and Ulster University."

For more on the story: Ulster University

24 May 2016 - Ulster University secures €1 million for trauma-exposed European populations research

Game of Thrones Ulster University psychologists have secured €1 million to train a new generation of researchers to work with multiple trauma exposed populations in Europe.

The funding is part of an overall €3.3 million award made by the European Commission's Horizon 2020 scheme.

The four-year CONTEXT (Collaborative Network for Training and Excellence in Psychotraumatology) project will be led by Trinity College Dublin, in collaboration with Ulster University, the University of Southern Denmark, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, SPIRASI, the Probation Board of Northern Ireland, the Danish Red Cross-Psychosocial Support Centre, and the Bornehus South Children's Centre.

Twelve doctoral researchers will study the psychological effects of exposure to traumatic life events amongst groups including refugees, asylum seekers and migrants who have entered Europe from conflict zones. Also included will be humanitarian workers tasked with providing aid to traumatised individuals, and victims of gender-based and childhood traumas.

The researchers will also spend half of their training with the non-academic partner organisations gaining front-line experience working with victims of traumatic experience. Leading the project from Ulster University are Professor Mark Shevlin, Dr Jamie Murphy, and Dr Cherie Armour.

Ulster University's Dr Jamie Murphy said: "This doctoral training programme will offer successful applicants a PhD experience like no other. The proposed academic institution partnerships, the selection of and alignment with non-academic partners and the overall programme of research have been carefully selected, formulated and designed to ensure that each trainee directly tackles the context based complexity of psychotraumatology within a distinct trauma context and among distinct trauma populations."

For more on the story: Ulster University

3 May 2016 - Ulster University research paints uncertain picture of Northern Ireland housing market

Game of Thrones Ulster University's latest research has painted an uncertain picture of Northern Ireland's housing market for the first quarter of 2016. Produced in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Progressive Building Society, Ulster University's research points to an easing back of the average house price compared to the strong market prevailing throughout the final quarter of 2015.

The University's research suggests that the overall average house price of £146,472 for the first quarter of 2016 is lower than might have been anticipated based on the strong growth during 2015, particularly in the third and fourth quarters. Once again, the distribution of sale prices highlights the affordable nature of the housing market in Northern Ireland relative to other UK regions.

Lead researcher, Professor Stanley McGreal from Ulster University said: "When it comes to overall performance by property type, the average price of terraced/townhouses, detached bungalows and apartments has increased over the year. In contrast, semi-detached and detached houses have experienced a slower rate of annual growth."

Joe Frey, the Housing Executive's Head of Research, commented: "A combination of a higher than expected increase in prices in the previous quarter and uncertainty surrounding the EU referendum probably explain the slight downturn in the market. However, given that transaction levels remain high and there is little sign of a significant affordability issue outside Belfast, the indications are that the market will continue its gradual recovery."

Michael Boyd, Progressive Deputy Chief Executive and Finance Director commented: "Northern Ireland has experienced consistent growth within the housing market over the last 18 months, with a strong performance in 2015.

"Our focus at the Progressive for the remainder of 2016 will continue to be to provide opportunities and quality mortgage offerings for potential home owners."

For more on the story: Ulster University

16 May 2016 - Ulster University plays key role in US-Ireland gastric bypass research

Game of Thrones A US-Ireland partnership involving researchers at Ulster University has been awarded a grant of over £2 million under the US-Ireland Research and Development Partnership Programme, to investigate the effectiveness of gastric bypass surgery. It will bring together world-leading nutrition and neuroscientist researchers from Ulster University, Florida State University and University College Dublin.

In examining the effectiveness of gastric bypass or bariatric surgery this research will also examine behavioural changes in patients which may contribute to the long-term success of the procedure.

The research will specifically aim to identify if long-term weight loss from gastric bypass or bariatric surgery is due solely to changes in appetite and food choices, or if it is also associated with changes in metabolic rate following surgery.

Professor Barbara Livingstone, from Ulster University, said: "Our research will not just examine the effectiveness of gastric bypass, or bariatric surgery, it will also examine behavioural changes in patients which may contribute to the long-term success of the procedure.

"Obesity levels are increasing globally and the associated medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancers are placing strain on already-challenged healthcare resources.

"Ulster University is uniquely positioned to play a critical role as researchers will be enabled to obtain a fundamental understanding of behaviours and attitudes to food so we can understand how a change in these behaviours after surgery may assist in the overall success of the surgical procedure."

Dr Janice Bailie, Assistant Director of the Public Health Agency's HSC R&D Division, which is funding the Northern Ireland part of this project, with support from the Medical Research Council, said: "We are delighted to be funding this project which will examine the effectiveness of surgical procedures in the fight against obesity. We expect that the outcomes from this international research will lead to significant advances in the treatment of obese patients in the UK, Ireland and beyond."

For more on the story: Ulster University

16 May 2016 - Ulster University reveals top placement employers

Game of Thrones Alumni will already be aware of Ulster’s connection to employers through work placements across a wide range of sectors including healthcare, law, construction and the creative industries. The placements are designed to provide students with valuable insight into the working environment and enable them to develop industry ready skills by applying their knowledge in the workplace.

Local and international employers recognised at the University awards included PwC, Warner Bros. Games and the Probation Board for Northern Ireland, Kainos, WDR & RT Taggart and Allianz.

Sharon Connolly, Operations Manager at Allianz and Ulster University MBA graduate said: “We have been working closely with Ulster University in relation to the placement of students for well over 10 years now and the students are very much part of the fabric of our teams in Belfast.

"At Allianz one of our objectives is to develop students’ interpersonal skills and key capabilities throughout their placement year with ourselves. We see them progressively become more professional and mature so that by the end of the placement they are ready for the business world. Quite a few of them come back to us, we’ve recruited from our student pool on several occasions.”

Seamus McConomy, Work Experience Manager at Ulster University said: “The University provides placements to ensure that our graduates are equipped with the necessary work-ready skills that are highly sought after by employers.

“This is the eighth Placement Employer of the Year Awards and year-on-year the University is building stronger relationships with employers, both locally and internationally, who are directly benefiting from having our placement students on board. Our students are providing additional resource to companies as well as injecting enthusiasm, dedication and creativity into the workforce.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about recruiting students should contact us at workexperience@ulster.ac.uk

Image: From left to right: along with Professor Paddy Nixon are Sharon Connolly and Caroline McKittrick from Allianz plus Donna Traynor (MC for the Awards Ceremony).

For more on the story: Ulster University

10 May 2016 - Renowned Formula One designer inspires Ulster University engineers

Game of Thrones Renowned Formula One racing car designer and commentator, Gary Anderson, has been inspiring the next generation of engineers during a visit to Ulster University.

Formally the chief mechanic at McLaren, Gary, who is originally from Coleraine, was at Ulster University to take part in the Life Stories series, a series of in-depth interviews that explore the life and achievements of Ulster University's distinguished alumni.

During the visit , Gary also attended Ulster University's Centre for Renewable Energy Engineering in Magee to meet with students who got the opportunity to find out more about exciting careers in the motorsports industry.

Ulster University awarded Gary Anderson with an honorary degree in 2014 in recognition of his achievements over 30 years in the motorsport industry.

Image: Ulster University engineering students Brian O'Dughaill and Emer Smith inspecting prototype engine parts with Gary Anderson.

For more on the story: Ulster University

5 May 2016 - UK award recognition for Ulster University’s Access to Justice Initiative

Game of Thrones Ulster University's Law Clinic was one of just five UK law schools recognised for its outstanding contribution to access to justice and the provision of free legal advice and representation to the public.

The University was nominated for The LawWorks and Attorney General Student Awards 2016. These annual awards recognise the very best of pro-bono work carried out by law students and law schools in the UK.

The Law Clinic was nominated for the contribution and positive impact it has by providing access to free legal advice. The service was established in 2013, after Ulster University and the Law Centre (NI) identified high levels of unmet legal need for employment and social security tribunal users.

Since then, Ulster University's Law Clinic has rapidly grown a global reputation for excellence in the provision of free legal advice and representation, and its innovative hands-on learning approach which sees postgraduate law students represent clients at tribunals.

The students spend a year studying towards an LLM in Clinical Legal Education which is the only course of its type in the UK and Ireland and trains students in employment and social security law, tribunal representation and alternative dispute resolution.

Commenting on the nomination, Dr Gráinne McKeever, Director, Ulster University Law Clinic said: "This prestigious nomination is yet another major boost for our Law Clinic, Ulster University's Law School and our justice-focused casework, teaching and research which has been ranked first in the UK for its impact. The Clinic has made such a significant impact on access to justice and to the University’s civic mission.

"In 2014 we won the award for ‘Best New Pro Bono Activity’ in the UK. To have been nominated for best UK law school only two years later is a testament to the hard work of my colleagues and co-Directors, Dr Esther McGuinness and Ciaran White, to each successive student cohort since the LLM began in 2012 and to the support and commitment of the School, Faculty and University.”

Image: Law Clinic staff and students at the House of Commons.

For more on the story: Ulster University