NUI Maynooth has been named the “University of the Year 2008” in the Sunday Times University Guide.
The award caps a highly successful year for NUI Maynooth which has seen it record the highest increase in CAO first preferences, attracting the strongest flow of research funding and forging links with leading industries. It has also jumped three places to fourth place on the Sunday Times’ league table.
"NUI Maynooth is now one of the four top universities in Ireland and is making an impressive global impact through its teaching partnership with the computer chip manufacturer Intel," says Ian Coxon, Editor of The Sunday Times University Guide. "NUI Maynooth's excellent results on research funding and graduate employment plus its impeccable record on encouraging access to groups normally excluded from third-level education are three of the key factors that have led us to vote it The Sunday Times University of the Year for 2008."
The award is based on an analysis of all 22 third level universities and institutes in the Republic and across 26 criteria including, grades, retention, research, student services, access for disadvantaged students and contribution to development at local and national levels. The data was collected from each Institution, the CAO, HEA, Dept of Education and Science, and interviews with students’ unions.
Within this analysis NUI Maynooth was shown to have won the highest level of research per academic in the country. The University also achieved first place for graduate employment and has, according to the Sunday Times, the best access programme for disadvantaged students in the country.
Welcoming the award, Prof John Hughes, President of NUI Maynooth, said “This is a great accolade for the university. The award recognises the priority we place on ensuring the best student experience – from the strength of the academic team that interface with the students, the innovative degree programme they can choose from, the vibrant social scene and of course the employability of the students that graduate from NUI Maynooth.”
Over the last 12 months the University has also won significant research awards, launched five new degrees including Law & Arts, Business & Law, and Science Education and has formally launched two new research institutes An Foras Feasa and The Irish Social Sciences Platform (ISSP). The University was appointed global education partner by Intel, and has established a joint research and education centre with Peking University.
“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication that all students and staff play in the achievements of the University,” added Prof John Hughes.
National University of Ireland, Maynooth caters for about 7,000 students including 1,000 at postgraduate level across 300 programmes.