today is
WEB EDITION NO.8
November 2002
World Leader in Software Engineering joins UL
World Leader in Software Engineering joins UL
Minister Opens Dromroe Village
New Postgraduate Study Opportunities in Clinical Therapies
Graduates Celebrate Academic Success
Launch
of Centre for Historical Research
Japanese Visit University for International Ceramic Research Meeting
UL Announcement of Molex Chair
Introduction to University Programme
Professor David Parnas (foreground), Dr. William Harris, Director General
of SFI and UL President, Professor Roger Downer.
Professor David Parnas, one of the world leaders in software engineering, has formally joined the University thanks to a major grant funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). Professor Parnas will link his research team with projects underway at the College of Informatics and Electronics to develop methods, tools and procedures to improve the quality of industrial and commercial software.
Speaking at the announcement in Dublin the President, Professor Roger Downer, said: " Professor Parnas's thoughts on how to teach software engineering have influenced how software engineers think, act, and teach, as well as how the public perceives them. His appointment will add significantly not only to the research base at UL but also to the national effort to highlight the huge role that science and technology plays in the national economy". Dr. William Harris, Director General of SFI, the national foundation for excellence in scientific research, called Professor Parnas's move to UL "a sign of great things to come for Ireland's scientific and engineering communities. This is one of the world's finest software engineers, and the Foundation is proud to work with the University of Limerick to bring an individual of such standing to live and research in Ireland". Dr. Chris Horn, Chairman, Iona Technologies plc and a board member of SFI, stated, "David Parnas 's academic research and industrial collaborations have exerted far-reaching influences on software design and development. Together they constitute the foundation for modern software theory and practice that underpin the entire software industry. I am absolutely delighted that he will be joining the software community in Ireland. I praise the University of Limerick's initiative in inviting him and look forward to a significant positive impact on our national competitiveness".
Professor Kevin Ryan Vice-President Academic of UL said "I have known David Parnas for almost 20 years and during that time have admired his energy, commitment and scientific output. I am very excited that UL and Ireland will have the benefit of these attributes over the coming years".
The author of more than 200 papers and reports during his 30 years of research, Professor Parnas is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He comes to UL after service at such institutions as the Technische Hochschule Darmstadt, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Professor Parnas is currently director of the Software Engineering Programme in the Faculty of Engineering's Computing and Software Department at McMaster University. He has also served as an advisor to diverse manufacturers and government organisations, and at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC instigated the Software Cost Reduction (A-7) Project, which developed and applied software technology to aircraft weapons systems. He has also advised the Atomic Energy Control Board of Canada on the use of safety-critical real-time software at the Darlington Nuclear Generation Station. Professor Parnas received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in electrical engineering-systems and communications sciences from CMU, and honorary doctorates from the ETH in Zurich and the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. He is licensed as a Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario. In 1979, he won a "Best Paper" Award from the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and twice he has won the "Most Influential Paper" awards at the International Conference on Software Engineering. In 1998, he won ACM SIGSOFT's "Outstanding Research Award".
Minister Opens Dromroe Village
Ms Sile de Valera, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science and UL President, Professor Roger Downer.
The latest addition to student accommodation at the University of Limerick, Dromroe Village, was officially opened by Ms Sile de Valera T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science recently. The EUR25m multi storey complex is set on the banks of the River Shannon and comprises 457 en-suite rooms in 6 bedroom apartments.
Speaking at the opening, the Minister said: "The University's commitment to excellence in all aspects of university life should be applauded and I welcome its continuing tradition of forming partnerships between the State, private supporters, commercial interests and members of the campus community to finance key campus projects". UL President, Professor Roger Downer added that the University was engaged in a major programme of expansion and enhancement of its campus of which the village was an important component. "We have secured land North of the Shannon which will form the core of a new North Campus where a Health Sciences building, another student village and some research facilities will be the first pioneering projects for the University of Limerick in County Clare".
UL Chancellor Miriam Hederman O'Brien, thanked the Minister for her support and attendance and added that the enterprise would not have been possible without the co-operation and contribution of many, in particular, members of the University of Limerick Foundation, government departments, the Higher Education Authority, local authorities and those responsible for the quality and impressive design of the 'Village'. She said "A 'Village ' such as this is more than accommodation for the students and visitors, fortunate enough to have the opportunity to live here. It provides a stimulating environment for University life and opportunity for social development and a resource not only for the University of Limerick, but for the area and, indeed, the nation".
Dromroe Village, which was designed by Quinn Savage Smith Architects in collaboration with DHL, has recently received the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Regional Award 2002. The object of this Award is to communicate the range, variety and quality of architects work in any one-year. Over 190 projects were submitted from which 27 were selected for awards.
Michael Dell Conferred with Honorary Doctorate
Michael Dell and UL President, Professor Roger Downer.
The University of Limerick conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Economic Science on Michael Dell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dell. Mr Dell was honoured for the significant part he has played in the technology revolution of the late twentieth century and for Dell 's investment in Ireland and specifically in the Limerick region over the last decade.
The Chancellor of the University, Dr. Miriam Hederman O'Brien, welcomed those present and recognised the significant achievements of Michael Dell: "The University of Limerick pioneered an amalgamation of intellectual growth, personal development and work experience in its approach to third-level education. It prides itself on the quality and success of its students. On this occasion we honour one who, outside of a university setting, has achieved in his personal and professional lives, the combination to which we aspire. Michael Dell is a role model to so many of our students, not just for his commitment to continued innovation in the field of technology, and his unique direct business model, but also for the community work Dell does worldwide. The contribution of Dell to the local Limerick community is immense and is something that we are proud to honour today," she added.
Commenting upon his receipt of the Honorary Doctorate of Economic Science, Mr. Dell said: "I would like to sincerely thank the University of Limerick for this great honour. A dedication to continuing education is essential for the health of any growing company -and this recognition reflects Dell 's passion for learning. Our well-educated Irish team has helped us move very quickly and manage challenging business cycles". We are fortunate to enjoy strong ties with the educational community in Ireland and with the University of Limerick specifically, and being recognised by an Irish University is particularly special as Limerick was one of our first centres internationally and has been an important part of Dell 's success," he said. The Honorary Conferring ceremony was attended by approximately 800 people.
