Galway Science & Technology Festival

After a decade of exciting activities, the Galway Science and Technology Festival has made a great contribution to the promotion of science and technology, in our region.

The value of this festival cannot be underestimated. Events such as this go a long way towards arousing the curiosity of young people about science and technology and opening their youthful minds to new information. The scientists of the future are the children who will attend this festival with their friends and families. 

In this increasingly globalized world, we face many challenges that require innovative solutions. Among these challenges are climate change, a peak in global oil production and the fight for scarce resources, including energy and water. Developments in science, technology and engineering will help us to understand theses issues and how best to tackle them.  The harnessing of ideas through research and innovation will lead to economic prosperity and social progress, ultimately improving our quality of life. Recognizing this, the Government launched its plan for the smart economy in December 2008. The plan aims to develop Ireland as an innovation hub, by co-ordinating the work underway in our enterprise economy and our research institutions.  Ireland will become a centre of high-end, high paid jobs that cannot be out-sourced.  

One of Ireland’s key strengths, as it moves towards a knowledge-based economy is its highly skilled workforce. Expertise and human capital will be key to ensuring that Ireland is at the cutting edge of technological developments.  The Government has shown that it is committed to this, by encouraging research and innovation, through investment and policy. This summer the Government set out a detailed strategy for digital and clean technology in Ireland, targeting 30, 0000 jobs in the next decade.

This is truly an exciting time for science and technology. The west of Ireland, for example, has already proved that it on course to become a hub for innovation, with significant growth in the research and development sector.

The Galway Science and Technology Festival is a very important event in this context. By promoting an interest in science and learning among young people, it opens them to a wealth of opportunities in the future.

As a  patron of the Festival , I once again congratulate our Chairman, Tom Hyland and all of his dedicated Board. I would also like to commend Bernard Kirk and all of the staff at Galway Education Centre for all of their hard work, in sustaining the continuity of one of Europe’s great science festivals.

Enjoy this year’s festival once again...

Noel Treacy, T.D.
Founder and Patron of Galway Science and Technology Festival