Students’ Union Calls for Boycott of Alumni Awards
University of Galway Students’ Union has today called on the University community and alumni to boycott the annual Alumni Awards Ball taking place on Saturday 23rd May. The Students’ Union boycott is part of the continuing campaign calling on the University to break it’s ties with Technion. Technion is an Israeli institution playing a key role in developing “defence and security technologies” being used in the genocide in Gaza.
The Alumni Awards is an annual fundraising event for the University highlighting the achievements of it’s alumni. Tickets for the gala event are priced at €150 each. Recently high profile figures have refused honorary doctorates from the university and awards have been returned in protest. The Nelson Mandela Foundation is also reviewing the use of Nelson Mandela’s name by the University of Galway
Students’ Union President Maisie Hall said: “Our members voted overwhelmingly in our recent referendum voicing their outrage that the University continues to work with Technion. We are using our platform to draw attention to the lack of action by University management to address this issue. We have turned down our invitations to the Alumni Awards and encourage everyone else to do the same.”
Students’ Union Vice President/Education Officer Seán de Búrca added: “We have seen a negative international spotlight turned on the University because of it’s continued refusal to break ties with Technion. The University community and alumni are rightly ashamed of this inaction and lack of empathy from the President and University management team. We can’t support a University that ignores the voices of it’s community.”
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Baghcat ar na Gradaim do Chéimithe á éileamh ag Comhaltas na Mac Léinn
Tá Comhaltas na Mac Léinn in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ag iarraidh ar phobal agus céimithe na hOllscoile baghcat a dhéanamh ar Bhál bliantúil na nGradam do Chéimithe a bheidh ar siúl Dé Sathairn an 23 Bealtaine. Tá baghcat Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn mar chuid den fheachtas reatha ina bhfuiltear ag éileamh ar an Ollscoil scor dá ceangal le Technion. Foras Iosraelach is ea Technion atá ag comhlíonadh ról lárnach san fhorbairt ar na “teicneolaíochtaí cosanta agus slándála” atá á n-úsáid sa chinedhíothú in Gaza.
Ócáid bhliantúil tiomsaithe airgid atá sna Gradaim do Chéimithe ina ndíríonn an Ollscoil aird ar a bhfuil bainte amach ag céimithe de chuid na hOllscoile. €150 an ceann an praghas atá ar thicéid don ócáid cheiliúrtha. Tá pearsana i mbéal an phobail tar éis diúltú do dhochtúireachtaí oinigh ón ollscoil le gairid agus tá gradaim tugtha ar ais ag daoine mar agóid. Tá athbhreithniú á dhéanamh ag Fondúireacht Nelson Mandela ar úsáid ainm Nelson Mandela ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe
Seo mar a labhair Uachtarán Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn, Maisie Hall: “Chaith baill an Chomhaltais vóta sa reifreann a bhí againn le gairid agus fearg á léiriú go soiléir acu faoin Ollscoil a bheith ag obair le Technion fós. Tá muid ag baint leas as an ardán atá againn le haird a dhíriú ar easpa gnímh lucht bainistíochta na hOllscoile chun dul i ngleic leis an bhfadhb seo. Tá muid i ndiaidh diúltú do na cuirí a fuair muid chuig na Gradaim do Chéimithe agus molann muid do gach uile dhuine eile an rud céanna a dhéanamh.”
Seo an méid a dúirt Leas-Uachtarán/Oifigeach Oideachais Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn Seán de Búrca: “Tá aird dhiúltach idirnáisiúnta tarraingthe ar an Ollscoil toisc go bhfuiltear ag diúltú deireadh a chur leis an nasc le Technion. Tá náire ar phobal agus céimithe na hollscoile, agus ní gan chúis, as an easpa gnímh agus easpa comhbhá seo ag Uachtarán agus ag foireann bainistíochta na hOllscoile. Ní féidir linn tacú le hOllscoil a thugann neamhaird ar ghlórtha a pobail.”
