Galway University reception for Computer Course Participants

A senior Government Minister, Galway City's Lord Mayor and other dignatories will attend a reception in Galway University on Monday July 24 when members from the local asylum seeker community, who successfully completed a university-organised Internet course, will be congratulated.
Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv (whose brief includes 'Community' ) and the new Lord Mayor of Galway City, Councillor Niall Ó Brolchain, will officiate at the ceremony
The courses took place in the computer room of the Eglinton Hotel. Over a six month period, 48 individuals attended and were provided with the facilitites to learn how to set up their own personal websites, utilise email, computer telephony and other online communication services.

The greatest benefit for participants was that the course provided them with the opportunity to re-establish and maintain regular direct and 'real-time' contact with their friends and families in their homelands or elsewhere around the world.
But just as importantly, the course brought large groups of Eglinton residents from so many different backgrounds together for the first time and helped foster a sense of 'community' that has led to the development of other support services and events

The course was organised by Brendan Smith of the Digital Enterprise Reseach Institute (DERI) of NUI Galway. With the excellent support of the Eglinton management, a fully equipped modern IT facility was established comprising 8 computers with broadband access, printer, scanner and web-cam.

Children Experience Internet Games and Services

There are now a further two computer weekly classes taking place for resident children who use the Internet computer to play web games and benefit from Interneet educational packages.

Free Computers!
DERI also has established a Community Computer Recycling programme that has provided many asylum seekers with their own free computers.

Last December, the first group of successful asylum seekers participants received 'certificates of attendance' from the Lord Mayor of Galway City, Councillor Brian Walsh at a ceremony in Galway university. The event recieved prominent recognition in the national Irish media.

Government Minister Visits Computer FacilityIn April, the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Frank Fahey T.D., visited the Eglinton computer room to review the Internet projects completed by the attendees