University of Galway - J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics

Leadership today requires more than expertise in your own field. It requires the ability to think strategically, lead through complexity and make decisions that create impact across an organisation.

The Executive MBA at University of Galway is designed for experienced professionals who want to broaden their perspective, strengthen their leadership capabilities and accelerate their career progression, all while continuing to work.

Discover our Executive MBA here: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/mba/

What can we learn when we move beyond the headlines and hear directly from someone living the reality?

Join us at University of Galway - J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics for our Thinking Beyond Series event: The Lived Experience of Gaza, a powerful exhibition and keynote event featuring Palestinian entrepreneur, writer and public speaker Shirene Yaseen.

Through personal testimony, photography, video, letters and artwork, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the human experiences behind a story that continues long after media attention has moved elsewhere.

Organised by Sophie Sweeney, Lecturer at University of Galway, the exhibition aims to create space for understanding, dialogue and reflection.

As Sophie explains:
"There is a world of difference between following a conflict in the news and hearing directly from someone living it. When I met Shirene, I knew this story had to come to Ireland."

Shirene Yaseen will travel from Doha to Galway to open the exhibition and deliver a special keynote address sharing her personal perspective and experiences.

📅 Exhibition: 1–4 July 2026
📍 An Dánlann, Art Gallery, University of Galway
🎤 Keynote Address: Friday, 3 July | 10:00am
📍 Michael D. Higgins Auditorium
Admission is free.

👉 Register here: https://stories.universityofgalway.ie/thinking-beyond-lived-experience-of-gaza/index.html

Read more in our News Page: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/about-us/news-and-events/news-archive/2026/june/exhibition-explores-the-lived-experience-of-gaza-1.html

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤? Behind every hotel stay, restaurant meal, wedding celebration and family gathering is a workforce whose contribution is often invisible.

Hospitality professionals create exceptional experiences for others while managing operational pressures, staffing shortages, long hours and the challenge of balancing work with their own personal lives.

That's why we're bringing together industry leaders, employers, researchers, educators, policymakers and students for 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞.

This event will explore:
🔹 The realities of working in hospitality today
🔹 Employee wellbeing and retention
🔹 Management and leadership practices
🔹 Worker voice and workplace culture
🔹 Building a more sustainable future for the sector

Hear from:
• Maureen O'Brien • Bernard Cahill • Tracie Daly. Food Business Coach • Dr. Finian O'Driscoll • Orla McAndrew • Charlie Boyle

Organised by Olaiwola Ogunpaimo and Dr Deirdre Curran.

With thanks to the Department of Management at University of Galway - J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics for funding.

Whether you're an employer, manager, educator, student, researcher or hospitality professional, this event offers an opportunity to contribute to meaningful conversations that can help shape the future of the industry.

📅 30 June 2026
🕙 10:00am – 4:00pm
📍 THB-011, University of Galway
☕ Refreshments and lunch provided
✅ Free to attend

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/working-in-hospitality-where-research-meets-practice-to-promote-change-tickets-1991922000324

What could an MBA do for your career?

The Colm Feeney MBA Scholarship is designed to help ambitious professionals accelerate their leadership development while reducing the financial barriers to postgraduate study.

Awarded annually to an exceptional MBA candidate, the scholarship honours the legacy of entrepreneur Colm Feeney and supports future leaders as they develop the strategic, financial and decision-making skills needed to thrive in senior roles.

Discover how our dynamic, flexible programme will equip you with the skills to excel in today’s fast-paced business world.

🔗 https://stories.universityofgalway.ie/mba-fees-and-scholarships/index.html

📩 [email protected]



Chamber | Galway Executive Skillnet | University of Galway

Join us at Working in Hospitality: Where Research Meets Practice to Promote Change, a one-day conference funded by the Management Discipline at University of Galway - J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics organised by Olaiwola Ogunpaimo and Dr Deirdre Curran.

Bringing together researchers, industry leaders, employers, policymakers, educators and students, the event will explore the lived experience of hospitality workers and the opportunities and challenges facing the sector today.

Through research presentations, expert panel discussions and collaborative action-planning sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue on issues including working conditions, worker voice, sustainability, management practices and the future of hospitality employment.

Event speakers: Maureen O Brien | Bernard Cahill | Tracie Daly. Food Business Coach | Dr. Finian O'Driscoll | Orla McAndrew | Charlie Boyle

📆 30 June 2026
⏲️ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
📍 THB-011, University of Galway
☕ Refreshments on arrival and light lunch provided
✅ Free event

𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/working-in-hospitality-where-research-meets-practice-to-promote-change-tickets-1991922000324?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

We look forward to welcoming those interested in the future of hospitality work and helping shape positive change across the sector.

University of Galway

Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? The Colm Feeney MBA Scholarship supports one outstanding candidate joining of Galw Executive MBA each year.

Created in memory of Galway entrepreneur Colm Feeney, the scholarship recognises ambition, leadership potential and a commitment to making a meaningful impact in business and society. Recipients also benefit from one-to-one mentoring with an experienced business leader, providing valuable insights and guidance throughout their MBA journey.

Discover how our dynamic, flexible programme will equip you with the skills to excel in today’s fast-paced business world.

🔗 https://stories.universityofgalway.ie/mba-fees-and-scholarships/index.html
📩 [email protected]

Galway Chamber | Galway Executive Skillnet

🇨🇳 From Shanghai to Galway: strengthening international partnerships through education, research and global engagement.

On Monday, University of Galway - J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics was delighted to welcome a delegation from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, one of China's leading universities, to University of Galway.

The visit provided an opportunity to discuss shared interests in business education, executive development, international collaboration and future partnership opportunities between our institutions.

We were pleased to welcome Associate Professor Xi Junfang, Chief Representative in the Asia-Pacific Region of Antai College of Economics & Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Vice Dean of SJTU Asia-Pacific Graduate Institute, Mr Xiaoyang Liu, Associate Director, and Ms Dan Liu, Head of Executive Development and Administration.

International engagement and collaboration remain central to our mission, creating opportunities for students, researchers and academic staff to learn from diverse perspectives and strengthen global connections.

A sincere thank you to our guests for visiting Galway. We look forward to continuing these conversations and exploring future opportunities for collaboration.

Professor Karena JI YAN | Professor Alma McCarthy | Assistant Professor Yixin Qiu | Marie Mc Ardle | Orla Naughton | Murray Scott | Global Galway