Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD has designated Dr. Orla Flynn as the first president of the new Atlantic Technological University, which will be established on 1 April 2022. Dr Orla Flynn comes with over twenty years’ experience in education management roles.
During this period she led the CIT Crawford College of Art and Design for eight years following successful periods as Head of School of Humanities and Head of Department of Media Communications.
Prior to this she was a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Computing at CIT for 13 years.
Dr Flynn holds undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in Mathematical Physics and Computer Science from University College Cork, an MA in Management in Education from WIT, and a PhD from the University of Limerick.
Dr Flynn is the current president of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.
Minister Harris said:
I am delighted to designate Dr. Flynn as the inaugural president of the new TU serving the West and North West. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the higher education sector.
Orla is a passionate advocate for the region and has led GMIT to significant success, particularly in the Science, Maths and Technology sectors. She has forged close relationships with business throughout her career – an important part of the TU agenda.
I really want to congratulate Orla and wish her every success. Orla’s appointment alongside the appointment of chair Maura McNally will ensure a strong leadership team for ATU.
Welcoming the news, Minister of State, Anne Rabbitte said:
I wholeheartedly welcome the first appointment to the Presidency of Atlantic Technological University – Dr Orla Flynn. We are very lucky to have a candidate of such calibre leading the ATU in its formative years. Congratulations Orla!
Last month saw the appointment of the Chairperson members of the first governing body of the new TU – Ms. Maura McNally, Chair of the Bar Council of Ireland, alongside Ms. Oonagh Monaghan, founder and Managing Director of Alpha Omega Consultants Ltd and Mr. Felim McNeela, founder of Avenue Mould Solutions and Ms. Anne McHugh, Chief Executive of Donegal ETB, the nominee of all three Education and Training Boards in whose areas the TU multi-campuses are located.
Minister Harris added:
A formidable team has been brought together to lead Atlantic Technological University in its crucial formative years. I am confident the new TU will make a huge impact on the region in terms of delivering on its mission, values and regional and national strategic objectives.The designation of Dr. Flynn, who will be appointed formally as president by the incoming first governing body on 1 April, is the final vital piece required to ensure the TU drives forward from day one in bringing higher education access, research informed programmes at levels 6-10 of the National Framework of Qualifications, research capacity building, teaching and learning excellence and regional embedded-ness and engagement with business, enterprise, industry and local communities across the north west of Ireland.I wish Dr. Flynn, the incoming governing body and the staff and students of Atlantic Technological University the very best going forward as they take their rightful place in a higher education landscape that has changed immeasurably in the last four years.
Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins said
I am sure Dr. Flynn will bring immense character and drive in these areas as in all the various areas and functions where TUs seek to provide leadership and connectivity in their delivery of impactful regional agendas.
Recent Comments