GMIT has said it will begin the procedure of selecting and appointing a new president for the institute following the resignation of Dr Fergal Barry this week.
Dr Barry tendered his resignation to the chairman of GMIT Governing Body, Cormac MacDonncha, on Tuesday. The body will begin the process of finding a new president when it meets at the end of the month.
Staff at the institute were informed of Dr Barry’s resignation in a statement on Tuesday.
“Mr MacDonncha thanks Dr Barry for his service and wishes him well with his future,” the institute said in a statement. “A proposal will be presented to the governing body of GMIT at its monthly meeting on May 30 to confirm the procedure to select and appoint a new president. It is expected to fill the position before the end of the year.
“Until further notice, Dr Michael Hannon will continue to act in a deputising capacity. Dr Seamus Lennon has been appointed as acting registrar for the duration.”
Dr Barry, who was appointed president of GMIT in October 2015, had been on sick leave since last year. He previously served as vice-president for research, enterprise and development at Limerick Institute of Technology.
In leading LIT’s Research, Enterprise and Development Strategy, Dr Barry’s teams secured significant competitive funds, awards, grants and benefaction for student support, for staff engagement in applied research, for employment support and for campus development.
