Dr Máire Geoghegan-Quinn has been appointed chairperson of Údarás na hOllscoile, the University’s Governing Authority. Dr Geoghegan-Quinn, a former government minister and European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, was unanimously selected at the first formal meeting of the new Údarás.
Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of NUI Galway, said iIt is a privilege for NUI Galway to have someone of Dr Máire Geoghegan-Quinn’s calibre as chairperson of Údarás na hOllscoile. She has all the attributes for excellence as chairperson of Údarás and I am delighted that she has agreed to accept this role for our university, our students and our staff.“
Dr Geoghegan-Quinn’s wealth of experience and knowledge nationally and internationally, in public policy and reform, in research and in diversity, will be a huge asset as we set out to implement our strategic plan Shared Vision, Shaped by Values, which she helped develop, and as we ensure good governance of our University and strive to deepen existing connections and build new relationships.”
Dr Geoghegan-Quinn’s term as chairperson runs for four years from March 1st 2021 until 2025.
In response to her appointment, Dr Geoghegan-Quinn said the honour is obvious and so is the scale of the task.
“The pandemic has accelerated the urgency to create a new kind of University that accommodates distance while creating a community of scholarship, creativity and ambition, that combines respect with openness to new and different thinking, that sees diversity as a strength and as a never-ending project,” she said.
