[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he University of Limerick have announced that Professor Desmond Fitzgerald is to be appointed the next President of the University of Limerick.
Chancellor of the University of Limerick, Mr. Justice John Murray announced the news on October 6 after a specially convened meeting to decide upon the new President.
Murray spoke of the appointment in a statement released on the university website, “I am delighted to welcome Professor Fitzgerald as the next President of UL. He is a widely-respected scholar and leader in the academic world, with an enviable international research reputation and unrivalled experience gained at strategic levels in a number of highly-ranked universities.”
The newly appointed President was recommended by the Presidential Selection Board for the position and currently serves as a Vice President for Health Affairs of University College Dublin.
“I am delighted. The University of Limerick has had remarkable success in its short history due to its staff, its students and the support it has from the community and the Foundation. I am honoured to lead UL during the next phase,” said Fitzgerald about his new role.
Fitzgerald’s appointment indicates that the University are looking to improve in their research performance given the experience of their new President in the field.
Serving as Vice President of Research at UCD from 2004 to 2014, Fitzgerald played a pivotal role in the restructuring and transformation of the university’s performance in research performance according to the Univeristy of Limerick.
Professor Fitzgerald is a highly acclaimed academic as he also served as Chief Academic Officer within the Ireland East Hospital Group as well as having previously held leadership roles in the Royal College of Surgeons.
Fitzgerald will succeed current President of the University of Limerick Professor Don Barry on May 1, 2017 with Barry’s term coming to an end in April of that year.
Darragh Culhane
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