09 July, 2020 – Minister for Further and College, Research, Development and Science invites historic appointment of female President of University of Limerick

Minister for Additional and Greater Education, Research Study, Development and Science Simon Harris TD, has today welcomed the consultation by the Board of the University of Limerick of Dr Kerstin Mey as Interim President of the university.Minister Harris stated:

“I am pleased to invite the appointment of Dr Mey as interim president of the University of Limerick. This is an essential strategic visit in our higher education sector.”I am especially pleased to welcome Dr Mey as the very first female president of a university in Ireland. Dr Mey’s prolific academic record, popular research study and established management both in Ireland and internationally will be of enormous benefit to the university and I want all in the university well in this new and exciting stage. I look forward to going to in due course to see the work for myself. “This is a historical consultation. I wish to specify my dedication to the roll-out of the senior academic management effort in higher education embeded in place by the last Government, to increase the number of ladies at teacher level in our universities.”We all identify that there is work to be done to improve diversity at the top of our academic institutions. We are fortunate to have tremendous talent among our staff, and amongst our trainees and graduates– the future academic leaders. I anticipate dealing with all of our organizations on a range of steps to boost variety, in every element, amongst our leadership, our emerging leadership and, importantly, among our trainee body. Higher education is an avenue to many paths in life, and we wish to guarantee that this experience is possible for students from every type of background who desire it.”These are difficult times for our higher education sector as we work collaboratively to finest support the reopening of the institutions, and on the longer term planning for the delivery of greater education in a Covid world. I look forward to dealing with Dr Mey and the heads of all of our college organizations as we work together to chart the way forward for higher education in Ireland.” I would likewise like to pay tribute to Dr Des Fitzgerald, who recently retired as President of the University of Limerick. He led the university at an essential time in its development, and an important time for greater education. His contribution to greater education in Ireland is inestimable and I make certain that his contribution and assistance will continue in other guises. “