Institute of Technology, Sligo is pleased to confirm the appointment of Dr Brendan McCormack as President.
The appointment was approved by the Institute’s Governing Body on Wednesday.
Dr McCormack (58) succeeds Professor Vincent Cunnane who stood down earlier this year to take up a similar role with Limerick Institute of Technology.
“It is a singular honour for me to become the new President of IT Sligo,” said Dr McCormack.
“This Institute has been a huge part of my life. It can be justifiably proud of the role it plays in the region and I believe it is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Institute of Technology sector.
“I look forward to working with the students, staff and stakeholders of IT Sligo in continuing to build on its excellent educational history, regional development focus, and to help it realise its Technological University ambition.”
Dr McCormack is a native of Athlone and has lived in County Sligo with his wife Mary, and children Oliver, Gabriella, Deirdre, and Don for the last 18 years.
He brings a vast array of experience from both the private and public sectors in the fields of engineering, design and research to the role. He holds a PhD in Medical Device Design, and has worked in the Higher Education sector for the past 27 years.
He has been a staff member of IT Sligo since 1998 and has held key senior roles during that time, including Head of School of Engineering (2001-2006) and Head of Academic Affairs (Registrar, 2006-2014).
More recently, he has been Project Manager of the Connacht-Ulster Alliance, a strategic partnership involving IT Sligo, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and Letterkenny IT, which is seeking re-designation as a Technological University for the region.
To enable Dr McCormack time to complete the transition from his current role with the CUA to the new office of President, the Institute’s Registrar, Colin McLean takes up the role of Interim President.
The appointment of the new President was confirmed the day after the Minister for Education & Skills, Richard Bruton T.D. announced Mr Niall O’Donnellan as the new Chairperson of the Governing Body of IT Sligo.
Mr O’Donnellan has served for the past decade as a member of Enterprise Ireland’s leadership team, currently as Head, Strategy, People and Regions. He has previous Board experience having served on the Údarás of NUIG for three years 2014-16.
“I am delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to the development of IT Sligo,” said Mr O’Donnellan. “I look forward to working with the Institute’s new President, Dr Brendan McCormack, the Governing Body members, as well as the staff and students of IT Sligo.”
This ministerial appointment is for a period of five years.
Photo caption:
Dr Brendan McCormack, the new President of IT Sligo