Minister Harris Designates the First President of Atlantic Technological University (ATU

On 2 March 2022, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris designated Dr Orla Flynn as ATU’s first President.

I wish Dr Flynn, the incoming governing body and the staff and students of ATU the very best going forward as they take their rightful place in a higher education landscape that has changed immeasurably in the last four years.

Dr Flynn is the current president of GalwayMayo Institute of Technology (GMIT). Minister Harris said: “I am delighted to designate Dr Flynn as the inaugural president of the new TU serving the west and north-west. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the higher education sector. Orla is a passionate advocate for the region and has led GMIT to significant success, particularly in the Science, Maths and Technology sectors. She has forged close relationships with business throughout her career an important part of the TU agenda. I really want to congratulate Orla and wish her every success. Orla’s appointment alongside the appointment of Chairperson Maura McNally will ensure a strong leadership team for ATU.” Last month Minister Harris announced the appointment of the Chairperson and members of the first governing body of the new TU. Minister Harris added: “A formidable team has been brought together to lead ATU in its crucial formative years. I am confident the new TU will make a huge impact on the region in terms of delivering on its mission, values and regional and national strategic objectives. The designation of Dr Flynn, who will be appointed formally as president by the incoming first governing body on 1 April, is the final vital piece required to ensure the TU drives forward from day one in bringing higher education access, research informed programmes at levels 6-10 of the National Framework of Qualifications, research capacity building, teaching and learning excellence and regional embeddedness and engagement with business, enterprise, industry and local communities across the west and north-west of Ireland.”

Dr Orla Flynn, President Designate of ATU

Dr Flynn said: “I am extremely privileged to be given the opportunity to lead our new Atlantic Technological University through its formative years. Building on the excellent relationships already in evidence across the three partner institutions, the task ahead will be for us to serve the region as one university. We can only do this by working together, including staff, students, alumni and our many stakeholders and partners.

I want to acknowledge the enormous leadership to date from the outgoing Presidents of IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT, as well as the support from our Governing Bodies and from our collective University community. I am truly looking forward to the exciting challenges and opportunities ahead.