News - headlines
News
Dr Martin McAleese appointed as new Chancellor of Dublin City University
The Governing Authority of Dublin City University appointed Dr Martin McAleese as Chancellor of the University.
Dr McAleese holds an honorary doctorate from DCU. As Chancellor his role will be to ensure responsible governance, promote the activities and strategic focus of the University and advance its profile in public fora - nationally and internationally.
Dr McAleese said: "I am enormously proud and honoured to take on this important role as Chancellor of Dublin City University. I recognise that the pathway to ensure our country’s future economic and social success depends on the provision of a high quality education system responsive to the needs of individuals, community, society and our economy. Since its foundation, DCU has committed itself to this agenda, achieving an international reputation for excellence, innovation and research in higher education."
Speaking on the appointment Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU said: “We are honoured that Dr McAleese has agreed to take up this important role as Chancellor of the University. I know we will all benefit greatly from his extensive experience - in particular his focus on critical issues such as economic regeneration and employment and his commitment to innovation as a catalyst for change and transformation in this country. He will be a source of great inspiration to our students and to Ireland’s next generation of thinkers, leaders and innovators. I look forward to working very closely with him.”
Dr Martin McAleese holds an honours B.Sc. degree in Physics from Queen’s University, Belfast and also B.A., M.A. and B. Dent. Sc. degrees from Trinity College, Dublin. He has numerous honorary doctorates, including an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from DCU. He worked for many years in a large dental practice having previously worked as a financial controller and company secretary with a number of firms. In support of the work of his wife, Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, Dr. McAleese has sought to develop greater trust and reconciliation among communities in Northern Ireland, particularly involving the working class loyalist community in his native Belfast. In the early years of the McAleese Presidency, Martin also undertook voluntary projects overseas in countries such as Honduras where he utilised his dental training for the benefit of poor communities in these countries.
2010 saw the launch of Your Country, Your Call, a national, highly successful competition which was the brain-child of Martin McAleese. Martin devoted considerable time and effort to this initiative bringing together a dynamic team of people from the public and private sectors. His efforts were recognised with a special award at the 2010 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award ceremony.
In May 2011, Martin was appointed as an independent member of the Seanad, where he will focus on issues which affect the practical interests of the people of Ireland, especially in regard to economic regeneration and employment and in the promotion of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.
Most recently he was appointed as independent Chair of the Inter-Departmental Committee to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalene Laundries.
Martin has a lifelong passion for lifelong education.