The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. and the Minister for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D. today (Monday 10 June) invited expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill vacancies of chairperson of Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) and chairperson of Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT).
Minister McHugh highlighted the importance of the role of chairperson at an institute of technology.
Minister McHugh said:
The chairperson of a governing body of a higher education institution is pivotal to the development and implementation of an institution’s strategic direction and the achievement of its objectives.
I would encourage candidates who have the qualifications, the necessary skills and experience to submit an expression of interest.
Minister Mitchell O’Connor pointed to the importance of ensuring accountability within higher education institutions.
There is a requirement for a high standard of accountability and transparency in how higher education institutions discharge their responsibilities,
Minister Mitchell O’Connor said.
Each governing body, led by its chairperson, has a responsibility to ensure that those standards are maintained in order to sustain public confidence and the reputation of the sector.
The process of filling these vacancies is being managed by the Department of Education and Skills. Expressions of interest will be assessed before Minister McHugh is provided with a shortlist of candidates who are deemed to be suitable for appointment to the governing body, from which the Minister will make his selection.
A detailed information booklet can be found here and expressions of interest may be made by submitting a curriculum vitae and detailed cover letter to boardvacancies@education.gov.ie
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 24 June 2019.
Notes for Editor
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT)
DKIT was established in 1970 as the Dundalk Regional Technical College before being subsequently legally designated an institute of technology and renamed the Dundalk Institute of Technology.
DKIT is located on a 90 acre campus situated on the Dublin Road, Dundalk, Co Louth.
DKIT has four academic schools, each specialising in different areas, including Business and Humanities, Engineering, Informatics and Creative Arts and Health and Science. DKIT offers courses at Level 6 (certificate) through Level 10 (PhD) whilst also catering for a wide range of apprenticeship courses.
The Institute currently has almost 5,000 full and part-time students, employing over 490 staff. It has an annual budget of approximately €60m.
Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT)
The genesis of LIT was the Limerick School of Ornamental Art set up in 1852. A regional technical college for Limerick followed in 1974 which was legally designated an Institute of Technology in 1997.
The Institute has campuses in Limerick city, one in both Thurles and Clonmel in County Tipperary and a regional learning centre in Ennis, County Clare. The main campus is located at Moylish Park adjacent to Thomond Park and houses the Faculty of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology and the School of Business and Humanities. The School of Art & Design is located at the Clare Street and Clonmel campuses.
LIT offers courses at Level 6 (certificate) through Level 10 (PhD) whilst also catering for craft apprentices and adult and continuing education. The Institute currently has approximately 6,000 full & part-time students, employing over 600 staff. It has an annual budget of approximately €70m.
Functions of the Governing Body
The functions of the governing body of an Institute of Technology are as outlined in section 7 of the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, linked here.
Fees payable to Chairpersons of Governing Bodies
These positions are not remunerated. Travel and subsistence allowances will be paid in respect of journeys undertaken to attend meetings of the governing body or to transact its business.
Terms of Appointment:
Appointment to the governing body will be for a period of five years with the possibility of serving a second term not exceeding five years. This is in line with the provisions of the Second Schedule of the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, linked here.