Briain Kelly, 4 Jul
University of Galway’s Governing Authority – Údarás na hOllscoile has
confirmed the appointment of Professor Peter McHugh as Interim President.
The confirmation follows the announcement on June 26th that Professor
Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh had taken the decision to step down as President.
Professor McHugh is currently serving as Deputy President and Registrar
and will take up the role of Interim President in September 2024.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Chair of the University’s Governing Authority,
said, “On behalf of the University of Galway Governing Authority, I would
like to welcome Professor Peter McHugh’s appointment as Interim President
and wish him every success in the role.”
“Professor McHugh will be leading the University at a time which is not
without sectoral challenges, but while we are positioned strongly for the
future.”
Professor McHugh said, “I am very honoured to be appointed Interim
President of University of Galway and I wish to thank members of Údarás na
hOllscoile for their support.”
“I also want to thank the outgoing President, Professor Ciarán Ó
hÓgartaigh, for his outstanding work, his commitment to the University’s
values of respect, openness, excellence and sustainability over the past
six years, and for helping to make University of Galway the world-class
institution it is today.”
“I am very much looking forward to building on the University’s many
achievements. My focus will be on strengthening and building upon our
international reputation for excellence in teaching, learning, research
and innovation, on striving for the very best student experience, and on
empowering our staff to achieve.”
Professor McHugh joined the University in 1991 and was appointed as the
first Established Professor of Biomedical Engineering in 2007.
He has previously served as Dean of College of Engineering and
Informatics, Head of School of Engineering and Informatics, and Head of
School of Engineering.
Under his leadership as Head of School, the School of Engineering
developed its gender equality action plan, and building on this
groundwork, the school went on to achieve the Athena SWAN Silver Award in
2022, the first School of Engineering in Ireland to achieve the
recognition.
Professor McHugh took up the role of Deputy President and Registrar in May
2024.
He is an internationally recognised research leader in biomedical
engineering and his research is focused on fundamental developments and
applications of computational and experimental methods in biomechanics,
tissue mechanics and medical implants and devices.
He has been a pioneer in the development of biomedical engineering in
Ireland and internationally, and he was the founding Director of the
Biomechanics Research Centre (BioMEC) at University of Galway.