Maynooth University appoints an international researcher and current Vice-Chancellor as its next President
The Governing Authority of Maynooth University today appointed Professor Eeva Leinonen to be its next President effective from 1 October 2021. Professor Leinonen will succeed Professor Philip Nolan who has led the University for the past 10 years.
Professor Leinonen has held the role of Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University, Perth, Australia since 2016, having previously been Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. Prior to moving to Australia in 2012, she was Vice Principal (Education) at King’s College London.
Originally from Finland, Professor Leinonen has a background in linguistics and psychology. She engages with researchers in Finland and Italy in ongoing research into pragmatic language development in children and contextual processing deficits of children and young adults with autistic spectrum disorders.
The Chairperson of the Governing Authority, Dr Mary Canning, said she was delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Leinonen as the next President of Maynooth University. Dr Canning believes that Professor Leinonen’s track record in the leadership and management of higher education institutions internationally will be of great benefit to Maynooth University, the Irish Universities Association and the higher education system in general at this critical time. She wished Professor Leinonen well as she takes up her new role.
In accepting her appointment, Professor Leinonen said that she was honoured to have the opportunity to lead this fine university in the next stage of its development.
“High quality innovative education, world class research that has positive societal impact and transformational educational opportunities for all who can benefit irrespective of background are hallmarks of Maynooth University and resonate closely with my approach to university education.”
“I am very much looking forward to working collaboratively with colleagues across the University, with students, the Governing Authority, Academic Council, the Irish education sector and the many partners and supporters of Maynooth University to build on the University’s impressive achievements gained under the leadership of Professor Nolan and previous Presidents.”
Cheap Údarás Rialaithe Ollscoil Mhá Nuad an tOllamh Eeva Leinonen inniu mar chéad Uachtarán eile na hOllscoile ó 1 Deireadh Fómhair ar aghaidh. Tiocfaidh sí i gcomharbacht ar an Ollamh Pilib Ó Nualláin atá tar éis bheith i gceannas ar an Ollscoil le deich mbliana anuas.
Tá an tOllamh Leinonen i ról an Leas-Sheansailéara in Ollscoil Murdoch, Perth na hAstráile ó 2016, tar éis di bheith mar Leas-Sheansailéir Tánaisteach (Acadúil) in Ollscoil Wollongong i mBreatain Bheag Nua ó Dheas na hAstráile. Roimh di bogadh go dtí an Astráil, ba Leas-Phríomhoide (Oideachas) í i gColáiste an Rí, Londain.
Is as an bhFionlainn ó dhúchas don Ollamh Leinonen agus tá cúlra aici sa teangeolaíocht agus sa tsíceolaíocht. Bíonn sí ag plé le taighdeoirí sa bhFionlainn agus san Iodáil maidir lena gcuid taighde leanúnach ar fhorbairt teanga phragmatach sna páistí agus ar easnaimh phróiseála chomhthéacsúla i bpáistí agus daoine fásta óga le neamhoird de chuid speictream an uathachais.
Dúirt Cathaoirleach an Údaráis Rialaithe, an Dr Mary Canning, go raibh ríméad uirthi ceapachán an Ollaimh Leinonen mar chéad Uachtarán eile Ollscoil Mhá Nuad a fhógairt. Creideann an Dr Canning go bhfuil an-thairbhe le baint as cuntas teiste an Ollaimh Leinonen i gceannasaíocht agus bainistíocht na n-institiúidí ar an tríú leibhéal ní hamháin i gcás Ollscoil Mhá Nuad agus Cumann Ollscoileanna Éireann ach don chóras ardoideachais go ginearálta ag an am criticiúil seo. Ghuígh sí gach rath ar an Ollamh Leinonen agus í ag dul i mbun a róil nua.
Ag glacadh leis an gceapachán, dúirt an tOllamh Leinonen gur onóir a bhí ann di go raibh an deis tugtha di chun an ollscoil bhreá seo a stiúradh isteach sa chéad staid eile ina cuid forbartha.
“Is iad sainmharcanna Ollscoil Mhá Nuad ná oideachas nuálaíoch ar ard-chaighdeán, taighde den chéad scoth a bhfuil tionchar dearfach aige ar ár tsochaí agus deiseanna oideachasúla claochlaitheacha do chách gur féidir tairbhe a bhaint astu is cuma cad as ar tháinig siad agus tá dlúthbhaint acu seo leis an gcur chuige atá agam féin ó thaobh oideachais ollscoile de.”
Táim ag súil go mór le bheith ag comhoibriú le comhghleacaithe thar timpeall na hOllscoile, le mic léinn, leis an Údarás Rialaithe, leis an gComhairle Acadúil, le hearnáil oideachais na hÉireann agus leis na páirtnéirí agus tacadóirí go léir atá ag Ollscoil Mhá Nuad chun cur leis na gaiscí a bhain an Ollscoil amach agus í faoi stiúir ag an Ollamh Ó Nualláin agus ag na hUachtaráin a tháinig roimhe.”