Maynooth University welcomes new President, Professor Eeva Leinonen

Irish Version

Maynooth University warmly welcomes Professor Eeva Leinonen, who takes office today as the new President, succeeding Professor Philip Nolan, who has led the university for the past 10 years.
 

Professor Leinonen, an international researcher and former Vice-Chancellor of Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, was appointed by the Governing Authority of Maynooth University in March this year. 
 

She is the first female president of Maynooth University.

 

Professor Leinonen has held the role of Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University, 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.
 

Professor Leinonen said she was honoured to have the opportunity to lead Maynooth University in the next stage of its development. The new President said that Maynooth University can play an outsized role in next-generation Ireland. 
 

“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,” she said.
 

“Next year Maynooth celebrates its 25th anniversary. This affords us an opportunity to pause, reflect and plan for the years ahead. Due to its rapid enrolment growth, its diverse student population, its youthful and collegial attitude toward multi-disciplinary research, and its strengths in fields that are critical to Ireland’s economic future, I believe Maynooth University can play a significant role in preparing for next-generation Ireland.
 

“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.”
 

The Chairperson of the Governing Authority, Dr Mary Canning, said she was delighted to welcome Professor Leinonen.
 

“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.  I wish Professor Leinonen well as she takes up her new role.” 
 

Cuireann Ollscoil Mhá Nuad fíorchaoin fáilte roimh an Ollamh Eeva Leinonen, a thosaíonn a tréimhse in oifig inniu mar Uachtarán nua na hOllscoile, ag teacht i gcomharbacht ar an Ollamh Pilib Ó Nualláin, atá tar éis bheith i gceannas ar an ollscoil le deich mbliana anuas. 

Is taighdeoir idirnáisiúnta agus Iar-Leas-Sheansailéir in Ollscoil Murdoch, Perth na hAstráile, í an tOllamh Leinonen agus ceapadh í ag Údarás Rialaithe Ollscoil Mhá Nuad i Márta na bliana seo. 

Is í an chéad Uachtarán baineann in Ollscoil Mhá Nuad.
 
Tá an tOllamh Leinonen i ról an Leas-Sheansailéir in Ollscoil Murdoch 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 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. Dúirt an tUachtarán nua gur féidir le hOllscoil Mhá Nuad ról suntasach a ghlacadh sa chéad ghlúin eile in Éirinn. 

“Is iad sainmharcanna Ollscoil Mhá Nuad ná oideachas nuálaíoch ar ard-chaighdeán, taighde den chéad scoth a bhfuil tionchar dearfach aige ar ár sochaí 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” a dúirt sí. 

“Beidh fiche bliain ar an bhfód á gceiliúradh ag Ollscoil Mhá Nuad an bhliain seo chugainn. Cuireann sé seo an deis ar fail dúinn chun stopadh ar feadh scaithimh, ár machnamh a dhéanamh agus pleanáil do na blianta amach romhainn. Mar gheall ar an bhfás rollaithe mór, ar an bpobal éagsúil de mhic léinn, ar an dearcadh forásach agus comhghleacaíoch maidir le taighde ildhisciplíneach, agus ar a láidreachtaí sna hearnálacha a bhfuil an-thábhacht acu do thodhchaí eacnamaíoch na hÉireann, measaim féin gur féidir le hOllscoil Mhá Nuad ról tábhachtach a ghlacadh chun ullmhú don chéad ghlúin eile in Éirinn. 

“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.”

Dúirt Cathaoirleach an Údaráis Rialaithe, an Dr Mary Canning, go raibh ríméad uirthi fáilte a chur roimh an Ollamh Leinonen. 

“Tá an-thairbhe le baint as cuntas teiste an Ollaimh Leinonen i gceannasaíocht agus bainistíocht 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. Guím gach rath ar an Ollamh Leinonen agus í ag tabhairt faoina ról nua.”