Mayo man takes over at University of Galway
An entrance into University of Galway. Screenshot from: Google Maps
Recently appointed president of University of Galway, Ballyhaunis native Professor Peter McHugh is a frequent visitor to the town.
“Yes, I visit Ballyhaunis a few times a year,” he told this column. “My parents passed on over 20 years ago, but I do have cousins in the locality, and there are quite a few people who remember me I hope, and I still have a very strong emotional connection to Main Street where I grew up. My house was where Eddie Murphy’s Menswear is now, opposite the Courthouse.”
Professor McHugh was appointed Deputy President and Registrar earlier in the year and part of that role is to deputise for the President.
“Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh’s decision to step down from the role of President was unexpected, creating a vacancy. The Governing Authority of the University - Údarás na hOllscoile - essentially oversees all the major decision-making at the University, and their considered view was that an Interim President should be put in place for a year, starting in September. I am delighted that Údarás asked me to take on this role and to have been given the opportunity to lead the University.”
Asked about the priorities for his tenure, Professor McHugh explained: “University of Galway is a great institution with a proud history stretching back over 175 years so it is an enormous privilege for me to be given the opportunity to lead the University. Being faithful to this history and looking to the future, my priorities will be to strengthen and build upon our international reputation for excellence and impact in teaching and research, to strive for the very best student experience, and to empower our staff to achieve.”
