Former NUIG president in Seanad election row following ‘inappropriate support’ of election candidate

Posted in Governance and administration on April 5th, 2016 by steve

Ireland“A former president of NUI Galway has been accused of ‘inappropriately’ supporting Aer Arann boss Pádraig Ó Céidigh in the Seanad elections by a leading member of the college’s governing authority. Professor Iggy Ó Muircheartaigh, former NUIG president, has encouraged voting for Aer Arann boss in poll. Iggy Ó Muircheartaigh, President of NUI Galway from August 2000 until March 2008, has in recent days sent out an email to members of the NUI electorate, strongly endorsing Mr Ó Céidigh’s nomination saying he is a ‘man of integrity and energy’ …” (more)

[Daniel McConnell, Irish Examiner, 5 April]

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Hundreds of varsity dons get pension top-ups

Posted in Governance and administration on October 7th, 2012 by steve

“Lavish pension top-ups to 260 ‘out of touch’ and highly paid retiring academics in Ireland’s universities have been awarded since 2010 despite falling standards, the Sunday Independent can reveal …” (more)

[Daniel McConnell, Independent, 7 October]

[The Blogmeister comments: If standards are indeed falling (for which the evidence is weak), I would guess it’s probably got more to do with what the people at the bottom are being paid, and indeed how many of them have been allowed to keep their jobs at all.]

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Quinn law will block lavish €7.5m bonuses at universities

Posted in Legal issues on September 29th, 2012 by steve

“The academics who received millions of euro in lavish bonuses to which they were not entitled are revealed today. Now Education Minister Ruairi Quinn (left) is bringing in a new law to prevent our universities from paying staff over the odds. This comes after €7.5m in unauthorised allowances were paid to 223 senior academics …” (more)

[Independent, 29 September]

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Former NUIG head to study academic freedom

Posted in Life on March 31st, 2009 by steve

Ireland“An international study on academic freedom is due to be undertaken by former NUI Galway president Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh in conjunction with the New York University Scholars at Risk Network. Dr Ó Muircheartaigh, who retired in 2008 after a seven-year term as NUI Galway president, says that the study is the first of its type. It will survey the state of freedom in universities and colleges worldwide in a five-year research programme. The Scholars at Risk Network, hosted by New York University, is an international non-governmental organisation which raises awareness about academics at risk and organises sanctuary for professors, lecturers, researchers and other intellectuals who suffer threats in their home country through temporary academic positions. In return, scholars contribute to their host campuses through teaching, research, lectures and other activities …” (more)

[Lorna Siggins, Irish Times, 31 March]

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