Appointment of President APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT
Table of Contents Profile of the University Introduction 2 UL - The Facts 4 The Campus 6 The Journey to UL@50 10 Awards 12 Commitment to Equality and Diversity, Health and Well-being 14 Healthy Campus Initiative 15 Putting Research at the Core of UL 16 Academic Transformation – teaching, learning & student experience 18 UL Library 21 The Visual Arts 22 Sports 25 Living @ UL 26
Profile of the Role of the President Role of the President 28 Role Description 29 Person Specification 31 Terms & Conditions 32 Appointment Process & How to Apply 32 University Governance 33 University Management 33 University Committee Executive Membership 34 Academic Organisation Chart 35
Limerick & the Mid-West Region 38
Additional Information for Candidates 44
II 1 APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT Introduction Established as an educational institution in 1972 and conferred as University in 1989, the University of Limerick is an independent, internationally focussed university with over 17,000 students. As one of Ireland’s foremost universities, we are recognised for our dedication to the student experience, our commitment to graduate employability, our industry-relevant, award-winning research and extensive community engagement.
Located 5km from Limerick City and 20km from We value, support and encourage research excellence Shannon International Airport, the University of with demonstrable academic and societal impact Limerick is renowned for possessing one of the most across all disciplines. The research portfolio has spectacular and environmentally sympathetic modern expanded steadily in recent years, and our state-of- university campuses anywhere in the world. the-art research infrastructure has been enhanced through sustained investment and expansion, A disciplined and rigorous approach to learning including funding for large-scale, UL-led national challenges students by setting high expectations centres. The campus is home to the Nexus Innovation for their academic performance and matches their Centre supporting spin-out activity in the region potential and ability. Equally, a rigorous approach and is central to the UL Enterprise Corridor which to programme design and continual curriculum hosts numerous indigenous and multinational R&D development that is characterised by an ethos of companies. Adjacent to the University is the National research-led teaching and learning is a defining Technology Park (NTP), Ireland’s first science/ feature of the institution. Since our foundation, the technology park (263 hectares), which is home to needs of the communities we serve have also been more than 100 indigenous and major multinational to the forefront of our activities and have shaped our corporations employing more than 5,000 people. research and teaching programmes. The realisation that we have a responsibility to promote economic, Our stated mission within our current strategic plan, educational and social development unites us with UL@50 is to the community and demands that we remain closely UL fosters curiosity, creativity and connected to the cultural, economic, professional “buildontheexpertiseofour academic excellence in an inclusive and business worlds in ways that distinguish us as an scholarsincreating,harnessing institution of higher learning. andimpartingknowledgeforthe community committed to social good. Employability has always been at the core of our benefitofourstudentsandthe teaching mission and continues to be a central tenet enrichmentofourcommunity”. of our distinctive approach to higher education in Our Core Values are: Ireland. The inclusion of Cooperative Education and UL@50 also reaffirms our vision to create a work placement as a compulsory element of all our destination of excellence in education, research and • Creative & Innovative undergraduate programmes is one of the specific innovation that will attract the highest-calibre staff strengths of UL; and is for many students, an incentive and the best students from all sections of society, • Inclusive & Diverse to choose UL over other Irish universities and both in Ireland and abroad, and ensure that Limerick colleges. The result of these sustained efforts means and the Mid-West are recognised as great places to • Ethical & Sustainable that we occupy a position of immense strength with live and work. respect to graduate employability compared to other • Supportive & Transformational institutions in Ireland. • Ambitious & Driven
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UL - The Facts
Graduates by Faculty 2019/20 International Student Numbers AY 2019/20
25% Science and Engineering Arts Humanities and 15% Undergraduate 480 Social Sciences Postgraduate 635 13% Interfaculty Exchange 1126 Kemmy Business School 25% 22% Education and Health Sciences of student 17% population
Student Enrolment AY 2020/21* Faculty & Staff Full-time Part-time Distance Total AY 2020/21
Undergraduate 11,887 490 515 12,892 262 Taught Postgraduate Diplomas & Masters 1,884 1,219 483 3,586 Research Staff Research Postgraduate Degrees (Masters/PhD) 866 83 - 949
Total 14,637 1,792 998 17,427 799 1808 747 Support Total Faculty * Provisional Numbers Staff
2015-20 190% €322m Student Numbers t r at o a tu ts a hoo s a h u 20% increase From 2010 to 2017 The first to be established Since 2014 (HEA Stats) in Ireland since 1900 a uat mp o m t 97% employed or pursuing further study 2020 4% higher rate than national average University of Limerick Income 2019/20 Cooperative Education 2,200 students placed annually within a global network of 25+ countries across €289,800,000 all five continents
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The Campus UL’s campus area comprises 149 hectares (366 acres), which includes Capital Development Plan 47 hectares (116 acres) located in the North Bank Campus on the Clare During the period 2014 to 2020 the University side of the River Shannon. completed the implementation of a €225m Capital Development Plan. + Total area of buildings is 257,870m2 a Campus North Campus + Main University Building + Medical School A plan for the period 2020 to 2025 has been prepared and is currently + 419 Laboratories (encompassing undergraduate teaching, research, + Foundation Building + Health Sciences Building being re-evaluated in light of Covid impact on future capital investment specialist and high-tech facilities) + Plassey House + Irish World Academy of requirements and funding. + Computer Science Building Music and Dance + Eight student villages providing accommodation for 3,000 students + Bernal Building + President’s Residence and visiting academic staff + Schrödinger Science Building + Student Villages + Kemmy Business School + Sports Pavilion + Total value of investment to date in land, buildings and equipment is + Tierney Building Framework for Physical Development over €720 million + Physical Education & Sports RKD architects were commissioned to support the University to Science Building establish a guiding framework for future physical development. The term + UL was ranked 17th in the world for its efforts towards campus + UL Sports Arena ‘framework’ is used to highlight the flexibility of the proposal. It is not a sustainability and environmentally friendly university management in + Glucksman Library final solution, it is a vision to inspire an alternative future that embeds the GreenMetric Ranking of World Universities 2020 + Student Centre the university’s ambitions, and the needs of its students, staff and + Student Accommodation community, in its physical presence.
The output is a Framework for Physical Development outlining the guiding principles for how to develop the campus in the long term.
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innovation New Developments Future Capital & excellence Underway Include: Developments: in education + NEW STUDENT LIFE CENTRE + CITY CENTRE CAMPUS The new Student Centre, a 3,529 square metre The University is committed in its Strategic Plan to building set over three storeys, is in a prime front the development of the UL Limerick City Campus. of house location adjacent to the Stables Complex In the medium term it is planned to locate a research & and the Glucksman Library. The facility, the total significant landmark building on the former project cost of which is in the region of €20m, is Dunnes Stores site. The timing of the development being funded on a partnership basis between the of this landmark building will be determined by scholarship students and the University. The new Student the availability of funding. In May 2020 Limerick Centre - a ‘Centre for Student Life’ as articulated City and County Council submitted four proposals by the students - will support the student journey for funding under the Urban Regeneration through UL and will be a space where students Development Fund (URDF). can relax, play, be informed and supported. The “World Class Waterfront” proposal was + CLIMBING WALL ranked as the number one project for Limerick Work on the 250m2 climbing wall adjacent to City and County by the Council. The “World Class UL Arena was completed in October 2020. The Waterfront” proposal consists of three strands: design caters for both fun and expert climbers Strand 1: Cleeves Riverside Quarter, Strand 2: UL of all ages and capabilities. The climbing wall City Campus and Strand 3: Pedestrian Bridges will be Ireland’s tallest, standing at 21 metres and Waterfront Infrastructure Works and equipped with an ability to cater for the new Olympic sports of speed climbing. The total cost for the proposal submitted is €500m and the Council has sought €159m in total + EXTERNAL LIFT – FOUNDATION BUILDING URDF funding for the World Class Waterfront. Work is underway on the construction of an The UL City Campus project cost submitted external lift on the southern elevation of the within this is €197m and the URDF funding Foundation Building, University of Limerick sought for the UL project is €88m. The partners consisting of a brick three storey lift enclosure to the overall proposal are listed as University of of a height of 13m and an area of 16m2, between Limerick, Limerick Twenty Thirty DAC, Office of plaza level and lower ground floor terrace level Public Works, National Transport Authority and with a glazed link to the first floor level of the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport. Foundation Building. Construction is expected to be completed in 2021. The UL Limerick City Campus is expected to involve the development of two linked buildings; a university teaching building, which will accommodate 4,000 students and 350 staff and a self-funded student accommodation residence of 600 study bedrooms. The two buildings will deliver 42,825m² of high quality teaching infrastructure and living space.
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The Journey to UL@50 Designated as a University PMTC – of Sanctuary (2017) Pharmaceutical School of Law wins Law Manufacturing School of the Year (2017) Technology Centre (EI/IDA Technology Ranked in the 101– 150 Centre) category in the QS established (2013) Graduate Employability Ranking (2017) UL Alumni Ireland’s first NISE – National established (1987)
04 Olympic-size Institute for CONFIRM Smart 14 89 18 - swimming pool - Studies in Manufacturing (SFI - University status - opened in UL Education Research Centre) granted (1989) (2001) established (2014) established (2018) 3,490 students (1989) Building UL Health 6th in the world for University of commences on Research Institute suburban campus Limerick Foundation County Clare side (HRI) established (UI Green Metric World (1989) (2004) (2014) (2018) 1987 2013 2017 established 2001 of campus Ranking)
National Institute University Lero – The Irish Software SSPC – Synthesis Sunday Times Attained expanded charter of Higher Concert Hall Research Centre (SFI and Solid State University of the Bronze Athena SWAN 7 7 5 Education opened (1993) Research Centre) Pharmaceutical Year 2015 award (2019) 16 10 7 9 founded (1972) 0 established (2005) Centre (SFI - -
- Glucksman DPTC – Dairy Sunday Times University - - Research Centre) 113 students (1972) Library opened MACSI – Mathematics Processing of the Year 2019 established (2009) (1997) Applications Consortium Technology Centre 2019 1,545m2 campus for Science and Industry IComp – Irish (EI/IDA Technology Kemmy Business School
72 buildings (1972) earns AACSB International established (2006) Composites Centre) established Accreditation (2019) Centre (EI/IDA (2015) 9 Students Union Living Bridge constructed established (1975) Technology Ranked world #2 for 1
(2007) 2015 Clinical Education 1993 Centre) international student 2008 2005 Research Centre established (2010) Epi-Stem – National (CERC) opened with happiness (2019) Centre for STEM University Hospital Education established Ranked #35 in the Times Limerick (2016) Higher Education (THE) (2007) Munster Rugby University Impact Graduate Entry Medical moves to campus Rankings (2019) School established (2007) (2016) UL ranked within top 75 in UL Bernal Institute Europe for THE Excellence in Teaching and Learning (2019) established (2016) SFI Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science established (2019)
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Awards UL ranked within the Top 75 Universities in Europe for Excellence in Teaching and Learning1 and 50th Globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2021.
+ #71-80 Top 50 Under 50 & Next 50 Under 502 + #201-250 Graduate Employability ranking2 + Voted best international student supports in Ireland + 628 Partner universities in 71 countries + Voted 1st in world for international student activities + Students from 100+ countries
No. 1 Most Recommended 6th in the World Best Erasmus Programme University in Ireland3 for Suburban Campus4 2018, 2019 & 20205
Top 3 % of Universities Best Student Campus Awarded a Green in the World 2010/20205 Campus Status for energy, travel, transport and biodiversity6
educating & empowering our students
1 THE - Teacher Ranking 2021 4 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2019 2 QS World University Ranking 2020 5 The Education Awards 12 3 International Student Barometer Survey 2109 6 Foundation for Environmental Education 13 APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT
Commitment to Equality and Healthy Campus Initiative Diversity, Health and Well-being UL is committed to the health and wellbeing of all of its staff, students and community stakeholders. This culminated in the UL takes great pride in being one of the first institutions in Ireland production of a ‘Healthy UL’ framework 2019-22. to achieve (in July 2015) an Athena SWAN (AS) Bronze Institution Award. Since then, we have worked hard to embed AS across all faculties and departments. P at rm Healthy Interaction i me t
UL applied for the Athena SWAN expanded charter, introduced in Funding & Addictive Ireland in November 2017, rather than renewing the AS STEMM Resources Behaviours standard, which primarily focuses on the careers of women in STEMM. L U y h We are the first institution to upgrade our existing award to the lt H a e e a Sexual Health H lt expanded charter and the second university in Ireland to be awarded Leadership h y & Wellbeing the expanded charter. This award recognises work undertaken to P e
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address gender equality more broadly, in arts, humanities, social p
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sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and in professional and support &
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