DR MAURICE Manning was elected the fifth Chancellor of the National University of Ireland (NUI) yesterday.
Dr Manning is also president of the Irish Human Rights Commission. He takes over from Dr Garrett FitzGerald who held the position for more than 10 years.
He is taking up the role at a time when third-level fees are being considered by the Government and a new research alliance has been formed between UCD and Trinity College Dublin.
“Every aspect of third-level education is under scrutiny at the present time and will undoubtedly change. I have to ensure that the NUI is ready for that change,” Dr Manning told The Irish Times yesterday.
During the hustings debate last month, Dr Manning said the survival of the NUI would be the essential and only task facing its next chancellor. He also spoke during the debate of a hostility which had developed towards the NUI.
The NUI is the federal body for four universities, including University College Dublin, and some other colleges.
In 1997, universities were given control of their own affairs, power formerly held by the NUI. It retains responsibility for entrance to its universities and for degree standards.
Dr Manning was elected by NUI graduates over the other candidate, Prof James Heffron, of the University College Cork biochemistry department.
He said it was an “extraordinary honour” to follow previous chancellors who include Dr Eamon de Valera, Dr TK Whitaker and Archbishop William Walsh.
