The University College Cork president has accused his critics of damaging the reputation of the university and engaging in highly personalised attacks on him.
Prof Gerry Wrixon, who is set to secure an extension to his period in office shortly, has also said he "would not be human" if he was not upset by criticism of him by members of staff.
He accused some of engaging in a campaign against him because of his exacting demands in UCC. "If you are going to insist on people upping their game, there will be people who will take it all personally," he said.
Prof Wrixon, perhaps the most controversial figure in third-level education in the State, has been accused of pushing a "pro-business" agenda by his critics.
Yesterday Prof Wrixon said: "I am pro-business, if that means we have to insist on excellence in the way we run our affairs, if we insist on excellence in teaching and learning, if we are conscious of giving value for money ... and if we are conscious that we are supported by the taxpayer".
After five years at the helm, Prof Wrixon was due to retire next year, but the Department of Finance will shortly sanction a five-year extension. He is now due to retire in January 2009, at the age of 68.
The Department had been concerned that the extension beyond regular retirement age could set a precedent for the rest of the public service.
But these fears have now been allayed. The extension has been agreed by the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey.
Prof Wrixon is hugely admired across the education sector for his success at UCC. The college has secured more funding from the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) than any other college in the State. It has also secured very significant funding from the Science Foundation.
This year student applications to UCC rose by 10 per cent, despite the downward trend in CAO applications.
CAO points for the vast majority of its courses also increased, despite the downward trend evident in some courses elsewhere.
Despite this record, Prof Wrixon is often criticised within the college for what is seen as a remote, autocratic style. In a leaked letter, one senior college figure complained that he and some colleagues had been subjected to a "tirade of vituperation" during discussions with the president on capital spending.
Yesterday Prof Wrixon accused a "small group" of running to the media instead of using the college structures - the academic council and the governing authority - to air grievances.
No one, he said, objected to robust debate but "these people were acting in a way which could potentially damage the reputation of UCC".
He said a small group within the college was having difficulty coming to terms with the new realities of university life.
"University life is not what it was years ago. We are now in a competitive battle to attract the best students and to attract and retain the best staff. There have been changes in what we expect of our staff. Some people have found this transition difficult... but I have the overwhelming support of the governing body."
Prof Wrixon said there was a real opportunity to make UCC an internationally referenced university .
"I don't think I am confrontational. I have high expectations. I am impatient. The prize is out there to be grabbed."
