GMIT chief makes statement following Mayo Campus resignation

THE president of GMIT, Dr. Fergal Barry, has made a statement following the resignation of Dr. Deirdre Garvey as head of the Mayo Campus of GMIT.

Speaking on behalf of the GMIT Governing Body, management and staff of the institute, he thanked Dr. Garvey for her contribution during her time in the role.

He stated: 'Dr. Garvey has decided to return to her lecturing duties in early January (2017).

'Staff in the campus have been informed by the president of GMIT that arrangements have been made for the ongoing management of our campus and these will be announced to staff on Thursday of next week (December 15).

'GMIT and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) both recognise the particular challenge of GMIT’s multi campus provision.

'The executives of GMIT and the HEA met this week and agreed that any plan for the future of the institute must support the sustainable development of provision on all campuses.

'The HEA confirmed that multi-campus provision is a feature of Ireland’s higher education system, supported by the National Strategy for Higher Education.

'The HEA has committed to examine this issue as part of their review of the funding model which is due to report in June 2017 and any new funding model will need to take account of the additional costs associated with these arrangements.'