The interview with Dr Brendan McCormack, Head of College at ATU Sligo, who retired after 24 years of service.
He has been a staff member of IT Sligo since 1998 and has held key senior roles during that time, including Head of School of Engineering (2001-2006) and the Head of Academic Affairs (Registrar, 2006-2014).
He was president of IT Sligo from September 2016 until March 2022. He has been a project manager for the Connacht-Ulster Alliance, a strategic partnership involving IT Sligo, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and Letterkenny IT, designated as Atlantic Technological University on April 1st 2022.
1. Do you remember your first day at IT Sligo (now ATU Sligo)?
Yes, Ursula Cox and Grace Johnston were there to greet me. When I said I was joining the Department of
Mechanical and Electronic Engineering Grace asked me what course was I doing…I have aged since then!
2. When you were a college student, what or who made a lasting impression on you?
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at UCD, Vincent McCabe, had a flamboyant and strong personality and instilled
The core competence for an engineer as being to use common sense and thinking outside the box.
3. You stayed in ATU Sligo (formerly IT Sligo) for over 20 years. What has kept you here?
The commitment and competence of staff who year following year come up with new and better ways of teaching and supporting students and of enhancing the reputation of higher education in Sligo.
4. Looking back, what has been the proudest moment of your presidency so far?
There have been many highlights over the years but the proudest moment has to be the designation as a technological university which is a game changer for the institution and for the region.
5. What role do you think ATU Sligo has to play on a national stage?
Providing leadership in educating the current and future workforce in ways that are accessible and flexible to accommodate people with commitments outside of their learning.
6. What is your definition of leadership?
Listen, reflect, decide and follow through.
7. What is the best advice you were ever given?
To respect others no mater who they are and in what context you meet them.
8. What advice do you have for new and returning ATU Sligo students?
This is your opportunity to give yourself time to learn about what you are interested in and to develop friendships that will be there for your lifetime.
9. If you could snap your fingers and make one thing happen for ATU Sligo, what would it be?
To join forces with the ETB to establish a Sligo Educational Quarter with seamless education progression opportunities across further and higher education, thereby responding to the wide ranging needs for knowledge, skills and competences across all levels.
10. Do you have a favourite quote or a motto?
Keep your eye on the ball!
11. What will you miss the most from your time working in ATU Sligo?
The collegiality and the achievement together of ambitious objectives to provide better education.
12. How do you like to wind down after a day’s work?
A bit of gardening…but to be honest watching TV is a real temptation, a way to relax and switch off.
13. What are your post-retirement plans?
To have no schedule and deadlines, be free to decide what we want to do each day.