The higher education system in Ireland has recently undergone a shift wherein polytechnics and institutes of technology have combined to form regional Technological Universities (TU). At Ireland-BC Partnership Day on June 28, we will examine how Ireland’s TUs could serve as a model for BC to evolve its work-integrated learning, apprenticeship and vocational and trades training practices. Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, leads a delegation and a day of activities that include networking and bilateral meetings.

There will be networking opportunities at the end of the Ireland/BC Partnership Day on June 28 if you are interested in meeting with members from the Irish delegation. You must be registered for BCIEW to take part in these networking opportunities.

Susan Butler Susan Butler
Education in Ireland
Senior Education Consultant
Sue Butler has worked in the BC post-secondary sector for over 25 years. She is currrently on contract with Education in Ireland, promoting strategic partnerships with post-secondary institutions in Ireland.
Katie Flannery Katie Flannery
The National University of Ireland, Galway
Global Development Executive - The Americas
Orla Flynn Orla Flynn
Atlantic Technological University Ireland
President
Dr Orla Flynn was appointed inaugural President of Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in April 2022, having served two years as President of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. Prior to this Dr Flynn was Vice President for External Affairs at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) for six years, and previous academic leadership roles in CIT included Head of CIT Crawford College of Art & Design and Head of School of Humanities.
Dr Flynn commenced her academic career as a Lecturer in Computer Science, holding undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in Mathematical Physics and Computer Science from University College Cork, an MA in Management in Education from WIT, and a PhD from the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick. She is a Director on the Boards of HEANet and Galway Chamber of Commerce.
Donal McAlister Donal McAlister
South East Technological University
International Affairs Manager
Working in International Education for almost 20 years in Ireland and the Middle East. Primarily focused on strategic partnerships and student recruitment.
Cáit Noone Cáit Noone
Atlantic Technological University, Ireland
VP International Engagement & Head of Galway International Hotel School
Cáit is an internationally experienced educator and has worked in higher education since 1995. She joined Galway Mayo Institute of Technology in November 2007 as the Head of Department and subsequently became Head of the Hotel School in September 2008. In 2012 she became Head of the College of Tourism and Arts and in 2016 assumed strategic responsibility for International Engagement across the Institute’s campuses.

Prior to returning to Ireland Cáit was the Dean of the first International Hotel Management School in China – Les Roches Jin Jiang International, a joint venture collaboration between Laureate Education and the Chinese government organisation Jin Jiang. Cáit has also worked in Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Cáit is member of the Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI) and was admitted to the College of Fellows in November 2017. Cáit serves on several regional and national committees including the Galway European Capital of Culture Steering Committee, Galway European Region of Gastronomy Executive and the Careers Oversight Group for the Hospitality and Tourism industry. She is also an expert panel member of IGCAT – Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism in Spain.

She was awarded the Mike Butt Award in 2013 by the Restaurant Association of Ireland for services to the tourism industry.
Gerard O'Donovan Gerard O'Donovan
Munster Technological University
Head of Faculty of Business and Humanities
Gerard O’Donovan is Head of the Faculty of Business and Humanities at Munster Technological University, where he is responsible for the strategic direction, people management and operation of the Faculty. During his 19 years at MTU, he has held a number of senior positions including Head of School of Business, Head of the Department of Accounting & Information Systems and founder of the Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence. Prior to academia, his industry experience includes work in retail, human resources, IT and consultancy roles in Ireland and the USA. He holds a BComm (Hons) from University College Cork and an MBA from St. Joseph’s University, USA. Gerard serves on a number of advisory and foundation boards.
John Joe O'Farrell John Joe O'Farrell
Atlantic Technological University, Ireland
Director, International Engagement
John Joe is an international education and management professional with over 15 years of experience in both the private and public tertiary education sector in Ireland. Director, International Engagement at ATU Galway City, he has responsibility for several international oriented projects and activities across the University. He has significant experience overseeing international student recruitment and admissions, outbound student mobility, the international student experience, international stakeholder engagement, diplomatic and government relations, and the development, review and ongoing quality assurance of international partnerships. He is a specialist advisor regarding the recognition of foreign qualifications in ATU. Prior to his role in ATU, he previously worked in similar roles at South East Technological University (SETU) and a private college in Limerick. He holds an MSc, International Management and Global Business from the University of Limerick and a BBS Degree from Munster Technological University (MTU). As part of his postgraduate education he studied for a short period at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. In 2021 he completed a Diploma in Leadership from the Irish Management Institute (UCC), graduating with first class honours. During this Diploma programme John Joe worked closely with the ATU President, completing an overview of Organisational Culture in ATU Galway City.
Lucia Reynolds Lucia Reynolds
Education in Ireland
Regional Manager North America & Brazil- Education in Ireland
Senior market advisor for North and South America, responsible for the strategic development of promotional activities and relationship development in North and South America. I work with all of Ireland's universities and colleges and am involved in undergraduate, postgraduate and study abroad development and promotion. Experienced Brand Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the international trade and development industry.
Terry Twomey Terry Twomey
Technological University of the Shannon
Vice-President Academic Affairs & Registrar
Dr. Terry Twomey is Vice-President Academic Affairs & Registrar Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in Ireland. TUS has university colleges in Limerick, Athlone, Clonmel and Thurles. Prior to taking up his current role in 2021, Terry was Director of Technological University Development from 2019. He holds a BA in Philosophy and History from University College Cork, an MSc in Information Systems Design and an MBA from University of Westminster, an MA in Education Management from South-Eastern Technological University, and a PhD on Quality Assurance in Higher Education from the University of Limerick. His research focuses on academic quality assurance and on organisational culture in higher education.