TU Dublin president to leave post amid controversy over €8.6m budget deficit

Professor David FitzPatrick is leaving amid controversy at the institution formerly called DIT over a budget deficit of €8.6m at the Technological University.

This afternoon Prof FitzPatrick wrote to staff to say he recognised “that this is an appropriate time for new energy to take the reins” and that he will be taking up the role of provost and chief executive of University of Nottingham Malaysia.

Last month, the Higher Education authority (HEA), which oversees the country’s third-level colleges, told TU Dublin that it had “serious concerns with the apparent lack of urgency, responsiveness and conduct by the Governing Body to address [its finances] in a timely and constructive manner”.

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In an unprecedented move, the HEA used its powers to ask TU Dublin’s governing authority to carry out a review of how it was managing and controlling its finances.

Following this, the academic staff union expressed no confidence in the university’s leadership.

Prof John Doran, the head of the science and health faculty at TU Dublin and a long-standing DIT and TU Dublin staff member, will now take over as the interim president.

Prof FitzPatrick had been president of TUD since it became a university in 2019 and was previously the head of the engineering departments at University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.

In his letter to staff on Wednesday, Prof FitzPatrick confirmed he would be taking up the new post at University of Nottingham Malaysia, saying he had reached a decision about his future over the summer months.

He said that TU Dublin was now five years old, adding: “Over that time, I have been privileged and honoured to be President of TU Dublin, working with you all in the creation of Ireland’s first and largest Technological University.

"On the back of leading the university in its formative phase and reflecting on what we have collectively achieved, notwithstanding the current financial headwinds we face, I am immensely proud of what TU Dublin has become and firmly believe in our ability to deliver both nationally and regionally.”

Explaining his decision to leave, Prof FitzPatrick said: “During the course of last summer, while reflecting on our progress, together with the experiences and perspectives I have gained, I reached a decision about future roles and responsibilities that I would like to engage with.”

He said he would take up the role of provost and CEO of the University of Nottingham Malaysia from June 1 this year, “thereby furthering a long held ambition to live and work abroad in an International education setting”.

Prof FitzPatrick concluded his letter to staff: “Having put the key elements of a platform for growth in place, I also recognise that this is an appropriate time for new energy to take the reins. However, in the time before I stand down, I’m committed to ensuring that we develop a financial recovery plan that will demonstrate a sound financial footing.”

In an email to staff, chair of the TUD governing body Charles Larkin thanked Prof FitzPatrick for his contribution to the university, particularly for his role in the development of TU Dublin following the merger of DIT, IT Blanchardstown and IT Tallaght, and wished him luck with his new role.

Dr Larkin said acting president Prof Doran will be the lead member of the executive team who will co-ordinate the delivery of the TU Dublin recovery plan in partnership with TU Dublin Governing body members to put the university back on a sustainable financial footing.