Gerry McKenna facts for kids
Gerry McKenna is a well-known professor and scientist from Northern Ireland. He was born on December 10, 1953. He is a Chartered Biologist and a Chartered Scientist.
Professor McKenna grew up in a place called Lisbanlemneigh, near Benburb and The Moy, County Tyrone. He went to St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon, the New University of Ulster, and the Queen's University Belfast. He is most famous for his long time working at the University of Ulster in Coleraine. There, he received special honors like the Freedom of the Borough of Coleraine. He was also named Coleraine Business Person of the Year. He became a Deputy Lieutenant and later a Vice Lord Lieutenant for County Londonderry.
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Leading the University of Ulster
Gerry McKenna held many important jobs at the University of Ulster. He was the first Director of the Biomedical Sciences Research Centre. He also led the Biological & Biomedical Sciences department. Later, he became the Dean of Science and then Pro Vice Chancellor for Research. Finally, he became the Vice Chancellor, which is like the President of the university.
University Growth and Success
Under his leadership, the university became a top place for healthcare studies. It offered many programs for students. The university also became one of the best in the UK for research in Biomedical Sciences and Celtic Studies. It was one of only 20 universities with two top research ratings. The University of Ulster also grew to be the largest university on the island of Ireland. It moved up to 27th place in the UK for research funding. It was even considered for the Sunday Times University of the Year award.
Helping Students Succeed
Professor McKenna cared a lot about helping everyone get a good education. He strongly supported programs that help students from less fortunate backgrounds. One famous program was called 'Step Up'. This program helped school pupils from disadvantaged areas. He also started many online learning programs through something called Campus One.
Work at Benburb Priory
Gerry McKenna led big changes at Benburb Servite Priory. He helped organize how it was run and managed. He also helped create its Library and Museum. Thanks to his work, the Priory became a major center. It is now a place for spiritual activities, cultural events, and community gatherings.
Role in the Royal Irish Academy
Professor McKenna played a very important role in the Royal Irish Academy. This is Ireland’s main academic group. He was a Vice President and later the Senior Vice President.
Academy Leadership and Projects
He was elected to the Academy’s Council in 2017. He also became an Academy Vice President. He led the Academy’s North-South Committee. He helped start the Celtic Academies Alliance. This group brings together academic bodies from Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
Higher Education Studies
From 2019 to 2021, he led a big study about the future of higher education across the whole island of Ireland. This study looked at important topics like the value of education. It also explored the future of universities and colleges. It focused on fairness, diversity, and inclusion in education. The study also looked at how education helps different regions. In 2024, Professor McKenna was a main writer for another important report. This report was called 'Finding Common Ground: Building Community'. It focused on the North-West part of Ireland. It suggested new ideas, like having independent oversight for higher education in Northern Ireland. It also talked about the idea of a cross-border university in the North-West.
Organisations He Helped Start
Gerry McKenna helped start or co-found several important organisations:
- Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Sciences (HUCBMS)
- Universities Ireland
- US-Ireland R&D Partnership
- Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA)
- Catalyst Inc (formerly Northern Ireland Science Park)
- Benburb Priory Library & Museum
- Benburb Priory Ltd
- Order of Mary Servite Trust
- Celtic Academies Alliance
Awards and Connections
Professor McKenna has many important connections and has received several awards:
- He chairs the Health Technology and Informatics Advisory Committee at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
- He chairs the Management Board of the Benburb Servite Priory Library and Museum.
- He chairs Benburb Priory Ltd.
- He chairs the Board of Order of Mary Servite Trust.
- He was given the Keys to the City of Portland, Maine in the USA.
- He received honorary doctorates from the National University of Ireland (NUI) and Queen's University Belfast.
- There is an award named after him, the Gerry McKenna Award for Excellence in Medical Science.
- He was the Vice Lord Lieutenant for County Londonderry.
- He chairs the Coleraine Future Town Fund Board.
