Gerry McKenna facts for kids
Gerry McKenna (born 10 December 1953) is a famous scientist and leader from Northern Ireland. He is a Chartered Scientist, which means he is a highly skilled professional in science. He is also a Chartered Biologist, showing his expertise in the study of living things.
Gerry grew up in a small area called Lisbanlemneigh, between Benburb and Moy, County Tyrone. He went to St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon for school. Later, he studied at the New University of Ulster and the Queen's University Belfast. He is most known for his long work 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 served as a Deputy Lieutenant and later Vice Lord Lieutenant for County Londonderry. These roles mean he helped represent the King or Queen in the county.
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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 Pro Vice Chancellor for Research. Finally, he became the Vice Chancellor, which is like the President of the university.
During his time, the university became a top place for healthcare studies. It offered many courses for students wanting to work in health. The university also became top-ranked for its research. This included studies in Biomedical Sciences and Celtic Studies. It was one of only 20 universities in the UK with two top research ratings. The University of Ulster also grew to be the largest university in all of Ireland.
The university's research funding greatly improved under his leadership. It was even considered for the Sunday Times University of the Year award. Gerry McKenna also cared a lot about helping all students succeed. He started the 'Step Up' program. This program helped school students from less fortunate backgrounds. He also created many online learning programs called Campus One.
Helping Benburb Priory
Gerry McKenna played a big part in changing Benburb Servite Priory. This is a special religious place. He helped set up its Library and Museum. He also worked to make the Priory a major center. It became a place for spiritual growth, culture, and community events.
Working with the Royal Irish Academy
Gerry McKenna has been a key leader in the Royal Irish Academy. This is Ireland’s main academic group. He served as Vice President and then Senior Vice President. He was elected to the Academy's Council in 2017. He also led the Academy’s North-South Committee. This committee helps connect people from both parts of Ireland.
He also helped start the Celtic Academies Alliance. This group brings together important academic bodies. These include the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Learned Society of Wales. From 2019 to 2021, he led a big review about the future of higher education in Ireland. This review looked at many topics. It explored the value of education and how to make it fair for everyone. It also looked at the role of universities in different regions.
In 2024, Gerry McKenna was the main writer of a report called 'Finding Common Ground: Building Community'. This report focused on the North-West of Ireland. It suggested new ways to improve higher education there. It also talked about the idea of a cross-border university in the North-West.
Groups He Helped Start
Gerry McKenna helped create or co-found several important groups:
- Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Sciences (HUCBMS)
- Universities Ireland
- US-Ireland R&D Partnership
- Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA)
- Catalyst Inc (which used to be called Northern Ireland Science Park)
- Benburb Priory Library & Museum
- Benburb Priory Ltd
- Order of Mary Servite Trust
- Celtic Academies Alliance
Awards and Connections
Gerry McKenna has many important connections and has received several honors:
- He chairs the Health Technology and Informatics Advisory Committee. He is also a Biomedical Sciences Advisor for the 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 and its Finance Committee.
- He is a member of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education groups for Biosciences and Biomedical Sciences.
- He is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
- He is a member of the International Advisory Board for the University of Kufa.
- He chairs Universities Ireland.
- He received the Keys to the City of Portland, Maine in the USA.
- He was honored by Harvard Friends of Celtic Studies and the Flax Trust America in New York City.
- He has 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 chaired the Northern Ireland Foresight, Life and Health Technologies Panel.
- He chaired the Independent Advisory Group for the Doctoral Training Alliance.
- He co-chaired the Royal Irish Academy Brexit Taskforce.
- He chaired the Royal Irish Academy, North-South Standing Committee.
- He chaired the Royal Irish Academy, Higher Education Futures Taskforce.
- He has been Senior Vice President, Vice President, and a Council Member of the Royal Irish Academy.
- He has been President, President Emeritus, and Hon Executive Secretary of Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Sciences (HUCBMS).
- He is the Vice Lord Lieutenant for County Londonderry.
- He chairs the Coleraine Future Town Fund Board.
- He is a member of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council. He serves on the Science, Medicine, Engineering, and Technology Selection Panel.
