Speculation grows over who will follow Ferdinand and take the top job at DCU

Speculation is growing as to who will become the next DCU president with academics from both within and outside the university being linked to the position.

With interviews set to take place this month, UCD vice-president Philip Nolan is expected to mount a strong challenge for the presidency, with the Irish Times describing him recently as a “clear favourite”.

However sources within the university have tipped DCU’s Brian MacCraith as a potential candidate for the post.

MacCraith – a Professor of Physics and Director of the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute at DCU, is seen as one of the most likely internal challengers, along with DCU vice-president Professor Anne Scott. Both declined to comment when contacted by the College View last week.

Outgoing president Ferdinand von Prondzynski, whose term is set to end in July, refused to be drawn on the speculation stating: “I need to stress that I am not involved in any way in the process, and therefore cannot comment on the candidates”.

He added that he is in “no doubt that the actual list of candidates will have very high quality people on it”.

The shortlist is also thought to include an academic from Queens University and another from Scotland.

UCD’s Brigid Laffan and DIT president Brian Norton were also rumoured to have applied for the post as they were both shortlisted for the position of president at UL last year. Laffan did not make any comment and Norton described the rumours as “misinformed”.

Speculation also surrounded vice president for Research at RCSI, Professor Brian Harvey who dismissed the rumours.

“Although I have close collaborative ties with DCU, I have no interest in applying for the DCU presidency” he said.

He went on to hint that he may have been mistaken for another Brian and that the focus should be on the “two main internal candidates”.

Marian Burns, DCU Director of Human Resources said that the process was “ongoing and highly confidential.” She said that it would be “inappropriate to comment at this stage”.

The responsibility of selecting the new president lies with DCU Chancellor and former Attorney General, David Byrne, who will be assisted by a panel of external experts.

Speculation is expected to continue for the moment but von Prondzynski believes “that the successful candidate will be known before the end of the year.”

“I plan to work in close collaboration with my successor over the months until I step down in mid-July,” he added.