The Governing Body of University of Galway has invited feedback from alumni about the type of person it should appoint as its next president.

Chairperson of Údarás na hOllscoile, Máire Geoghegan Quinn has emailed staff, students and former students with a survey with questions about their views on who should be the university’s next president, which was a “critical decision for the future” of the university.

The questions in the online survey also try to find out what the priority areas of focus should be for the role.

“I would encourage you to engage fully with the survey as your input will play a meaningful role in shaping the future of the University of Galway,” she said, in a bilingual message.

Professor Peter McHugh has been serving as interim president following the surprise announcement by Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh – the university’s 13th president – that he was stepping down from the role last June.

There has never been a woman president of the university, and all 13 men who served in the role have been fluent in Irish.

In 2016, its Governing Body dropped its long-standing requirement that the president must have fluency in our native tongue.

The survey must be completed by 5pm on Friday, February 21.

Pictured: University of Galway….Governing body invites alumni views on new president.