Frank McMahon, Former Head of Academic Affairs, Dublin Institute of Technology

Authors

Frank McMahon

Files

Publisher

Technological University Dublin

Description

Frank McMahon retired from his position in DIT in 2010 having spent 40 years in academic life. He was born in Dublin, and attended the O’Connell Schools CBS, where he was awarded a scholarship to UCD from where he graduated with a BCom and an MBA. He then attended Sheffield University where he completed his Doctorate in Education. It is notable that as a student in UCD he captained the Irish Junior Chess team. His education completed, he spent five years working in the hotel industry before entering academic life in 1970. His initial appointment was at the Shannon College of Hotel Management, while also working at NUIG one day each week on a new MBA programme at the time. He was appointed Deputy Principal at Cathal Brugha Street in 1976, and he discusses the growth and development of the College in those days of advancement in education in Ireland. He also discusses his first challenge in getting degree recognition for Higher Level Diploma in the Hospitality Management Programme. Frank McMahon served as an international external examiner at five universities. In 2000 he was appointed Director of Academic and he explains his responsibilities in that challenging position. He says that his is most proud of setting up a unit to provide teaching methods assessments.

In the second section of the recording Frank McMahon recalls his tenure as Deputy Principal at Cathal Brugha Street when in 1993 the DIT separated from the Dublin City VEC under its own legislation. He recalls the awarding of degrees in DIT from 1996 and discusses research in DIT, the major changes in education during his academic career, the effects of the national economy on DIT, and his views on the move to Grangegorman. He also recalls the various committees, boards and working parties in which he was involved.

Publication Date

2010-01-01

Keywords

audio, interviews, educationalists, third level, Ireland