President's Foreword - Annual Report 2023-24

It is my great honour to contribute this foreword as the new President of Mary Immaculate College. While the privilege of leading the College through the 2023-2024 academic year was not mine, it is with deep admiration that I acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments presented in this Annual Report. These achievements are the result of that sense of dedication, of collaboration, and of shared purpose that defines the spirit of MIC.

This year’s report captures an extraordinary period in the life of the College: from the conferring of just over 2,000 graduates to significant achievements across all components of the research ecosystem, local, national, and international collaborations, and a wide range of impactful initiatives across teaching, engagement, inclusion, and infrastructure. The College’s success in securing planning permission for a transformative new library, the further development of inclusive and international education pathways, and the affirmation of excellence through institutional and programme-level reviews are just a few of many notable highlights.

These achievements and outcomes reflect the exceptional leadership of my predecessor, Professor Eugene Wall, who retired in August 2024 after more than forty years of devoted service to MIC. Professor Wall’s presidency was marked by strategic vision, steadfast commitment to social justice, and an unshakeable belief in the transformative power of education. Under his guidance, the College expanded its mission, strengthened its academic profile, and extended its influence nationally and globally. It is no exaggeration to say that we inherit a college made stronger, more confident, and more future-focused by his stewardship.

In accepting the torch, I do so in the knowledge that the path ahead is both inspiring and demanding. The challenges facing higher education are complex, but as this detailed report makes clear, MIC is more than equal to the task. Our community continues to demonstrate not only resilience, but courage, and imagination - qualities that are essential in charting the next stage of our shared journey.

I commend this Annual Report to you as a record of an institution that continues to thrive, to serve, and to lead with integrity. 

Professor Dermot Nestor 

President, Mary Immaculate College