FORMER IRISH rugby captain Philip Matthews has been appointed as the new president at the National College of Ireland (NCI), based in Dublin’s Financial Services Centre.
Dr Matthews joins the college from the UCD Michael Smurfit School of Business, where he was director of executive education.
A PhD Graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, Dr Matthews has a wealth of industry experience from senior management roles in the pharmaceutical and consulting industries.
He was a member of the Triple Crown-winning team in 1985 and still commentates for the BBC.
He succeeds Dr Paul Mooney who is returning to a management consulting role. Denis O’Brien, chairman of the NCI governing body, welcomed his appointment, saying: “Philip will bring tremendous energy, determination and skill to the National College of Ireland. NCI has been a champion of inclusive access and second chance learning and Philip will continue this tradition of providing high-quality educational, professional and work-related learning opportunities.
He added: “In the present economic climate, the number of people looking to upgrade and re-engineer their skills has increased substantially and Philip will lead NCI in meeting this demand. Together with the faculty and executive team, he will ensure that NCI continues to provide a vibrant learning environment to some 5,000 full- and part-time students.”
