Dr Michael Mortell, outgoing president of UCC, handed over the reins to his successor Prof Gerry Wrixon late last month (25 Jan).

Mortell's term of office coincided with unprecedented growth in the college, according to his final report to the governing body. During the 1990s, 800 new jobs were created. The annual recurrent budget has increased from £30 million to £80 million and 5,000 new undergraduate places have been created. Over the last five years, UCC has earned £75 million in research contracts and last year raised £10 million through private fundraising. During the current decade UCC has invested some £70 million in capital projects.