University College Cork President Prof Gerry Wrixon has announced his retirement.
Prof Gerry Wrixon
Last year the Government approved a new statute to enable Professor Wrixon to stay on as president beyond his 65th birthday, serving until January 2009.
But in a statement issued today, he told of his plans to leave his position in January.
"When I was appointed president of University College Cork in January 1999, I brought with me a varied spectrum of objectives to be worked on during my term of office," he said.
"I was deeply honoured by the decision of the governing body to extend my period of office as president beyond May 2005 to the maximum 10-year term provided for chief officers of universities.
"It is clear the university is entering a new and exciting phase in its development and I believe that the next Governing Body, the university's management team and staff in general should be assured of a continuity of leadership throughout this critical period," the statement said.
PA