Muredach Benedict Camillas Dynan (1938–2021) was a university professor and senior academic administrator.

Career

Dynan was born in

Belfast Belfast (, , , ; from ) is the capital city and principal port of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan and connected to the open sea through Belfast Lough and the North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland), North Channel ...

in 1938 where he attended St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast. He then proceeded to

Queen's University Belfast The Queen's University of Belfast, commonly known as Queen's University Belfast (; abbreviated Queen's or QUB), is a public research university in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The university received its charter in 1845 as part of ...

from which he was awarded a first class honours degree in physics, coming first in his year group. After graduation he taught for a period at St Dominic's Grammar School for Girls, Belfast before obtaining a post of lecturer at St. Mary's Teacher Training College, Belfast. In 1976, he emigrated to Australia, where he obtained a PhD in education from

Murdoch University Murdoch University is a public university in Perth, Western Australia, with campuses also in Singapore and Dubai. It began operations as the state's second university on 25 July 1973, and accepted its first undergraduate students in 1975. Its ...

in 1985 for a thesis on curriculum innovation. In 1986, he was appointed deputy principal to the then Catholic College of Education

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

New South Wales New South Wales (commonly abbreviated as NSW) is a States and territories of Australia, state on the Eastern states of Australia, east coast of :Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria (state), Victoria to the south, and South ...

and in 1990 appointed as acting principal. In 1991, the

Australian Catholic University Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a public university in Australia. It has seven Australian campuses and also maintains a campus in Rome. History Australian Catholic University was opened on 1 January 1991 following the amalgamation ...

was established by joining the Sydney college with colleges in

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

Brisbane Brisbane ( ; ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and largest city of the States and territories of Australia, state of Queensland and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia, with a ...

and

Canberra Canberra ( ; ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the Federation of Australia, federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's list of cities in Australia, largest in ...

. Dynan was confirmed as principal of the

Division. In 1995, he was appointed as ACU's first pro-vice-chancellor, located in Brisbane and with responsibility for quality assurance and outreach, a role he held until 2003. On retirement he was granted the title of emeritus professor. In 2004, he returned to live in

Newry Newry (; ) is a City status in Ireland, city in Northern Ireland, standing on the Newry River, Clanrye river in counties County Down, Down and County Armagh, Armagh. It is near Republic of Ireland–United Kingdom border, the border with the ...

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...

. He became the inaugural chair of the board of directors of Edmund Rice Schools Trust, Northern Ireland. He was also appointed a board member of the

Education Authority The Education Authority () is a non-departmental body sponsored by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. It was established under the Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 12) which was passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly. The ...

Awards

* 1989: Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem * 2004: Professor emeritus, Australian Catholic University * 2020: Edmund Rice Medal

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dynan, Muredach 1938 births 2021 deaths Scholars and academics from Belfast Alumni of Queen's University Belfast Educators from Northern Ireland People educated at St. Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast Murdoch University alumni