National University of Ireland

The National University of Ireland (NUI) is a federal university comprising the largest element of the Irish university system. As a unique and historical focal point in Irish higher education, NUI serves the interests of the member institutions, by providing services to them and to their graduates. Related to this, NUI promotes the national and international standing of the National University of Ireland as a whole, by undertaking activities related to scholarship, the advancement of higher education and the cultural and intellectual life of Ireland. The National University of Ireland currently comprises four Constituent Universities, and a range of other member institutions.

The Irish Universities Act, 1908 established two new Universities - the National University of Ireland and the Queen's University of Belfast and dissolved the Royal University on 31 October 1909. Under this Act, the National University became a federal University with its seat in Dublin and with three Constituent Colleges established by Charter: University College, Dublin; University College, Cork; and University College, Galway. The Queen's Colleges in Cork and Galway were given an entirely new status and title. The Jesuit University College, Dublin, was given a new constitution and was merged with the Catholic University Medical School. The Act empowered the University Senate to recognise courses of study in other institutions for the purpose of degrees, and the following institutions were granted the status of Recognised College.

As a unique and historical focal point in Irish higher education, NUI serves the interests of the member institutions, by providing services to them and to their graduates. Related to this, NUI promotes the national and international standing of the National University of Ireland as a whole, by undertaking activities related to scholarship, the advancement of higher education and the cultural and intellectual life of Ireland. Dr Maurice Manning was elected Chancellor of the National University of Ireland on March 12, 2009. Dr Manning is the fifth Chancellor of the University since its establishment in 1908.

In addition to providing all original testimonia and certificates for National University of Ireland institutions, NUI also provides document services for graduates. For instance the issuing of Duplicate Testimonia (Latin Degrees and Diplomas) as replacements.

The NUI currently comprises four Constituent Universities, four Recognised Colleges and three Colleges of a Constituent University. Each institution within the NUI federation has its own Governing Authority; the overall Governing Authority of the University is the NUI Senate and headed by the Chancellor.
The Universities Act, 1997, which came into effect on 16 June 1997, redefined the nature and role of the National University of Ireland. It reconstituted the Senate, which is the Governing Body of the University, with a membership of thirty-eight, as follows:

• The Chancellor
• The Chief Officers of the Constituent Universities
• The Registrar of the University
• Four members nominated by the Government
• Four persons elected by each of the Constituent Universities
• Eight members elected by Convocation
• Four co-opted members

As a unique and historical focal point in Irish higher education, NUI serves the interests of the member institutions, by providing services to them and to their graduates. Related to this, NUI promotes the national and international standing of the National University of Ireland as a whole, by undertaking activities related to scholarship, the advancement of higher education and the cultural and intellectual life of Ireland.

The preparation of these principles and code of conduct was informed by the growing recognition within Ireland that all public institutions must operate in full compliance with the highest standards of human rights, and by appreciation of the new challenges and opportunities associated with the increasing internationalisation of NUI universities and member institutions both at home and abroad. The purpose of these principles and code of conduct is to guide NUI universities and member institutions as they discuss, adopt and implement their own policies.