Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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291. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if all the current members of the Higher Education Authority are ordinarily resident within the State. [35371/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Higher Education Authority Board currently comprises a Chairperson and 12 ordinary members. I can advise the Deputy that all the current members of the Board are ordinarily resident within the State with the exception of four members, two of whom reside in the United Kingdom and two who reside in the United States of America. The international perspective brought by these members benefits the operation of the Board. Minister Bruton is keen to ensure that international best practice is at the heart of the Higher Education Authority's activities. It is important to point out that one of the four individuals referenced was first appointed to the HEA Board by then Minister Quinn in 2012.

Dr. Judith Eatoncurrently resides in the USA and was first appointed to the HEA Board on 27 July 2016. Dr Eaton has been president of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) since 1997. CHEA is a nongovernmental institutional membership organization of degree-granting colleges and universities that provides national coordination of institutional and programmatic accreditation throughout the United States. CHEA, through its International Quality Group, also engages international quality issues and challenges, working with colleagues in quality assurance and higher education around the world. Dr. Eaton has also served as a college president and state chancellor and writes widely on higher education, accreditation and quality assurance.

Dr. Sinéad O’Flanagancurrently resides in the USA and was first appointed to the HEA Board on 27 July 2016. Dr O’Flanagan combines her academic expertise and corporate experience in her work on leadership practices and education. Her current research work explores how leaders learn in settings where disruption and uncertainty prevail. She uses her expertise in systems-thinking and experiential-based learning, partnering with public and private organisations, NGOs and city governments worldwide to design leadership fieldwork projects and internships. Previously based in Silicon Valley, CA., and London, UK, Dr. O’Flanagan held executive management positions and worked as a consultant in guiding companies through major organisational change and restructuring initiatives.

Mr Bahram Bekhradniacurrently resides in the UK and was first appointed to the HEA Board on 6 March 2012 and has recently been re-appointed to serve a second 5 year term. Mr Bekhradnia became the first Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute on its creation on 1 November 2002. HEPI is an independent think tank concerned with higher education policy, and has achieved an international reputation for rigorous and objective research and analysis, advising governments in 25 different countries, and international agencies. As a result, HEPI is now one of the most widely referenced and influential independent bodies concerned with higher education policy.

Mr. Pól Ó Móráincurrently resides in the UK and was first appointed to the HEA Board on 27 July 2016. Mr Ó Móráin has over 20 years global experience in consulting, management and corporate venturing. He is Deputy Chair of the International Advisory Board at the University of Bradford Faculty of Management and Law; Private Sector Member of the Irish Government’s Export Trade Council since 2011 (Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade); and Board Member of the Irish International Business Network (IIBN).