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

Career

Dynan was born in

Belfast Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdo ...

in 1938 where he attended

St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School (St Mary's CBGS) is a Catholic Church, Roman Catholic boys' grammar school in Belfast, Northern Ireland. History The origins of the school can be traced to St Mary's School which was established in ...

. He then proceeded to

Queen's University Belfast , mottoeng = For so much, what shall we give back? , top_free_label = , top_free = , top_free_label1 = , top_free1 = , top_free_label2 = , top_free2 = , established = , closed = , type = Public research university , parent = ...

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 n ...

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 state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

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 amalgamatio ...

was established by joining the Sydney college with colleges in

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

and

Canberra Canberra ( ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The ci ...

. 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 in Northern Ireland, divided by the Clanrye river in counties Armagh and Down, from Belfast and from Dublin. It had a population of 26,967 in 2011. Newry was founded in 1144 alongside a Cistercian monastery, althoug ...

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...

. He became the inaugural chair of the board of directors of

Edmund Rice Schools Trust The Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) is a Catholic school network with responsibility for almost 100 schools in the Republic of Ireland. The trust is named after Edmund Ignatius Rice the founder of the Irish Christian Brothers who originally est ...

, Northern Ireland. He was also appointed a board member of the

Education Authority The Education Authority ( ga, Údarás Oideachais) is a non-departmental body sponsored by the Department of Education (Northern Ireland), Department of Education in Northern Ireland. It was established under the Education Act (Northern Ireland) ...

Awards

* 1989: Knight of the

Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem ( la, Ordo Equestris Sancti Sepulcri Hierosolymitani, links=yes, OESSH), also called Order of the Holy Sepulchre or Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, is a Catholic order of knighthood under ...

* 2004: Professor emeritus, Australian Catholic University * 2020: Edmund Rice Medal

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dynan, Muredach 1938 births 2021 deaths People 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