Minister greets first female Principal of Stranmillis

27 September 2007

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, today visited Stranmillis and St Mary’s University Colleges.

At Stranmillis, the Minister was greeted by Mr. Steve Costello, chair of the Governing Body and the new principal of the college, Dr. Anne Heaslett.  Dr. Heaslett, former Director at Limavady College of Further and Higher Education, is the first female principal in the eighty-five year history of the College.  

The visit was an opportunity for the Minister to meet a cross section of the college’s staff and students.  

On a busy day of engagements, next stop for the Minister was St Mary’s University College, situated on the Falls Road, Belfast.  The Minister enjoyed a tour of the campus, during which he again chatted to students and staff, before meeting with the senior management of the college.

NOTES TO EDITORS

  1. Both Stranmillis and St Mary’s are university colleges of the Queen’s University of Belfast, who have over-arching responsibility for academic quality and standards, and validate courses at the colleges.
  2. The core business of both Stranmillis and St Mary’s University College is teacher education, though both now offer diversified academic programmes.
  3. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
  4. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.