Two senior University figures have been recognised in the New Year Honours list.  Professor Denise McAlister, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning becomes a CBE, as does Dr Gerard O’Hare, Chairman of the University of Ulster Foundation. 

Professor McAlister is recognised for services to Higher Education in Northern Ireland. Dr O’Hare is honoured for services to Higher Education and to regeneration in Northern Ireland.

 Professor McAlister became Pro-Vice Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) at the University of Ulster in September 2005, having previously held positions as Head of School, School of Public Policy, Economics and Law and Dean of the Faculties of Business and Management and Social Sciences and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Quality Assurance and Enhancement).

She is also Professor of Health Policy and her research interests and expertise include economic appraisal and evaluation, the economics of contracting and the role of the user in health policy evaluation. Her research projects include work on attitudes to euthanasia and the costs of pharmacological care of the elderly.

She has held a number of public appointments including, membership of the Ministerial Advisory Board, Water Service (NI), the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, interim chair ERINI, membership of the Governing Body of BIFHE and a Board Member of the Northern Ireland Public Sector Enterprises Ltd (NI-CO), Department of Trade and Investment; she is currently chair of the Examinations Board, PSNI and UU Health Ltd.

She has undertaken consultancy projects in performance measurement and economic appraisal for a wide range of government departments and public sector organisations, and provided policy relevant advice to Ministers, CEOs and civil servants.

Dr Gerard O’Hare is one of Northern Ireland’s most successful property and business entrepreneurs with a portfolio of developments across the UK and Ireland.

Born in Ballyholland outside Newry, he was educated at Abbey Grammar School and at Nottingham Trent University where he graduated as a surveyor.

He received the Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters ( D Litt) from the University in 2004.

Dr O’Hare has supported a range of activities in the University of Ulster's School of the Built Environment, including a Chair in Property Development and Design, and a travel bursary scheme for students.

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 9036 6074
Email: David Young