Ferdinand von Prondzynski
Encyclopedia
Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski (born 30 June 1954) is the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Robert Gordon University
in Aberdeen
, Scotland. He is known as a lawyer, a legal academic, a high profile public commentator and a university leader in Ireland and Scotland. A German-born Irish citizen, he is a former lecturer and Fellow at Trinity College, Dublin
, and was later both a Professor and a Dean at the University of Hull
, before serving as the high profile second President of Dublin City University
(DCU), Dublin, Ireland from 2000 to 2010. He has been Principal of Robert Gordon University since late March 2011.
He is an authority on employment and commercial law and on certain EU and competition policy matters, and an active commentator on academic affairs and public policy.
n-Kashubia
origin, with first records going back to 1366, but lineage can be traced back with some certainty to 1550. He is a direct descendant of Ferdinand von Prondzynski, a 19th century Prussia
n General from Groschowitz near Oppeln in Silesia
(now Groszowice, near Opole
, Poland). Konrad, his great-grandfather, started a Silesian cement business in the late 19th century; the town square in Groszowice is named after him. Ferdinand von Prondzynski's grandfather, Alfred, was a lieutenant in the First World War, in which he was seriously wounded; he died later from these wounds, in 1932. His grandmother later re-married in the 1930s to a retired admiral, Karl Feldmann (who worked for the Ministry of Labour) when Ferdinand's father, Hans, was still a young man. Hans von Prondzynski was a captain in the German army during World War II, was wounded several times in battle and was inter alia awarded the Iron Cross Class 1 (EK1). After the War he studied law in Göttingen, and then joined the cement-producing company, Dyckerhoff AG, eventually becoming a director. He married Irene Countess Grote in the Grote family residence at Breese im Bruche, in Lower Saxony (Hanover) in 1950.
The residence had to be partially demolished in 1958 (because of structural damage during the war and post-war years) before he, Irene and their son Ferdinand (and two sisters) moved to Ireland in 1961. According to von Prondzynski, his father's poor health, lack of funds to maintain Breese im Bruche and a desire for a less stressful lifestyle, meant that Hans and Irene von Prondzynski left Germany and moved to the Knockdrin
Castle and estate, near Mullingar
, County Westmeath in Ireland. After a few years, Hans grew weary of farming and moved back to Germany and to Dyckerhoff AG, but the family kept the lands and estate in Ireland, and Hans retired there in 1982. Hans von Prondzynski died in Ireland 1998 after a long illness. Irene von Prondzynski still lives in Knockdrin.
in 1969. He was educated at Headfort School, Kells
, County Meath
and Thomas-Morus Gymnasium in Oelde
, Germany.
Having worked briefly for Dresdner Bank
AG in Germany from 1972 to 1974, von Prondzynski returned to Ireland, and became an Irish citizen in 1976.
From 1980 to 1990 he was a Lecturer in the School of Business Studies, Trinity College, Dublin, and became a Fellow of the College in 1987. During this time he became known for his views on industrial relations and labour law matters, often taking an approach sympathetic to the trade union movement and gaining the name "the Red Baron."
Von Prondzynski's published academic output has been influential in particular in the field of industrial relations and employment law '. In his early work he argued for a disengagement of the law from industrial relations, taking the position that problems and disputes were better resolved through bargaining than through litigation. The most elaborate expression of his views during this period is contained in his book Freedom of Association and Industrial Relations (1984). He also co-authored the first academic textbook on Irish employment law. However, from the later 1980s onwards his views began to moderate, and he argued for a framework of employment regulation that took account of economic pressures and the need to maintain competitive conditions. This culminated in his contribution to a major international book in 2000 in which he argued that the law should protect employees' rights, but also promote business success and economic growth. He has also published a number of books and articles on social policy and in particular on the importance of legal protection against discrimination.
Von Prondzynski was elected a Member of the Royal Irish Academy
in 2006, the highest academic honour in Ireland.
In his role as president of DCU, he oversaw improvements in the campus facilities, for both students and staff. Though seen by some as one of the new breed of so-called 'reforming' university presidents, on the whole he avoided the large-scale structural reforms that have characterised the leadership in other third-level institutions ', instead focusing on interdisciplinary 'Academic Themes', introduced in the University's initial strategic plan during his term, Leading Change (2001). These were designed to reinforce and develop DCU's reputation for cross-disciplinary teaching and research and influence the university's research mission; they had a significant effect on the university's research strategy in particular, and found a place in DCU's organisational structure – but the appointment of 'Theme Leaders' proved to be difficult.
During his tenure, von Prondzynski oversaw several important advances for DCU. The university's performance in attracting research funding was particularly notable. DCU secured several high profile research grants (particularly under the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, and under the Science Foundation Ireland
programme for Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation). The two largest SFI grants have both gone to projects led by DCU.
There was also a continuing drive to develop innovation in teaching and learning. At von Prondzynski's proposal , a new post of Vice-President for Learning Innovation was established in 2004, and in 2007 the university adopted a new "Academic Framework for Innovation". DCU has tended to be successful in recruiting students, often increasing its share of the total pool of applicants, and this pattern has continued under von Prondzynski's presidency.
The university's achievements were recognised internationally when, in 2007, DCU entered the Times Higher Education World Rankings at number 300. By 2009 the university had risen in the rankings to 279.
Von Prondzynski was highly accessible to students, including a presence on social networking sites, regular letters and emails to all students, and an "open door" policy. He presided over a new phase of work by the university's fundraising trust, pioneering an annual telethon, a scheme for regular donors and the boosting of "access scholarships" for those who could not otherwise afford to go to university.
One other issue concerned negotiations on DCU's statute 3 on suspension and dismissal of staff, which had begun before von Prondzynski's term of office but continued during it. The controversy also led to numerous questions in the Irish parliament when members of the Green Party in Ireland raised serious concerns about senior management at the university and whether the university under von Prondzynski’s tenure was in breach of the Universities Act, 1997. A vote of no confidence was narrowly passed in a low poll against the university's senior management team handling of this issue. While President of DCU, von Prondzynski was also strongly criticised for canceling Executive elections at the university in order to prevent a candidate and one of the litigants from running.
The review has been welcomed by student and staff representatives. Initially the University and College Union (UCU) raised concerns about the appointment of von Prondzynski to chair the review, because of an ongoing dispute about recognition of the union by RGU which predated von Prondzynski's appointment as Principal. This dispute was subsequently resolved.
-listed e-learning company, Skillsoft plc.
In April 2011 he was appointed to the Board of Directors of Educate Together
For two years he was also chair of the Research Advisory Committee of the National Disability Authority. Since 2000 he has also been a Director of the Irish National Chamber Choir.
and a keen follower of Newcastle United football club. He is also a keen amateur photographer, and DCU published several calendars of his photographs. The Prondzynski family home is Knockdrin Castle
and estate, near Mullingar
, County Westmeath
, Ireland. In September 2010 Prof. Prondzynski was invested as a Knight in the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem.
Robert Gordon University
Robert Gordon University is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. Building on over 250 years involvement in education, it was granted university status in 1992. Robert Gordon University currently has approximately 16,407 students at its two campuses at Garthdee and the City Centre, studying on over 145...
in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Scotland. He is known as a lawyer, a legal academic, a high profile public commentator and a university leader in Ireland and Scotland. A German-born Irish citizen, he is a former lecturer and Fellow at Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
, and was later both a Professor and a Dean at the University of Hull
University of Hull
The University of Hull, known informally as Hull University, is an English university, founded in 1927, located in Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire...
, before serving as the high profile second President of Dublin City University
Dublin City University
Dublin City University is a university situated between Glasnevin, Santry, Ballymun and Whitehall on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland...
(DCU), Dublin, Ireland from 2000 to 2010. He has been Principal of Robert Gordon University since late March 2011.
He is an authority on employment and commercial law and on certain EU and competition policy matters, and an active commentator on academic affairs and public policy.
Family background
Von Prondzynski's family were originally of PomeraniaPomerania
Pomerania is a historical region on the south shore of the Baltic Sea. Divided between Germany and Poland, it stretches roughly from the Recknitz River near Stralsund in the West, via the Oder River delta near Szczecin, to the mouth of the Vistula River near Gdańsk in the East...
n-Kashubia
Kashubia
Kashubia or Cassubia - is a language area in the historic Eastern Pomerania region of northwestern Poland. Located west of Gdańsk and the mouth of the Vistula river, it is inhabited by members of the Kashubian ethnic group....
origin, with first records going back to 1366, but lineage can be traced back with some certainty to 1550. He is a direct descendant of Ferdinand von Prondzynski, a 19th century Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n General from Groschowitz near Oppeln in Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
(now Groszowice, near Opole
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
, Poland). Konrad, his great-grandfather, started a Silesian cement business in the late 19th century; the town square in Groszowice is named after him. Ferdinand von Prondzynski's grandfather, Alfred, was a lieutenant in the First World War, in which he was seriously wounded; he died later from these wounds, in 1932. His grandmother later re-married in the 1930s to a retired admiral, Karl Feldmann (who worked for the Ministry of Labour) when Ferdinand's father, Hans, was still a young man. Hans von Prondzynski was a captain in the German army during World War II, was wounded several times in battle and was inter alia awarded the Iron Cross Class 1 (EK1). After the War he studied law in Göttingen, and then joined the cement-producing company, Dyckerhoff AG, eventually becoming a director. He married Irene Countess Grote in the Grote family residence at Breese im Bruche, in Lower Saxony (Hanover) in 1950.
The residence had to be partially demolished in 1958 (because of structural damage during the war and post-war years) before he, Irene and their son Ferdinand (and two sisters) moved to Ireland in 1961. According to von Prondzynski, his father's poor health, lack of funds to maintain Breese im Bruche and a desire for a less stressful lifestyle, meant that Hans and Irene von Prondzynski left Germany and moved to the Knockdrin
Knockdrin
Knockdrin is an area north of Mullingar, in County Westmeath, Ireland. It is home of the Westmeath Hunt, and its most notable building is Knockdrin Castle.-Castle:...
Castle and estate, near Mullingar
Mullingar
Mullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath...
, County Westmeath in Ireland. After a few years, Hans grew weary of farming and moved back to Germany and to Dyckerhoff AG, but the family kept the lands and estate in Ireland, and Hans retired there in 1982. Hans von Prondzynski died in Ireland 1998 after a long illness. Irene von Prondzynski still lives in Knockdrin.
Early life and education
Von Prondzynski was born on 30 June 1954 in Germany. In 1961, his family moved to Ireland, returning to West GermanyWest Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
in 1969. He was educated at Headfort School, Kells
Kells, County Meath
Kells is a town in County Meath, Ireland. The town lies off the M3 motorway, from Navan and from Dublin. In recent years Kells has grown greatly with many Dublin commuters moving to the town....
, County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
and Thomas-Morus Gymnasium in Oelde
Oelde
Oelde is a town in the district of Warendorf, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located near Beckum.-Division of the town:Oelde consists of 5 districts:* Oelde* Stromberg* Lette* Sünninghausen* Kirchspiel...
, Germany.
Having worked briefly for Dresdner Bank
Dresdner Bank
Dresdner Bank AG was one of Germany's largest banking corporations and was based in Frankfurt. It was acquired by competitor Commerzbank in December 2009.- 19th century :...
AG in Germany from 1972 to 1974, von Prondzynski returned to Ireland, and became an Irish citizen in 1976.
Academic career
Von Prondzynski graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1978, with a B.A. and an LL.B. He received a PhD in Law from the University of Cambridge in 1983.From 1980 to 1990 he was a Lecturer in the School of Business Studies, Trinity College, Dublin, and became a Fellow of the College in 1987. During this time he became known for his views on industrial relations and labour law matters, often taking an approach sympathetic to the trade union movement and gaining the name "the Red Baron."
Von Prondzynski's published academic output has been influential in particular in the field of industrial relations and employment law '. In his early work he argued for a disengagement of the law from industrial relations, taking the position that problems and disputes were better resolved through bargaining than through litigation. The most elaborate expression of his views during this period is contained in his book Freedom of Association and Industrial Relations (1984). He also co-authored the first academic textbook on Irish employment law. However, from the later 1980s onwards his views began to moderate, and he argued for a framework of employment regulation that took account of economic pressures and the need to maintain competitive conditions. This culminated in his contribution to a major international book in 2000 in which he argued that the law should protect employees' rights, but also promote business success and economic growth. He has also published a number of books and articles on social policy and in particular on the importance of legal protection against discrimination.
Von Prondzynski was elected a Member of the Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy , based in Dublin, is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is one of Ireland's premier learned societies and cultural institutions and currently has around 420 Members, elected in...
in 2006, the highest academic honour in Ireland.
Hull
From 1991 to 2000 von Prondzynski was Professor of Law in the University of Hull; for much of that time he was also a Dean – first of the School of Law, and latterly of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Professor von Prondzynski was also a Director of the British-American Business Council. He has achieved national status as an authority on employment and commercial law in Ireland '. He is also an expert on European Union matters and on competition (antitrust) policy.DCU
Von Prondzynski became president of DCU in July 2000, for a ten-year term. He developed a high public profile and became known for his comments on higher education and other public policy issues.In his role as president of DCU, he oversaw improvements in the campus facilities, for both students and staff. Though seen by some as one of the new breed of so-called 'reforming' university presidents, on the whole he avoided the large-scale structural reforms that have characterised the leadership in other third-level institutions ', instead focusing on interdisciplinary 'Academic Themes', introduced in the University's initial strategic plan during his term, Leading Change (2001). These were designed to reinforce and develop DCU's reputation for cross-disciplinary teaching and research and influence the university's research mission; they had a significant effect on the university's research strategy in particular, and found a place in DCU's organisational structure – but the appointment of 'Theme Leaders' proved to be difficult.
During his tenure, von Prondzynski oversaw several important advances for DCU. The university's performance in attracting research funding was particularly notable. DCU secured several high profile research grants (particularly under the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, and under the Science Foundation Ireland
Science Foundation Ireland
Science Foundation Ireland ), is the statutory body in the Republic of Ireland with responsibility for disbursing funds for basic science research with a strategic focus...
programme for Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation). The two largest SFI grants have both gone to projects led by DCU.
There was also a continuing drive to develop innovation in teaching and learning. At von Prondzynski's proposal , a new post of Vice-President for Learning Innovation was established in 2004, and in 2007 the university adopted a new "Academic Framework for Innovation". DCU has tended to be successful in recruiting students, often increasing its share of the total pool of applicants, and this pattern has continued under von Prondzynski's presidency.
The university's achievements were recognised internationally when, in 2007, DCU entered the Times Higher Education World Rankings at number 300. By 2009 the university had risen in the rankings to 279.
Von Prondzynski was highly accessible to students, including a presence on social networking sites, regular letters and emails to all students, and an "open door" policy. He presided over a new phase of work by the university's fundraising trust, pioneering an annual telethon, a scheme for regular donors and the boosting of "access scholarships" for those who could not otherwise afford to go to university.
Controversy
According to a newspaper profile of him, von Prondzynski was liked by colleagues at DCU, even when there were disagreements. Though widely published on employment law, his tenure as President of DCU was marred by a small number of high profile employment law cases and a sex discrimination case, in each of which von Prondzynski gave sworn evidence on behalf of the university. The High Court and Supreme Court, Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) and Labour Court in Ireland all declared against the university, with full costs (High and Supreme Courts) and significant compensation (EAT and Labour court) awarded to the plaintiffs despite some criticism of their behaviour (described by the EAT and Supreme Court as 'bizarre' and 'exasperating', respectively). Von Prondzynski was strongly criticised for his failure to afford the plaintiff's fair procedures in both cases. One of the disputes concerned questions of tenure (the case reached the High Court in 2007 and Supreme Court in 2009 on appeal),. Another concerned the question of whether the plaintiff (a lecturer) had been unfairly dismissed or had repudiated his contract; the Employment Appeals Tribunal ruled that he had been unfairly dismissed. The third case was concerned with whether a senior lecturer had suffered sex discrimination when she was turned down for a professorship; the tribunal ruled in her favour.One other issue concerned negotiations on DCU's statute 3 on suspension and dismissal of staff, which had begun before von Prondzynski's term of office but continued during it. The controversy also led to numerous questions in the Irish parliament when members of the Green Party in Ireland raised serious concerns about senior management at the university and whether the university under von Prondzynski’s tenure was in breach of the Universities Act, 1997. A vote of no confidence was narrowly passed in a low poll against the university's senior management team handling of this issue. While President of DCU, von Prondzynski was also strongly criticised for canceling Executive elections at the university in order to prevent a candidate and one of the litigants from running.
Robert Gordon University
Von Prondzynski became Principal and Vice-Chancellor of RGU at the end of March 2011, and immediately developed a high profile in Aberdeen and Scotland. In June 2011 the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell MSP, appointed von Prondzynski to chair a national review of university governance.The review has been welcomed by student and staff representatives. Initially the University and College Union (UCU) raised concerns about the appointment of von Prondzynski to chair the review, because of an ongoing dispute about recognition of the union by RGU which predated von Prondzynski's appointment as Principal. This dispute was subsequently resolved.
Public profile
Von Prondzynski is the author of a widely read and quoted blog and has a presence on Twitter. He also has a weekly column in the Irish Times newspaper. In his blog and elsewhere he has made statements about various issues, including the benefits of immigration for Ireland, the risks to universities caused by the failure of the Department of Education and Science to prioritise higher education, and the need to recover civility and courtesy in Irish society. He has also been one of the advocates for a re-think on the 'free fees' scheme in Ireland, under which Irish and EU students pay only "registration" fees – he has argued that too much of the money spent on this goes to wealthier people who do not need it, while poorer students are neglected. He has also criticised the so-called 'points system' which determines student entry into university courses. He has argued for a 're-think' on the numbers of lawyers educated and trained at Irish universities contending that there are too many, yet during his time DCU approved the establishment of a new BCL law degree.Other roles
Von Prondzynski is also a member of the Irish National Competitiveness Council, and a non-executive Director of the NASDAQNASDAQ
The NASDAQ Stock Market, also known as the NASDAQ, is an American stock exchange. "NASDAQ" originally stood for "National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations". It is the second-largest stock exchange by market capitalization in the world, after the New York Stock Exchange. As of...
-listed e-learning company, Skillsoft plc.
In April 2011 he was appointed to the Board of Directors of Educate Together
Educate Together
Educate Together is an organisation in the Republic of Ireland which sets up and runs multidenominational, coeducational schools. It was founded in 1984 as a result of the Dalkey School Project to found a multidenominational primary school....
For two years he was also chair of the Research Advisory Committee of the National Disability Authority. Since 2000 he has also been a Director of the Irish National Chamber Choir.
Personal life
Ferdinand von Prondzynski is married to Dr. Heather Ingman, a Lecturer in English Literature at Trinity College, Dublin and novelist, and an occasional writer in the Irish Times; they have two sons. Von Prondzynski is a member of the Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
and a keen follower of Newcastle United football club. He is also a keen amateur photographer, and DCU published several calendars of his photographs. The Prondzynski family home is Knockdrin Castle
Knockdrin
Knockdrin is an area north of Mullingar, in County Westmeath, Ireland. It is home of the Westmeath Hunt, and its most notable building is Knockdrin Castle.-Castle:...
and estate, near Mullingar
Mullingar
Mullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath...
, County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
, Ireland. In September 2010 Prof. Prondzynski was invested as a Knight in the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem.
External links
- Biography Dublin City UniversityDublin City UniversityDublin City University is a university situated between Glasnevin, Santry, Ballymun and Whitehall on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland...
- Blog by Ferdinand von Prondzynski
- Ferdinand von Prondzynski speaking at Ignite Dublin #1