University of Limerick alumnus, Mr Aongus Hegarty recently returned to the campus to deliver the prestigious UL Alumni Lecture during which he spoke about the importance of personal, corporate and economic transformation. During the Lecture, the President of Dell for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) spoke about Dell’s experience of transforming itself to meet the changing market and he also cited a number of other organisations who have successfully transformed, including the University of Limerick.

Returning to his hometown of Limerick and to his alma mater, UL, Aongus delivered an insightful Lecture titled ‘Transformation: An Economic Imperative’ which was followed by a Questions & Answers session during which a number of the audience sought out Aongus views particularly regarding the need for a strategic vision for the Irish economy, “one that embraces innovation and transformation” according to Aongus. The Lecture was held in UL’s Kemmy Business School and was attended by a cross-section of the campus community and the wider community including current students, alumni, local business people, colleagues from Dell and senior Faculty from the University including UL’s President, Founding President, Vice-President-Research and Dean of the Kemmy Business School. ULAA’s Executive Director, Majella O’Connell described Aongus as “a very impressive public speaker and a great ambassador for both UL and our growing alumni community”.

Aongus graduated from UL in 1989 with a Bachelor of Business Studies degree. Following a career in various management positions within Dell since 1999, Aongus now serves as President of Dell for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).  In this role, he is responsible for the Company’s entire commercial business in the region, leading the Dell teams that deliver innovative and practical technology solutions to its customers including consumers, small and medium businesses, public institutions and large enterprises throughout EMEA. In addition to driving Dell’s commercial business in EMEA, Aongus is also the executive sponsor for Dell’s Global Giving Council in the region, overseeing the investment of significant funding to not-for-profit organisations.
Aongus is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a Member of the Executive Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU whose mission is to interface with European Union policy makers at the highest level and communicate industry’s views to them on issues of importance to industry.

This Lecture is the fifth in this popular Lecture Series launched by ULAA in 2009 with the support of the UL/Ulster Bank Enablement Fund. The series aims to bring prominent and accomplished graduates of the University of Limerick back to the campus each year to deliver Lectures of interest to the student, graduate, staff and wider community. Previous Speakers include:

• Mr Nika Gilauri BBS '99, former Prime Minister of Georgia
• Limerick man, Dr Hugh O'Donnell BEng (Mechanical) '87, former CEO of Kentz Corporation, UL Alumni Award Recipient (Business) 2008 and Ernst & Young International   Entrepreneur of Year 2009
• Limerick man, Mr Sean McGowan MBA 2009 Record-Breaking trans-Atlantic Rower, Motivational Speaker, Business Man and UL Alumni Award Recipient (Personal Achievement) 2010
• Kerry man, Dr Pio Fitzgerald BEng (Aeronautical) ’99, Boeing Commercial Engineer of the Year (2010) and UL Alumni Award Recipient (2012).