UCD awards honorary degree to former Siemens chairman

摘要

Gerald Byrne Chartered Engineer, FIEl, College Principal Engineering and Architecture and Dean of Engineering at UCD, gave the citation: "Brian Sweeney is an extraordinary Irish engineer, businessman and industrialist - an engineer who has shaped the future of industry, business and educational research in Ireland." Brian was born in Cappoquin, Co. Waterford where he was educated at Tourin National School and later at Rockwell College. The seed of his lifelong interest in engineering was possibly derived from his maternal grandfather who though a teacher became PA to Henry Ford. Furthermore, Brian was totally fascinated throughout his early teens by the skills of a family of blacksmiths, fitters and mechanics called Rea who lived in Cappoquin. He holds a Bachelors degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (B.E. Mech. and Elec.) from UCD and graduated at a time when he was exposed as a student to such iconic figures as M.A. Hogan, Paddy Leahy, Freddie Lewis, Pierce Purcell and Steve O'Brien.