About Us

About ULPSU

The ULPSU was initially formed as the Postgraduate Students’ Association (PSA) in September 2002. Since that time it has directly represented every postgraduate student that has passed through the doors of UL. Initially a much smaller operation, the PSA continued to develop and expand throughout the 2000s. The PSA became the Postgraduate Students’ Union (PSU) in the academic year 2012/13, and has continued to increase its operations.

At the AGM in the autumn semester of 2015/16, the proposal for a part time Vice President was passed. At an EGM in the spring semester of 2018/2019, it was proposed that the role of Vice President would become a full-time Sabbatical Officer; the proposal was unanimously passed. At the same AGM, it was unanimously decided that the working hours of the Sabbatical Officers would be reduced from 44 to 40 hours, thus enabling international students to run for either position.

This same year saw the creation of a much-needed support and continuity role for the Union and its Officers, that of the Secretary-General.

The current President is Rania Shadeed, and Vice President is Louis Pemble. Their term in office began in August 2021. Vedant Modi is the Phd and Research Officer for the 2021/2022 Academic year.

ULPSU Presidents

Rania Shadeed 2021/2022
Andrea La Touche 2020/2021
Abraham Agboola 2019/2020
Dean Lillis 2018/2019
Aimée McKenzie 2016/2018
Seán McKillen 2015/2016
Seamus Noonan 2014/2015
Lily Carroll 2013/2014
Cian Spillane 2012/2013
Sarah Jane Hennelly 2011/2012
Dan Comerford 2010/2011
Michael Bourke 2009/2010
Emma Murphy 2007/2009
Maya Niebrzegowska 2006/2007
Maria McHale 2005/2006
Sorcha Keegan 2004/2005
John O’Reilly 2003/2004
Jarleth Munnelly 2002/2003

ULPSU Vice Presidents

Louis Pemble 2021/2022
Rania Shadeed 2020/2021
Sanjana Shashikumar 2019/2020
Hala Jaber 2018/2019
Declan Mills 2016/2018
Elaine O’Connor 2015/2016

How your union works

UL Postgraduate Students’ Union (PSU) is the chief representative body for postgraduate students at the University of Limerick. The PSU is a democratic organisation run by two full-time officers elected by the Postgraduate Student Body along with the staff. The PSU’s main functions are to provide academic assistance to postgraduate students, to provide support to students in need, to lobby the University and the government on issues affecting postgraduate students, and to promote social and cultural inclusion.

There are two officers working full-time, the President, the Vice President Academic along with a part-time PhD Officer. Each of these officers has responsibility for their own brief and work to provide the best possible service and representation to our postgraduate students.

The PSU is located near the stables courtyard. The ULPSU is established in accordance with its constitution, statutes and regulations of the Governing Authority of the University as the sole representative body for UL postgraduate students. Each postgraduate student is automatically a member of the PSU.

The PSU sabbatical officers represent students on a number of committees including UL’s Governing Authority, Academic Council as well as other academic and social committees.

Sabbatical Officers

Executive Team

The PSU Council will exist to facilitate democracy and representation in terms of policy-making and transparency.
The PSU Council, hereafter known as Council, shall be the supreme decision-making body of the PSU, except for a decision that is made in a referendum or general meeting.
It shall also raise issues that are of concern to its members to the senior management team of the University through the Executive and the President.
Council shall have the power to mandate the Executive.
The structure of the Council shall be no smaller than 8 and no larger than 18 members.
Job descriptions for each member are outlined in Schedule IV (Council and Executive Job Descriptions and Terms of Office) :