New taskforce to look at Derry student expansion

A new taskforce has been established to look at expanding student numbers at the Ulster University campus in Londonderry.

Economy Minister Conor Murphy announced the taskforce during a visit to the campus on Friday.

It will be chaired by the chief executive of Manufacturing NI, Stephen Kelly, and will develop a “comprehensive plan for expansion,” the minister said.

There has been a long-running campaign to boost student numbers at the campus.

A 10,000 student target was included in New Decade, New Approach (NDNA), external agreement.

NDNA restored Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive in 2020.

It stated that both the UK and Irish governments would aim to financially support the 10,000 student number expansion target.

On Friday, Mr Murphy said the expansion of the campus was key to “promoting regional balance”.

“Increasing the city’s student population will be a catalyst for economic development in the north west region,” he said.

The minister added: “The taskforce will put together a comprehensive plan for expansion, including the capital and infrastructure requirements, and the wider environment needed in the city for the student population to grow and thrive.”

The taskforce has an initial three-year term with delivery of an action plan expected within its first nine months.

Mr Kelly, and vice-chair Nicola Skelly, the executive director of the Washington Ireland Program, will be joined on the taskforce by representatives of the higher education sector, business community and trade unions.

It will also be made up of members from the community and voluntary sectors and from government and local government.

Mr Kelly said he was “delighted” to have been asked to take on the role.

He said the new body’s work was “critical” for both the university and the north-west region.

“There is a lot of work to do and we plan to get started immediately,” he added.

Ulster University’s vice-chancellor Prof Paul Bartholomew has said the university looks forward to working with the taskforce "to explore together how the operating environment might be developed to facilitate further and sustainable growth”.

“At Ulster University, we remain completely committed to growth at our Derry~Londonderry campus, in line with our strategic commitment for better regional balance,” he said.

There are currently more than 5,000 students studying at the Derry-Londonderry campus, which was previously known as Magee.

Ulster University previously told Stormont officials that it had identified a way to increase student numbers to 7,500, but it estimated that a capital investment of £385m was required to accommodate that number.

Previously, concerns were raised that the 10,000 figure may not be achievable.

The campus in Derry is one of three Ulster University campuses in Northern Ireland, the other two being in Belfast and Coleraine.

The university also has a Sports Village located in Jordanstown, County Antrim.