The economic potential of the North West has long been held back by the decision in the 1960s to deny Derry a University.
In order to address this injustice the 2020 New Decade New Approach document included a commitment to expand the city’s existing Ulster University campus to 10,000 students.
Since then, the prestigious Graduate Entry Medical School has opened at Magee and overall student numbers have increased from 4,100 to 5,300.
The 10,000 target has also been included in the Executive’s draft Programme for Government.
Upon becoming Economy Minister I established a Taskforce made up of people from government, local business, trade unions, and the community sector to oversee the expansion to 10,000 students.
On Monday the Taskforce publishes a comprehensive and costed action plan. It sets out the requirements for additional teaching and research blocks, new courses, amenities and experiences together with a marketing campaign to attract more students to the city, and suitable student accommodation.
The Taskforce sets the target of achieving 10,000 students by 2032. This timescale is ambitious given the size of the capital programme involved. However, it is achievable.
It is understandable that the history of neglect and discrimination has left some people skeptical of the possibility of positive change.
But the idea of starting from scratch and establishing a new University would set us back years. It is inconsistent with New Decade, New Approach document which specifies the expansion of Ulster University. Negotiating a new political consensus and creating an entirely new institution is not a realistic option.
The quickest and surest route to 10,000 students is through the roadmap of the Taskforce. It provides a credible plan which builds on the existing political consensus and University infrastructure.
The Taskforce offers the best chance in a generation to deliver a University that will be an economic catalyst for the north west. So, let’s pull together, seize the opportunity, and get Magee to 10,000 students and beyond.
- Conor Murphy is Minister for the Economy in the Northern Ireland Executive