A group campaigning for an independent university for Derry has erected a huge billboard highlighting what it claims is a massive economic disparity between the city and Belfast.
The Derry University Group (DUG) erected the 55 ft billboard at Craigavon Bridge on the site of the former Tillie and Henderson’s shirt factory.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy recently established a task force to examine the expansion of student numbers at Ulster University’s Magee campus.
However, DUG believes Derry should be the hub of an independent cross-border university.
DUG spokesman Conal McFeely said the establishment of such a university was the only way to regenerate the north west region. Mr McFeely said no other state would support a regional imbalance where “83% of students and 95% capital funding” was restricted to Belfast.
“Instead of yet more task forces, we need to take our politicians to task and force them to deliver on the findings of the Royal Irish Academy reports (which concluded that the north west should have an independent university),” Mr McFeely said.
The DUG spokesman urged the public to raise the issue with politicians seeking their votes on July 4. He said an independent university must be the key election issue.
