Economy Minister, Dr , Has Reaffirmed Her
Commitment to the Ulster University Derry~londonderry Campus
Expansion, As She Marked Publication of the Magee Taskforce's One
Year Progress Report.
Speaking at a Meeting with the Magee Taskforce, Minister
Archibald Said: At Long Last the North West Is Beginning to
Realise Its Huge Economic Potential, and the Expansion of the
Magee Campus Is Underpinning This Positive Change.
Since the Executive Was Restored in 2024 My Department Has
Prioritised Investment in Magee and Student Numbers Have
Increased by 22% Since Then to over 6,500.
We Have Also Secured All the Land Needed to Meet the Target of
10,000 Students. This Is Significant Progress and It Has Been
Achieved by the Community Coming Together in the Taskforce Under
a Common Plan.”
The Minister Added: We Must Now Build on the Momentum We Have
Created. I Will Continue to Prioritise Magee Within My Budget,
Despite the Significant Financial Pressures We Face. I Will Also
Establish an Expert Working Group to Support the Delivery of
Student Accommodation.”
The Minister Paid Tribute to Taskforce Chair, Stephen Kelly, and
Vice Chair, Nicola Skelly, As Well As Ulster University, Derry
City and Strabane District Council, and All Taskforce Members for
Their Continued Commitment, Collaboration, and
Leadership.
She Added: Transformative Change of This Scale Is a Collective
Effort. I Remain Fully Committed to Working with All Our
Partners, and My Executive Colleagues to Overcome the Challenges
and to Unlock the Full Economic Potential of the North West.”
Vice-chancellor of Ulster University, Professor Paul Bartholomew
Said: This Year We Have Marked Major Milestones: We Have Welcomed
More Students than Ever Before to Derry~londonderry; Graduated
the First Cohort of Medical Doctors from Our School of Medicine;
Welcomed Computing Students into the First Phase of Timber Quay,
Which Marks Our Expansion to the River Front; and Progressed
Plans for Several Capital Projects Including the Shared Island
Funded Student and Teaching Centre.
Progress Has Been Significant and for That I Thank Sincerely My
Colleagues in the University, the Minister, Dfe Officials and the
Taskforce. There Is More to Be Unlocked, and We Remain Committed
to Working with Our Partners for the Expansion of This Vibrant
Campus Which Will Stimulate Further Economic, Social, Cultural
and Civic Growth in the North West.”
Stephen Kelly Added: When We Presented Our Action Plan a
Year Ago, We Stressed That the Time for Delivery Was Now. We Are
Pleased That All Parties Have Accepted That Challenge Head on and
Our Plan Is Being Delivered on Time and in some Areas Ahead of
Target.
However, We Now Arrive at the Most Critical Moment of This
Project. A Draft Year Revenue and Year Capital Budget Has Been
Published for Consultation. Once Agreed This Budget Will Operate
Within the Remaining Period of This Assembly Mandate and into the
Next. Ensuring That Our Action Plan Receives the Funding Demanded
Is Mission Critical to Ensure That This Programme for Government
Commitment Is Met."
Notes to Editors:
- A Copy of the Progress Report Can Be Found At Https://www.Economy-ni.Gov.Uk/articles/ulster-university-magee-taskforce.
