“Once this task force was established I took the opportunity to meet with the Chairman, Stephen Kelly. Part of the reason for my doing so was to ensure that a balanced approach is taken to the development of the Ulster University’s three campus model. Growing student numbers in a sustainable way is an excellent project and given that the University believes the existing three Campus model that it operates under (Belfast, Londonderry and Coleraine) is the way forward, any outcome must reflect that and build upon it.
There has been for a number of years a concern in the North Coast area that the Coleraine Campus was being overlooked in preference to the other two locations. Having written to the Minister about this concern, and spoken on numerous occasions to successive Vice Chancellors and now raised it with the Task Force, I hope that other political parties have done likewise and I await with interest the release of the names of all those who spoke with the Task Force to support the three Campus model approach.
A recent report has highlighted that over 80% of University students are based in Belfast – this is not sustainable. I have long advocated for a sustainable future for our North West campuses – for both Magee and Coleraine and this needs to include a plan for more investment, students, courses and staff. League tables recently published highlight the excellent research and quality being produced at Coleraine. Ulster University has also been shortlisted for University of the Year by Times Higher Education. Subjects based at Coleraine ranked as 1st for Nutrition, 2nd for Pharmacy, and 5th for Biomedical sciences throughout the whole of the UK – a remarkable feat for the campus on the North Coast. The University needs to build on excellent results such as these and others at all three locations, that must be the primary objective.”