A new university regulator, a review of student caps and the regeneration of Derry’s university ecosystem are priorities for Northern Ireland’s higher education sector now that power-sharing has resumed within the state.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)’s opposition to a post-Brexit trade deal led to the collapse of the devolved government in May 2022, leaving universities at a standstill amid a deepening funding crisis and educational emigration.
Ian Greer, vice-chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, said Stormont University’s inability to cope with national student caps was limiting opportunities for young people and damaging local economies. times higher education.
“Current government policy is forcing a third of young people to pursue higher education outside Northern Ireland, as current population limits limit their options,” Sir Ian said.
After a two-year hiatus, the reform executive, now led by Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill as First Minister and DUP’s Emma Little-Pengery as Deputy First Minister, has responded to the demands of the country’s education sector. I will accept everything.
Gerry McKenna, chairman of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) North-South Committee, said the caps represented a major “brain drain” on the economy, with a high proportion of “reluctant retirees”.
Professor McKenna, a former vice-chancellor at the University of Ulster, said the lack of coherent academic planning and oversight for the region – an issue that predated the last power-sharing collapse – contributed to the undue concentration of universities. , said it needed to be addressed. Belfast locations and resources.
“More than 80 per cent of universities are located in the capital, which is in sharp contrast to other developed countries and the Republic of Ireland,” Professor McKenna said.
“It is envisaged that the regulator of higher education institutions will support a geographically uneven distribution of higher education institutions or conclude that such concentration is in the interests of economic and cultural development and social cohesion. That is difficult.”
Professor McKenna, who is currently leading an RIA project on the issue, said any additional student places created by lifting the cap should be disproportionately allocated to the North West.
He also said the Executive’s priority was to strengthen links with institutions in the Republic of Ireland, mainland Britain, Europe and overseas, and the possibility of a cross-border university hub in the North West would be seriously considered. He added that it was worth it.
Derry University Group spokesperson Galvan Downey said Stormont’s experience over the past 100 years had not been positive, with promises to further develop Ulster University’s Magee campus in the city repeatedly broken and Belfast continues to engulf higher education institutions. education budget.
“During the recent suspensions, all Stormont politicians promised that the North West would be the focus of regeneration, but we are not holding our breath.”
“Ultimately, the best we can hope for here at Stormont is that it does not stand in the way of the good work being done by the Royal Academy of Ireland and the Irish Government in its recent investment. [€44.5 million (£38 million)] Inside Magee Campus [of Ulster University]”
Mr Stormont is expected to announce a “working group” to decide Mr Magee’s future, and Mr Dabney said the only solution was a new independent provider supported by Dublin.
“We need a complete change in Stormont’s mindset,” he added. “Derry is not an outpost to be banished from Belfast.”
A recent report from London Economics found that Northern Ireland’s higher education institutions have a net income of around £7,620 per student, the lowest of the four home countries and around 25 per cent less than the UK.
patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com