Derry MLA calls for more ambition for cross-border higher education

SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has said that cross-border collaboration should be a priority item for the next Economy Minister when it comes to higher and further education.

It follows a previous response from the outgoing Economy Minister to a question tabled by Ms. McLaughlin prior to the collapse of the institutions, in relation to what steps his Department has taken to advance cross-border collaboration in higher and further education.

The Foyle MLA said: “When it comes to cross-border collaboration on higher and further education, the ambition of our people has never been fully matched by the ambition of our government to seize the opportunities ahead of us to attract the jobs and develop the skills that are needed for our region.

“When I asked the most recent Economy Minister what steps his Department has taken in advancing cross-border collaboration in higher and further education, I was disappointed by his response, particularly for the many staff and students who cross the border to work and study at Magee.

"The Minister could have pointed to efforts his Department may be making to support the Further Education and Higher Education cluster in the North-West or decisions his Department’s officials may have taken in tandem with the Irish Higher Education Authority. I am aware that there is enormous potential here to develop our region and bring prosperity to more of our citizens by increasing the co-operation that already exists.

“We can do so much better than this. An Economy Minister worth their salt will realise the critical potential of higher and further education to this inter-connected region and how we need to develop more cross-border initiatives in this part of the North to accelerate the progress towards the university of size that we were promised."

She concluded: "Simply put, the desire from the students, staff and researchers in our city for more collaboration, should be reflected in the next Minister’s priorities.  

“The Minister refers to discussions that his officials have had with Southern counterparts, but what matters to the people of Derry is not more taskforces or reports but actions and outcomes.

"I will be pressing the next Economy Minister to demonstrate more ambition for the future of the North-West, so we can finally address the pressing economic challenges faced by the people here.”