Taoiseach Simon Harris discusses Ulster University's vision for growth in Derry

Ulster University has today welcomed the Taoiseach Simon Harris T.D. to its campus in Derry where he met with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholemew to discuss the University’s vision for growth in higher education provision in the North West.

The Taoiseach also delivered the 2024 John Hume and Thomas P. O’Neill Chair Peace Lecture, co-hosted by the University with the John and Pat Hume Foundation.

As the new academic year begins on the campus, a thriving hub for health sciences, creative industries, computing and the arts, the Taoiseach visited the site on which a new teaching and student services building will be developed, supported by cross border investment from the Irish Government and University reserves.

Announced in 2023, the €44.5 million investment at Ulster University’s campus in Derry by the Government of Ireland through the Shared Island initiative will expand higher education in the North West region.

Providing additional lecture and seminar spaces, computer labs and on-campus student services, the facility will also underpin research and teaching cooperation between Ulster University and Atlantic Technological University in Donegal, while also enabling the four North West Tertiary Education Cluster institutions to work more closely together in the provision of further and higher education in the region.

During the visit earlier today, Taoiseach Simon Harris T.D. said: “I was pleased to visit Ulster University in Derry once again today, with its thriving campus alive with new and returning students on their higher education journey.”

“It was a priority for me as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science, to agree and move forward in June 2023 with the major Shared Island Fund investment by the Irish Government in Ulster University’s campus, fulfilling our commitment under the New Decade, New Approach agreement to support the expansion of student numbers in Derry and economic opportunity for young people across the North West.”

“As Taoiseach, I affirmed with Vice-Chancellor Bartholomew today the Government’s partnership with Ulster University, including on the new teaching building project and funding of student healthcare training places in Derry. We also discussed Ulster University’s wider development and expansion plans and commitment to cross-border cooperation, in delivering a world-class institution that attracts students and researchers from across the island of Ireland, Great Britain and around the world.

“The Government will be working to see cross-border tertiary education and research links, both North/South and East/West, reach even greater heights in the time ahead.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris delivers the 2024 John Hume and Thomas P. O’Neill Chair Peace Lecture

Ulster University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholomew said: “We were delighted to welcome Taoiseach Simon Harris to Ulster University in Derry to showcase our thriving campus and our ambitious plans for growth as we look ahead to the development of the new teaching and student services building supported by the Government of Ireland, through the Shared Island initiative.

“The Taoiseach has been a long-standing supporter of our work here in the North West, both during his time as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and now, as Taoiseach. Today’s visit was an opportunity to further discuss our distinct regional mission and our shared commitment to transform education and support economic growth in the North West.”

“In Derry, we are providing the most comprehensive healthcare higher education offering in the UK and Ireland.

Ulster University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholomew and Taoiseach Simon Harris visit the site on which a new teaching and student services building will be developed, supported by cross border investment from the Irish Government

"This is a campus that is addressing key challenges in the healthcare sector head on, whether that be through training the next wave of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to combat staff shortages across the North West and beyond, or with our pioneering research into personalised medicine. It was a pleasure to discuss this with the Taoiseach and share our plans for continued investment in Derry.”

The visit comes as Ulster University is nominated for University of the Year by Times Higher Education and recognised as the highest-ranking UK university for outreach activities, and fifth in the world overall, in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024.