Derry university group want Ulster University to hand over Magee campus

A group fighting for the creation of an independent university in Derry has called on Ulster University to hand over its Magee campus for the project.

The Derry University Group (DUG) has asked local politicians to put pressure on Ulster University to hand over its Magee lands and budgets immediately to allow the city to run its own third-level institute independently.

A DUG spokesperson claimed the promise of 80 ‘possible’ new medical student places by 2019 was 7,000 places short of UU’s commitment to Derry.

The spokesperson said that Ulster University promised to have 10,000 full time students at Magee by 2020 under the 2011 One Plan for the city.

“Currently, because of the recent raft of course closures, including last week’s shock nursing cutbacks, Magee has fewer than 3,000 full-time students, and that number is dropping every year,” the spokesperson said.

The local campaign group said that Ulster University’s vice-chancellor Professor Paddy Nixon is hosting a meeting with ‘interested parties’ in Derry tomorrow to discuss the proposed new medical school.

However, the DUG spokesperson claimed the development, if it ever happens, will have less than a quarter of the intake than UU’s new veterinary college and science centre planned for Coleraine.

The group have called on the new mayor, Maeliosa McHugh, and the new MP, Elisha McCallion, to let UU know that the city ‘cannot wait any longer on more broken promises’.

“UU, ever since its sectarian origins in the 1960s, has failed this city for more than 50 years,” said the DUG spokesperson.

“We have the lowest levels of third level provision on these islands.

“Surely, our city has a responsibility to call time on this unworkable relationship?

“If Professor Nixon cannot outline immediately how he intends to have 7,000 new student places at Magee by 2020, in line with UU’s promise to this city, then we would be reckless to continue our partnership with his institution.

“The proposed new medical school is at best a stalling tactic on UU’s behalf. They are not serious about growing the university properly – otherwise we would have seen their plans.

“Our new MP and Mayor, along with our other elected representatives and leaders of civic society, must tell Professor Nixon that UU should return Magee’s lands – and all associated running and developing costs – to the city of Derry, so we can manage and develop our own university ourselves.”