Calls for united approach towards securing expansion of Magee

A public meeting in Derry tonight heard calls for a united approach towards securing the expansion of Magee.

The meeting was organised by the University for Derry (U4D) group which wants the Ulster University to more than double the number of students at its Magee campus in the city.

A new organisation called the Derry University Group was recently set up to lobby for an independent university in Derry.

However, tonight's meeting in St Columb's Hall, which was attended by around 150 people, was told that expansion at Magee was the best way for Derry to increase its student population.

Padraig Canavan from U4D said the demand was that the student population at Magee be expanded from the current 4,000 to 9,400.

He said this would have a huge impact on the local economy.

Mr Canavan said it was important that people got behind the Magee expansion campaign.

The Bishop of Derry, Dr Donal McKeown, told the meeting that an expanded university would bring new people to Derry and enable young local people to remain in the city to study.

"Too many of our 18-year-olds are being bred for export," said Bishop McKeown.

Commentator Denis Bradley said the power to push forward the expansion of the Magee campus rested with the devolved administration at Stormont.

He said local politicans had a vital role to play in the campaign.

"Politics will make this happen and politics will allow this not to happen," he said.

For extensive coverage of tonight's meeting, see Monday's Derry News.