Press release
Minister Harris visits Derry and Belfast to meet higher education leaders
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD will today (Monday, 6 December 2021) travel to Derry and Belfast today to meet higher education leaders.
As part of the visit, Minister Harris will visit the Ulster University (UU) Magee Campus and Queens University, Belfast (QUB) to meet with the vice-chancellors and their senior management teams.
Speaking today, the Minister said:
“I have spoken on many occasions of the rich history of collaboration between further and higher education institutions, North and South. Today, I have the chance to visit and engage directly with the leadership teams in the University of Ulster and Queen University Belfast. North-South collaboration is a major action in my Department’s Statement of Strategy, and this visit today allows me to confirm my personal commitment to this policy.
“My Department has been working with colleagues in Northern Ireland to develop proposals to improve collaboration across the island of Ireland and today will be a chance to progress these discussions with colleagues in Derry and Belfast.”
Minister Harris will also discuss opportunities for research collaboration on the development of all-island research centres.
He stated:
“Both the 'New Decade, New Approach' agreement and the Programme for Government have been very clear on the importance of enhanced cross border collaboration. The Taoiseach's announcement of the Shared Island Initiative is also very significant in terms of contributing additional progress in further and higher education, both North and South. My Department is working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach, as well as with the Department of Foreign Affairs, our colleagues in Northern Ireland and a range of other stakeholders North and South.”
Minister Harris will also welcome the approval of the Northern Ireland Government to the draft PEACE PLUS programme. For the first time, a dedicated programme of €50 million has been provisionally set aside to enable the delivery of targeted initiatives in Northern Ireland and the border counties in Ireland.
Reflecting on the series of positive engagements, Minister Harris stated:
“The further and higher education systems, North and South, have encountered the same issues during the past 18 months, and indeed, further back. I want to listen, I want to hear how UU and QUB are managing and adjusting for the future.
"It makes sense to ensure that we learn from each other's systems, and where it is possible that we maximise the delivery of teaching, learning and research resources efficiently through sharing best practice. It is in the interests of all, especially our respective student bodies, that we do so. This has been central to my approach on North-South matters and will continue to guide my Department’s work on this important agenda.”
Minster Harris hopes to return again in the near future, and have a similar engagement with representatives of the regional colleges in Northern Ireland.