{"id":10888,"date":"2024-09-11T16:07:03","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T16:07:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.godj.com\/news\/derry-student-expansion-needs-700m\/"},"modified":"2024-09-11T16:07:03","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T16:07:03","slug":"derry-student-expansion-needs-700m","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.godj.com\/news\/derry-student-expansion-needs-700m\/","title":{"rendered":"Derry student expansion ‘needs \u00a3700m’"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Progress on growing student numbers at Ulster University’s Derry campus has been made but a number of challenges remain, an interim report finds<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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About \u00a3700m of investment is needed to raise student numbers at Ulster University’s Londonderry campus to 10,000, an interim report has found.<\/p>\n

The Ulster University Magee Taskforce report said a significant part of that required \u00a3700m for expansion has already been secured or committed.<\/p>\n

It also said progress on growing student numbers has been made, but a number of challenges remain.<\/p>\n

Those challenges, the taskforce said, include the availability of suitable accommodation and a government set cap on Northern Ireland student numbers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Established in March by Stormont\u2019s Economy Minister Conor Murphy, the taskforce\u2019s remit is to develop and oversee an action plan<\/a> to expand the campus in Derry, formerly known as Magee.<\/p>\n

The taskforce said the required \u00a3700m is needed for new teaching blocks, research space and student accommodation.<\/p>\n

Its chair, Stephen Kelly, said Wednesday\u2019s report marks \u201can important milestone\u201d and gives the expansion a \u201cpathway for delivery\u201d.<\/p>\n

The economy minister said the report provides the “basis of a plan, developed by and with local people, to actually deliver expansion”.<\/p>\n

“The taskforce has set out exactly what is needed from various partners, including my department,” Mr Murphy said.<\/p>\n

“We will now work together to finalise a delivery plan and drive progress towards the 10,000 target.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The expansion of Magee is seen by many in the north west as a key economic driver for the region<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Ulster University (UU) said it welcomed the publication of the taskforce report. <\/p>\n

It has outlined its intention to increase numbers at the campus to more than 7,000 – currently there are about 5,000 students studying at UU in Derry.<\/p>\n

It is expected to reach 6,500 students in two years and to further grow to 7,000 students in 2028.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In its first report, the taskforce identifies a number of key \u201casks\u201d of, among others, the Stormont and Irish governments, UU and the local council.<\/p>\n

Those requests, needed to help reach the expansion target, include:<\/p>\n