A university expansion plan will deliver a significant “step change” to economic and social justice in Derry.
The Ulster University Magee Taskforce presented their action plan to Stormont Economy Minister Conor Murphy on Monday which aims to expand the campus to 10,000 students.
It also includes specific plans for new teaching facilities and confirmation of the range of subjects that will be delivered on site, proposals for widening participation among the people of Derry, integrating the plan with wider city developments and a model of governance to oversee delivery.
The taskforce, which was established by Mr Murphy in March, says its plan requires an investment from the Executive, including £291 million for new developments, property purchases and refurbished buildings and public realm.
Economy Minister @ConorMurphySF has received the report and action plan from the Ulster University Magee Taskforce
➡️Read more:https://t.co/exa8IZGNQa#DeliveringForDerry#UUMagee10000 pic.twitter.com/ZBmPHRmQjvAdvertisement— Economy NI (@Economy_NI) December 16, 2024
KPMG have been engaged to provide an economic impact report, and it estimates that these investments will see an economic return as early as 2029, with a £258 million annual return on the investment for each year beyond that.
According to KPMG, the plan will lead to an estimated total of more than 4,600 jobs across Northern Ireland, with more than half of all jobs concentrated in the local north-west economy.
The taskforce also says the Western Health and Social Care Trust confirms the plan will ensure workforce stability for the health and social care system and improve health outcomes and life expectancy.
Stephen Kelly, chairman of the Magee Taskforce, said an expanded campus will “change the face and fortunes of Derry”.
“Reaching this major milestone is testament to the range of people in this group who have each brought their own expertise and experience to bear on this project,” he said.
“We are beginning to reverse decades of neglect and underinvestment.
“An expanded campus at Ulster University’s Magee campus changes the face and the fortunes of Derry, benefits the entire North West and Northern Ireland.”
Convincing people of the "why" is difficult. Crossing the rubicon from "why" to "how" requires relentless effort.
We have delivered our Action Plan to Conor Murphy MLA to finally delivery the commitment to grow Ulster University Magee campus to 10,000 students. /1 pic.twitter.com/RMJH6HL7tHAdvertisement— Stephen Kelly (@Big_Kells) December 16, 2024
“The expansion of Magee is universally agreed as the most important catalyst for the regeneration of the North West, but does require considerable input from key decision-makers and the prioritising of this project, as is the commitment in the Programme for Government, means it must be resourced and supported at all levels of government.
“These required investments are significant, but in public sector spending terms not undeliverable sums.
“These commitments must be made urgently if this timescale is to be met. In all our engagement to date, the Taskforce has been assured that such necessary investment will be forthcoming, and in the timescales indicated by our plan.
“A sense of urgency must now accompany the delivery of this plan.”
Mr Murphy welcomed the report as a “game changer for economic growth and social transformation across the North West”.
“It will serve as a blueprint for continued collaboration among government, academia, the private sector, and the community and voluntary sector, to deliver the 10,000-student target at Ulster University’s Magee campus by 2032,” he said.
“It is a key commitment in the draft Programme for Government. With the support of the Executive and the action plan in place, now is the time to deliver real change.”
He added: “We now have a plan to get us to 10,000 students. After that target is reached the sky is the limit for Derry.”
