UU Magee Taskforce - meeting minutes 1 July 2024
Agenda
| 1. Welcome | Chair/Vice Chair |
| 2. Conflict of interest | All |
| 3. Minutes from last meeting/update on action points | Chair/DfE |
| 4. Summary of previous meeting | Chair/Vice Chair |
| 5. Future work plan and engagement | Chair/Vice Chair |
| 6. Presentation: Student accommodation | UU |
| 7. Discussion: Review of Infrastructure Issues | All |
| 8. Discussion: Contents of the Interim report | All |
| 9. Any other business | Chair/Vice Chair |
| 10. Date of next meeting | All |
Taskforce members in attendance
Chair, Stephen Kelly (SK) | CEO, Manufacturing NI |
Prof. Paul Bartholomew (PB) | Vice-Chancellor, Ulster University |
Prof. Paul Seawright OBE (PS) | Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Ulster University |
Moira Doherty (MD) | Deputy Secretary, Skills and Education Group, Department for the Economy |
John Kelpie (JK) | Chief Executive, Derry City & Strabane District Council |
Alison Wallace (AW) | Strategy Manager, Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership |
Paul Hannigan (PH) | Head of College, Atlantic Technological University Donegal |
Steven Lindsay (SL) | Deputy Vice President, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce |
Gavin Killeen MBE (GK) | Managing Director, Nuprint Technologies Limited |
Ian McKenna (IK) | Principal Officer, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
Apologies
Vice-Chair, Nicola Skelly (NS) | Executive Director, Washington Ireland Programme |
Leo Murphy (LM) | Principal and Chief Executive, North West Regional College |
Dawn McLaughlin (DL) | Non-Executive Director, Invest NI |
Mary MacIntyre OBE (MM) | Chartered Town Planner |
Paddy Mackel (PM) | University and College Union |
Rebecca Allen (RA) | President, Ulster University Students Union |
Welcome
SK welcomed attendees to the meeting and introduced Ian McKenna who has joined the Taskforce as a member.
Conflict of Interest
One additional Conflict of Interest was noted – a member of the Taskforce has a relative that works at Magee.
Minutes from last meeting/update on action points
All Taskforce members confirmed they were content, and no amendments were required to the minutes of the previous meeting. The secretariat provided updates on the DfE owned Action Points via email.
Summary of previous meeting
SK provided a recap of the previous meeting. He noted the positive meeting with community representatives and the need for the expansion to work for the university, the city, and the community. He recognised that the biggest issues identified by community representatives are parking and student accommodation. He also suggested that a public realm scheme from Duncreggan student village to the campus could be explored. SK reiterated that the expansion of the campus must be designed in partnership with the local community with early and ongoing engagement.
Future work plan and engagement
SK updated members on engagement with other stakeholders and the areas that still need further discussion. He suggested the Taskforce consider exploring ‘bridgehead programmes’ as a potential offer at Magee. He advised that Neil Guckian, Chief Executive of the Western Health & Social Care Trust (WHSCT) will attend the next Taskforce meeting.
SK advised that a student experience survey has been circulated to all Ulster University students and feedback will be shared with the Taskforce before the next meeting. He suggested that a similar survey could be sent to staff.
SK confirmed he is due to appear as a witness at the Committee for the Economy on 18 September when members visit Magee.
SK gave an update on the status of resourcing the new Magee Expansion Division within the Department for the Economy.
Action Point 1: DfE to seek further info regarding existing ‘bridgehead programmes.’
Presentation: Student accommodation
PB and PS provided the Taskforce with an overview of Ulster University’s current student accommodation offering and occupancy rates in Derry-Londonderry. They noted that there is no private purpose-built student accommodation and limited supply of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the city, which makes it more difficult for students to find accommodation. They reiterated the urgent need for more purpose-built student accommodation in the city to support the expansion of the university campus. PS noted that suitable accommodation should be located close to the campus, be affordable, enhance the student experience and ensure the safety and well-being of students. PB acknowledged that building accommodation will take time and the university is committed to a long-term plan to increase student accommodation. He also noted alternative models the University would be willing to consider to promote long term sustainability.
JK advised that there are many suitable sites for accommodation near the campus and agreed to collaborate more closely with the University to progress any planning applications.
Action Point 2: Ulster University to share accommodation presentation and Cushman & Wakefield review of student accommodation with Strategic Investment Board representative.
Discussion: Review of Infrastructure Issues
The Taskforce members noted the summary of Infrastructure issues discussed at the last meeting and SK invited members to provide any other feedback. He advised that officials from Department for Infrastructure (DfI) will be invited to a future meeting to discuss these issues.
Discussion: Contents of the Interim report
The Taskforce discussed the potential content of the interim report and the need to manage expectations around it being an ‘interim’ report
Any other business
GK noted the paper on A level examination results prepared by the Department for the Economy (DfE) and Department of Education (DE). He stated he believes that students in school should be advised to choose A-level subjects based on their desired career and the future skills needs of the economy.
MD stated that DfE is responsible for the Careers Service and DE is responsible for careers education in schools. She referenced the 14-19 Framework, a joint strategy which focuses on improving the pathways for young people as they transition from education into careers. MD suggested to the Chair that he invite officials from DE to a future meeting to discuss careers education.
SK asked the Taskforce to consider any emerging data gaps and inform the secretariat.
Action Point 3: DfE to follow up with Chair to confirm if representative from the Department of Education can be scheduled in future work plan.
Action Point 4: Taskforce members to contact secretariat if they require further data.
Date of next meeting
The next meeting was confirmed for 6 August 2024.
Action Points
Action points from this meeting:
No. | Action Point | Owner | Status |
1. | DfE to seek further info regarding existing ‘bridgehead programmes.’ | DfE | |
2. | Ulster University to share accommodation presentation and Cushman & Wakefield review of student accommodation with Strategic Investment Board representative. | UU | |
3. | DfE to follow up with Chair to confirm if representative from the Department of Education can be scheduled in future work plan. | DfE | |
4. | Taskforce members to contact secretariat if they require further data. | Taskforce |
Action points brought forward from previous meetings:
No. | Action Point | Owner | Status |
1. | DfE to obtain guidance from Minister on the interpretation of the 10,000 student commitment within NDNA. | DfE | |
2. | DfE to engage with DoH regarding Allied Health Professional places at Magee and tuition fee loan arrangements for students attending the Graduate Entry Medical School. | DfE | |
3. | DfE to contact Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to arrange meeting regarding infrastructure issues discussed. | DfE | |
4. | Taskforce to consider a meeting with University of Limerick in the coming months. | Taskforce |