UU Magee Taskforce - meeting minutes - 8 September 2025

Agenda

• Welcome
• Conflict of Interest
• Minutes from last meeting
• Progress Update
• Progress Report from DfE
• Student Accommodation
• Update on capital projects
• Update on student numbers
• Feedback on reports
• Future work plan and engagement
• Any other business
• Date of next meeting

In attendance

Name	Role
Stephen Kelly (Chair) (SK)	CEO, Manufacturing NI
Nicola Skelly (Vice-Chair) (NS) - Virtual	Executive Director, Washington Ireland Programme
Prof. Paul Bartholomew (PB)	Vice-Chancellor, Ulster University
Moira Doherty (MD)	Deputy Secretary, Skills and Education Group, Department for the Economy
Prof. Paul Seawright OBE (PS)	Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Ulster University
Paul Hannigan (PH)	Head of College, Atlantic Technological University Donegal
Emily Smyth (ES)	President, Ulster University Students Union
Gavin Killeen MBE (GK)	Managing Director, Nuprint Technologies Limited
Dr Catherine O’Mullan – Deputising for Leo Murphy	Director of Curriculum & Academic Standards, North West Regional College
John Healy OBE (JH)	Chair, Invest NI
Mary MacIntyre OBE (MM)	Chartered Town Planner
Ian McKenna (IK)	Principal Officer, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Alison Wallace (AW)	Strategy Manager, Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership
Linda McGuinness (LMG)	Director of Magee Expansion Branch, DfE

Apologies

Paddy Mackel (PM)	University and College Union
John Kelpie (JK)	Chief Executive, Derry City & Strabane District Council
Leo Murphy (LM)	Principal and Chief Executive, North West Regional College
Steven Lindsay (SL)	Deputy Vice President, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce
Philip Rodgers (PR)	Director of Workforce Policy, Department of Health
Dawn McLaughlin (DM)	Non-Executive Director, Invest NI

Welcome

SK welcomed attendees to the meeting and noted apologies from members unable to attend. He extended a warm welcome to Dr Catherine Mullan, Director of Curriculum & Academic Standards at North West Regional College, attending on behalf of Leo Murphy, and to Emily Smyth, new President of Ulster University Students’ Union, who is replacing Ethan Davies.

Conflict of Interest

Members confirmed that there were no conflicts of interest to be declared.

Minutes from Last Meeting

All Taskforce members confirmed they were content, and no amendments were required to the minutes of the previous meeting.

Progress Update

Stephen provided an overview of the status of ongoing and planned projects. He noted that the Taskforce is now halfway through its tenure and extended his appreciation to all contributors for their continued efforts. He highlighted that, according to the Taskforce action plan, several projects are scheduled to commence in 2025, with significant capital funding required to be secured and spent by 2029. He posed a key strategic question: what actions are needed to secure funding beyond 2027, stressing the importance of reaching a “point of no return” during the current Assembly mandate to ensure delivery of the Action Plan.

SK emphasised that student accommodation is a critical factor in the success of the Magee expansion. He noted that supply is currently insufficient, resulting in some students being unable to accept places at Magee as they cannot secure accommodation. As a result, the University has had to widen the catchment area beyond which the University would guarantee accommodation for first year students.

MM highlighted the need for additional staffing in the Magee Expansion division to meet the demands of the programme. MD agreed, acknowledging the pressure on the team and confirming that recruitment efforts are underway. She stressed the importance of securing individuals with the appropriate skillsets, noting that some of the roles required are not typically filled by civil servants. She also confirmed that the staffing was not impacting on the delivery of the programme.

GK queried the timeline for delivery of the Programme Business Case (PBC). LMG responded that the PBC is delayed by 3.5 weeks at this point, with a final version expected by 31 October. She explained that the delay is partly due to the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) awaiting key data from the Department of Health (DoH) and other partners, but reassured members that no projects are currently being held up as a result. JH urged a move away from short-term thinking and emphasised the need for the PBC to align long-term aspirations with sustained support. MD added that the PBC will be instrumental in safeguarding the sustainability of the expansion.

GK raised concerns about future funding in the context of the additional student intake, as private sector investment will depend on a clear commitment to funding for the proposed 10,000 students. He noted that all government departments face significant macro-level financial pressures and stressed the importance of submitting the programme to the Executive. MD confirmed that the Minister is fully committed to the Magee expansion, describing it as her top priority, and stated that she intends to make a formal bid to the Executive.

Progress Report from DFE

LMG gave an update on the work of DfE since the last Taskforce meeting: Budget 2025/26

LMG presented an update on the Revenue Budget for 2025/26, confirming that all projects remain on track. She advised the Taskforce that three-year revenue and four- year capital budgets have been submitted to Department of Finance (DoF) for the costs of the next four years. PS highlighted that initiatives funded in the previous year, particularly in marketing, have resulted in tangible student growth and demonstrated a clear link between investment and regional development. He noted that the new Sports and Exercise course, supported by the Department, is on course to exceed its projected enrolment figures.

PB noted that whilst the University does fund its own market engagement activities, the Department is supplementing the University as core funding does not cover these additional activities. He also pointed out that although the Department appears to be investing significantly in Allied Health and Nursing places, the University continues to incur losses on these programmes due to underfunding. He stressed that this issue needs to be addressed by the Department of Health (DoH).

LMG presented an overview of the Capital Budget for 2025/26, outlining the key projects that have been identified for investment. SK emphasised the urgent need to formally announce the School of Medicine, stressing that this initiative requires strong political support to progress.

PB cautioned that the University is not prepared to expand subject areas that currently operate at a financial loss without a sustainable funding model in place. He stated that while he is willing to take on the risk associated with the design stage of capital development, he cannot commit to DoH student places at the current funding level or further capital investment under the current funding model. LMG confirmed that ongoing meetings with DoH are taking place to discuss student numbers with PB’s staff.

NS asked what the key outcomes should be from the upcoming meeting with DoH and highlighted the importance of aligning with workforce planning. LMG responded that confirmed enrolment figures are essential for the completion of the PBC. PS noted that uncertainty around the number of student places complicates recruitment efforts. He added that while Republic of Ireland-funded places are valuable, notification of these places often comes late in the recruitment cycle, creating additional challenges.

SK stressed the importance of drawing down the funding allocated for the establishment of a Project Management Office (PMO) within Ulster University (UU). PB advised that a Business Case for the PMO has been submitted to the Department but emphasised that strategic leadership is essential and cannot be substituted.

Future Budgets

LMG confirmed that future budget requirements will be incorporated into the PBC, with capital investment figures mapped through to 2035/36. SK emphasised that any commitments made prior to 2029/30 should be considered irreversible and beyond the point of no return to ensure long-term stability.

PB addressed a common misconception that the expansion is solely about financial investment, clarifying that it is fundamentally about the distribution of risk. He acknowledged that while DfE funding will come with conditions, it is essential to frame the conversation around risk-sharing. He stressed that the University cannot assume more risk than it can manage and must demonstrate clear strategies to mitigate those risks while remaining solution-focused. MD supported the need for a strategic dialogue with the Department, aimed at future-proofing the University and ensuring sustainable growth.

Private sector

GK provided an update on the work of the private sector subgroup. He acknowledged that while Derry is home to many successful companies, most sectors are represented by only one business in that sector, which limits opportunities for collaboration with the University on research due to issues of scale. He recognised that whilst driving economic growth is not the sole responsibility of Ulster University, the institution is a key enabler and can play a significant role in supporting development. GK suggested exploring lessons from other institutions and considering how the Department might assist in applying those insights locally. He reported that the Taskforce has engaged with numerous local companies, resulting in constructive dialogue and identifying philanthropic opportunities. GK also presented the private sector study produced by KPMG, noting the high level of engagement achieved within just three weeks. He highlighted a successful breakfast meeting held at Ulster University, which brought together over 16 businesses and entrepreneurs, and emphasised that stakeholders expressed strong interest in continued participation.

JH expressed strong support for the work presented, describing it as phenomenal. However, he noted that the initiatives come with a significant cost and emphasised the importance of evaluating impact versus return. LMG spoke about the need for prioritisation as not all initiatives are affordable.

PB commended the report for its quality and the valuable suggestions it contained. He pointed out, however, that there were some omissions regarding areas where UU already demonstrates exceptional performance.

JH added that not all responsibilities lie solely with the University. He stressed the importance of maintaining an ongoing dialogue with Invest NI, noting that the development of the pipeline and skills is a shared effort.

Marketing

SK asked LMG if she was content with the engagement from all partners. LMG advised that there has been good engagement from Tourism NI and Ulster University.

Widening Participation

AW acknowledged the strong engagement from Ulster University and North West Regional College (NWRC) in the development of the Widening Participation report. However, she expressed concern that the initiatives outlined in the report lacked sufficient community engagement. In response, LMG confirmed that this issue had been identified by the Widening Participation branch within the Department, and as a result, the report’s publication has been slightly delayed to allow for further consideration.

Community Engagement

SK informed the Taskforce that correspondence from Concerned Residents Around Magee (CRAM) had been included in the pre-meeting pack. He emphasised that most local residents do not have concerns regarding the student population and therefore cautioned against any negative messaging about their presence in the area. SK stated that he did not consider it necessary to convene a separate meeting with CRAM, as there are already established channels for engagement between the community and the University. SK agreed to notify CRAM.

Action Point 1: SK to notify CRAM of the established channels of engagement between the community and the university.

AW agreed, noting that she had encountered negative messaging at recent community events, which she felt should be actively challenged. SK added that it will be important for the newly appointed Social Licence Lead to address and counteract such messaging as part of their role.

Forward Look

LMG concluded with a forward look, outlining key workstreams scheduled for completion over the coming months. These include:

Finalisation of the Programme Business Case by October 2025

Arrangement of the Gateway review

Continued progress on the development of a three-year budget

Advancement of governance and staffing plans

Following this overview, SK opened the floor for questions.

Student Accommodation

MM & LMG provided an update on student accommodation and then opened the floor to comments.

PS raised a concern about planning anomalies, explaining that Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are usually defined as four-bed units, while Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) typically consists of 20 beds. As a result, proposals for 10- and 12-bed units have been rejected because they do not meet either definition. He emphasised that further work is needed to address this issue.

JH questioned where students are staying given the high student-to-bed ratio. MM responded that many students are commuting. PS added that 53% of applicants from the Republic of Ireland want accommodation, and students in Allied Health disciplines particularly seek housing due to the intensity of their courses. JH asked whether there is any student accommodation available in Altnagelvin Hospital. PS confirmed that they are also struggling to meet demand.

PB noted that the University is scaling back recruitment of international students to prioritise local demand but acknowledged that this has implications. JH expressed concern that reducing international student numbers is not beneficial for the city’s social and economic fabric.

IMK described the issue as island-wide, noting challenges in attracting investment. Regarding the Shared Island initiative, he reported that a further tranche of funding is expected, but demand already exceeds supply and student accommodation may not qualify for the application process.

PS asked whether the working group could develop an indicative timeline for delivery if planning constraints were lifted, noting that it is difficult to model student numbers without clarity on timelines. MM responded that there is no straightforward solution, as delivery depends on private developers and is subject to multiple constraints.

MM noted that some actions are being considered to stimulate the HMO market, in collaboration with the Council. SK emphasised the need for a developer brief to support engagement with potential landlords. MM concluded by stating that this remains a complex issue requiring coordinated efforts on multiple fronts.

Update on Capital Projects

DfE officials provided an update on the status of capital projects. The most significant issue identified was infrastructure capacity, which is currently rated as red.

The recent announcement from NI Water regarding challenges with the Shared Island teaching block came as an unexpected development. PS outlined two potential solutions and emphasised the need to consider the entire scheme holistically. He further noted that the ongoing conversations between water and transport authorities represent the most complex challenge, though engagement has been strong. He also highlighted that the proposed building design is among the most attractive across the university’s three-campus estate.

PB confirmed that the projects are proceeding at risk, particularly CADRIC and the School of Medicine (SOM). Should the risk issues remain unresolved, the status of these projects may change. He noted that recruitment of students has progressed ahead of schedule, and growth is currently on track to flatline in line with the expectations laid out in the Taskforce Report.

Update on Student Numbers

PS reported that student demand continues to outperform market expectations, with Derry-Londonderry campus experiencing a 21% increase in applications. He noted that firm choices from ROI applicants are also up, though many of these students require access to suitable accommodation. While it is currently difficult to project exact enrolment figures, the university is confident to reach at least 6,300 students.

PS explained that the University is at capacity in terms of timetabling, and that residential accommodation challenges persist. He acknowledged that the strategic focus on campus balance has been well understood, with other campuses remaining static while attention is concentrated on Magee. PS noted that student numbers in Belfast, across all providers, have a very direct impact on Derry.

Feedback on reports

No updates or matters to note at this time.

Future work plan and engagement

SK noted that a major upcoming task is the preparation of a Taskforce ‘one year on’ report, due in December. He indicated that he has specific thoughts regarding the structure of the report and will contribute to shaping its format and content, with input from the Taskforce.

Any other business

No other business.

Date of next meeting

The date of the next meeting was confirmed for 12 November 2025.

 

Action Points

No.	Action Point	Owner	Status
1	SK to notify CRAM of the established channels of engagement between the community and the university.	Taskforce