Higher education is crucially important to our economy and society in Northern Ireland. But in the context of significant public spending constraints, the sustainability of our higher education system has come under serious pressure over the last number of years.
This is now having a significant impact on the size of Northern Ireland’s higher education system, the quality of its provision, and its ability to compete with its closest competitors and on an international stage.
The Big Conversation
The Big Conversation is an innovative and experimental approach to engaging with people about these critical issues.
The first stage – Did you Know? – will test how much you know about why we need higher education, how we deliver and fund it, and the impact of our disinvestment.
The second stage – Have your Say – will then offer you the chance to have your say about the future of Northern Ireland’s higher education system.
Big Conversation | Dates |
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Stage 1 - Did you know? | 15/9/15 to 02/10/15 |
Stage 2 - Have your say | 06/10/15 to 23/10/15 |
Minister's statement
On 15 September 2015, Minister Stephen Farry made a statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly outlining purpose of the "Higher Education Big Conversation".
Minister's Video
The Minister outlines the reason for the Big Conversation in this video.