The group campaigning for the development of the Derry campus of the University of Ulster has welcomed the launch of the tender exercise for the commissioning of a study into the economic benefits of Magee College.
The study is seen as the next stage in the planning process for the substantial expansion of Magee and is intended to lead to the preparation of a full business plan for submission to the Department for Education and Learning and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Padraig Canavan, U4D chairperson, said described the news as an “excellent move forward.”
He said: “We have been persuaded by the evidence that we have seen that the substantial expansion of Magee will lead to a massive economic boost for the city of Derry and for the wider North West and that this will create a big benefit for the whole of Northern Ireland. Our objective is that this piece of work will be equally persuasive on Stormont and the rest of Northern Ireland.
“We would like to put on record our thanks for the work of Derry City Council, Ilex, Maeve McLaughlin MLA and the other politicians who have been supportive of this process.”
Mr Canavan concluded: We look forward to the continued partnership producing results that will be measurable not just in student numbers at Magee, but also in economic outcomes for the city and its people.”