It was over three decades ago that the city of Derry was denied its bid for an independent university. The decision dealt a body blow to the city and helped to spark the civil conflict. The issue, however, refuses to die.
The Independent Millennium University Committee for Derry/Londonderry has been recently established to lobby for a new university for the city. "The Labour Government is committed to increasing the higher education participation rates especially among working class students.
How can you do that if you can't provide people with local university places," asks Derry-born Theresa Murphy, a visiting lecturer at UU, who is the committee's spokesperson. Murphy is critical of what she sees as the slow pace of expansion at Magee. "Their stated medium-term growth plan is inadequate given the amount of higher education required. UU isn't pushing hard enough for change. They're too accepting and aren't trying to change government policy. " There's little outward evidence of long term growth plans, she argues. "Magee isn't acquiring new land."
Murphy highlights a need for a new campus on the Waterside, which is predominantly Protestant. "People see the river as a dividing force - a university on both sides of the Foyle would symbolise the new political ideology of consensus politics as opposed to conflict. Universities can be potent engines of social cohesion. If we are to move forward we must unite the city and what better way to do than through education?" But why an independent university rather than an enhanced Magee campus? Murphy is critical of the fact that Magee offers only a relatively limited range of subjects. "Magee doesn't offer maths, pure science, economics, law or languages," she notes. "The lack of availability of such degrees denies our undergraduates vital job prospects. You can't study for an English degree in a city which has produced two Nobel Laureates. The choice of courses shouldn't be an internal arrangement of UU. Derry is the second city of Northern Ireland and decisions should be made based on students needs and demands. Derry has a right to a full university with a curriculum range and courses similar to those offered by Queens."
Magee's planned investment of £2.7 million over three years is "minuscule in relation to our needs". QUB, she notes, is currently undergoing a £25 million investment and academic restructuring plan. "Derry's population is twice that of Coleraine, yet Coleraine has almost twice the number of university places," Murphy points out. "Belfast's population is just under three times that of Derry, yet Belfast has nearly twelve times the number of university places."
