UU Magee Taskforce - meeting minutes 9 April 2024

Inaugural meeting

Tuesday 9 April 2024 at 2.00pm.

Agenda

1. Welcome and introductions                                               
2. Conflict of interest                                                   
3. Background                                                              
4. Presentation                                                             
5. Draft ToR                                                                              
6. Data requirements                                     
7. Date of future meetings                                                                              
8. Next steps                                                                            
9. Any other business                                                 

Taskforce members in attendance

Apologies

Steven Lindsay (SL) - Deputy Vice President, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce  

Agenda items

1. Welcome and introductions

SK welcomed the attendees to the inaugural meeting. He reiterated to the group that the expansion of the Magee campus is a priority action for the Minister following the New Decade, New Approach agreement. SK specified that the role of the taskforce, as set out in the Terms of Reference, is to deliver a co-designed action plan to expand the Ulster University campus in Derry to 10,000 students.

Taskforce members were invited to introduce themselves. Each taskforce member introduced themselves and gave a short overview of what they might bring to the work of the taskforce.
 

2. Conflicts of interest

None declared.

3. Background

Mark Lee (Director of Higher Education, Department for the Economy) provided the taskforce an overview on the roles, responsibilities and live issues for the department in higher education including policy, funding, and governance of the sector (education at levels 4 and above). Mark provided further information on higher education finance, including student support funding and institutional funding, and the maximum student number (MaSN).

The taskforce discussed in more detail what students/subjects fall within and outside of the MaSN as well as geographical variances regarding the MaSN.

Action Point 1: The secretariat to provide data on cost to the department of NI domiciled students that study in Great Britain

4. Presentation

PB presented a summary of matters relevant to the university in the expansion of Magee. He discussed Ulster University’s strategic plan, “People, Place and Partnership”, and how their aims and commitments are very much aligned with the aim of the taskforce in expanding the Derry-Londonderry campus to 10,000 students and promoting the regional economy.

PB provided data on student applications and enrolments at the Derry-Londonderry campus, data on where NI-domiciled students were choosing to study outside of NI and the subject areas they study.

The group noted and discussed the data presented by Ulster University.

Action Point 2:  The secretariat to source the following:

• research or data available on determined and reluctant leavers NI
• data on school leavers and current trends – subjects studied, aspirations, realistic size of the projections towards HE
• data on population demographics of Republic of Ireland.

5. Draft ToR

The group discussed the draft Terms of Reference. There was agreement subject to minor amendments, including the need to expand on the reference regarding Section 75, and noting that they will be kept under continual review along with the membership.

Action Point 3: The secretariat to update the Terms of Reference and re-circulate to members for sign off.

6. Data requirements

NS noted the importance of having good quality data to establish baselines, understand the market and make informed decisions.

The group discussed the data required from the department and the university to assist with delivery of the Terms of Reference.

7. Date of future meetings

SK highlighted the need to continue with this work at pace and asked the secretariat to send out list of dates for the next few meetings.

Action Point 4 : The secretariat to propose a list of dates for the next meetings and send to members.

8. Next steps

SK thanked the members for their attendance at the inaugural meeting and asked the group to reflect on the discussion.

Action Point 5: Taskforce members to email any questions arising from the meeting to the secretariat for response/coordination.

9. Any other business

None noted at this time.

Summary of action points