The Coleraine Future Town Fund (CFTF) Board has written to Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Minister for the Economy and to Prof Paul Bartholomew, Vice Chancellor of Ulster University, to express serious concern following Ulster University’s announcement of proposals to shed 450 posts due to ongoing financial pressures.
In the letter, the Board highlighted the strategic importance of Ulster University’s Coleraine campus to the regeneration of the town and the wider Causeway Coast and Glens area. The campus has been identified as an essential component of the Coleraine 10‑Year Vision and Regeneration Plan, which has been approved and commended by the UK Government’s Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The Board called on the Minister and the Vice Chancellor to help ensure that the internationally recognised teaching and research strengths at Coleraine are protected and supported, including biomedical sciences such as nutrition, optometry and vision science, and pharmacy, alongside environmental sciences, tourism, business, humanities and psychology. The letter also underlined the role these strengths play in supporting economic regeneration, social and economic cohesion, and inward investment.
Gerry McKenna, Chair of the Coleraine Future Town Fund, said:
“The CFTF Board is united in its commitment to the regeneration of Coleraine, and the future development and sustainability of the Ulster University Coleraine campus is central to that ambition. We are calling on the Minister and Vice Chancellor to help safeguard the internationally recognised strengths based at the campus, which are of strategic importance not only to Coleraine but to the wider regional economy.”
The CFTF Board has confirmed that it welcomes continued engagement with the Department for the Economy and Ulster University and stands ready to support efforts to safeguard and build on the unique role played by the Coleraine campus.