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22/05/2009
NI Universities 'In The Money'
Over £200m is being granted to NI's universities.
Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has announced a significant increase in the funding his Department is giving to Northern Ireland's two higher education institutions.
The funding for Queen's University, Belfast (QUB) and the University of Ulster (UU) for the 2009-10 academic year will be in the form of a block grant covering teaching, learning and research. Between them the universities will receive almost £203m.
Research funding has increased by 7.7%, which is on a par with the highest level of increase for research in the UK.
The Minister said: "This increase in funding is in acknowledgement of the world-class research undertaken by our local universities.
"The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise recognised that 87% of all research activity submitted by the two universities was considered to be of international quality and 14% was judged to be 'world-leading'.
"This is an achievement of which we should be justifiably proud," he said.
"Research capability is vital for economic growth, competitiveness and the well-being of the community.
"Through their research activities and the transfer of knowledge, the universities are making a major contribution to the cultural, social and economic life of Northern Ireland and this is particularly important given the current economic climate."
This funding announcement is in addition to other measures that the Department has taken to help develop innovation in the universities.
Last year the Department committed to increase, by 300, the number of PhD research students at local universities by 2010 and also secured a total of £73m capital funding for the universities over the three year period 2008-11.
(BMcC/JM)
Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has announced a significant increase in the funding his Department is giving to Northern Ireland's two higher education institutions.
The funding for Queen's University, Belfast (QUB) and the University of Ulster (UU) for the 2009-10 academic year will be in the form of a block grant covering teaching, learning and research. Between them the universities will receive almost £203m.
Research funding has increased by 7.7%, which is on a par with the highest level of increase for research in the UK.
The Minister said: "This increase in funding is in acknowledgement of the world-class research undertaken by our local universities.
"The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise recognised that 87% of all research activity submitted by the two universities was considered to be of international quality and 14% was judged to be 'world-leading'.
"This is an achievement of which we should be justifiably proud," he said.
"Research capability is vital for economic growth, competitiveness and the well-being of the community.
"Through their research activities and the transfer of knowledge, the universities are making a major contribution to the cultural, social and economic life of Northern Ireland and this is particularly important given the current economic climate."
This funding announcement is in addition to other measures that the Department has taken to help develop innovation in the universities.
Last year the Department committed to increase, by 300, the number of PhD research students at local universities by 2010 and also secured a total of £73m capital funding for the universities over the three year period 2008-11.
(BMcC/JM)
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