Council ask to meet ministerover Ulster University jobs

Following the news that the Ulster University is to close its School of modern Languages at its Coleraine campus and cut Mathematics degrees as a result of budget reductions, a Notice of Motion was submitted by alderman Maura Hickey at the recent meeting of the Causeway Coast and Glens Council.

The motion stated: “This Council expresses grave concern about the £8.6m reduction in the budget of the Ulster University which has resulted in the withdrawal of several courses, the closure of the Modern Languages Department and compulsory redundancies of several staff.

“This Council calls for an immediate meeting with the Minister for Employment and Learning to seek the restoration of the budget.”

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Councillor Trevor Clarke told last week’s Council meeting in Cloonavin, coleraine: “Staff members are facing uncertainty and there are concerns that other courses will be under a degree of threat.

“We need to retain the vibrancy of the campus at Coleraine.”

Councillor David Harding said the development had a major impact upon the borough; “The University is a major employer in the Causeway Coast and Glens. It is the heart of the social community and the heart of the arts.

“We need to push the point and get the Ulster University to look at what they provide in Coleraine and we as a Council need it in Coleraine.”

All councillors voted in favour of the motion.