26th August 1998

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Leading members of the business community in Northern Ireland have come together to drive forward an exciting new educational project unique to the province is aiming to raise around £70 million from Irish, UK and international business contacts over the next five years.

Among the top business opinion formers involved are the Chairman of Quality Health Care Asia Limited, Brian O'Connor; the Chairman of Lagan Holdings, Kevin Lagan and the former Chairman of Belfast International Airport, Jim Doran.

The group has come together with the University of Ulster to set up the Northern Ireland Educational Foundation (NIEF), a charitable body that hopes to raise funds for a variety of projects planned by the University of Ulster.

At last night's launch of the new Foundation at the University's Jordanstown campus, Chairman Brian O'Connor said:

"Since it has been formed, the University of Ulster has always been involved in projects which go far beyond the areas traditionally associated with education. I am sure most people are aware of some or other of its projects or of the research it carries out to help tackle many of our problems.

"For several years now we have watched the University tackle a variety of issues. Sometimes they were the first people to raise our concerns about certain issues and there have been other occasions when it put its reputation on the line to do so. Several of us feel it is now time to help," said Mr O'Connor. The Foundation has called on the community to help the University tackle various social issues and promote economic regeneration. As part of its local fund-raising campaign, it plans to approach many of the industrial and commercial leaders in the province.

One pioneering Foundation project revealed at the launch is a £500K education IT network which will link further education colleges in Northern Ireland , providing an integrated learning network that will enable real time 24hr on-line access to the latest innovative distance learning technologies and courseware for students throughout Northern Ireland.

The Foundation will also take its campaign onto the international stage. It has already established links with senior figures in cities throughout the Far East.

A not-for-profit sister organisation has also been set up in the United States. The American Friends of the University of Ulster is expected to hold several meetings in the coming months with senior business and community leaders:

Sue Ball, spokeswoman for the Foundation said:

"There is a lot of international goodwill towards Northern Ireland at the moment. It makes sense to harness that positive feeling onto the University of Ulster's increasing reputation as an organisation which crosses all sections of the community and takes a very practical approach to the problems we still have to face."

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk