28th September 2001

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Professor Gerry McKenna, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ulster, today declared that the imbalance in university research funding between Northern Ireland and GB and Northern Ireland and the RoI threatens the province’s competitiveness as a viable economic region in the new decade.

He was speaking at the opening of the Science Innovation Centre at the University’s Science Research Park in Coleraine:

“Innovation centres such as this are part of the engine, pistons if you like, of economic progress in Northern Ireland in the post-industrial knowledge economy. Aside from ground-breaking research in economic, social and environmental issues, the University of Ulster has directly created many high quality jobs. Some 235 such jobs have been created as a result of successful spin out ventures from our Incubator Units and Science Parks, including our involvement in the disadvantaged area of West Belfast through Synergy. When devolved government was given to us in this part of the world, I publicly welcomed the comments by Sir Reg Empey when he declared that the Assembly’s first priority would be a move from a public sector dependent economy to a vibrant and knowledge based economy that would allow Northern Ireland to compete on equal terms in this new global age.

“Therefore, I must with regret state today how deeply disappointed I was in the draft public expenditure plans for 2002-2003 presented to the Assembly by the Minister of Finance and Personnel on Tuesday of this week. Despite the overwhelming evidence that higher education research is critical – some would say the heart and lungs – of economic recovery in Northern Ireland, the Minister failed to provide any assurance that the much-needed research investment our local universities have asked for will be forthcoming. The grim fact is that block government funding for research in Northern Ireland universities decreased by 20% in real terms between 1992-93 and 2000-01, compared to an increase of 23% in GB universities during the same period. The Republic of Ireland invested £240 million in university research in the period 1999 – 2001, with a view to making higher education institutions in the south of this island “world class research centres”. Quite simply, university research in Northern Ireland has delivered but government has not. My message today is that this iniquitous and disabling imbalance must be addressed and addressed as a matter of urgency.

“No one doubts that there will be an economic aftermath to the catastrophic events of 11th September in the United States. That aftermath will be felt by all of us. Therefore, the failure of government to invest in high yield university research, research which will fuel sustainable economic activity that will create jobs and bring prosperity to this region, is inexcusable.

“The Minister has announced an eight-week consultation process during which the opinions of those of us in the public and private sectors will be sought before final spending plans are announced. Together with my colleague the Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, Professor George Bain, I will be leaving the Minister in no doubt of the strength of our case and the need for action. Failure to invest at a fairer level will lead to an inevitable crisis in university research in Northern Ireland with stark social and economic consequences”.

For further information, please contact:

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