19th December 2003

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Professor Gerry McKenna, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ulster, has attacked at the Government’s plans to introduce top-up fees for university education.

In a hard-hitting speech at a graduation ceremony for Limavady College of Further and High Education held at the Coleraine campus, he called the Government plans “ a tax on lifelong learning,” and said:

“The matter of variable fees is deeply damaging to our society and our economy… Do we want a ‘supermarket system’ for higher education, with ‘bargain courses’ that would complete the deregulation and commercialisation of what should be an equal and inalienable right for all in a fair society?”

“We must dismantle barriers to entry into higher education – not erect new ones.”

The Vice-Chancellor called on Government to widen access to university education.

Quoting the Minister for Higher Education, Professor McKenna said:

“Potential, not parentage: merit, not money: talent, not title, should determine access to all our universities,” he said.

“ Top-up fees place an unfair burden on both middle income families – and those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.”

Outlining his proposals for the way forward, the Vice-Chancellor told his audience:

“The key that will open the door of higher education to everyone of ability is a proper balance between what society should pay and what the individual should pay. The University proposes standard means-tested tuition fees of £2,500 per year. This would be supported by the reintroduction, on a strictly means tested basis, of maintenance grants of up to £5,000 a year. These measures would be underpinned by a system of cost effective bursaries, which would target areas of educational underachievement, and subjects where the economy needs an accelerated output of skills.

“It would help create a meritocracy instead of a community of unequals, and show a clear will to invest in the future of Northern Ireland and its people.”

For further information, please contact:

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