Latest news with #UlsterUniversity
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Ulster University decision to close Riverside Theatre is 'unacceptable', say campaigners
It comes after Ulster University (UU), which owns the 350-person capacity venue on its Coleraine campus, previously said it was reviewing how the theatre is used. In March of this year, UU suggested that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council could take on a lease of the theatre, and also pay the annual running costs and the necessary repairs. It's understood that Ulster University has held meetings with trade unions and confirmed that the theatre will cease operations at the end of July. This decision has reportedly been made behind closed doors, with no public consultation, despite the theatre being a publicly funded space within a public university. Steven Millar from the Campaign to Save Riverside Theatre said: 'This is unacceptable. 'The Riverside Theatre is not just a university facility – it is a vital regional asset. 'It sits on the grounds of an educational institution that publicly commits to civic engagement, community partnership, and cultural enrichment. 'And yet, these values appear to be abandoned in this decision. 'With nearly 1,500 people already signing our petition, it is clear that the public feels strongly about this.' He added: 'The Riverside is deeply rooted in our local and regional identity. For almost 50 years – since its opening by Her Majesty The Queen – it has supported education, creativity, and community life. 'We are not asking for miracles. We are asking for transparency, accountability, and meaningful compromise.' He asked politicians to challenge the decision, to demand answers from Ulster University and 'stand with your constituents'. Mr Millar said: 'The community is stepping up. I sincerely hope the same is happening within our political and civic leadership. 'I want to thank those of you who have already responded and supported this campaign – but we urgently need more of you to speak up. 'This isn't just about a theatre – it's about public space, public value, and public trust.' Fears for the theatre have persisted over the years, with reports from 2021 showing its future was in doubt even then, after Ulster University withdrew a request for council funding. The theatre, commissioned by the New University of Ulster (now Ulster University) in the 1970s, has seen many Irish, British and international stage, screen and television stars perform in the Riverside. Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, who was the university's chancellor until recently, is one of the famous faces who have starred at the theatre beside the Bann over the years. He even named his winning racehorse 'Riverside Theatre'. GoldenEye star Alan Cumming, comedian and former University of Ulster student Omid Djalili, and Trainspotting actor Jonny Lee Miller have all taken to the Riverside's stage. Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson were unknowns when they played in the Bannside theatre, having just graduated from the Cambridge Footlights. Ulster University has told the BBC the building would require significant capital investment to remain in use – with refurbishment works estimated to cost in the region of £745,000, on top of annual running costs of £495,000. "In the face of unprecedented financial challenges… it is more important than ever that we focus our resources on core academic activities," a university spokesperson said. A spokesperson for the university said they have "supported and delivered this civic asset for fifty years" but "the building itself has now come to the end of its life". They said the university acknowledges the news "will come as a disappointment to many" but that they wanted to express "heartfelt gratitude to the artists, audiences, staff and supporters" who made it "such a special place for so many years". The spokesperson added that it "remains open to working with local partners and stakeholders to explore new ways to support arts and culture in the region, even as we navigate these constrained times".
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Riverside Theatre: Coleraine venue set to close in August
A venue billed as Northern Ireland's oldest operating professional theatre outside of Belfast is set to close in August after almost 50 Riverside Theatre, which opened in the 1970s, has a capacity of about 350 people and is situated within Ulster University's Coleraine University (UU) said the building would require significant capital investment to remain in use – with refurbishment works estimated to cost in the region of £745,000, on top of annual running costs of £495,000."In the face of unprecedented financial challenges… it is more important than ever that we focus our resources on core academic activities," a university spokesperson said. Concerns were first raised over the long-term future of the theatre back in January, after UU, which owns the venue, confirmed it was reviewing the way it was March, the university proposed Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council consider entering into a lease agreement for the theatre and pay almost £750,000 to carry out what are deemed essential repairs, as well as taking on yearly running costs in the region of £500, council currently operates two smaller community art venues, Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart and Roe Valley Arts And Cultural Centre in Limavady.A meeting between council officials and the university to discuss the Riverside Theatre is expected to take place in June. Why is Ulster University closing the Riverside Theatre? A spokesperson for the university said they have "supported and delivered this civic asset for fifty years" but "the building itself has now come to the end of its life".They said the university acknowledges the news "will come as a disappointment to many" but that they wanted to express "heartfelt gratitude to the artists, audiences, staff and supporters" who made it "such a special place for so many years".The spokesperson added that it "remains open to working with local partners and stakeholders to explore new ways to support arts and culture in the region, even as we navigate these constrained times". Steven Millar, a local actor in the north coast, has been campaigning against the theatre's closure and said it plays a vital role for the area. "This theatre belongs to the community— it was built with public money, on university grounds, and has served generations," he said."You cannot just close a building like this behind closed doors. "We've had no consultation, no transparency, and no effort to involve the community this affects most."Mr Millar said he believed there was "still time to find a creative solution"."We're calling on the university, the council, and the Department for Communities to meet with us and explore viable alternatives like a charitable trust or shared lease, and work with—not against—the public interest," Mr Millar said. "The fight is not over," he added
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Coastal Erosion: App shows Northern Ireland's changing coastline
Northern Ireland's coastline has been moving for how much it has moved and what it might do in the future has been mapped by a team at Ulster University in what they say is a first for the have used two centuries' worth of maps and other information to create an app the public can professor who led the project said the changes to our coastlines have been "massive". The app is an extension of the historical coastline project funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera).Professor Derek Jackson, a coastal geographer, has described the app as an "info tool"."You click on parts of the map where you're interested in and that will describe the historical changes that have taken place in layman's language. ""I've been surprised by just how much the coast has actually moved either landward or seaward over the 200 years of looking at this," he added."We've seen massive changes that we didn't realise actually took place."The team examined information for 140 locations along the Northern Ireland found that hard geology meant little change for some places, while softer coastlines had experienced both erosion and even expansion. "Some areas have actually grown forward, for example, some parts of County Down," said Prof as other parts like Magilligan, County Londonderry, have "eroded dramatically"."So it's surprising just how dynamic the coast has been over the last 200 years."The tool factors in the scientists' best estimate of how each part of the coastline might change in the future, considering the impact of climate change while also factoring in the effects of the Ireland was pushed down by "probably a kilometre thick of ice" during the last Ice Age, which ended approximately 11,700 years the rebound effect of that, Prof Jackson said, has afforded some protection as sea levels rise."It's almost like a sponge - when you press down on a sponge it rebounds back into shape again."And the coast and the land surrounding the coast did that as well."That rebounding kept pace with sea level rises around the world and that then gave us semi-protection as well. But that honeymoon period is coming to an end." As well as being publicly accessible, the app should help councils and planners in assessing planning Jackson said working with nature is vital."We probably should not be building on dynamic coasts because they're so mobile."If we're in a natural environment we have to understand how it functions, how it works over time, and sometimes little, tiny things that we do can have a massive impact on the natural behaviour of coasts."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Increase in university tuition fees ruled out
Northern Ireland's economy minister has said she will not be increasing university tuition fees above the usual level of inflation. Caoimhe Archibald said while she recognised the challenges facing universities, she did not wish to "push that additional pressure on to students". It comes after the five universities and university colleges in Northern Ireland had called for tuition fees to rise by more than £1,000 a year. The proposal, which was sent in a letter to Stormont's main parties, would have increased annual fees for students to £5,831. The letter was signed by the heads of Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and the Open University in Ireland, and supported by a separate letter from the principals of St Mary's University College and Stranmillis University College. It said that "without urgent intervention" there was a risk of "undermining productivity and long-term economic recovery". The institutions also said about a third of young people left Northern Ireland to study elsewhere "due to the continued Northern Ireland Executive policy on funding". Higher education is the responsibility of the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland's devolved government. Archibald said the current funding model did not work. The Sinn Féin minister said she had written to ministerial colleagues to ask for higher education institutions to be "prioritised for in-year funding to address the challenges this year". "I want to work in partnership with our universities and students to find a sustainable way forward, and will work on a longer term solution as part of the three-year budget," she added. 'Increasing tuition fees will put people off university' How much does university cost in the UK? Archibald said she had "already committed to undertaking a review of higher education funding". Tuition fees in Northern Ireland were £4,750 in 2024/25. The figure increases annually in line with projected inflation. Most students take out a loan to cover their tuition fees and living costs, which they then pay back when they begin working after graduation. In England and Wales students currently pay £9,250, while Scottish students who remain in Scotland to study do not pay tuition fees. Students in the Republic of Ireland pay a maximum of €2,000 (£1,695) a year in fees. Ben Friel, president of the National Union of Students and Union of Students in Ireland, met the minister and welcomed her decision. "She made it very clear that she does not want to increase the financial burden on students, and we're relieved to hear that," he said. "Students at the minute are under immense pressure, and any more pressure would have been the final nail in the coffin for lots of students' academic journey." Tuition fees should be 'affordable' says economy minister 'Increasing tuition fees will put people off university'
Belfast Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
EY ‘proud' to open business in Derry and become ‘part of north west community'
First Minister Michelle O'Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Minister for the Economy Caoimhe Archibald attended the opening of the new office. EY joins Alchemy in the offices at Ebrington Plaza in what is viewed as a further boost for the Waterside site and wider city. The firm hopes the new office will play an 'important role' in expanding its presence in Northern Ireland and will help address growing client demands in the area as they 'leverage the exceptional talent available across the north west.' EY Northern Ireland Managing Partner Rob Heron said the firm employs more than 1,000 people in Belfast. In September 2023, the company announced that it would create 1,000 new jobs in NI and has since recruited 300 new employees towards that target. He said the plan was to open an office in the north west by June 2026 but having 'witnessed the quality of the talent here, we've actually accelerated that and we're opening up twelve months ahead of schedule.' Mr Heron explained that the office can accommodate up to 120 people, but 'the really exciting thing is that because of the world-class facilities at Ebrington Plaza is there is room to grow — so there is really no limit on the amount of people that we want to employ up here'. The EY Managing Partner spoke of the importance of having a skills pipeline from Ulster University's Magee campus a matter of miles away and to be 'aligned' with courses there. 'Ulster University set up a group of people to explore how the city can create an infrastructure to build a university here that can accommodate 10,000 students in areas like finance, data analytics, robotics and they're all exactly the areas from which we want to recruit and employ people,' he added. 'We're really well aligned with the growth plans for the city and region.' But he also made clear that EY is a 'training organisation with very clear career progression and development pathways' and work with the Economy Department around Assured Skills Academies — these provide the necessary support to deliver a skilled workforce through the delivery of short pre-employment training courses. Ebrington was also attractive for EY, he said, due to it being an historic location and one currently at the centre of the city's regeneration. 'We had a soft launch and the initial feedback from our staff has been incredibly positive; this is a place that they want to be.' Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last week, the Walled City Brewery and Ebrington Hotel owners mentioned the benefits of companies filling the office space and how those businesses can all compliment one another and work collaboratively. Mr Heron said: 'We absolutely want to come here to attract talent and work with the brilliant local businesses, we've already worked with some of them and we believe we'll work with more over time. 'We want to be part of the community as well, not just around the Ebrington site but also right across the north west. 'We were really proud to recently sponsor the Derry Jazz Festival which was hugely successful and we're also headline sponsors for the Waterside Half Marathon in September and as a marathon runner I'll be taking part in that. 'And at the launch we're working with a number of businesses and social enterprises. So we're very proud to be, not just as a business, but to be part of the community.' He concluded by commenting on job opportunities at EY in Derry saying whether you're a school leaver, a graduate or somebody who has been out of work for a period of time, then the company has 'opportunities for all' and are keen to welcome people with 'broad skill sets and a really curious mindset'. At the launch, Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, said: 'Today is a key milestone in that investment, which will provide employment opportunities in the north west in highly skilled areas such as digital engineering, data analytics and risk and regulatory compliance. "I am delighted that companies like EY can see the north west's potential as a vibrant place to live, grow, and invest and I wish them every success.'
