The Chamber warmly welcome the announcement from Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA this week that the land necessary to drive forward the expansion of Ulster University’s Derry~Londonderry Campus to achieve 10,000 students has now been acquired by the Department for the Economy and Ulster University, with the acquisition of the Timber Quay building.

This is welcome news for the North West economy, and was discussed in depth at a recent Chamber event on the University’s expansion. Derry Chamber are proud to be leading discussions around the expansion of our local Magee campus, hosting a series of business engagement events around the growth of the University. The first of these sessions took place this week where attendees heard from Magee Taskforce Chair Stephen Kelly, along with Taskforce business sub-group members Steven Lindsay, Dawn McLaughlin, and Gavin Killeen.

The Chamber hosted a coffee and conversation event, providing an opportunity for informal discussions on the Magee expansion action plan and its impact on Derry’s business community. Attendees gained valuable insights into how the growing student population, enhanced research capabilities, and innovation opportunities can drive economic growth. The event also highlighted ways local businesses can engage with and support this transformational initiative, ensuring they benefit from the university’s expansion and the wider development of the region. This event was kindly sponsored by FIND Insurance.

In further positive steps towards achieving its campus expansion, Ulster University has appointed McAdam Design and AtkinsRealis as consultants for the new Shared Island teaching block. Funded by a €44.5 million investment from the Government of Ireland’s Shared Island Fund and an additional £7 million from Ulster University reserves, the building located off Northland Road will provide additional lecture and seminar spaces, computer labs and other social areas that will contribute significantly to the campus’ capacity for teaching and research activity. This builds on Ulster University’s commitment to Growth and Regeneration projects that deliver more students, jobs, and economic impact for the region.

Currently teaching over 5,300 students in the last academic year, the Ulster University Derry~Londonderry campus is home to over 120 programmes, with the thriving campus acting as a hub for health sciences, creative industries, computing and engineering, business, and the arts.

The economic potential for the North West that can come from expanding the campus and unlocking its full potential is profound, and the Chamber are proud to be playing its role in leading discussions around the expansion and bringing together the local business community.