AN INISHOWEN senator
has asked whether Donegal students are welcome in
the North's universities.
Senator Cecilia Keaveney expressed concern for
cross-border students following confirmation that
fees are to rise in the University of Ulster and
Queen's University. "While there are talks of
bringing in fees in the Republic they are not there
at present. The students that traditionally went
North have struggled to afford to continue to take
that option.
"This most recent information that fees are to rise
will further undermine the ability for our students
to go to their nearest universities," she said.
Senator Keaveney paid tribute to Letterkenny
Institute of Technology.
"LYIT is offering great courses and is continually
gaining more infrastructure and course recognition
but the other options of the University of Ulster
and Queens have always been local alternatives to
the Dublin, Galway and Cork universities.
"The difference now between no fees and increasing
fees is not reaching out in the spirit of the Good
Friday Agreement to cross border education
initiatives." She said she had raised the lack of
university bursaries in the North for students from
the Republic "due to decisions within the
universities to exclude students who do not live in
the North".
"This begs the question of whether border students
are really welcome in the North's universities.
Surely students who study in Ulster may stay in
Ulster. "Students discouraged from remaining in
Ulster to study may well give their answer when
graduating as to whether they will then offer their
expertise in employment there.
"This fee rise should be examined by the Minister
and the executive committee on education and the
implications should be evaluated," added the
Moville-based senator. |
