Lyttle welcomes Higher Education Strategy

Chris Lyttle MLA has welcomed Alliance Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry’s launch of the first ever higher education strategy for Northern Ireland. It will see all higher education students here gaining a work placement position as part of their study by 2020; 1,000 PhD places by the same date and an increase in foundation degrees from 1,132 in 2012 to 2,500 by 2015.

“Alliance Minister Stephen Farry has delivered the first Higher Education Strategy for Northern Ireland. This strategy is critical to building a knowledge-based economy and attracting high-quality jobs for our graduates.

“Graduating to Success will shape the direction of higher education in Northern Ireland until 2020. It will align provision with economic opportunity and provide a quality learning experience for students based on professional teaching, increased employment propects and international opportunity.

“Any qualified individual should be able to access higher education that is right for them, irrespective of their social background. This strategy will allow individuals with the high-quality skills needed to gain employment and contribute to the economy.”

ENDS