Northern Ireland lecturers strike in pensions row

“Around 50,000 students across Northern Ireland have been affected by strike action as university lecturers took to the picket line in a row over pensions …” (more)

[Belfast Telegraph, 22 March]

Disadvantaged Catholics more likely to attend university than Protestants

“Disadvantaged Catholics are twice as likely to attend university as Protestants, according to a new report commissioned by Independent unionist Assembly member Dawn Purvis …” (more)

[Gerry Moriarty, Irish Times, 22 March]

St Patrick’s Day relatively calm despite few arrests and injuries

“Eight people were arrested on St Patrick’s Day in the Holylands for offences including disorderly behaviour, criminal damage and assault. There were also a number of people injured and taken to hospital for treatment …” (more)

[Kerri-Anne Campbell, The Gown, 21 March]

Northern Ireland university lecturers stage strike

“Strike action by university lecturers will affect about 50,000 students in Northern Ireland …” (more)

[BBC News, 21 March]

Lecturers to strike in pensions row

“Lecturers at Northern Ireland’s two universities will take strike action on Monday and Thursday to protest against revised pensions arrangements …” (more)

[Belfast Telegraph, 18 March]

Eight arrested in Patrick’s Day celebrations in Holylands

“Eight people were arrested in south Belfast’s Holylands on St Patrick’s Day. They were detained for offences including disorderly behaviour, criminal damage and assault. A large amount of alcohol was confiscated by police …” (more)

[BreakingNews.ie, 18 March]

How the planners and students brought Holyland to its knees

“The police couldn’t sort it and neither could the politicians. Just about everything was tried – warden patrols, appeals and disciplinary action. But nothing it seems could stop the student rape of Belfast’s Holyland. Or their traditional riot on St Patrick’s Day …” (more)

[Lindy McDowell, Belfast Telegraph, 17 March]

Executive pressed over student fees

“The Northern Ireland Executive has been pressed to make a swift decision on student fees …” (more)

[Independent, 16 March]

FEE Derry Organising Meeting March 21st

“On April 6th there will be mass student demonstrations across the UK and in Northern Ireland called by the National Union Of Students. We need to discuss what to do on that day. Since school students are not members of the NUS, will probably have to do something in conjunction …” (more)

[Free Education for Everyone, 16 March]

University chief’s plea to Assembly: Stop dithering on tuition fees

“The Chancellor of the University of Ulster has warned that the Assembly needs to make a decision on tuition fees quickly for the sake of local students seeking a place in third level education …” (more)

[Lesley-Anne Henry, Belfast Telegraph, 16 March]

St Patrick’s Day warning to Northern Ireland students

“St Patrick’s Day is not an excuse to engage in drunken anti-social behaviour, a senior police officer has warned. Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum has told students in Belfast’s Holyland area to be on their best behaviour this year, or face serious consequences …” (more)

[Lesley-Anne Henry, Belfast Telegraph, 16 March]

Tuition fees ‘should be £6,000’

“A new report on student fees in Northern Ireland has effectively recommended nearly doubling levels to almost £6,000 per year, MLAs have been told …” (more)

[Independent, 15 March]

Holylands residents given Patrick’s Day warning

“St Patrick’s Day revellers in the Holylands area of Belfast have been warned they could be left with a life-time hangover if they do not behave. Amid fears of a repeat of riotous scenes that have blighted festivities in the heavily populated student neighbourhood in recent years, the city council, police and universities have reminded party goers of the potential repercussions of their actions …” (more)

[BreakingNews.ie, 15 March]

Northern Lecturers to Strike

“Lecturers in the University and College Union (UCU) in both higher and further education across Northern Ireland are being balloted for industrial action in separate ballots on pension changes and the threat to jobs and pay …” (more)

[Jimmy Smith, Socialist Workers Party, 8 March]

Strategy to boost university access

“Those most able but least likely to attend university in Northern Ireland will be targeted through a new Government strategy to improve access to higher education. Outreach initiatives in deprived areas will be a key feature of the plan to encourage young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to continue in learning, Danny Kennedy told the assembly …” (more)

[Belfast Telegraph, 7 March]

Northern Ireland’s fees set to hit £5,750

“University tuition fees in Northern Ireland are set to rise to £5,750 following a government U-turn …” (more)

[Jessica Abrahams, The Journal, 23 February]

Public Meeting: After the Stuart Report – How can we fight fees and cuts?

“Free Education for Everyone (QUB) is holding a public meeting to discuss the implications of the recently published Stuart Report. In response to Stuart’s new findings, speakers will discuss the effect that this will have on students, but also on the wider impacts of cuts and how we can fight cuts and fees …” (more)

[Indymedia Ireland, 20 February]

Students’ Union vows to ‘fight to the bitter end’ on tuition fees

“SU President Gareth McGreevy has spoken out against Joanne Stuart’s recent recommendations to the NI Executive on the future of university funding, a report which proposes increases in tuition fees of more than £2,000 per year …” (more)

[James Douglas, The Gown, 14 February]

Student fees ‘will fill black hole in Stormont finances’

“Proposals to increase student tuition fees in Northern Ireland were forced through to fill a ‘black hole’ in the public finances, it has been claimed …” (more)

[Belfast Telegraph, 10 February]

Fees rise move ‘to fill black hole’

“Proposals to increase student tuition fees in Northern Ireland were forced through to fill a ‘black hole’ in the public finances, it was claimed. Joanne Stuart denied she was pressurised by the Department for Employment and Learning into recommending increases in fees …” (more)

[The Corkman, 9 February]