26 March 2004

University unveils new strategic research institutes

Plans have been unveiled for a network of new strategic research institutes at the University of Ulster aimed at powering "the development of a knowledge economy in Northern Ireland".

Speaking to the University’s Court in Coleraine on Thursday, Vice Chancellor Professor Gerry McKenna announced that the University’s 13 new centres of excellence were “a landmark development in higher education”, which will help give competitiveness and social stability to Northern Ireland’s future.

The new research institutes are: Biomedical Science, Nursing, Rehabilitation Science, Computer Science, Nanotechnology and Bioengineering, Built Environment, Business and Management, Social and Public Policy, Irish Cultural Heritages, Media Studies, Art and Design, Law and Celtic Studies.

Professor McKenna said the initiative builds on the University’s successes achieved in the 2001 research assessment exercise, the UK’s quality benchmark for university research activity.

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