THE SDLP’s Economy spokesperson Sinead McLaughlin today chaired a major conference on the Derry City and Strabane City Deal, drawing delegates from across the North of Ireland and Great Britain.
Said the Foyle MLA: “I am pleased to have been invited to chair a major conference on the City Deal, enabling delegates to learn more about what this exciting initiative will mean for Derry and Strabane.
“City Deal is particularly important for the SDLP as it was initially proposed for Derry by the party’s then MP, Mark Durkan.
“And integral to the City Deal is the expansion of university provision in Derry, an aim that goes back more than half a century to when our former leader John Hume led the University for Derry campaign.
“City Deal is another step forward for Derry, enabling the medical school to open this year and leading the way to the transfer of health and life sciences undergraduate courses to Magee next year, as well as a major step forward in the development of health analytics and artificial intelligence studies at Magee.
“This should be the foundation of a major industry in Derry.
“It is essential to stress, of course, that the City Deal is not the limits of the SDLP’s plans for Derry.
“We remain committed and determined to ensure that the city is home to at least 10,000 higher education students in the city – a commitment which is also in New Decade New Approach.”
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