He made his comments while welcoming today’s announcement from the Economy Minister, Conor Murphy MLA, on a series of initiatives to support the higher education and further education sectors.
 
Professor Greer said:
 
“This region needs a highly qualified and talented workforce to attract investors and employers to bring prosperity and hope for the future. Today’s announcement begins the process of tackling the issue of losing 5,000 of our young people every year, one-third of whom never return. While some students wish to leave there are many that are reluctant leavers and the current regional policy does not provide them with the choice to study at home.

"Queen’s has advocated for a considerable time that investing in Higher Education is the best way of ensuring long-term dividends for the economic and social success of Northern Ireland. I hope that today’s announcement is just the start and I am encouraged by the funding of some key initiatives that will enable us to build on the work we have been doing.

"Queen’s is proud to be a civic university, and widening participation has been a long-standing priority, with around 32% of our students coming from low-income backgrounds. Today’s announcement of support for a further 50 undergraduate places is a welcome initiative. As a globally recognised research institution, the funding for an additional 35 PhD students will enable us to continue to attract significant research talent that will support our ambitions for the economy and wider society.

"We are also delighted that new student places will be offered at both our University Colleges, St Mary’s and Stranmillis, to ensure we have more highly trained professionals in the education sector. I also welcome the commitment to enhancing all-island collaboration for Higher Education and would encourage both Minister Murphy and Minister O’Donovan to work together to resolve the current funding issues that limit our undergraduate provision in terms of the flow of students between the north and south. 

"The new Undergraduate and Postgraduate places at Ulster University’s Magee campus are vital first steps to enhance the economic potential of the North West, and Queen’s welcomes the Minister’s announcement for 500 additional undergraduate places for Magee. Again we repeat our support for the NI Executive’s commitment to grow and enhance the UU Magee campus in Derry/Londonderry and offer to support this process within the structures of the North West Task Force established by the Minister. 
 
"Collaboration is vital to delivering a new economic vision that will deliver for everyone. We hope that this is just the first step and would urge the Minister and his officials to extend the enhanced funding beyond this academic year – investing now will pay dividends in the future and contribute to long-term change in the region.”