“John O’Dowd (Sinn Féin): I welcome the opportunity to speak on an important issue: the return of further education college and university students and lecturers, professors etc to campus, which is very welcome. Last year, there was huge disruption to student and academic life for many …” (more)
[Northern Ireland Assembly, 14 September]
“Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has welcomed the announcement by Ulster University on teaching arrangements for the next academic year. The party’s spokesperson for Higher and Further Education said: ‘Today’s announcement should be welcomed as it provides clarity for students, parents and staff across the Ulster University campus …'” (more)
[Sinn Féin, 27 May]
“Sinn Féin spokespersons on Further and Higher Education, Rose Conway-Walsh and John O’Dowd MLA, have launched a survey to look at how we can remove barriers and increase cross-border enrolment in third-level education. Teachta Conway-Walsh said …” (more)
[Sinn Féin, 11 May]
“Sinn Féin MLAs Martina Anderson and John O’Dowd today met with the Vice Chancellor of University of Ulster to press for the expansion of Magee University and the delivery on the New Decade New Approach commitments to grow the campus to 10,000 students. Martina Anderson MLA said …” (more)
[Sinn Féin, 22 April]
“Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has criticised Economy Minister Diane Dodds for refusing to meet with the Students Union NUS-USI following a recent request from the student’s representative body for a meeting. The party’s spokesperson on Higher and Further Education said …” (more)
[Sinn Féin, 22 April]
“Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has called on the Economy Minister to use funding available to help support students during the COVID-19 pandemic. John O’Dowd said …” (more)
[Sinn Féin, 23 January]
“Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has announced that the party will table an Assembly motion in support of students who facing challenges to learning as a result of Covid19. The party’s Further and Higher Education spokesperson said …” (more)
[Sinn Féin, 23 October]
“An SDLP MLA and Sinn Féin MLA exchanged words at Stormont yesterday over the issue of the Magee Medical School. Foyle MLA Sinead Mclaughlin voiced the need for urgency to get the project over the line for a 2021 start date while Upper Bann MLA John O’Dowd accused her of playing ‘party politics’ and the ‘Derry media’ of writing ‘negative’ headlines …” (more)
[Garrett Hargan, Derry Now, 4 June]
“More than 17,000 education and training places may be axed next year under proposals to meet some of the toughest cuts Stormont has ever seen. It emerged last month that the Queen’s University and Ulster University were considering cutting 1,100 places to cope with a 10% reduction in funding from Stormont …” (more)
[Rebecca Black, Belfast Telegraph, 5 December]
“Earlier this year, at the inauguration of Northern Irish judge Donnell Deeny as Pro-Chancellor of Trinity College, I was gobsmacked to learn of the sharp decline in student numbers from the North at Trinity …” (more)
[Liz O’Donnell, Independent, 27 September]
“Barry McElduff (Sinn Féin) asked the Minister of Education how many students from the North have progressed to higher education institutions, including universities and institutes of technology, in the South this summer …” (more)
[Northern Ireland Assembly debates, 16 September]
“Trinity College in Dublin has launched an initiative to triple its intake of students from Northern Ireland. The historic institution has set itself a target of having 8% of its student body from north of the border, which equates to 300 students a year …” (more)
[Independent, 4 July]
“A review of GCSE English grades awarded to students in Northern Ireland has been ordered. Stormont Education Minister John O’Dowd asked regulators to look at the issue as the controversy over grading boundaries in England continues …” (more)
[Independent, 31 August]
