Ninth Level Ireland

“The Ulster Unionist Party has condemned what they claim is a ‘discriminatory campaign’ by Fianna Fail calling for a ban on the British Army from an event at Queen’s University Belfast. In a post to a private Facebook group for clubs and societies at the university, QUB Fianna Fail allegedly said they voted to launch a campaign calling for the ‘total removal of the British Army from Societies Day’ …” (more)

[Belfast Telegraph, 24 May]

“Speaking following a meeting between Sinn Féin representatives and Queen’s University on equality issues, Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald said: ‘We had a positive discussion on the university’s new draft Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy; and on issues such as visibility of the Irish Language …'” (more)

[Sinn Féin, 22 May]

“A row has broken out following complaints by unionist politicians about views expressed by lecturers at Queen’s University. The University College Union (UCU) at Queen’s has hit out at what it termed ‘wholly unfair and worryingly authoritarian attacks’ on local academics’ right to voice opinions … ” (more)

[Adrian Rutherford, Belfast Telegraph, 18 May]

“The union that represents the majority of lecturers at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) has accused some unionist parties and politicians of attacks on academic freedom. The University and College Union (UCU) said they were aimed at gagging academics, especially over Brexit …” (more)

[Robbie Meredith, BBC News, 17 May]

“An academic who was dismissed from his teaching position at Union Theological College in Belfast last week has said he is considering leaving the Presbyterian Church. Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick said he is now on Jobseeker’s Allowance after a Church disciplinary panel found him guilty of ‘gross misconduct’ as a result of comments he made to BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme in June last year …” (more)

[Mark Bain, Belfast Telegraph, 15 April]

“Union Theological College could face a financial shortfall of up to £700,000 a year after Queen’s University Belfast announced it would cut ties, it’s been claimed. The Presbyterian-run college admits around 150 undergraduate students a year, with tuition fees for 2018/19 set at £4,160 annually – which would generate around £624,000 …” (more)

[Allan Preston, Belfast Telegraph, 11 April]

“The university’s governing body – the senate – approved the move on Tuesday. UTC trains some students for the Presbyterian ministry but the majority of its students are studying theology degrees at Queen’s. The Presbyterian Church said it ‘deeply regrets’ the university’s decision …” (more)

[Robbie Meredith, BBC News, 10 April]

“The Presbyterian Church has expressed dismay that a recommendation by Queen’s University to end its link with Union Theological College was seen by the media before its own staff. An internal university review – seen by the BBC – has advised cutting the links to the Presbyterian-run institution that dates back to 1927 …” (more)

[Allan Preston, Belfast Telegraph, 4 April]

“Queen’s University has failed to confirm whether it will rescind Liam Neeson’s honorary doctorate after he was reportedly removed from its latest prospectus for new students …” (more)

[Victoria Leonard, Belfast Telegraph, 27 March]

“The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have responded to a motion that was tabled and then withdrawn from Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union (QUBSU) Council, saying that they will continue to patrol the university campus. The motion, which was due to be debated at a meeting of the union’s council last Wednesday, was withdrawn hours before the meeting …” (more)

[Finn Purdy, Trinity News, 26 March]

“Liam Neeson has reportedly been removed from the prospectus for Queen’s University Belfast. The move comes just over a month since the actor told The Independent he once roamed the streets with a cosh, looking for a ‘black bastard’ to kill after the rape of a close friend …” (more)

[Jack Shepherd, Independent, 26 March]

“Staff at Queen’s University in Belfast are to be paid their salaries three days early this month due to ‘ongoing uncertainty relating to Brexit’. QUB staff are usually paid on the final working day of every month. However, because of fears about the potential impact of the UK leaving the EU without a deal, this month’s payment date was brought forward to Wednesday, 27 March …” (more)

[Laura McDaid, BBC News, 24 March]

“A professor who was sacked by Union Theological College (UTC) after comments he made in the media has said he will fight against the ruling. Rev Laurence Kirkpatrick, who worked for the Presbyterian-run institution in Belfast for 22 years, is understood to be the first theological professor to be sacked by the Church … ” (more)

[Claire McNeilly, Belfast Telegraph, 22 March]

“A professor at Belfast’s Union Theological College (UTC) has been fired due to comments he made on a radio show. Reverend Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick, who worked at UTC for 22 years, was found guilty of ‘gross misconduct’ by a disciplinary panel of the Presbyterian Church, who run the college, the BBC reports …” (more)

[Belfast Telegraph, 21 March]

“Fed-up residents in the Holyland area of Belfast have called for a crackdown on street drinking during this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations. The Holyland area of south Belfast has become infamous for students engaging in anti-social behaviour every March 17 …” (more)

[Mark Edwards, Belfast Telegraph, 15 March]

“Tá Oifigeach Gaeilge tofa in Aontas na Mac Léinn Ollscoil na Banríona (QUBSU) den chéad uair i stair an choláiste. Toghadh Aodhán Ó Baoill oíche Chéadaoin, gan iomaíocht ar bith ina éadan, le 76 faoin gcéad den 1,267 ag vótáil ar a shon …” (more)

[Eoin O’Hare, University Times, 7 March]

“A recent intemperate outburst by Professor John Brewer highlighted a problem at Queen’s University, Belfast. Donald Tusk certainly ratcheted up the rhetoric over Brexit when he spoke about ‘a special place in Hell’ for the promoters of Brexit, but Professor Brewer tweeted: ‘Special place in Hell for no-deal Brexiteers. Hell is too good for them’ …” (more)

[Nelson McCausland, Irish Examiner, 14 February]

“Concerns have been raised over Queen’s University’s plans to enter a partnership with a Saudi Arabian university. The move will see a number of Queen’s academics provide training to staff at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulraham University (PNU) …” (more)

[BBC News, 12 February]

“Northern Irish universities made only 10 unconditional offers to prospective undergraduates in 2018. That is far lower than most universities in England or Wales. An unconditional offer guarantees a pupil a university place regardless of their A-Level results …” (more)

[Robbie Meredith, BBC News, 31 January]

“Queen’s University has become the latest institution to distance itself from Huawei, following security fears about the Chinese tech company. The university has one existing research project which is endorsed by Huawei in wireless technologies. The project received £713,111 in funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the UK’s main agency for research grants in engineering and the physical sciences …” (more)

[Lauren Harte, Belfast Telegraph, 25 January]