ADDITIONAL funding has been made available for Masters courses at the University of Ulster and Queen’s University Belfast.
The University of Ulster has received 70 additional places, up to 40 of which, the University has indicated, will be allocated to a new MSc in Computational Intelligence at its Magee campus. The remaining places will enhance existing provision in MSc Advanced Composites and Polymers and MSc Biomedical Engineering.
Queen’s University is to increase recruitment by some 30 students on economically relevant MSc courses, including Biological Sciences, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
The minister for the Department of Employment and Learning, Stephen Farry said: “This investment in economically relevant Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) postgraduate courses will help improve the skills of our graduates to meet the needs of local employers and support economic growth.”
Professor Richard Millar, Dean of the Faculty of Computing & Engineering at the University of Ulster said: “We are delighted to receive funding from DEL for these 70 places on our Masters degrees in subjects so important to the Northern Ireland economy.
“These postgraduate Master of Science degrees develop advanced and specialist skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, composites and polymers. They have been developed with industry to produce graduates who will be able to take the lead in a wide range of sectors including bioinformatics, financial market prediction, aerospace, transport and nanotechnology. The courses draw extensively from the Faculty’s internationally-recognised research in computer science and engineering to ensure that the students are equipped with highly sought-after expertise.”
Welcoming the Minister’s announcement, Professor Tony Gallagher, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Planning, Staffing and External Relations at Queen’s, said: “As part of Queen’s role as a key driver of growth, the additional places announced today will enable the University to continue to strengthen local industry through the provision of an increased pool of highly skilled graduates in STEM-related sectors.
“Higher Education plays a vital role in underpinning the economy in Northern Ireland and therefore today’s decision by the Minister is most welcome.”