QUB Vice-Chancellor says NI must compete on world stage

Queen's University and Northern Ireland must compete with the best in the world if the local economy is to thrive, QUB Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Gregson, has said.

Outlining his vision for the future of Queen's in the University's annual review published on Tuesday, the Vice-Chancellor said Queen's had set itself an ambitious aim of “building on strong foundations to establish itself as a global force in research and teaching”.

"By fuelling the knowledge-based economy, Queen’s is perfectly placed to help Northern Ireland realise its ambitions to develop a strong and dynamic social, political and cultural life for all its people,” Professor Gregson said. “It is by being globally competitive that Northern Ireland’s economy will thrive, creating wealth for all its citizens."

The Vice-Chancellor said that new structures recently agreed by the University, would place great emphasis on academic leadership, and ensure clear lines of authority, responsibility and accountability.

Queen’s University is one of the biggest employers in Northern Ireland – with 3,500 staff – and also one of the most significant investors in its capital infrastructure.

Tuesday’s annual review was published as a supplement in the Belfast Telegraph, Irish News and News Letter. Copies of the review can be obtained from the Communications Office, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, telephone 028 9097 3091.

(MB/SP)