U4D reaches Parliament

University for Derry, the group putting forward radical plans to upgrade and expand university provision in Derry-Londonderry, has reached Westminster.

An Early Day Motion has been tabled in the House of Commons congratulating Professor David Chiddick, the eminent founding Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, on his retirement.  Professor Chiddick is advisor to the University for Derry group and has produced the vision plans for the university-led regeneration of Derry-Londonderry.

The Early Day Motion - already signed by several MPs - wishes Professor Chiddick well in his continuing work with U4D in seeking the regeneration of Derry-Londonderry.

Padraig Canavan, chair of U4D, says: "The praise for David Chiddick is well founded.  He is one of the most highly respected academics in the UK, who has helped bring about the economic transformation of the city of Lincoln through the university-led regeneration of that city.

"Lincoln is a city very similar to Derry-Londonderry: it is the same size, had the same economic problems and also had a similarly low level of graduates in its population.  The city's civic, community and business leaders had the sense to recognize that economic transformation could best be achieved by the creation of what was effectively a new university there in 2001.  They then had the good fortune to benefit from David Chiddick's inspirational leadership of that new university.

"We in Derry-Londonderry now have the benefit of Professor Chiddick's help and advice in developing plans to do the same thing here now that he has retired."