The Civic University Network   is a UK consortium of higher education bodies that harnesses the collective power of the sector to drive social, economic, and environmental advancements in the places they call home.

Under the Queen’s agreement framework, the University’s work is enriched through collaborations with community partners such as Forward South Partnership, Greater Shankill Partnership, and the Market Development Association. These partnerships, and the networks they facilitate, enable Queen’s to keep the greater Belfast community at the heart of its purpose, and that the city’s communities benefit from Queen’s presence.

The University recently celebrated the graduation of young people from the Ardoyne and Shankill areas with a Level 4 Certificate in Youth Leadership and Community Action, a programme delivered in partnership with Foróige and R-CITY.

Programme Manager, Pierce McConnell, spoke of his own experience and the impact R-CITY’s partnership with Queen’s has had in the north and west of the city:

“As the saying goes, ‘you only dream to the size of your exposure’ and not everyone in our community has the family support, opportunities, or youth provision that shaped my path.

“R-CITY offered me an alternative education route when I didn’t have the qualifications to return to do my A Levels. As a youth worker now, I wanted others to have the exposure to what’s possible of them and seeing those young people graduate has been one of the proudest moments in my role. Without Queen’s, we wouldn’t be this far along. What began as five Level 4 graduates has grown to around 35 each year, with a third going on to Higher Education.”

The event’s marketplace setup gave audience members the opportunity to hear more about specific projects and the ways in which their respective communities work with Queen’s.

Jackie Redpath, Chief Executive of Greater Shankill Partnership stated:

“The Shankill are on a journey of positive transformation, after so many changes to the area over recent decades, but we can’t take that journey alone.

“Queen’s have really stepped forward as a partner in working with us. Projects like the Greater Shankill School Network works with all primary and post-primary schools in the greater Shankill area, supporting them to shape positive educational futures.”

Queen’s President and Vice Chancellor welcomed the University’s new status, saying:

“Since 1845 Queen’s has embraced its civic responsibilities, co‑designing projects that tackle the most complex societal challenges. Without strong relationships with our partners, this milestone of achieving formal Civic University status simply wouldn’t have been possible.

“This new status recognises the ways our University works hand in hand with communities and partners to drive positive change across Belfast and beyond.  It cements our societal commitment and provides a framework to build on our work and share learning with other Civic Universities, ensuring Queen’s continues to be a place of opportunity and inclusion.”

Media

For media enquiries contact alana.fisher@qub.ac.uk