Postgraduate and Executive Education Centre at Riddel Hall
Four years ago as the institutions for devolved administration in Northern Ireland were being finalised, a former Secretary of State commented that 'If Northern Ireland is to genuinely become a world class society, then it must have world class public services and world class businesses.' To achieve this, education will play a seminal part.
Such aspiration is appropriate and well founded as we move further into a century which has already witnessed remarkable and seismic change both at home and on a broader world stage. Queen's has always embraced change and the physical and attitudinal developments of the past ten years, the tangible results of the Campaign for Queen's, have been transformational. The University embarks upon its second century with a vision and clarity of purpose which, when fully realised, will be to the benefit of all within this community and indeed to communities much further afield.
The emergence of those world class public services and businesses to which the Secretary of State was referring will not occur merely because we wish them to. The delivery of a vision can only be the outcome of much hard work, of learning and of leadership. It is in this context that the vision of Queen's as one of the world's 'Top 100' universities is both appropriate and noble, for it is increasingly recognised that for Northern Ireland to be successful in the 21st century, then Queen's must be successful.
In realising this vision, Queen's will be the first university on these islands to open a dedicated, state-of-the-art Graduate and Executive Education Centre comprising a leading Management School, a unique Graduate School and a bespoke Leadership Institute to meet the needs of global and local business. The vision also redefines a role for one of the University's and Northern Ireland's most cherished listed buildings, Riddel Hall.
It was the enlightened combination of successful commerce and philanthropy which led to the building of Riddel Hall as a hall of residence for women students of Queen's University almost a century ago.
There is now the opportunity to establish on this unique eleven acre parkland site at Stranmillis a facility of truly international significance in this landmark building. But this is about much more than physical bricks and mortar; the vision looks further: it also encompasses a high quality post-graduate facility, a leading research-led ManagementSchool and a Leadership Institute for the delivery of executive education programmes.
1. Riddel Hall-The natural home
It was the enlightened combination of successful commerce and philanthropy which led to the building of Riddel Hall as a hall of residence for women students of Queen's University almost a century ago. There is now the opportunity to establish on this unique eleven acre parkland site at Stranmillis a facility of truly international significance in this landmark building. But this is about much more than physical bricks and mortar; the vision looks further: it also encompasses a high quality post-graduate facility, a leading research-led Management School and a Leadership Institute for the delivery of executive education programmes.
2. Postgraduate Education -Building a globally competitive region
The University's vision includes a commitment to increase the postgraduate student population to 30% (4,000) of its student community. Achieving this will have a positive impact on the local and all-Ireland economies. Eight of the University's academic Schools will use this new purpose-built facility. This will reflect both the international stature of the University and its leading role in providing market-attuned education for the economic growth of Northern Ireland.
3. Queen's University Management School – Building future prosperity
One of the key pillars designed to further our international reach and reputation is the already established Queen's University Management School (QUMS), acknowledged as the leading research led School on the island of Ireland. The platform for a step change in the provision of world class management education at Queen's is therefore well founded.
4. Leadership Institute - Building a better world
The founding of a bespoke Leadership Institute provides the focal point of a world class business education model comprising executive education, continuing professional development and cutting-edge research. This Institute will be a highly significant 'touchpoint' for Queen's in terms of a broader constituency at home and abroad. It will deliver high-level programmes across the private, public and voluntary sectors-locally and globally-which will draw upon and add to an established body of learning within the Queen's University Management School and its developing international network.
At the heart of the matter
Northern Ireland's 'Programme for Government' identifies the University as the 'powerhouse' for economic growth. Riddel Hall provides a focal point for the growth of our students, the growth of leaders, the growth of business and the growth of society underpinned by world-class research, facilities andcollaboration.
Riddel Hall at Queen's can be at the heart of this great network. Some may question the timing of such ambition, against the backdrop of an unprecedented economic downturn; but it is these very shifts in our economic world order which place in sharp focus the need to seize this opportunity to ensure the informed
learning which can positively govern our collective future.The realisation of a new and dynamic world-class offering of this order requires robust business planning and is as bold in its ambition as it is sensitive to the task ahead. This is a project which will require almost £15m of funding to ensure Riddel Hall is 'open for business' by Autumn 2011. Funding of £10m has already been secured from the University and Government. The balance of £5 million is now sought from philanthropic sources.This is a vision that we hope you will share, and an opportunity in which we invite you to invest.
For more information, please contact:
Norma Sinte, Development and Alumni Relations Office
Queen's University Belfast
BT7 1NN, Tel +44(0)2890973114
email: n.sinte@qub.ac.uk
