NICHE

The Northern Ireland Consortium for Higher Education

Prof. Andrew Ciofalo
Director, Institute for Education in International Media

Introduction

This proposal, called NICHE, is so named to differentiate it from what is normally called “Study Abroad” and to provide a context for this opportunity for a “Dedicated Facility” in Northern Ireland.

This opportunity came to light while ieiMedia was administering a summer communications program for Gonzaga and Temple universities in Northern Ireland rather than the more popular venues to the south. Here we discovered the existence of a renovated academic building and an adjacent hostel, both available, and a city eager to use this space for its intended educational and cultural purpose.

The facility in historic Armagh City presents an opportunity for more advanced programs in several specialized disciplines. Filling such programs with special interest students would require a national outreach unless an institution were large enough to support a campus abroad individually. Additionally, the programs envisioned for Armagh would also attract students from the U.K. and the Irish Republic through partnership with universities on both sides of the border.

This is a project that needs to be on the “fast track” because this particular opportunity will not go unnoticed, especially as Northern Ireland begins to emerge as the one underdeveloped region of Ireland and the U.K. poised for rapid economic growth.

The City of Armagh

Armagh is the oldest city in Ireland, the ancient seat of Irish kings and the place that nurtured St. Patrick’s ministry. The Church of Ireland Cathedral, on the site of the church he built, sits on a hill opposite the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Armagh. This symbolic juxtaposition defines the role of Armagh in the reconciliation of factions that is now underway. Armagh is the ecclesiastical center of Ireland, and is investing its resources and energy in becoming the religious, educational, intellectual and cultural capital of Ireland. The presence of an American university is seen by local officials as a critical factor in fulfilling this mission.

Leaders of the Armagh District Council, which owns the facilities in question, are willing to advocate special support, both physically and financially, at the local level. In addition they are prepared to spearhead the effort with central authorities in Belfast, London and the European Union to put together a package of economic incentives to relieve the investment burden required for an American university to establish itself in Armagh. They will also assist in sponsoring us with the non-profit foundations for additional support and brokering relationships with other local universities for program development. (We would have access to highly qualified local faculty through Trinity University in Dublin and Queens University and the University of Ulster in Belfast, among nine universities on both sides of the border in Ireland.)

Unlike its neighboring towns, Armagh City (so designated because of its cathedral status) has eschewed much of the retail and industrial development that is pressuring those communities. As a result, there is a concern about becoming a bedroom community; housing prices in Armagh are the fastest rising in the U.K. The Council is counting on employment in the educational and cultural segments to counterbalance this trend. This small city in Northern Ireland’s smallest county already boasts a major theater and performing arts complex, a world renowned observatory, two outstanding “high schools,” a “community college” slated for major expansion, and numerous historical and archaeological parks and sites. (To learn more about Armagh go on the web to http://www.visitarmagh.com)

Expectations = Opportunity

The city leaders are counting on an American university to anchor and solidify its position in the new Northern Ireland and to make it a magnet for similar and compatible enterprises. Their emphasis is not on the typical generic study abroad program, but rather on programs that express the city’s unique position and mission, such as reconciliation, conflict resolution, peace and justice, social justice and communications. Related disciplines include Irish Studies, literature, philosophy, theology, history, political science, sociology, etc. There is a particular interest in the establishment of American-style applied media courses that would also be open to U.K. and Irish students offered cooperatively with an Irish university. Programs in theater and dance can utilize the facilities of The Marketplace Theater.

Furthermore, special linkage is possible with the Centre for Cross Border Studies, which would also be housed in the available academic building. And Armagh is also the seat of the North-South Ministerial Council, which deals with cross border infrastructure issues. Such organizations, and others, will attract American scholars and graduate students, especially those who wish to study the Northern Ireland model of conflict resolution.

Given the major development needs in the region, American practitioners in business, public relations, marketing and advertising can become important assets to the community.

The Facility

In the past decade an old hospital was redeveloped as an academic building for Queens College (Belfast) for an outreach campus in Armagh. Adjacent to this academic building, a new dormitory was constructed with about 60 beds. When Queens decided to de-emphasize its involvement in satellite campuses, the building was abandoned and the dormitory leased to Youth Hostels International to be run as Armagh’s only hostel, which was used by ieiMedia for its summer 2007 program. Both buildings have been well-maintained and are ready for occupancy.

The academic building has roughly 7,000 square feet of usable classroom and office space (not counting hallways, reception areas and other service space). This includes a fully wired computer lab with at least 20 spaces and a wired lecture hall with connections for distance learning. It is my understanding that upgrades and space reconfigurations are possible. (see attached floor plans).

The complex sits on a hill with magnificent views of the city and easy walking distance to the city’s center. There is plenty of additional second-story space on the main street to lease for expansion, and the nearby Benburb Abbey is now run as a conference facility (several miles outside of town), which could be useful for conferences and special events.

The Armagh District Council has communicated to ieiMedia its willingness to lend significant political, economic and infrastructure support to any American university or consortium prepared to offer a proposal for the site.