Sir, – The five regions of cluster colleges proposed by the university presidents in the Republic show a disappointing degree of insularity in relation to the island as a whole (Home News, January 11th). I am very disappointed that the University of Ulster campuses at Magee in Derry city and Coleraine are ignored in the suggested linkages in the north west. Letterkenny and Sligo are shunted south instead of northeast – shameful! Galway colleges should be tied to Shannon area colleges through the M18.
Derry/Coleraine needs a graduate entry medical school and has a fine record in biomedical sciences and psychology. The Department of Education should take note of this academic blindness by the establishment. Derry (Londonderry) and the north west of Ireland must no longer be ignored. The area should be discussed in detail at cross-Border education meetings. UCAS and the CAO should co-operate on college entry rules to limit the feeling of discrimination against Northern students in the South that is perceived by people in Derry. – Yours, etc,