Skip the NI Direct Bar

Appointment designed to widen participation in Higher Education

1 June 2009

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today welcomed Paul Cavanagh on his appointment as Widening Participation Regional Coordinator for Northern Ireland.

This role will involve Mr Cavanagh assisting the Department in the development and delivery of an integrated regional strategy for widening participation.   The aim of this strategy will be to help more students from under-represented groups, particularly lower socio-economic backgrounds and students with learning difficulties and disabilities, to participate successfully in higher education.

The Minister said:  “Paul will play a pivotal role in taking forward the widening participation to higher education agenda in Northern Ireland. He has a wealth of experience in this area and this will be invaluable to help promote a collaborative approach between government, the higher education institutions and other stakeholders.”  

Mr Cavanagh holds a BSc Social Science (Hons), a MSc in Development Management.  He is Chair of the Derry Local Strategy Partnership and founder of the Cross-Border Community Development Project.  From 2002 to date, he has worked for the Western Health and Social Services Board and since 2006 has been Commissioning Manager with responsibility for directing commissioning of mental health and learning disability services in the Western area.  He is also a member of the Big Lottery Fund Northern Ireland Committee.

The post, which is funded by the Department for Employment and Learning, will be based in Northern Ireland and will be supported by Continuum, the UK centre for widening participation policy, which is located in the University of East London.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. Continuum is based within the University of East London and is the first research centre of its kind in the UK. The aim of Continuum is to provide a focus for critical understanding of widening participation, policy and practice.
  2. This is a new appointment and will take effect from 1 June 2009 and run until 31 August 2011.
  3. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.  Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.