Plans for a new University of Ulster (UU) campus in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter received a €16 million boost today.
Miniser for Employment and Learning Sir Reg Empey pledged the money to help widen participation in higher education.
The planned development in York Street will be the largest the city centre has seen since that of Victoria Square.
Mr Empey said: “The development will bring many benefits beyond the university and will be a welcome boost for our currently beleaguered construction industry.”
The UU unveiled its plans for a major expansion of its Belfast campus last year, which would mean the relocation of many courses from Jordanstown to Belfast.
The increase in student numbers in the area is intended benefit Belfast economically and the expanded campus will play a role in the cultural life of the city.
The overall cost of the development is around €250 million and construction of the new centre should be complete by 2018.
Mr Empey added: “The new campus will also bring social benefits. One of my department’s key goals is to widen participation in higher education, especially among communities which traditionally have tended not to believe university is for them".
“That principle of widening participation will be a key element in the University of Ulster’s development of its Belfast campus.”
PA