Northern Ireland

Ministers highlight contribution of colleges and universities in fight against Covid-19

A facial visor made by 3D printing and laser cutting technology at Belfast Met
A facial visor made by 3D printing and laser cutting technology at Belfast Met A facial visor made by 3D printing and laser cutting technology at Belfast Met

FURTHER and higher education institutions are making an invaluable contribution to the fight against Covid-19.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds and Health Minister Robin Swann praised institutions for providing and creating personal protective equipment (PPE), joining research for a vaccine and students volunteering and joining the health workforce.

Mrs Dodds said colleges and universities were packed full of skills, knowledge and talent.

"The staff and students have shown no hesitation in applying those attributes to the current crisis and doing what they can to make a real difference," she said.

"I am impressed and humbled at the projects they are bringing through, the innovation being shown and the speed at which they have sprung into action."

Highlighting the work being done by the further education sector, she continued: "We are seeing Southern Regional College, North West College and South West College working together to manufacture facial visors for health service staff using 3D printing and laser cutting.

"Belfast Met is also using this technology to make PPE, while South Eastern Regional College has made reusable face masks that they are donating to care homes. In parallel, colleges are gathering the PPE that they have on campus and donating it to their local health trusts."

Mr Swann praised the contribution of universities.

"Around 500 final year medicine and nursing students at Queen's have agreed to join the front line and support the NHS directly. Final year adult and mental health student nurses at Ulster University have also entered the healthcare workforce as part of emergency plans," he said.