The University welcomes today's announcement by the President that a zero increase in fees will apply in 2016. We commend our Vice-Chancellor and student leaders who were part of the negotiating meetings with the President which resulted in this significant announcement. We recognise that this is a first step in alleviating the burden of the cost of higher education for our students.

The budget shortfall that this announcement creates will be supported in part from national funds but will also require substantial belt tightening within individual institutional budgets.

Urgent work and consultations are underway on the resumption of the academic programme and an announcement in this regard will be made shortly.