State-of-the-art uni campus moves ahead
UWS plan for education future
Hamilton’s new campus for the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) moved a step closer this week.
University chiefs approved the move and declared it could be worth almost £2billion to the local economy over the next 25 years.
Dubbed the Ecocampus, it is hoped the state-of-the-art premises will be in Hamilton International Technology Park.
Planning permission in principle for the development was granted last month.
And on Monday, the UWS Court approved the full business case for the new site. It will now look to secure financial arrangements to ensure the “best value with the aim of delivering an outstanding campus for their students, staff and the wider community”.
The new campus, just over two miles from the existing site on the town centre’s Almada Street, will offer state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities, student accommodation, Students’ Union and specialist laboratory space.
Professor Craig Mahoney, principal and vice-chancellor of UWS, said: “Today’s decision is a major milestone in the development of an exciting new university campus for UWS, for Scotland and for Lanarkshire.
“In approving the full business case for Ecocampus, we’ve taken into account the economic and social benefit of this to Lanarkshire itself and the wider area. Most importantly, we are excited about the significant educational benefit this creates, as well as creating an improved environment for our students, staff and stakeholders.
“We will now move forward with creating one of the UK’S most environmentally friendly, dynamic and vibrant campuses. This will be game-changing for higher education in Scotland and provide us with a fantastic opportunity to develop our educational offering for students internationally, across the UK, Lanarkshire and the wider Central Belt.”
The university’s new development will also look at the creation of a bespoke green travel plan to encourage those attending and working there to use public transport options.
Relocation to the new campus, once final go-ahead is confirmed, is anticipated to start from September next year.
Professor Mahoney continued: “Our Lanarkshire campus already makes a significant and positive impact on the local area, contributing £69.3million to the economy, including graduate premium, and supporting 711 jobs in South Lanarkshire.
“A report from BIGGAR Economics in 2015 states that the estimated additional economic benefit of the new campus over the next 25 years could be as high as £1.9billion.
“Our aim is to build on that figure, doing more for the community than ever before. Ecocampus will give us a terrific platform from which to do that.”
The decision to relocate to HITP is subject to procedural approval by the Scottish Funding Council, and the UWS Court includes representation from students and staff.