New campus will be a ‘shining example’
Government minister visits the new £85m UWS site
The new Lanarkshire campus for the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) was called a “shining example of a modern university”during a site visit by a government minister.
Work on the £85million development at Hamilton International Technology Park is well under way and the first students are set to move in by 2018.
The 38-acre ultra-modern facility is just two miles from the existing UWS site in Hamilton’s Almada Street.
Shirley-anne Somerville, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, visited the campus which is a partnership between the University, South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) and developers HFD.
She said: “University of West Scotland is a shining example of a modern university delivering real benefits for the people of Scotland. This institution, alongside three others in Scotland, recently featured in the top 200 young university rankings for 2017 and has Scotland’s largest School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery with around 4000 full- and part-time students.
“The university also have tailor-made courses designed to meet the demographic needs of Scotland with the first BA Honours qualification in integrated health and social care specifically designed for people who either work, or want to work in health and social care, but aren’t health professionals.”
Following a tour, which was led by principal and vice-chancellor of UWS, Professor Craig Mahoney, the minister met with staff and students from the university’s School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery at the current Hamilton campus. During this visit she got the opportunity to see some of the leading-edge dementia and midwifery facilities that students access as part of their studies.
She added: “During my visit today, I was able to see first-hand the excellent progress being made on the new UWS Lanarkshire campus and then meet staff and students of the School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery. The school has some of the best clinical simulation and digital skills facilities in the country that gives students realistic experiences and confidence before going to placement.”
The development is estimated to be worth at least £443million to the local economy over the next 25 years according to an independent report prepared for SLC. In addition to the 254 staff employed by UWS on the existing campus, at least 1180 full-time equivalent positions are supported outwith the campus.
I was able to see first-hand the excellent progress being made on the new UWS campus