New facility is one of the most modern in Britain

The culmination of a two-year project and £110 million investment, UWS Lanarkshire opened to students in the summer of 2018.

Completely carbon-neutral, the campus is powered by 100 per cent renewable energy from nearby Blantyre Muir windfarm. It features rainwater harvesting technology, photovoltaic panels, a building management system, intelligent travel infrastructure and various environmental initiatives including compostable cutlery.

It was relocated two miles to its new home in Hamilton International Technology Park, after it spent 40 years at its original home on the Almada Street site in Hamilton.

The Advertiser launched a Keep UWS in Hamilton campaign after it emerged there was a proposal to move to Maxim Park, near Eurocentral in North Lanarkshire.

And the decision to remain in South Lanarkshire was estimated to be worth at least £443million to the local economy over the next quarter of a century, according to an independent report prepared for South Lanarkshire Council.

The campus represents a radical departure from traditional university teaching – having moved away from conventional lecture theatres in favour of technology-rich, flexible break out and study spaces that encourage greater interaction and collaboration amongst students.

Other important elements of the building are its 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, operating model, allowing maximum flexibility for students.

Excellent health and fitness facilities are also provided within a state-of-theart gym which students can access free of charge after UWS became the first Scottish university to offer free gym access to all students using UWS fitness facilities.