£1.2m University Centre Poole officially opened at Bournemouth and Poole College

Bournemouth and Poole College has officially launched a new university centre at its North Road campus.

Special guests and college partners gathered on Wednesday for the opening of University Centre Poole, which has been funded through a £1.2m investment from the government and the college itself.

Degrees and other university level qualifications will be offered to over 600 students each year at the new building, which includes nursing training facilities such as a mock-up hospital ward.

The College has also launched its strategy to 2030, which describes its plans for the next five or six years, taking it up to the end of the decade.

Phil Sayles, Principal of Bournemouth & Poole College, told Bournemouth One: “Enabling students to move up to degree level education is so important for them and our economy, so we can begin to fill the skills gap that business and public sector have got in Dorset.”

Cllr Peter Miles, Mayor of Poole, can be seen cutting the ribbon at the official opening along with Principal Sayles.

Guests attending the celebration event had an opportunity to tour the new higher education facility.

University Centre Poole offers a state-of-the-art learning environment for students studying degree level qualifications. It provides flexible learning spaces, digital suites with high-specification IT, engineering research equipment, and industry-standard nursing/health training facilities. Social and study spaces are also available to allow students to meet and collaborate.

Phil added: “It was with great pride and anticipation that we officially opened University Centre Poole in conjunction with the launch of our strategic plan towards 2030.

“The centre provides a dedicated base for our higher-level students and offers excellent technical facilities for learning. First-class facilities and access to the right equipment are important elements to students having a positive learning experience. By expanding our facilities and resources for education, we are better equipped to nurture the experts and leaders industry in our country needs.