Banffshire MSP welcomes £100k donation for college
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Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has thanked an anonymous donor after they donated a six-figure sum to a further education hub.
The £100,000 contribution will go towards the development of an innovation area within the Fraserburgh campus of North East Scotland College (NESCOL).
Mr Stevenson submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament to praise the donation.
He said: “I am really pleased this very generous sum of money has been gifted to NESCOL’s Fraserburgh campus.
“This contribution will go towards the innovation area at the college.
"This generous donor will have helped to further enhance the learning of students and I would like to say thank you on behalf of my constituency.”
The contribution came from a local business and the funds will be invested immediately to develop a technology centre at the Fraserburgh campus which will be used to expand learning and training for school groups, community organisations and students.
Robotics, 3D printing and plotting, virtual reality and other learning innovations are included in the plans.
Encouraging entrepreneurship to support inclusive growth in the local economy is a key aim.
Principal of NESCol Neil Cowie said: “This significant funding award will allow us to move forward at pace with exciting new plans and we are incredibly appreciative of the generous donation.
“The region faces unprecedented circumstances as the scale of the human cost and economic impact of coronavirus becomes clear.
"NESCol will be central to the response, supporting businesses and individuals through training and education, and will work closely with stakeholders and partners to deliver on behalf of all of the communities we serve.”
The college will use the donation to increase capacity and access to new technology. The funds will also help to increase the flexibility of the space earmarked for a technology centre, with new furniture and audio visual equipment to be purchased.
NESCol’s director of business development Duncan Abernethy said: “The donation is hugely important at a time when collaboration is crucial. We know how important it will be to show a return on this investment and have a project group already established to drive forward with the technology centre proposals.
“The college sector will be more important than ever before in increasing employability and enabling reskilling to meet the challenges being faced nationally, regionally and locally.
"This type of partnership working and the generous financial backing opens up new opportunities and will make a real and lasting difference in the community.”
A spokesperson for the business said: “We recognise the tremendous work that the college does for the youth and others within our community seeking further education or vocational training that can provide opportunities for them in what will be very challenging times.
"We see the college as a key and integrated part of our community, with various groups making use of the excellent facilities within the Fraserburgh campus.”
NESCol, which serves the region from its facilities at the Fraserburgh campus and in Aberdeen at the City campus and Altens campus, is accepting applications for full-time 2020/21 courses starting in September as well as part-time and distance learning courses.
For further information visit www.nescol.ac.uk
Further advice for students and applicants is available through the Student Advice Centre team by email at studentadvice@nescol.ac.uk
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