Tremough campus - 1 year on
As the latest cohort of 'freshers' settle down to their studies, Cornwall's education leaders are reflecting on the passage of a full year since the completion of the new development at the Tremough campus near Penryn, and on plans for major new facilities at the site.
Tremough is shared by the University of Exeter and University College Falmouth as part of the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) initiative and currently hosts over 1,600 students. The new resources at Tremough have proved a tremendous draw to students, as Professor Keith Atkinson, Provost of the University of Exeter in Cornwall and Chair of the CUC Executive Group explained:
"When potential students visit us for the first time, most are impressed by the sheer size of the main building and by its groundbreaking design. Obviously the calibre of our staff and courses, plus the cutting-edge equipment students have access to, are the main reasons why so many have applied to come here, but the beautiful environment we enjoy at Tremough is a terrific bonus".
Both University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter are on track to meet their recruitment targets for the year.
Professor Alan Livingston, Principal of University College Falmouth and Chair of the CUC Steering Group commented:
"The concept of two independent higher education institutions sharing a single campus is still a very new and exciting one. The fact that the past year has gone so smoothly at Tremough is a tribute to the dedication and understanding of the staff at both institutions. Together we have created an incredibly stimulating environment which is inspiring students and playing a major role in the regeneration of Cornwall's economy."
The new building at Tremough was completed in October 2004 and was the last of the developments enabled by the first phase of the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative to be finished, following the openings of new buildings housing university-level education at Truro College and at Cornwall College campuses in Camborne, Rosewarne, St. Austell, Newquay, Stoke Climsland and Saltash.
The total investment in CUC phase one was £65 million. A second £55 million phase of funding for the CUC has now been secured and over the coming months building work will start on the expansion of teaching and social areas at Tremough, and on new buildings at seven other sites across Cornwall (work on Truro College's Fal building is already underway). All the new facilities will be ready to welcome students in September 2007 at the latest.