Siobhan McMahon MSP has backed plans to develop the University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) Hamilton Campus.
The £53 million proposal was unveiled last year and would see the demolition of the existing Almada Street building which was erected in the 1970s. It would create a new estate pulling three buildings together, two of which are the existing Centre for Engineering Excellence and the Caird Building. The University has pledged to provide £26 million of funding for the project and are looking to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) for the remaining £27 million.
Ms McMahon, Scottish Labour’s new Shadow Minister for Youth and Women’s Employment, offered her support following a meeting with fellow Labour Party politicians and UWS students at South Lanarkshire Council’s Headquarters. Students have written to the SFC and the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning, Angela Constance, outlining the case for the development.
Ms McMahon said “I was delighted to be able to meet with students from UWS along with my Labour Party colleagues to discuss these significant proposals and offer my full support.
“UWS plays a vital economic and social role across the region, with the total economic impact of the University in South Lanarkshire estimated at £71.5 million per year. In addition, Lanarkshire faces real challenges in terms of both high unemployment and low participation rates in higher and further education.
“There is a strong case for the redevelopment of the ageing Almada Building at the Hamilton campus. With the number of students enrolled set to double to 5,000 by 2016/17, it’s important that the facility is up to scratch. It’s clear that the current estate at Hamilton fails to provide the right facilities or environment for UWS to achieve their goals and objectives.
“I would therefore encourage the Scottish Government, which funds the Scottish Finding Council, to seriously consider these proposals and make a clear statement on support and funding for the new campus.”
You can read more about the redevelopment proposals here.
Siobhan McMahon for Central Scotland 