Dr Peter Funnell (Assistant Principal (Learning Development) explores the development of Suffolk College in the Ipswich Education Quarter - East Anglian Daily Times, 16 November 2004
Considerable progress continues to be made to establish new buildings and facilities for Suffolk College as part of the development of the Ipswich Education Quarter and the creation of University Campus Suffolk (UCS).
Current timescales are ambitious and look to gain funding approval from the local and national Learning and Skills Council by early 2005, complete detailed planning and design work during 2005, and undertake building works leading to the opening of new facilities during the 2007/8 academic year. These timings being consistent with the proposed phase 1 development of UCS on the Waterfront.
Effective planning for new buildings starts with a clear set of educational aims. For Suffolk College these revolve around the expanding need for skills training and vocational education, and the creation of wider and deeper learning opportunities in line with local and national priorities. They must also support and facilitate the establishment of a University presence in Suffolk.
Over recent years the College has significantly expanded its Further Education provision, whilst initiatives such as the Suffolk Institute of Technology and the newly established network of learning centres (developed in partnership with agencies such as the Suffolk Development Agency and Jobcentre Plus) have enhanced links with employers.
The design of the new College buildings will reflect these current and known educational developments whilst retaining sufficient flexibility to adapt to learner and employer demand, the impact of technological change and emerging best practice. In addition to the careful planning of teaching and workshop space this also requires: focused attention on areas such as library and other learning and student support services; the IT network and infrastructure to support learning; the design of the business critical services that support the effective operation of the College; and, student social space and facilities. Detailed work is currently being undertaken to assess how many of these services and facilities can be shared, or offered collaboratively, between Suffolk College and UCS. The development of such ‘shared services’ will be an exiting feature of the comprehensive and contemporary expansion planned for the Ipswich Education Quarter.