Launch of the Suffolk Institute of Technology’s New Home at 1, Upper High Street, Ipswich - 15 November 2004
Roger Fern, The Mayor of Ipswich, officially opened the new premises for the Suffolk Institute of Technology (SIT) at a major launch event yesterday (15 November 2004). Located at 1 Upper High Street Ipswich, this remarkable Art Deco building started life as the School of Art and Science and now, thanks to funding from the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE), it has been regenerated as a community asset and a key resource in supporting the SIT to address regional skill shortages and promote business competitiveness.
With the official opening of this new hub, the SIT will strengthen its role as one of the UK’s 19 New Technology Institutes (NTIs). As well as offering a modern fully-equipped learning environment, the layout of the building, with its octagonal central atrium, provides a welcoming and comfortable venue for conferences, seminars, lectures and practical workshops
At the launch event Councillor Fern praised the refurbishment work undertaken and the vision shown by the SIT, Suffolk College and the University of East Anglia in developing the building into its next phase of use as a centre for contemporary learning and knowledge exchange.
Introducing the work of the SIT, Associate Dean Clare Avery said: “The SIT provides high quality education in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), multimedia, digital arts and associated business processes such as e-commerce, accountancy, professional development planning and mentoring. In line with local and national priorities, the SIT offers full and part-time provision at a range of levels, including new Foundation Degrees and courses delivered through the Internet to offer convenience and flexibility to students. The SIT also works extensively with partner agencies including the Suffolk Development Agency, Suffolk Learning and Skills council, CMI (the joint venture between Cambridge University and MIT), and the New Wolsey Theatre.”
In addition to the High Street facility, the SIT has developed a network of outstations through which courses and services, including a full portfolio of learndirect courses, are available. The SIT Learning Centres are located at Ipswich Railway Station, Hadleigh Business & Learning Centre, Adastral Park, Newmarket and at the Framlingham Technology Centre. The SIT also provides IT training to jobseekers in partnership with Job Centre Plus at Felixstowe and shortly Woodbridge and Ipswich.
Commenting on the launch Dr Peter Funnell, Assistant Principal (Learning Development) at Suffolk College and Executive Director of the SIT said:
“ We are very pleased that the HEFCE funding has enabled us to bring this special building back into public use. It is a remarkable resource that lends itself perfectly to the job of encouraging research, learning and knowledge transfer. The atrium will be used as a forum where people meet, discuss and learn from each other. It will also be used as exhibition and conference space and is very well equipped with the latest teaching and design facilities”
END
Notes for Editors
The SIT is one of 19 New Technology Institutes (NTIs) in the UK. These were announced by the Minister for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education in June 2002 and are designed to address regional skill shortages and to promote business competitiveness.
The SIT was launched in November 2002 following the success of the proposal submitted to the Higher Education Funding Council for England by the University of East Anglia on behalf of a wide ranging partnership led by Suffolk College.
For further information please contact:
Clare Avery
Associate Dean, SIT
Tel:01473 296679
Issued by SIT Promotions: 15 November 2004