New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) launches Skylon Campus development
This week proved to be a big day in the chronicle of the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE), who hosted an open day for the launch of their second campus at Skylon Park in Hereford.
NMITE and build partner Speller Metcalfe welcomed local businesses and partners onsite to experience campus plans first-hand and educational aspirations for NMITE’s new campus, which will become home to both the Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (CATT) and Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM).
Notable speakers included Professor Robert Hairstans (CATT Director) and his Edinburgh Napier University student team, and Professor Beverley Gibbs (Chief Academic Officer) who showed how NMITE’s developing campus will be used to enable the delivery of student centric learning, play a fundamental role in building industry partnerships, support students in tackling real world challenges and qualify NMITE in educating the next generation of work-ready engineers.
“This has been a fantastic opportunity to engage with local organisations about the work we are doing to develop the NMITE campus, with positive contributions and questions raised from our business community,” said Adrian Speller, Technical Director at Speller Metcalfe.
“As a local contractor we are not only excited to be a part of the development stage, but a part of the legacy that NMITE will have on the Herefordshire community and its students – some of whom we may have the opportunity to work with as future industry professionals.”
Mr Edward Harley OBE, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire; Adrian Speller, Technical Director at Speller Metcalfe and Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcon, NMITE’s Chief Executive Officer concluded the day’s events with a sod-cutting ceremony, recognising the commencement of the Skylon Campus Build and signifying the next phase in NMITE’s growth.
In her ceremonial address Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcon commented: “The creation of our second campus and the soon to be home of our Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (CATT) and Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) starts here, today. This project has been a long time in the making, but this moment signifies breaking ground and project commencement, and is a momentous occasion for all of the NMITE family.”
NMITE will welcome their first cohort of Integrated Engineering Undergraduate Master’s Degree students (aptly named as Pioneers) to their city centre Blackfriars Campus on the 6th of September 2021.
Speller Metcalfe is responsible for delivery of the Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (CATT), which will focus on advanced manufacturing and production techniques, showcasing the practical uses of timber as a construction material. The project, which was procured through the Pagabo Medium Works Framework, is due to complete in time for September 2022.
