L-R Colin Sinclair, Professor Janet Beer, Councillor Nick Small and Linda Cowan
Construction has started on the new £35 million facility for Liverpool International College with a ground-breaking ceremony on site.
The facility, due to open in September 2019, will be the first under construction in Knowledge Quarter Liverpool’s Paddington Village, a £1 billion, development site that will be home to some of the world’s most influential players in science, health, technology, education, music and the creative and performing arts.
Operated through a successful 10-year partnership between Kaplan and the University of Liverpool, Liverpool International College recruits and prepares more than 800 international students for entry into the University’s degree programmes each year with courses in academic skills, key subject knowledge and English language.
‘Global outlook’
Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool, said: “We pride ourselves on both our international research collaborations and the international learning environment we provide for all our students. This global outlook is a significant and distinctive part of the ethos of our University, to which our ten year partnership with Kaplan and the establishment of Liverpool International College have made a hugely successful contribution.
“LIC has helped the University, and Liverpool as a city, to become much sought-after by students from all over the world. And I have no doubt that a further 15 years of partnership and a fantastic new College building will continue this trend.”
Linda Cowan, managing director, Kaplan International Pathways, said: “With the Knowledge Quarter becoming established as a world-leading hub for innovation, our new college facility will offer our students exciting opportunities. This project is a perfect way to celebrate ten years of successful partnership with the University of Liverpool, recently extended for another 15.”
‘Exciting scheme’
Nick Small, Assistant Mayor of Liverpool and Cabinet Member for Schools & Education, said: “With over £1bn of new developments currently underway and a further £1bn in the pipeline, the Liverpool Knowledge Quarter will increase the city’s employment figures, improve our graduate retention and attraction rates, and establish Liverpool at the forefront of the Northern Powerhouse.”
Colin Sinclair, Chief Executive, Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, said: “We are thrilled to see this level of investment happening in the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool Mayoral Development Zone. It further proves that collaboration between The City, Universities and the Private sector can lead to world-class innovation, create jobs and improve people lives.”
John O’Callaghan, Kier Construction Northern managing director, said: “We’re thrilled to be working on this exciting scheme, which will provide important facilities for students in the heart of Liverpool. We’re looking forward to working with Kaplan, using our team’s experience and expertise in similar projects to deliver a quality, ‘high-profile project to be proud of.”
‘Home away from home’
The new college facility will provide a home away from home for international students. It will house a café, Knowledge Hub, study booths, and social area with game and study zones with expanded opening hours to suit students’ varied schedules. There will be 24/7 surveillance from reception for enhanced security and students will have access to University facilities including libraries, IT suites and sports facilities.
Kier, a leading property, residential, construction and services group, will deliver a 47,000 square foot, 13-storey, 259-bed student accommodation block and three-storey college building to house up to 900 students.
Liverpool International College marks Kier’s second high profile project in the Knowledge Quarter, building on the success of its recently completed Sensor City for the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.
For more information about LIC can be found here.