The Liverpool Life Sciences University Technical College (LLSUTC) is hosting its first Open Day on Tuesday, 18 September, giving prospective students and their parents the opportunity to find out more about the facility.
The specialist centre, sponsored by the North Liverpool Academy, the University of Liverpool, 2Bio Ltd, and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, is due to open in September 2013. It will provide technical, academic and vocational education for 14-19 year olds, working closely with the region’s major commercial players to develop the next generation of scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs.
As a key partner, the University will contribute to the governance of the UTC and work with the college to ensure it remains connected to Knowledge Economy ambitions in the Liverpool City Region.
As well as providing advice on lab design and curriculum design the University expects to work with UTC staff and students on the development of specialist life sciences teaching resources and to develop opportunities for UTC students to engage in research-led scientific learning.
The University will also provide advice and support around routes into Higher Education along with professional development options for UTC staff. Liverpool undergraduate and postgraduate students are likely to become a significant resource for the UTC, through volunteering and degree projects.
In addition to the support from 2Bio Ltd, who provide a complete range of support packages for bio-businesses, business partners include Novartis, Unilever, RedxPharma, Bristol Myers Squibb and MedImmune.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Howard Newby, said: “As a major contributor to the local economy the University of Liverpool is committed to increasing opportunities for young people and taking our contribution to the community beyond the physical boundaries of our campus to help make Liverpool a better place in which to live.
We are delighted to be the University sponsor of the Liverpool Life Sciences University Technical College – a venture which will respond to demand from industry and broaden economic and educational opportunities. We believe the UTC will become a leading centre of scientific learning for young people, driving employability and developing the area’s technical skill-base.
Studying at the UTC will provide a wealth of exciting opportunities for students and inspire huge numbers to become the scientists of tomorrow.”
The University of Liverpool is also a sponsor of the Birkenhead UTC, alongside Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), Cammell Laird Ltd and Wirral Metropolitan College. The engineering UTC is scheduled to open in 2014.
Once opened, the UTCs will become part of a national network as proposed by Lord Baker and the late Ron Dearing of the Baker-Dearing Educational Trust.