EDUCATION chiefs today announced building work will begin on a new Suffolk College this time next year.College bosses said finance is in place for a £50million scheme to redevelop the 40-year-old college and demolition work, to pave the way for new buildings, may start as early as January 2006.

EDUCATION chiefs today announced building work will begin on a new Suffolk College this time next year.

College bosses said finance is in place for a £50million scheme to redevelop the 40-year-old college and demolition work, to pave the way for new buildings, may start as early as January 2006.

And principal of the college Professor Dave Muller has also called on the business community to sponsor the new college.

He said employers could benefit from sponsoring courses or lecture rooms in a variety of ways.

He said: " I would be interested to hear from any business that would like to get involved with the new college. We want to engage the business community in what we are doing."

Professor Muller said that it was a very exciting time for the college.

He said: "It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and is excellent news for further education in Suffolk."

In March the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) pledged £18m towards the project.

Prof Muller said: "We have already got about 40 per cent of the funding from the LSC. The rest will come from the sale of land, including land on the waterfront for the new university campus, borrowing and college reserves."

Work on the project will begin as soon as the tendering process is complete.

The redevelopment of the college is closely linked to the University Campus Suffolk project.

Former Suffolk County council buildings, St Giles House and St Paul's House, will be among the first to be knocked down to prepare land for new buildings.

Prof Muller said: "The first demolition will start early next year. The first bricks will be laid hopefully in May or June next year."

The ageing Suffolk College tower block will only be demolished when new college buildings are ready, likely to be in 2008-2009.

n. Are you a student at Suffolk College? What do you think? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

n. For more information on sponsoring courses or lecture rooms, call Prof Muller on 01473 296521 or E-mail dave.muller@suffolk.ac.uk

n. See today's Education page on page 16 for an in depth look at what the college will have to offer.

Weblink

www.suffolk.ac.uk