Isle of Man Guide

EDUCATION Minister Anne Craine MHK announced today that The Nunnery estate has officially been re-branded as the Island’s new University Centre.

Mrs Craine said:

‘I am pleased to announce that the Department of Education has, through the Higher Education Council, chaired by Department Member Eddie Lowey MLC, significantly increased the educational use of The Nunnery estate, with record numbers of students and staff drawn from both the International Business School and the Isle of Man College using the resources on this site.’

The move is in line with the Department’s ‘Policy for the Development of an on-Island Higher Education Provision’, in which it confirmed its intention to bring higher education under one roof at The Nunnery. I

n addition to International Business School students studying for BA and MBA qualifications, The Nunnery now houses Isle of Man College students studying for National Certificate, HNC and HND qualifications.

Six staff and 38 full-time students have made the transfer from the Isle of Man College to The Nunnery. The Nunnery will also house professional courses taught by staff from both the International Business School and the Isle of Man College.

The switch of higher education courses to The Nunnery will ease the accommodation pressures faced by the Isle of Man College as it expands to provide for the post-school education and training needs of the Isle of Man.

Mr Lowey said:

‘The movement of staff and students over the summer to The Nunnery reflects the Department’s commitment to ensuring maximum use of existing resources. This initial development will hopefully soon be followed by the move of the Centre for Manx Studies into the stable block, which is being presently being redeveloped. The Nunnery site is also the focus for the new International Institute of Space Commerce and for other higher education developments.’

Professor Ronald Barr, the Department’s Higher Education Co-ordinator, who is also Deputy Principal at the Isle of Man College, said:

‘Over the summer, the Higher Education Council has worked hard with staff at the International Business School and Isle of Man College to ensure increased use of The Nunnery estate. This has been achieved through positive collaboration by staff at both institutions, which has led to the successful movement of Isle of Man College business staff and students onto this site.’

Professor Mike Lloyd-Williams, the acting Director of the International Business School, said:

‘We welcome both the staff and students from the Isle of Man College to The Nunnery estate. We hope that this is the beginning of a long and rewarding period of cooperation between various higher education providers on the Island in order to develop a vibrant and effective University Centre.’

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