New university department opens Swindon campus
It's part of The Royal Agricultural University
A new university department opens in Swindon today (October 8).
The Royal Agricultural University, which has its main campus a few miles up the A419 in Cirencester is officially opening its Cultural Heritage Institute.
It will start teaching post-graduate courses in the preservation and management of our cultural heritage – and fittingly enough, it will do so in part of the renovated Victorian GWR Carriage Works buildings in the Railway Village.
It marks another success in Swindon Borough Council’s work to find new uses for the building – and more is to come. The Universities of Bath and Oxford are to open a joint Innovation Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies, doing research into ways of re-using materials like plastics.
Leader of the council David Renard is excited by the new institute’s opening. He said: “This is good news for many reasons- it’s finding a new use for the Carriage Works and the students and staff will add vibrancy to the railway Village.
“The courses run by the Cultural Heritage Institute are particularly appropriate for that area in Swindon and the students will benefit from the synergy of having both the National Trust and Historic England in the town.”
Most of all Coun Renard is pleased at the increased educational opportunities coming to the town.
He said: “Along with the good work New College Swindon does in higher and further education, we have this, there’s the Institute of Technology starting up, and the University of Bath coming soon as well.
“It increases Swindon’s higher education offer and increases the opportunities for the people of Swindon.”
Although best known as an agricultural college, the RAU also offers courses in real estate management and conservation.
The Cultural Heritage Institute is led by Dr Geraint Coles
The college said: “We launch the Cultural Heritage Institute and start building an exciting future in archaeology, applied heritage and historic environment management, with a ground-breaking MBA, new taught masters programmes, high level continuing personal development and research opportunities leading to masters by research and doctorate of philosophy.”
In its prospectus the college says: “Being in Swindon certainly gives access to some amazing learning resources including Historic England, English Heritage, the National Monuments Archive, the National Trust and Steam – the museum of the Great Western Railway – all within a five minute walk.”
The new institute will be officially opened on Fridayby Mayor of Swindon Garry Perkins, Coun Renard, Dr Coles and the university’s vice chancellor Professor Peter McCaffery.