Relocating all UCM students to one site will 'improve student and staff wellbeing'

New Higher Education Centre to be development at Homefield Road facility

It's hoped relocating higher education students from the Nunnery to University College Isle of Man's main building will improve student and staff wellbeing.

The education minister has published more details about plans to move all classes to Homefield Road ahead of the new academic year.

Responding to a series of Tynwald questions for written answer from Onchan MHK Rob Callister, Daphne Caine said the impact on the wellbeing of staff and students was considered.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture believes locating them on one site will have a positive impact with less travelling between sites, immediate access to support services and potential interaction at social events.

As part of the relocation, a Higher Education Centre will be set up on an existing floor in the main UCM building.

It'll be developed over a two-year period and include a suite of generic classrooms as well as a newly formed informal learning space.

Around 115 degree students will use the centre, with a mix of full-time and part-time attendees.

The space which will house the centre has previously been used by groups on single academic year courses, so no groups will need to be relocated to accommodate the new facility.

The move will increase the occupancy rates at Homefield Road, but Minister Caine says there is currently capacity, and the new structure will provide more flexibility.