Professor Robert Winston, the renowned scientist, medical doctor and broadcaster, has officially opened Cardiff Sixth Form College’s new campus and science department.
Students, parents, staff, partners and invited guests gathered at the new campus in Merchant Place in Cardiff Bay on 24 October to celebrate the opening and explore the facilities created for the college’s UK and international students.
Located opposite the Wales Millennium Centre and close to the Senedd, the new campus brings Cardiff Sixth Form College into the heart of one of the capital’s most vibrant districts.
Designed for up to 500 students, it combines the historic setting of Merchant Place and Cory’s Building with contemporary teaching and learning facilities, including advanced science laboratories and modern classrooms.
There is also an auditorium overlooking Cardiff Bay, alongside communal social spaces, a gym, basketball court and medical centre.
A new-build 17-storey boarding house – the tallest building in the area and the largest boarding house in the UK – is located a five-minute walk from the college, with modern en-suite accommodation for students.
Tom Arrand, Principal of Cardiff Sixth Form College, said: “Our new campus gives our students an exceptional environment in which to learn, live and fulfil their ambitions, while keeping us firmly rooted in the city that has been our home throughout our development.
“We were particularly honoured to welcome Professor Robert Winston to officially open both the College and our new Science Department. His distinguished contribution to science, medicine and education makes him an inspiring figure for our students.”
A pioneer in fertility treatment and genetic screening, Professor Winston is Professor of Science and Society and Emeritus Professor of Fertility Studies at Imperial College London. He has also presented numerous BBC television programmes, including The Human Body and Child of Our Time, and is a passionate advocate for science and education.
The opening follows a significant investment by Dukes Education that will support the College’s continued growth and further strengthen Cardiff’s reputation as a destination for international education.