Oldham’s Regional Science Centre gets official approval

SO proud: (l-r Steve Lowe, chairman of governors; Jackie Gunn and Debbie Oates, daughters of former chairman of governors Gloria Oates; Jayne Clarke, principal; Nick Brown, guest of honour; Oldham Mayor, Councillor Richard Knowles and Councillor Shoab Akhtar. Kneeling: student Ben Nawaz and Youth Mayor Chantel Birtwistle

‘Future of town in the hands of young people’

CELEBRATIONS were in order during the official opening of Oldham’s innovative Regional Science Centre yesterday.

The £10million centre, which opened to students in June is the result of a partnership project between Oldham Sixth Form College and Oldham Council. Housing 21 laboratories equipped with the latest technology, it provides an outstanding learning environment for over 1,000 students who study science at Oldham Sixth Form every year.

The pioneering centre was praised yesterday by speakers including Labour councillor Shoab Akhtar who said the centre had put Oldham on the map. He said: “Young people in Oldham and across the country are going through a tough time but something like this shows how politicians and businesses value young people.”

Year-13 student Ben Nawaz spoke about how he enjoyed studying at the brand new facility, before special guest and former college principal Nick Brown OBE unveiled a plaque to commemorate the day.

Describing the centre as a landmark in the life of the borough, he said: “What the science centre does is put the future of the town in the hands of young people.

“Where else in the country is the demand for places to study science more than there is actually room to do so?”

A special plaque was also unveiled in memory of former chair of governors Gloria Oates OBE, who died in August 2010, by daughters Debbie and Jackie.

The exhibition space on the ground floor of the centre has been dedicated to Mrs Oates.

Speaking afterwards, Jayne Clarke, Oldham Sixth Form College Principal, said “It’s essential that we’re able to meet the rising local and national demand for better skills in science and technology and the new centre will play a key role to this end — building on the college’s outstanding track record in supporting students to achieve excellent outcomes and to progress to university and employment.”