Selected as an education Ambassador due to its objective to raise the aspirations of its students through the use of technology, the Borders College’s Innovation Hub launch marks the first of its kind in Scotland.
The initiative aims to enhance teaching and unleash students’ potential by putting technology at the heart of education. It is aligned with the objectives of the Education Technology Action Group (ETAG), whose mission is to promote the use of digital technology across schools, further education, higher education and Special Education Needs (SEN) sectors.
Borders College is situated within the Scottish Borders and enrols 5500 students every year. Of the utmost importance to the college is offering their students an alternative future career path to the traditional industries and roles based within Galashiels and its surrounding area.
“This is at the root of why we wanted this college and its team to become part of the Ambassador Programme – their desire to support in shaping future generations of students and inspiring them to take-up technology subjects,” said Ash Merchant, Head of Business Development for Education at Fujitsu.
“Technology no longer plays just a supporting role in our lives. It is prevalent at home and at work and it demands a new skillset if the next generation are to use it to develop their capabilities, ideas and successes. We are very proud to partner with Borders College to ensure their students and the surrounding community can realise potential technology can provide.”
‘Technology no longer plays just a supporting role in our lives. It is prevalent at home and at work and it demands a new skillset if the next generation are to use it to develop their capabilities, ideas and successes’
Fujitsu have supplied 10 devices to the school from the STYLISTIC Tablets, LIFEBOOK Notebooks and ESPRIMO Desktop PC ranges. 150 students will have access to the technology initially, but the hub will soon be opened to the local community for public use.
As part of the Ambassador Programme, Fujitsu has partnered with educational institutions across the UK, including UTC Reading, NAS Thames Valley School and City College Coventry. All ambassadors have been selected based on their recognition of technology as an enabler to enhance the learning experience and to develop digital skills for students and teachers.
Borders College also becomes an official Tablet Academy Training Centre – a Fujitsu partner who supports in training the teaching teams in the newly acquired technologies. This is at the heart of this entire Ambassador Programme – not just providing the latest, high quality technology, but supporting how that technology is put to work within the education environment, ensuring it is used effectively.
Pam Currie, CEO, Tablet Academy, Scotland commented: “As an official Tablet Academy Scotland Training Centre, the college and its Innovation Hub will become a focal point for the delivery of exciting digital workshops and courses. Our courses and workshops will showcase the technology available and support the college and the wider community to develop digital skills and collaborative working practices that make the most of the technology on offer.”