Campus impresses first minister

Mr Salmond met students during his visit to the college

First Minister Alex Salmond has officially opened a development which completes a "super campus" in Dumfries.

The �38.5m Dumfries and Galloway College at the Crichton replaced its old building in Heathhall.

It opened in September on a site next to the University of Glasgow and the University of the West of Scotland.

Mr Salmond said the campus development meant young people would no longer need to "go outside the area to get educational opportunities".

The first minister was taken on a short tour of the new building before carrying out the official opening ceremony.

We wanted more than a building - we wanted a learning environment fit for the 21st Century and beyond

Tony Jakimciw
College principal

He said: "There is nothing more important to the future potential of this area than for young people to have full access to good facilities and good education.

"I have been truly impressed by what I have seen.

"It is an investment in the future of the most vital natural resource of all - that is the young people and human potential of Scotland."

One of the first acts of his government in 2007 was to announce funding which allowed undergraduate admissions to reopen at the University of Glasgow on the Crichton.

The institution had stopped taking new students - blaming the move on �800,000-a-year losses.

Mr Salmond said that education was now in a position to play an important part in driving the economy of the area.

Unique partnership

College principal Tony Jakimciw thanked everyone who had played a part in ensuring the building was completed on time and on budget.

He added: "We wanted more than a building - we wanted a learning environment fit for the 21st Century and beyond.

"It is a unique partnership between the University of the West of Scotland, the University of Glasgow, the Open University and Dumfries and Galloway College.

"That partnership is reflected in this building and the shared learning and library facility that is at the heart of the building."