The College of West Anglia (CWA) has officially opened its new state-of-the-art Darwin Building at the Cambridge campus, marking a significant step forward in enhancing science and animal care education for its students.  

Kerry Heathcote, Deputy CEO and Vice Principal of Quality and Curriculum welcomed guests to the opening, and Dr Nena Skrbic (SFHEA, CMgr MCMI), Head of Initial Teacher Education and Strategic Lead for the Education and Training Consortium at University of Huddersfield unveiled the new facility, which is set to provide cutting –edge resources for students across a range of departments.  

Ms Heathcote said: ‘Named after Charles Darwin, a pioneer whose groundbreaking work revolutionised our understanding of life itself, this centre represents not only the spirit of discovery but also the boundless possibilities of bioscience. Here, we aspire to honour Darwin's legacy by fostering innovation, curiosity, and exploration, empowering our learners to push the boundaries of what is currently known.’

Alison Barber, Head of Faculty Land Based Studies and Cambridge Campus Director said ‘The Darwin Building has been designed to offer advanced learning environments equipped with a Table Vet anatomage table which offers students a real insight into the anatomy of animals using 3D visualisation. There are also physical anatomical models in equine, canine and feline that will help support the science aspect of the courses more practically, enhancing students’ experience of innovative learning.’

The facility, funded through a grant from the Local Skills Improvement Fund, is expected to play a key role in supporting CWA’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality education that meets the needs of employers and the wider community.  

To see all photos from the event, take a look at our Flickr!