Borders College, based in the southeast region of Scotland, has successfully achieved the STEM Assured standard for their education, conferred by the STEM Foundation.

Energising economic activity by strengthening the provision of STEM education is one of the key capability requirements that drive us job creation, innovation, and industrial diversification, at regional and national levels.

Borders College, with regional campuses in Galashiels, Hawick, and Newtown St. Boswells, has some 1,300 full-time students and 4,000 part-time students.

Offering a wide range of educational programmes for students including vocational and academic courses, the college also has extensive apprenticeships and work-based learning programmes.

Subjects range from business, computing, construction, engineering, health and social care, hospitality, and sports and exercise.

The STEM Assured Standard and Framework benchmarked the college’s STEM provision in six category areas including: Strategy and Planning in relation to STEM economic priorities; Collaboration and Consultation with stakeholders and ecosystem partners; Innovation and Creative thinking; Design of STEM curriculum including thematic cross-curricular provision; Delivery including resources and learning materials used to support STEM education; and Impact of STEM provision and continuous improvement processes.

Peter Smith, Borders College Principal & CEO, said: “STEM Assured Accreditation is a fantastic achievement for Borders College, and a testament to the dedicated and innovative lecturing team leading this delivery.

“The development of STEM skills is absolutely crucial to the economic development of the Scottish Borders, and Borders College is committed to continuing as a leader in the STEM fields, offering the best experience to all our learners.”

The College is planning a range of evidence-supported new innovative courses in areas such as Data Analytics and Intelligent Buildings, Data Science, Big Data, Technology Enabled Care, and Cyber Security, as well as the introduction of bespoke Electric Vehicle Training Centre and a Tourism Academy to name just a few of the forthcoming new STEM related activities.

Professor Sa’ad Sam Medhat, Chief Executive of the STEM Foundation and IKE Institute, said: “Borders College has demonstrated a STEM leadership manifested through its ambitious Strategic Plan. The College’s Department of Enterprise and Business Innovation has a well-developed programme of engagements with local and national employers to anticipate and influence future skills needs for the region and beyond.

“Achieving the STEM Assured status clearly provides the college with a mark of distinction and differentiation reflecting its commitment to STEM education.”

“The Assessment and Validation Panel, which included seven senior industrialists and academics were impressed with the way in which Borders College has established an effective outreach programme, not only with local employers but also with high schools and primary schools.”

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A driving force behind the coordination of the STEM Assured effort was Jimmy Louth, who recently passed away, said this on hearing the College had met the STEM Assured Standard: “I am very proud that we have achieved our STEM Assured Status, which means we have shown that we are doing excellent work in providing quality STEM education. We will continue to improve our provision to keep up with changes in the technology and job markets, while working closely with employers and other important stakeholders.

“Borders College is committed to embracing emerging STEM developments with a focus on cross-curricular programs that enable STEM students to develop the transferable skills required by the industry. Our new STEM hub and renewable technology developments, provide creative building blocks that will enable students to develop skills in new technologies.”