Way clear for city super college

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One of the last obstacles to the creation of a new super college in Glasgow has been removed.

The board of Central College of Commerce, which previously opposed any merger plan, has now backed the idea.

Central and three other city centre colleges - Metropolitan, Nautical and Stow - have now committed to a shared campus project.

If all were to merge, the new college would be the biggest in Scotland and one of the largest in the UK.

Central College of Commerce opted not to become part of Glasgow Metropolitan College when it was formed several years ago by the merger of Glasgow College of Building and Printing and Glasgow College of Food Technology.

In May this year, it entered a partnership agreement with its three city neighbours for a shared campus.

Now Central College board believes a full merger of all the colleges would best serve students. The new entity will be the largest college in Scotland John McClellandScottish Funding Council

College principal, Paul Little, welcomed the "clarity" of this decision and said the initiative had the "opportunity to deliver the best possible outcome for students and staff".

John McClelland, chairman of the Scottish Funding Council on Glasgow city centre colleges, said: "The Scottish Funding Council welcomes the board of Central College's decision to pursue a merger that will develop a single college in the centre of Glasgow.

"This decision complements those of Glasgow Metropolitan College, Stow College and Glasgow College of Nautical Studies to progress to a single college concept.

"This is consistent with the vision of the Scottish Funding Council and we are pleased to continue to support this direction and outcome.

"The new entity will be the largest college in Scotland and amongst the largest in the UK."

Metropolitan and Stow Colleges are currently discussing plans to merge.

A spokesman for Stow said: "As we only received notice of Central College's latest merger proposal late yesterday, neither the principal nor board chair of Stow College have had the opportunity to discuss it.

"However, the college can confirm that its own plans for merger with Glasgow Metropolitan College will proceed as previously announced."