24 Dec Government minister checks out unique tech
A government minister was transformed into a Lord of the Rings character during a unique college tour.
Robert Halfon MP, minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education, visited USP College’s XTEND Digital Campus, on Canvey, along with Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris.
The visit gave an opportunity for the college to share its unique technology – some of it a first to the UK and new in the education space.
The specialist digital campus, which opened its doors last year, focuses on augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and immersive education.
The visitors took a tour of the campus, experienced a demonstration of the immersive room and visited the motion capture studio and volumetric studio.
A 3D photo taken on the day has since seen Mr Halfon turned into a Lord of the Rings character by students.
He said of the visit: “I was blown away by the facilities on offer to the students at USP College.
“From virtual reality to immersive learning, the college is offering students the very best foundation on which to launch great careers. I was particularly impressed with the opportunities given to students with special educational needs and disabilities through supported internships.
“To build a skills nation fit for the future, we need more colleges to follow in USP’s footsteps and extend the ladder of opportunity to all.”
The minister and MP met with the college’s supported internship students, as well as using the immersive technology to virtually meet with A-level students from the college’s Seevic Campus, in Benfleet.
Mrs Harris said: “USP are doing groundwork, equipping local students with skills in high-earning, hi-tech industries and using cutting edge teaching technologies to do it.
“It was fantastic to welcome the minister to the XTEND campus on Canvey to see this teaching in action.
“I urge residents of any age who want to learn new skills, or businesses that want to upskill their workforce, to get in touch with USP and explore the courses and amazing facilities on offer on our doorstep.”
Dan Pearson, USP College CEO and principal, said: “Some of the technologies utilised at our XTEND Digital Campus are a first to the UK and relatively new in the education space.
“The future of education is going to be led by how we utilise technologies like these, and it was a pleasure to have the minister and our local MP here to see some of this for themselves.
“We hope visits like this can open more dialogue at the top levels of government on how to better support FE colleges like ours.”
USP College offers A-levels, BTEC diplomas, T-levels, professional qualifications and higher education to school leavers and adult learners.
The college, graded Good by Ofsted last year, also has Palmer’s Campus, in Grays.
