Glasgow College of Nautical Studies in Thistle Street, Gorbals has embarked on an ambitious merger plan with the city centre Metropolitan College.

‘This is a very exciting move,’ said Principal Janet Okten. ‘We are playing to each other’s strengths and it will provide for about 21,000 students.’

In an exclusive interview with the LOCAL NEWS, Mrs Okten said the planning group was meeting fortnightly under the chairmanship of Professor Tom Wilson, the Principal of the Metro College, and had targeted August 2008 as a potential merger date.

The Metro majors in building, printing, tourism and media. The Nautical College has 50% of its full-time students in its maritime courses and 20% of part-time students are on community programmes. ‘Thistle Street will remain as a world class maritime studies centre and we remain totally committed to meeting community needs,’ added Mrs Okten.

There are serious moves to rationalise the estates of four colleges – Metro, Nautical, Stow and College of Commerce. ‘The merger does not remove us from the city centre campus plan,’ emphasised Mrs Okten. ‘That plan enables us to build new halls of residence near Florence Street, demolish the current halls on the Thisle street site and expand our campus.’

The Glasgow South East Regeneration Agency is ‘on board’ with the Nautical College’s developments and wide consultation with staff, students and the broader communities involved, is being carried out.