COMPUTER company Intel has donated £4,500 worth of hardware to the new University Technical College Swindon which opens in September.

The international business, which has offices in Pipers Way, is a partner of UTC Swindon and has given the college 90 Galileo microcontroller boards, which will be used by students at the new centre as part of their work.

The college will specialise in engineering courses and will welcome 600 students aged between 14 and 19.

Angela Barker-Dench, the college’s principal, said Intel’s donation would be a big benefit to UTC Swindon and their prospective students.

She said: “As well as strengthening our partnership with one of the world’s biggest names in IT, this donation will enable our students to learn using cutting-edge technology.

“This is vital to preparing young people for the workplace and their futures beyond UTC Swindon.”

Darren Howell, Intel IT product manager, intends for the college and the company to have a long and fruitful relationship.

He said: “As a major player in the worldwide computing industry and a key employer in Swindon, we have a vested interest in the training and education of young people in the area.

“For this reason, we are delighted to make this donation and support the work of UTC Swindon.”

As well as engineering, UTC Swindon’s curriculum will consist of subjects including maths, English, science, computer science, PE, and personal and social education.

Swindon UTC’s next open day is taking place at the Ferndale Campus at Oxford Brookes University between 6.30pm and 8pm tomorrow.

During the event, Angela will speak to prospective students and their parents about the new centre, while staff will describe the specialist engineering education available and the types of engineering careers students could follow.

UTC Swindon will be run by a trust being sponsored by Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells and Oxford Brookes University.

If you are interested in applying for a place at UTC Swindon, email info@utcswindon.co.uk or download the application form at www.utcswindon.co.uk