The redevelopment of Edinburgh Napier University's Sighthill campus has received a philanthropic boost of nearly £500k.

The funding – which will be used to maximise the benefits of the new building for the wider community – has come from The Robertson Trust and The Garfield Weston Foundation.

The eco-friendly, multimillion pound campus will become the new home of the University's Faculty of Health, Life and Social Sciences when work is completed in October 2010.

It is expected to also spark wider re-generation in the North Sighthill area, providing community access to new state-of-the-art sports facilities, health clinics and other services.

The Robertson Trust has now pledged £200,000 to the project, with an additional £45,000 for a Community Sports Development Officer to enable the University to target community access opportunities.


A further £250,000 has also been donated by The Garfield Weston Foundation towards community engagement.

Professor Dame Joan Stringer, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: "The Sighthill redevelopment is a project which will not only create a landmark campus fit for 21st Century learning but will also benefit the community of which the University is part.

"We are delighted to receive this important new funding from The Robertson Trust and The Garfield Weston Foundation, money that will help us realise our ambition of creating a campus in which students, staff and the wider community can take great pride."

Mr Duncan Munro, Director at The Robertson Trust said: "We are delighted to be supporting Edinburgh Napier’s ambitious plans for the redevelopment of its Sighthill campus. It is this partnership between University and community which we consider of the highest priority, improving the lifestyles of local people, providing aspirational opportunities – especially in the lead up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games and beyond – and encouraging access to higher education."

The Sighthill campus – part of the University's £100m investment strategy – will be a beacon of sustainability, with low carbon emissions and effective overall energy performance a key part of the design.

(GK/BMcC)