Additional £1m pledged to Belfast's 'W5' in new partnership

By David Hunter

£1million is being invested in so called 'STEM' subjects at 'W5' in Belfast through a ten year partnership with Almac Group.

A major exhibition is expected to open next year improving interactive learning materials in Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths.  

The news of the agreement follows the recent announcement by the Odyssey Trust, the owners of W5, that £4.5m is to be spent on a major capital refurbishment and public engagement programme over the next three years.

The aim of the new partnership is to enhance STEM knowledge and understanding among the next generation of budding scientists.
 
It includes a new 4,000sq ft exhibition area that explores the physical, chemical, genetic and medical aspects of the body, and is expected to open next Autumn.

It will also showcase Almac’s history and its work carried out in the drug development cycle for pharmaceutical and biotech sectors globally. 
 
Alan Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of Almac Group, said, “This is an exciting and forward-thinking partnership between Almac and W5, an award-winning science and discovery centre, which will provide key benefits for the people of Northern Ireland as well as both organisations.
 
“We are thrilled that the exhibition space adds to our existing presence in Belfast and provides us with a platform to tell our fascinating company history, from very humble beginnings to becoming a key player in the global biotech sector, employing almost 5,000 people worldwide, 3,000 of whom are based at our headquarters in Craigavon.”
 
“We plan to tell that story in an accessible and interactive way and hope we can inspire a new generation who have the potential to be employed in cutting-edge science in the future right here in Northern Ireland.”