The prestigious Wolfson Foundation has lent its support to Aberystwyth University’s plans to transform the Old College into a new centre for culture, learning and enterprise by 2022/23.

The London-based charity has awarded a £250,000 grant towards a new interactive exhibition within the Old College, which will showcase the university’s currently unseen heritage science collections of national significance.

Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, director of the Welsh language, culture and external engagement at Aberystwyth University, said: “We are grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for this award which demonstrates their early support for our ambitious plans for our New Life for Old College project.

“The funds will go towards developing a new space in the Old College to house our science collections, as well as items from recent and current research.

“The gallery will also host temporary complementary exhibition provided by partners and research collaborators.

“Together, they will inspire an understanding of the science that shapes our lives and futures, and will appeal to a variety of audiences, including children, family groups, youth and community groups and tourists as well as students, researchers and visiting academics.”

Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: “I am thrilled to be announcing this funding. We have worked hard to attract applications from across Wales, and to emphasise that we wish to fund great projects wherever they are located.

“We may have a London address, but we want to sound the message loud and clear: we warmly welcome applications from Wales”.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now