The London College of Printing is reinventing itself with "digital media and digital print" at its heart, according to head of college Dr Will Bridge.


He made the announcement this week as the college unveiled plans for a 20,000m2 extension to form the media block. The work is part of a wider regeneration of the Elephant and Castle area under architect Norman Foster.


The extension means that LCP (part of The London Institute) can bring its Farringdon site, where it holds its journalism courses, to the Elephant and operate from one campus. Work starts on the project in June.


As further proof of its move to digital, the college unveiled its new Quickmaster DI, donated by Heidelberg, and announced that it would offer a full BA Hons course in digital media production.


"This [donation] illustrates the importance of links between the institute and industry. And we want to take that to a new level," said rector designate Sir Michael Bichard.


"LCP and Heidelberg are well matched for a number of reasons," Bichard added. "Not least because were both reinventing ourselves for the digital age."


Heidelbergs Print Media Academy in Germany and the LCP will also collaborate on a new MBA course in print management. The course represents the first collaboration between the two institutions.


* Heidelberg is conducting a market analysis on the possibility of bringing its Print Media Academy to the UK.
Marketing manager Sascha Fischer said the firm was not planning to build an academy as it has in its German home town. But it will set up a forum to provide training and academic courses with collaboration from partners.
"It will be a platform for exchange of information," said Fischer.


Story by Lauretta Roberts