We were delighted to welcome senior representatives from Staatliches Berufliches Schulzentrum I Coburg, the State Vocational College in Coburg, Germany, to the Isle of Wight College—celebrating over 40 years of friendship, learning and cultural exchange between Coburg and the Isle of Wight.
This special partnership has deep historical roots, beginning with Prince Albert, born in Coburg, and Queen Victoria, who made Osborne House their family home. This royal connection led to the official twinning of Coburg and the Isle of Wight in 1983, a relationship that continues to flourish today.
During their visit, Principal Anja Golle and Kai Fürst enjoyed a full programme of engagement, including:
- A guided tour of our campus
- A visit to CECAMM, our Centre of Excellence for Composites, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine
- Lunch with our Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO and Assistant Principal in the College’s training restaurant
- A reception with the Coburg Twinning Association and Isle of Wight Council representatives, including the presentation of a framed image of Osborne House as a symbol of our shared history
The visit provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas around vocational education, shared values, and future collaboration. We are also looking forward to welcoming students from Coburg later this summer.
“It was a pleasure to host our colleagues from Coburg and to showcase the talent, pride, and sense of community here at The Isle of Wight College. Cross‑cultural education enriches both our staff and learners, and we look forward to building even stronger connections with our twinning town in the years ahead.”
— Fidelma Washington, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO
We’re grateful for this long‑standing friendship and excited about the opportunities ahead as we continue to celebrate international partnership and shared learning.
