Young people in Leicester will have a greater chance of realizing their ambitions thanks to a new education center in the city.

Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, who herself overcame barriers during her school days to forge a successful career as a space scientist and broadcaster, was chosen to open the IntoUniversity Centre, in Beaumont Leys.

Leicester’s IntoUniversity center is a collaborative partnership between IntoUniversity, the University of Leicester and De Montfort University. The initiative has been funded thanks to a number of generous donors including the Randal Foundation, founded by Dr Nik and Moni Kotecha, and the Ian and Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust.

The center will provide young people access to after-school academic support, mentoring with university students and professionals, in-school aspiration-raising workshops and enrichment and work experience opportunities.

Dame Aderin-Pocock, who was the University of Leicester’s Chancellor and attended 13 different schools and had undiagnosed dyslexia as a child, cut the ribbon at the opening, before telling school pupils set to benefit from the center to aim high when it comes to education .

Dame Aderin-Pocock, who is a co-presenter of BBC Sky At Night, said: “I know the enormous power of education first-hand. Having dyslexia, I