Stage Two of UQ Ipswich ready for new students

Stage Two of the University of Queensland's new Ipswich campus has been completed in time for Orientation Week and the arrival of more than 1200 students.

"In Stage Two people will find a brilliantly developed site, with refurbished old buildings complemented by effective landscaping and very appealing facilities for staff and students," said Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Trevor Grigg.

The development includes the refurbishment of eight heritage-listed buildings, a new twin building complex and extensive landscaping. The old hospital and administration building have been refurbished to accommodate academic staff. The former theatrette has been fitted out to provide a 100-person teaching space and a video-conferencing facility, while retaining its capacity for live performance and video movie projection.

"The video-conferencing facilities will not only enhance aspects of our existing undergraduate programs, but also enable us to embrace postgraduate coursework programs and distributed online delivery of those courses," Professor Grigg said.

"We aim to develop UQ Ipswich as a key online delivery site in the area of continuing and postgraduate education. To that end we have provided seed funding in collaboration with a number of faculties to assist with course developments."

The new twin building complex provides staff accommodation, large teaching areas, computer laboratories, seminar rooms, a 120-seat Self-Directed Learning Centre and a seven-day-a-week information technology centre. Stage 2 has also seen the expansion of the interim library facility.

A permanent library complex and associated student centre will be built in Stage Three of the UQ Ipswich development, to be supported in part by $2.3 million from the Federal Government's Capital Development Pool. Detailed planning for Stage Three is expected to begin this semester.

Professor Grigg said the balance of the UQ Ipswich site had been cleared apart from three historically-significant buildings: the Blair Pavilion; the Charles Pavilion; and the old engine house. He said the University would seek community support and participation in the redevelopment of the engine house, which has the potential to become a centre for community related activities.

For more information, contact Professor Grigg (telephone 3365 7366, facsimile 3365 1314 or email t.grigg@mailbox.uq.edu.au).