State-of-the-art Centenary Learning Centre at UQ Gatton

The University of Queensland Chancellor Sir Llewellyn Edwards is to open a state-of-the-art learning centre at UQ's Gatton campus today at 4.30pm.

The Centenary Learning Centre is situated within the Library building at UQ Gatton, and contains two training rooms, each equipped with 20 Pentium workstations.

The computers can be used for accessing information, computer assisted learning, Internet access, and various software applications. There is also plenty of group study space and 24 hour access to a UQ Graduate School Study Centre. The Centre also houses AskIT, the University's new help and training service.

Sir Llew says it is an important landmark event for the Gatton campus.

"The launch of the Centenary Learning Centre represents the realisation of a dream," he said.

"When the project was announced as part of Gatton's centenary celebrations in 1997, we knew that flexible learning was the way of the future. The concept was already flowering in our University; and now, three short years later, The University of Queensland has embraced the concept so completely that this splendid new facility is right on target to meet demand."

University Librarian Janine Schmidt said the new learning centre would provide Gatton students and staff with improved computer facilities and expanded study space with a variety of seating.

"Users will also benefit from an enhanced book collection, and of course they will continue to have access to the entire UQ Library http://www.library.uq.edu.au network including the largest research collection in Queensland," she said.

The Centenary Learning Centre was designed by architect Alan Jordan from Phillips Smith Conwell. The 1999/2000 project upgraded the 1973 purpose built library building and the existing computer system. Additional learning and teaching materials for the Library itself will also be purchased.

The Centenary Learning Centre is so named because initial $500,000 in funding for the project was announced in Gatton's 100th year of operations. It has since been granted a further $200,000.

The Queensland Agricultural College opened in 1897. It was amalgamated with The University of Queensland in 1990 and renamed The University of Queensland Gatton last year.

Media: For more information contact Janine Schmidt telephone 07 3365 6342.

Enquiries can also be directed to communications@mailbox.uq.edu.au