UQ improves student facilities for new year

UQ students starting classes next week for first semester, 2007 will benefit from $4.77 million worth of new teaching and learning spaces developed by the University over summer.

UQ Manager (Academic Facilities) Phil Taylor said while students had either been studying over summer semester, or enjoying a well-earned break, the University had been busy developing new facilities or refurbishing existing ones in time for the new academic year.

The new spaces include a $2.8 million Regional Collaborative Learning Centre at UQ Gatton, three projects valued at $1.3 million in the Hawken Engineering Building at the St Lucia campus and a $670,000 refurbishment in the Colin Clark Building, also at St Lucia.

• The innovative Regional Collaborative Learning Centre (R-CLC) at UQ Gatton and designed by Dimitriou Architects, is equipped with the latest audio-visual technology and is partly funded by the Commonwealth Government`s Capital Development Pool.

UQ’s first Collaborative Teaching and Learning Centre (CTLC) in the $24 million Sir James Foots building opened at its St Lucia campus in 2005, featuring almost $1.5 million in technology.

The award-winning St Lucia CTLC has attracted worldwide interest with groups from Europe, the United States, the Middle East, South Africa and Japan visiting to study its unique learning concepts.

The highly innovative collaborative spaces can operate in three distinct modes: individual study, seminar and/or group mode where the space can be divided into multiple learning “pods”.

The “second-generation” R-CLC at UQ Gatton will also feature the three operating modes with flexibility enhanced by pop-up monitor pods.

An advanced control system transforms the rooms using lighting changes, power-operated screens and blinds and advanced projection systems which optimise the equipment so students can work either in groups, with an instructor, or independently.

• The Hawken Building projects include refurbishment of two ground floor lecture theatres — N201 and N202 — for improved acoustics, and upgraded audio-visual systems. There is extensive use of glass, and N202 has become a double-tiered lecture theatre, increasing the flexibility of teaching spaces, and providing a new northern entrance to improve access.

• Enhanced student charges have funded a new First Year Engineering Learning Centre on the ground floor in the Hawken Building, where students can gain advice or assistance with their studies. The Hawken projects were undertaken by Wilson Architects.

Mr Taylor said the Hawken Building renovations included sustainable water practices, with water capture methods from the roof used to water internal garden beds.

• The charges have also funded the refurbishment of three lecture theatres on level one of the Colin Clark Building, which is occupied by the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law.

The extensive refurbishments designed by architect Mark Jones include improved visibility, upgraded audio-visual systems, more comfortable seating, room reorientation, and the creation of a small student meeting room, adjacent to the lecture rooms.

Media: Philip Taylor, Manager, Academic Facilities (07 3365 3140 or Jan King at UQ Communications (07 3365 1120).