UQ improves facilities for the new year

When students return en masse to UQ campuses next week they will be arriving to a host of newly-refurbished buildings and a hive of construction activity as the University continues to enhance its teaching and learning facilities.

Over the summer break, substantial improvements were made to a range of teaching and learning spaces, and with $5.5million committed towards upgrading facilities in 2008, works are set to continue throughout the year.

Much of the focus will be on the development of the new General Purpose South Building and the $1.5 million refurbishment of the iconic Abel Smith Lecture Theatre (both due for completion mid-2008).

In the meantime though, UQ Manager (Academic Facilities) Phil Taylor said students could look forward to breaking in a range of exciting new spaces completed in time for the fresh academic year.

These developments include a $1 million Science Learning Centre, a $1.1 million Podium for Chemistry students, and projects in the Parnell and Richards Buildings valued at $900,000.

- The Science Learning Centre, constructed in the Priestley Building, will provide a unique space for students to relax and interact with fellow scholars and teachers in a friendly environment. Its funding was drawn from enhanced student charges.

- The Podium for Chemistry students will provide a learning space for students and staff of the School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences. The facility is designed to afford students an area in which to undertake group work and make presentations, and to engage in social contact with other students and staff.

- Refurbishments in the Parnell and Richards Buildings were directed at enhancing two heritage-listed teaching rooms in particular.

The teaching room in the Richards Building has been substantially upgraded, with new tiers, individual seating and data projectors. Some original features, including silky oak presentation boards have been retained as an example of the original furnishings.

The Parnell teaching room has been converted into a modern flat floor teaching space with modern AV equipment, computers, and facilities for video recording.

- University campuses have also seen the roll out of the Lectopia Lecture recording system in all designated centrally controlled teaching spaces with seating capacities over 200.

Implemented in lecture theatres at the St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton campuses and the Herston site, the system will allow academic staff to record lectures by either audio and screen content, or audio and video. Students will then be able to access these recordings online for review.

The project was completed with $500,000 funding handed down by the Commonwealth Government’s Learning and Teaching Performance Fund. Following an evaluation of the system, Mr Taylor said the University would consider extending its use to additional teaching rooms.

Media: Phil Taylor, Manager, Academic Facilities (07 3365 1975 or philip.taylor@admin.uq.edu.au) or Lucy Manderson at UQ Communications (07 3365 2339 or l.manderson@uq.edu.au).