NEWS STORY, 24 July 2014, By Amanda Carrington
Squeezed Victoria students say new science space overdue
“EXCITED” students are looking forward to the overdue building of a new science block at Victoria University.
There is not enough space in the current building for postgraduate students, which is directly affecting their studies, says Victoria University Students Association president Sonya Clark.
“It’s high time that the biology students and staff moved to a modern, upgraded facility,” she says.
“Students are excited about the new facility. It will be awesome for students and for Vic.”
The major redevelopment project announced last week includes up-to-date labs in 2017 when staff and students move out of Kirk building that currently houses the science department.
The Kirk building, built in the 1970’s, will be refurbished and strengthened for new use within the university.
Victoria University Campus Services spokesperson Jenny Bentley says it will allow for new spaces for modern teaching methods.
“The redevelopment will provide better group work, better interaction between academics and the students, with informal learning and study areas,” she says.
The science field will include new jobs for five to six major researchers being employed, which will increase student intake and profitable income for NZ economy, says Faculty of Science Professor Michael Wilson.
He is looking forward to the major project bringing in collaboration with other university facilities in New Zealand and around the world.
“We collaborate closely with the Malaghan Institute and Zealandia. The new building will produce a real step and change of what we can achieve for science,” he says.
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