Uni drives its technology plans forward

9:00am Friday 11th April 2008

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AS BUILDING work began on the new flagship building for Buckinghamshire New University, an innovative new partnership is set to keep it on the cutting edge of technology and industry.

The new construction will feature advanced technology and equipment for future students to enjoy, thanks to a partnership with two major IT companies.

Technology giants HP and Cisco will be the main suppliers of ICT products and services to the university for the next three years.

Professor Derek Godfrey - pro vice-chancellor for operations, enterprise and research - said: "We want to be known as a new university for all.

"That's the challenge we want to set ourselves, and it's about delivering IT and having access to the best technology available.

"We want to work with companies like HP and Cisco to work on this new vision of being a university for all."

The new technology will be used by the Faculty of Creativity and Culture for video and music downloads, the Faculty of Innovation for interactive distance learning, and the Faculty of Society and Health for improved methods of contact for students.

At the launch, Martin Hess, of HP, and Scot Gardner, of Cisco, both expressed their pride at becoming involved with the university.

Professor Godfrey outlined some of the benefits the new building will enjoy, including cutting edge new equipment, wireless networks throughout the campus, and multi-function devices to replace the likes of faxes and photocopiers.

The Gateway building will have stainless steel cladding on the outside, and will connect to the main site via a second floor bridge. It will be able to operate on a 24 hour, seven-days-a-week basis.

Ruth Farwell, vice-chancellor of the university, said: "We're incredibly excited about the future, both in terms of the partnership and the new building.

"It's a ground breaking partnership between HP and Cisco. We wanted to think about how we can have a meaningful relationship, as working with businesses is fundamental to underpinning the curriculum we do."

She added the new building offered the perfect chance to strengthen bonds with business. "We thought the two things came together with a really good synergy.

"It's hugely significant for us. Having this partnership with local companies and national companies is something we regard as a key part of what we want to deliver, also as our being a part of Wycombe."

Buckinghamshire New University's Gateway building is set to be completed and in use by September 2009.

The planned facilities that will be available for students include a sports and fitness lab, a sports hall, a dance studio, music studios and video editing facilities.

There will also be several computer labs, a plentiful supply of books and hundreds of study hot-spots' with computer terminal access.