7:30am Monday 21st September 2009
By Andy Carswell
STUDENTS signing up at Bucks New University today will be the first to use its state of the art flagship building.
Around £40million has been spent on the brand new Gateway building in the centre of High Wycombe.
High-tech music and video production suites, studios, a two-storey library and a gym containing £250,000 worth of equipment will be officially unveiled to first year students arriving today.
And nursing students based at Uxbridge will also get to see their refurbished building from this morning.
Prof Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of Bucks New University, said: “Enhancing the experiences of our students is one of our key objectives, and providing first class facilities will enable us to provide a learning environment befitting a modern, forward-thinking and innovative institution.
“The Gateway building is a physical reminder of our development as a university over the last couple of years.
"It also marks our presence at the heart of the High Wycombe community, and we look forward to welcoming new students and members of the public who will be able to make use of this amazing new facility.”
Tom Foy, President of Bucks Students’ Union, said: “We are all looking forward to making full use of the Gateway over the coming academic year.
“I am sure it will help provide a fantastic start to university for the freshers that are joining us, and will provide fresh inspiration for our returning students and employees.”
Members of the public will be able to use the university site as a shortcut to Wycombe Hospital – and people will also be able to sign up to use the university gym from around Christmas time.
With the completion of the Gateway, the majority of the University’s provision will be based in the centre of High Wycombe.
New student accommodation will also be opening at the old CompAir factory site in Hughenden Avenue, meaning the majority of the university is now based in the centre of High Wycombe.
This will provide 234 en-suite rooms, communal kitchens and lounges, an office and a launderette.
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