Investment provides building to support STEM students

9th December 2014

Barney Scott

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University of Derby has been successfully granted £5m by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), to be used as part of a £12m investment in a 4,200 square-metre building for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The money, part of a wider £200m investment by HEFCE, will support an increase in STEM students at the University.

The centre represents a 30% increase on the size of the existing site at Markeaton Street and the project, which will be managed by the University’s own professional staff, is expected to be completed in 2017.

The building will focus on real world learning, combining functional teaching space with infrastructure designed for the specific needs of engineering. For example, accessible roof space will provide opportunities for sustainable energy teaching and the energy use of the building will be captured to support the teaching of control systems.

Professor John Coyne, Vice-Chancellor, University of Derby, said: “This is a further vote of confidence in the University and reflects our growing popularity, especially in STEM subjects. At a time when overall student entry in the sector has been static, the University of Derby has seen an 8% increase in the number of students studying engineering. The building will give Derby the much needed space it requires to develop further.”

Nick Antonopoulos, Dean, College of Engineering and Technology, University of Derby, added: ““The award of the HEFCE bid is great news for the College of Engineering & Technology. This will allow the College to realise its aspirational vision of creative engineering powered by advanced technology and data science. Our students will benefit from problem-driven and industry-linked projects, curriculum and learning/teaching methodologies. This will help our students develop the technical and professional skills required for amazing careers after graduation.”

Madeleine Atkins, Chief Executive, HEFCE, concluded: ‘This funding is badly needed by universities and colleges to meet the increased interest in science and engineering. It will also ensure that students benefit from state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories, and are thereby equipped for the workplace of the 21st century.

The STEM building will be constructed to Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology ‘Very Good’ standards, and the architectural design will aim to enhance and complement the landscape.