The University has published a 14-page brochure, entitled 'Creating a campus for the future', setting out plans to revamp the University's 50 acre city centre campus between now and 2010.
Major construction work which will dramatically change the University's city centre-facing perimeter, from Barras Bridge to St Thomas's Street, is due to begin in the next few weeks.
Work is set to commence on a new £35 million Student and Administrative Services building on Barras Bridge, directly opposite the Civic Centre. The five-story, glass fronted building will house all the main student services, as well as a Visitor Centre, creating a welcoming 'front door' to the University.
Meanwhile, the University is working with INTO's property division, which is investing a total of £49 million in the provision of new student accommodation and teaching facilities for international students. This development, known as INTO Newcastle University, is the result of a 35 year joint venture agreement. Work has already begun on surveying the site of the main development, on the Herschel Building car park (opposite the Haymarket Metro Station) and there will be a further INTO building in St Thomas Street.
The Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University, Professor Chris Brink, said: 'Our international reputation for excellence in teaching and research is underpinned by our mission to play a leading role in our city and region.
'Our intention is to provide better facilities for our students and staff, and to improve our public spaces, with landscaping and pedestrian routes through the campus, to strengthen the relationship between the University and the city.'
Other projects on the University's main campus include a new home for the International Centre for Music Studies and the Great North Museum project, and there are also plans to create a £5 million Northern Writers' Centre on Claremont Road.
Meanwhile, a further £29.8 million is being spent on a new building to house the Institute of Health and Society and a Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, close to the University Medical School, and £4.8 million on a new student accommodation block at Castle Leazes Halls of Residence.
Newcastle University Business School was recently announced as the first tenant for the £200 million Downing Plaza development, being built on the former Scottish and Newcastle Brewery site, and at Newcastle General Hospital, work is progressing on the development of the University's Campus for Ageing and Vitality, a world class research centre dedicated to the study of how we grow old.
The University is taking steps to try to minimise disruption during the development work on its campus. Head of Marketing and Publicity, Anne Coxhead, said: 'We recognise that we have a responsibility to our students, staff and visitors, as well as to the city, to do our utmost to restrict the levels of inconvenience to daily life. We are investing in signage and temporary displays to help explain the work in progress, and to guide pedestrians and traffic around the campus during this major period of work.'
'Creating a campus for the future' is available in print and pdf format.
Printed copies of the brochure are available from the University Press Office. Contact 0191 222 7850.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
1. INTO Newcastle University is part of a unique, university-based initiative for international students, offering new and higher quality standards of preparation for undergraduate and postgraduate study in the UK. The joint venture is designed to support growth in international student numbers. More information about INTO
For further information contact Melanie Reed in the University Press Office on +44 (0) 191 222 5791; e-mail press.office@ncl.ac.uk"> press.office@ncl.ac.uk
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published on: 25th March 2008