22 August 2011
Bundoora building boom
RMIT University's Bundoora campus has been transformed with the introduction of new state-of-the-art facilities, including a $13 million lecture theatre.
Screens in informal learning spaces allow students to tune into the lectures inside the auditorium.
RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, and Member for Scullin and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Harry Jenkins MP.
The new home of Pharmacy enables fully-interactive learning.
Students can use the walls as whiteboards.
Professor Stephen Bird, Acting Head of School of Medical Sciences, Professor Gardner and Professor Julianne Reid, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching, College of Science, Engineering and Health.
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The striking lecture theatre, Building 224, and a new interactive home for Pharmacy students, Building 205, were recently launched.
Federal Member for Scullin and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Harry Jenkins MP, launched the lecture theatre, which includes a 360-capacity auditorium that will accommodate 95 per cent of large lecture delivery on campus.
RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, and Professor Peter Coloe, Pro Vice-Chancellor College of Science, Engineering and Health and Vice-President, joined Mr Jenkins at the launch.
Professor Gardner said students from a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs at Bundoora would benefit from the new facility.
"As part of our vision at RMIT, we are committed to enriching and transforming the futures of our students and one way we achieve this is by providing state-of-the-art interactive teaching and learning facilities," she said.
"RMIT has a strong policy of maximising sustainable initiatives in all its projects and this space is no exception.
"It has been designed with sustainability in mind in all aspects of the project - architectural, electrical and mechanical."
The $13.23 million project received Federal Government funding support of $9.18 million through the Better Universities Renewal Fund (BURF) and $1.15 million through the Capital Development Pool. RMIT contributed $2.9 million.
Key features of Building 224 include:
- Sustainable design including rooftop rainwater collection used for toilet flushing and irrigation, energy-efficient lighting and efficient water fixtures and fittings
- Sophisticated IT/AV capabilities including electronic feedback between lecturers and students and recording provisions to enhance interactive learning
- Video link from the auditorium enabling students in the informal learning area to tune into lectures in progress
- A surrounding piazza with gardens and covered verandah, providing a new, al-fresco recreation space for students and staff
The launch of Building 205, home for RMIT's new Bachelor of Pharmacy, was attended by Professor Gardner, Cr Rex Griffin, Mayor, City of Whittlesea and David Turnbull, CEO, City of Whittlesea.
"The design of this exceptional interactive space is based on the principles of TEAL - Technology Enabled Active Learning," Professor Gardner said.
"Students can even use the walls as whiteboards to exchange information and ideas, turning the entire interactive teaching space into a dynamic teaching tool.
"The learning space also has a mock dispensing counter and consultation rooms, which provide locations for active role plays. In each of these spaces, student participation can be captured via audio and video, which can also be streamed 'live' to each interactive working pod via the whiteboards."
Launched this year, the RMIT Bachelor of Pharmacy program is the first new Pharmacy degree in Melbourne in 129 years.
"The RMIT Pharmacy program was established to provide students with an education leading to registration as pharmacists, as well as access to an array of career opportunities within biomedical research and the wider pharmaceuticals sector," Professor Gardner said.
Executive Director Property Services, Darren McKee, said the new facility - which can accommodate 108 students - used sustainable building principles.
"High-efficiency lights controlled by motion detection, 100 per cent recyclable chairs, low volatile organic compound paint and recyclable carpet that produces 80 per cent less waste then regular carpet have been incorporated into the construction," Mr McKee said.
RMIT's striking $13m Bundoora lecture theatre.
Students from a wide range of programs are using the 360-capacity lecture theatre.
