News release: New building ready to open its doors

Abstract

Computing and technology students at the University of Central Lancashire are in for a
treat when they start their courses in September.
For the latest addition to the University's campus in Preston is the brand new
Computing and Technology Building which will open its doors in time for the new
academic year.
The £4.3 million building is on Fylde Road at the heart of the University campus,
opposite the Students' Union. It will provide superb new facili ties including eight new
specialist computing laboratories and over 200 latest specification PCs.
Some of the main features of the new building are the innovative usability and JAD
Qoint application development) laboratories that will be used by students on a variety of
computing related courses. The labs feature a one-way mirror and sophisticated
video/audio equipment. This enables students studying interface design or user
requirements analysis to observe how people use various interface devices such as the
keyboard, mouse or joystick. This enables students to evaluate interface devices or the
impact of software interfaces on users.
And students will have plenty of opportunity to make use of the facilities as they will be
able to use the building twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. A special swipe
card system is in place which will keep the building secure at the same time as giving
students access.
Martin Brown, Head of the Department of Computing, says: "This is a flagship building
which greatly enhances the teaching and research provision in computing and
technology. The new facilities and the open-all-hours policy will make a significant
difference to students on our courses."
Students using the building will be on a range of courses from web/multimedia design
and software engineering to media technology and electronic engineering. A phase 2
extension of the building has already been approved and will be completed by the
Summer of 2004.
20th August 2003
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