The University of Queensland's new $18 million hub of technology-enhanced learning and education innovation has been officially opened in Brisbane.
The Learning Innovation Building, predominately funded by a $13 million grant from the Australian Government, was opened by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and Minister for Higher Education, Senator Kim Carr.
国产探花 President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter H酶j said the new building was catering for new and emerging developments in technology-enhanced learning.
鈥淲ithin this building are facilities and experimental spaces that encourage collaborations that will advance student outcomes 鈥� outcomes that will ultimately benefit national productivity by fostering knowledgeable and skilled employees,鈥� Professor H酶j said.
The Learning Innovation Building houses centres and institutes including the Teaching Educational Development Institute (TEDI), the Centre for Innovation in Professional Learning (CIPL), the Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology (CEIT) and the Office of Undergraduate Education.
鈥淚mportantly, the Learning Innovation Building is the nerve centre for Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).
鈥湽交� is part of a prestigious MOOCs consortium, edX, founded by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology and joined by high calibre institutions around the world.鈥�
Professor H酶j said the Learning Innovation Building was designed by accomplished 国产探花 architecture alumnus, Richard Kirk, and was in keeping with the University鈥檚 goal of sustainability.
鈥淚t includes photovoltaic panels providing approximately 25 per cent of the building鈥檚 peak demand, high-efficiency lighting and automated blinds and louvre windows adjusting to sunlight, wind, temperature and humidity.
鈥淚t is a fitting home for technology-assisted learning that has the potential to invigorate collaborative problem-solving among people from diverse disciplines and industries.鈥�
Media: Michael Duthie, 国产探花 Communications, Michael.duthie@uq.edu.au or 07 33467691
