The £65m investment in a state-of-the-art building to support Science, Technology, Health, Engineering and Medicine in Kent and Medway has reached an important milestone.
A topping out ceremony marked the completion of the roof of Canterbury Christ Church University’s STEM building, bringing its scheduled 2020 opening a step closer.
The news follows an earlier decision by South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) to provide £6.5m from the Local Growth Fund to support the project, as it will strengthen the skills of the local area and underpin economic growth.
The facility will provide an inspiring and professional environment where researchers, academics, professional and student engineers, doctors, nurses and scientists will come together to collaborate, innovate and develop the graduates who will shape our future economy.
Exceptional facilities
When complete, the 17,000sq m building will also be home to the Kent & Medway Medical School and the University’s Engineering, Design Growth Enterprise Hub. It will offer students, staff and businesses exceptional facilities in a setting that connects the city’s three World Heritage Sites – Canterbury Cathedral, St Martin’s Church and St Augustine’s Abbey.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Rama Thirunamachandran was joined on the roof top by key project partners and colleagues, who signed their names on a wall which will be built into the fabric of the facility.
Professor Thirunamachandran said: “This STEM facility is significant not just for Canterbury Christ Church University and its ongoing success, but also for the region as it will contribute to its economic growth and future inward investment.
“I would like to thank a number of people. The South East Local Enterprise Partnership, former Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Garfield Weston Foundation for their significant contribution through grants. Also NatWest and Lloyds bank for their financial support.”
The Vice-Chancellor added: “It is important I recognise the vision and expertise of Hamilton Architects and, of course, the construction company Gilbert and Ash. This is a huge team effort from a range of colleagues from the University and our partners.
“We look forward to welcoming students, staff and the community to our new facility when it opens later in 2020.”
Christian Brodie, Chair of SELEP, added: “The project is a vital part of our strategic vision to boost STEM skills across our area. We are delighted to see that this project is on track to deliver and open next year and appreciate the work by all local partners to drive this forward.
“Canterbury has a global reputation for high quality higher education and this investment will strengthen it.”
Guests at the ceremony included staff from the University, Christ Church Students’ Union, Kent and Medway Medical School and a range of partners.
Pictured (left to right): Chris Holland, Founding Dean of the Kent and Medway Medical School; Professor Helen James, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Designate; Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, Vice-Chancellor; Callum Firth, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences; and Geoff Miles, Vice Chair of South East Local Enterprise Partnership