Research, science education boost: ANU opens new science precinct

A NEW SCIENCE precinct that aims to boost research standards and help address national science skills shortages was officially opened at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra in July.

The new Sciences Precinct, built with $165 million from the Australian Government, includes a Chemical Science Hub, a Sciences Teaching Building, a Research Building and a Combined Science Workshop.

The ANU Science Precinct also includes new laboratories, flexible learning spaces, outdoor teaching areas and smaller classrooms that will improve the student experience. 

“This new Science Precinct is the first of its kind in Australia,” said Small Business Minister Bruce Billson who toured the precinct.

“It will raise the standard of ANU’s education and research, and in doing so allow graduates to take up careers in Australian industries which are facing skills shortages,” Mr Billson said.

“We don’t just want to keep pace with the scientific teaching and research innovations of other countries, we want to exceed them.

“We are committed to place Australia’s higher education and research sector amongst the world’s best, so I am delighted to see such a state of the art facility established at one of our leading institutions.”

Mr Billson said the Federal Government regarded a strong focus on science education as key to the nation’s future prosperity.

“We also understand the importance of higher education as an export industry, and that great facilities are part of attracting students from overseas and supporting hundreds of thousands of Australian jobs,” Mr Billson said.

He said increasing biosciences and chemistry teaching, as well as improving research capacity, was part of the ANU’s strategy to lift the national uptake of science study.

“These new facilities will allow the ANU to be more responsive to increasing student demand in the sciences,” Mr Billson said.

www.anu.edu.au

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