HRH The Princess Royal, Royal Patron of the Women Into Science
and Engineering (WISE) campaign, will officially open The
University of Northampton's Newton building in September, home to
the School of Science and Technology.
The £11 million re-development of the Grade II listed
building, formerly Kingsley Park, on St George's Avenue,
Northampton, has seen it transformed into a state-of-the-art
technology and research centre. It houses NVision, a facility which
provides specialist services to help companies develop and promote
their products using immersive 3D modelling and visualisation
capabilities, and the East Midlands Non-Destructive Testing Centre.
The building is also home to the British Institute of Non
Destructive Testing.
Professor Kamal Bechkoum, Dean of the School of Science and
Technology, commented:
"We are delighted that HRH The Princess Royal will officially be
opening the Newton building. Newton provides a technological boost
for students and businesses across the county and I am proud of
what it offers and the facilities we have in-house.
"The facilities in Newton are having a positive impact on
shaping the learning environment we need to deliver high quality
and contemporary Science and Technology education that is
innovative and responsive to the needs of individual students,
employers and society.
"The opening of the building by HRH The Princess Royal, Royal
Patron of Women Into Science and Engineering, will also boost our
endeavour to advance gender equality in science, engineering and
technology."
The Newton project was designed by leading county practice
GSSArchitecture, working to a brief of 'creating an environment for
businesses to work closely with the University while utilising the
latest IT facilities and systems'. Funding for the project came
from the Higher Education Funding Council, Northamptonshire
Enterprise Ltd, the East Midlands Development Agency and the
European Regional Development Fund. The development also has the
backing of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation.
HRH The Princess Royal will be opening the Newton building on
Tuesday 28 September, time TBC.