20 May 2005

The University of Queensland’s reputation as a leader in research and teaching has been enhanced with the opening of the $24 million Sir James Foots building, today, May 20.

This purpose-built building will be home to the University’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), the Earth Systems Science Computational Centre (ESSCC) and the Collaborative Learning Centre (CLC).

It is named after former UQ Senator and Chancellor (1985-92), Sir James Foots, AO, in recognition of his distinguished career in the mining industry and long-time personal and professional support of the University.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC, won Queensland Government support for the project after identifying the University’s work in the minerals sector as important to the Smart State strategy.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, whose government contributed $10 million towards the establishment of the SMI, officially opened the building today (May 20, 2005). Of the Queensland Government funding, $2 million went towards research while $8 million went to the construction of the building. UQ funded the balance of the construction.

Professor Hay said the building represented a significant investment in research and teaching at the University.

“This building is a symbol of UQ leading the way in providing cutting-edge facilities for researchers and students,” he said.

The SMI was established in 2001 to expand the University’s already enviable reputation in researching and developing new technologies for the sustainable development of mineral resources.

ESSCC is a frontier research centre investigating the physics of earth processes, such as planetary dynamics and earthquake forecasting, through multidisciplinary research and supercomputer simulation.

The CLC is a series of innovative teaching and learning environments equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual teaching equipment. The design of the CLC provides an environment to facilitate the learning and socialisation of students.

Director of the SMI, Professor Don McKee, said the new building would further develop the valuable partnership between the University and the mining industry.

“UQ has forged a unique and highly successful working partnership with the mining industry over the past 50 years, that has developed a breadth and quality of minerals related education and research which is internationally renowned and without equal in Australia,” Professor McKee said.

“The defining vision for SMI is that it becomes an acknowledged centre for all issues associated with the sustainable development of mineral resources.

“With this new building and its marvelous facilities we take another step closer to that goal.”

The L-shaped building features an eight-storey tower block, flanked by a five-storey wing running alongside College Road. It abuts the Axon Building to create a central landscaped courtyard.

The project, designed by Wilson Architects, built by Abigroup Contractors and project managed by UQ’s Property and Facilities Division, also added a sixth level to the Axon Building.

Three levels of the new complex house the SMI, the two top levels the ESSCC and the three lower levels housing the CLC. A café is also planned for the building.

Media: For more information contact Andrew Dunne at UQ Communications (telephone 3365 2802, 0433 364 181.

Images of the building are available by contacting Diana Lilley (telephone 3365 2753 or email: d.lilley@uq.edu.au).