The University of Queensland has applauded tonight's Federal Budget funding of $50 million for an Advanced Engineering Building.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said the funds were a tremendous investment in both national infrastructure capacity and a sustainable economy.
Work on the $100 million Advanced Engineering Building will begin this year, supporting an estimated 680 jobs in construction and related industries. The facility is scheduled to be ready in 2011.
"The facility will enable the transformation of engineering education, with students benefiting from stronger integration of industry-relevant research and teaching," Professor Greenfield said.
"It will enhance UQ's work to embed a research experience in undergraduate engineering studies, maximise global opportunities for students, and provide innovative spaces and blended learning laboratories for 3600 students."
The Advanced Engineering Building will be a feature of a new engineering precinct at UQ's St Lucia campus. The new building will include the $40 million Queensland Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing, which has received $15 million from the Queensland Government.
The $50 million is from the Australian Government's Education Investment Fund.
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