Boost in student numbers leads to $100m building
 Engineering
A new $100 million state-of-the-art building at the University of Adelaide will cater for the significant growth in students in Engineering, Computer & Mathematical Sciences. The building will be constructed on the site currently occupied by the Mathematics Building on the lower level of the University's North Terrace Campus. The eight-storey building will provide more than 11,000 square metres of space for learning, teaching, research, and other student and staff facilities. "The new building will be a much-needed addition to our teaching facilities and our campus life," said the University's Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor James McWha. "It will allow the University to develop and grow, and will also improve the overall campus environment, with a three-storey atrium and other open spaces, and public art that will help to reinforce a sense of place and purpose," he said. The University's Faculty of Engineering, Computer & Mathematical Sciences currently has more than 3200 students enrolled, and is predicted to grow to 3400 students by 2011. "The unprecedented growth in the mining, technology and defence industries in Australia has created a high demand for quality graduates in engineering disciplines," Professor McWha said. "This new building will help the University to play a key role in providing skilled graduates for South Australia, the nation and the world." Federal Education Minister the Hon. Julie Bishop recently presented a $3.5 million cheque to the University of Adelaide to contribute to the cost of the new building. Ms Bishop and Dr Andrew Southcott, the Federal Member for Boothby, presented the cheque to Professor McWha and the Chancellor, the Hon. John von Doussa QC, during a visit to the University last month. "The $3.5 million contribution from the Federal Government is extremely welcome, and will assist the University of Adelaide to remain at the forefront of teaching and research in engineering, computer science and mathematics," Professor McWha said. Work on the new building is expected to begin in late 2007. Story by David Ellis
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