EU’s £6.7m is last piece of jigsaw in university’s technology tower

By DOMINIC JEFF
Published on 12/06/2012 00:00

Strathclyde University has secured European funding for its flagship Technology & Innovation Centre and appointed a developer to build the £89 million facility.

Yesterday’s offer of £6.7m from the European Regional Development Fund was the last piece of the jigsaw for funding the centre, which will bring academics together with international industrial partners.

Australian-listed property and construction firm Lend Lease has been appointed to build the centre following a competitive tender process.

The firm said it would build the triangular, nine-storey, steel-framed building over an 87-week period. Work is due to begin on the site later this month.

The centre will include open-plan offices, three lecture theatres and specialist laboratory space, and will house 1,200 researchers.

Strathclyde University’s principal, professor Jim McDonald, said: “The Technology & Innovation Centre will be the fullest realisation to date of our work as a leading international technological university. With our partners in business and industry, we are seeking breakthroughs to deal with energy demands, climate change, global health challenges, a testing economic climate and the need for more energy-efficient, more advanced technology.

“The funding we have received is an endorsement of the quality of our collaborative research.”

He said the project would deliver competitive advantage to businesses and attract inward investment, while building it would provide a training opportunity for apprentices.