20 November 2022

University of Canberra opens advanced lab to build IT, engineering skills

| Aiden Rothnie
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Professor Janine Deakin

Professor Janine Deakin addresses guests at the launch of the University of Canberra’s Advanced Engineering Lab. Photos: University of Canberra.

The University of Canberra (UC) has unveiled its state-of-the-art Advanced Engineering Lab to help boost skills training within the ACT and surrounding regions.

The lab, in building 27A on the UC campus, has been heavily delayed by COVID pandemic lockdowns since construction began in 2020.

Executive Dean of the University’s Faculty of Science and Technology Professor Janine Deakin said the lab was made to be a flexible space for students.

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“We’re really excited about this new space,” she said. “It’s been built to be flexible enough to suit a lot of different people. It has a dedicated space for teaching, a drone platform, and a collaborative space for higher-degree research students.

“Unfortunately the lab’s construction was slowed down by COVID, but we’ve got it all complete now and it’s open for students to use!”

University of Canberra's Advanced Engineering Lab

The Advanced Engineering Lab includes multiple spaces for students. Photos: University of Canberra.

The new lab is part of UC’s push to boost IT and engineering skills across the region.

Prof. Deakin said the university intended to make the space as valuable as possible for students to learn and work in.

“We’ve been keeping our eye on what’s relevant and important for students to learn and where the technology has been going,” she said. “We’re really trying to make sure we have all the important infrastructure in place.

“Students can take advantage of all the latest in cabling and other technology in the lab.”

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The faculty is also looking at other areas to upgrade.

“We’re looking at all our spaces, what needs to be upgraded and what we have the funding to upgrade,” Prof. Deakin said.

“Currently we’re looking at upgrading our network engineering and cyber security spaces.”

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