New multi-million pound laboratories officially opened by Sir Robin Saxby
The School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) and the Future Worlds Startup Accelerator have celebrated the opening of new student project laboratories and an entrepreneurship space. The opening event represents the culmination of a six-month renovation project and a multi-million pound investment by the University, to transform two campus buildings (Buildings 1 and 16) into state-of-the-art facilities for current and future students.
The opening was attended by Sir Robin Saxby, founding CEO of Arm, who also gave a seminar on technology and entrepreneurship to a select group of senior undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the University. Partners from industry were given tours of the new spaces and met with students already working in the labs.
Professor Bashir Al-Hashimi, Dean of Faculty, Engineering and Physical Sciences (FEPS), said: âAfter months of hard work by many dedicated colleagues from across the University, I am delighted that these new state of the art teaching, learning and innovation hub facilities are ready to open. The facilities have been designed to enable creativity, team work and entrepreneurship and I am certain, students and staff alike will benefit.â?
The new spaces include hardware and software laboratories that will allow project students to gain experience across the full product lifecycle, from concept and design to prototyping and testing. Future Worldsâ new Accelerator Space forms a component of the Faculty Innovation Hub and will host startups from across the University, enhancing the already-vibrant culture of entrepreneurship being developed on campus.
Using cutting-edge equipment and in connection with industrial partners, the new laboratories will allow students to develop skills highly-prized by graduate employers.
Sir Robin Saxby said: âI have had the pleasure of hiring many past graduates of ECS at ES2, Arm and in some of my startups. These people have contributed greatly towards global technology and business success. I am delighted and honoured to be opening these new facilities, which bring together the best technologists with employers. Entrepreneurship with technology are key ingredients for tomorrowâs engineers to be able to solve some of the worldâs most pressing problems. I wish the next generation all the best in their future careers.â?
Professor Paul Lewin, Head of ECS, added: âI am proud of the education that ECS offers its talented students and the opening of these new facilities will further enhance our curriculum. The laboratories will ensure undergraduates and Masters students, now and in the future, will leave Southampton fully prepared for graduate employment and successful careers in their chosen field.â?
Discover further information on the new ECS facilities and Future Worlds space.
Take a tour of our new laboratories
Image captions
- Top left: Professor Mark French, Professor Bashir Al Hashimi CBE, Sir Robin Saxby, Professor Sir Christopher Snowden
- Top right: Electrical and Electronic Engineering student Jemma Watson demonstrates her maze-solving robot
- Bottom left: Sir Robin Saxby views the printed circuit board manufacturing area
- Bottom right: Budding entrepreneurs showcase their projects in the Future Worlds accelerator space