NEW BUILDING

If teaching and study is the life of the University then the Student Centre will become its soul. First and foremost, we want to create a focal point for student interaction ­ a true Student Centre.

The latest artist's impression of how the new building should look, as seen from outside the Drum of the New Library.

The Student Centre will help us to encourage the development of 'life skills', and business skills and assist those adjusting to university life through our supportive wider-access and social inclusion initiatives. Ultimately, we must ensure that students feel that they belong here and have ownership of the values of Abertay.

Social space Our students need suitable social areas to come together as a community and the needs of our student community are diverse. The Student Centre will become the hub of our students' lives outside the classroom, providing facilities such as an interactive café, food court, games room, nightclub, bar, gym and study spaces. The amenities at the heart of student life will provide for the social life of our students, staff and alumni. The University and the Students' Association will both provide considerable funds for this part of the Centre.

Care and support We will create a Student Support Area within the new Centre, a relaxing and accessible area for all students. Student Support will focus on those who need help in adjusting to university life, be they mature students requiring quite different facilities, or young students from diverse backgrounds who would benefit from input on issues such as finance, welfare, employment and social skills. By building a community culture, the Centre will also aim to help students to help themselves.

Outreach The Centre will enhance the University's outreach programmes to various communities and schools. School pupils taking part in the joint initiatives currently run by Abertay and Dundee City Council will enjoy the opportunity of experiencing student life at the Centre, as well as the library and teaching facilities during summer semester. The centre will engage not only our current students but also prospective students and their families as part of an 'inclusive' Centre, by giving access to the interactive café and the cultural and support areas.

Participation Students who participate in sports and arts and other social activities are more likely to play an active role in the community in other ways. We want to promote through the Centre, a culture of active citizenship, in which self-development, participation in community and civic life is increased and encouraged, drawing people from a wide range of social and economic backgrounds. The Centre's facilties and spaces accommodating community partnership schemes will allow this to happen.

Culture A theatre, music studio and debating room will form the essential core of the Centre. These, together with the multifunctional spaces in the centre will enable us to host events, stage concerts, live performances, exhibitions, films and other cultural pursuits as well as providing much-needed room for our student societies.

Business Links The University is expanding its interaction and involvement with local, national and international business. Our purpose is to maintain relevance and vitality in our teaching, and to create and embrace the opportunity for work placements for our students. The Centre will provide offices for students to interface with businesses helping to build and support the professions, fuelling innovation and encouraging entrepreneurship.

Commerce Shops, the social areas and eateries will support the long-term sustainability of the centre. Students will be fully involved in the running and management of the Centre and will be employed to manage the centre on a daily basis ­ a centre run by students for students. It will be a business enterprise with an integrated management structure comprising senior University personnel and a professional management board together with the Student Executive and Union Manager.

Community The Student Centre will provide barrier free access, creating a supportive and social environment for all. Between semesters, the Centre will open its facilities to the local community, making them accessible to schools, charities and other local organisations and serving to bring the outside in to the University.

The Student Centre underwrites our mission to create the highest quality education experience possible to enable our students to reach their maximum potential and thus prepare them to meet innovatively the technological, social and managerial challenges of society. Developing the interpersonal skills and self-confidence of our students both young and mature, giving them the chance to express themselves, to feel part of their community, and to have hope and aspirations for their future is as crucial to their future success as formal qualifications.

Sexy stuff innit? - Ed

In the mean time - if you have a suggestion about what you'd like in the new Student Center - fill in the form below and we'll have a look into it...