Research is central to studying at Essex

A new state-of-the-art £10 million teaching centre for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students is to be built at the University of Essex.

A £5 million award from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) was awarded to Essex for the project – the highest award available for STEM facilities. The University will now match this with an additional £5 million to build the interdisciplinary teaching facility for its students, and will create a ‘science square’ at the Colchester Campus.

Detailed plans are now being developed, with work due to start in 2016 and the new centre will open in 2017.

Executive Dean for Science and Health Professor Graham Underwood said: ““This significant investment in STEM will ensure we continue to provide all our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to enable them to be successful graduates of this University.

“This award is clear recognition of the exciting and innovative undergraduate and postgraduate education we offer across the STEM disciplines at the University.

“The new teaching centre will enhance our provision of high quality laboratory and IT learning spaces, and will also support developments in interdisciplinary teaching, for example our new degree programme in Data Science and Analytics which is based on our internationally-recognised research expertise in this area and engagement with employers and industry.”