Inspirational new teaching and research spaces officially opened
Channel 4 News Anchor and former Oxford Brookes Chancellor, Jon Snow, was joined by students, staff and specially invited guests to formally open three of Oxford Brookes’ transformed buildings in April 2019.
The special event recognised the Clerici building, Sinclair building and the Sir Kenneth Wheare Hall which collectively represent £45m in investment. The Clerici building has been completely modernised with fantastic new teaching and social spaces and is the new base for the Oxford Brookes Business School. The Headington site’s home for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences is the Sinclair building which includes dynamic new teaching and lab spaces across four floors and an annex where the Bio-Imaging Unit is based.
In addition to holding lectures, the Sir Kenneth Wheare Hall hosts a range of important University activities throughout the year, from enrolment to graduation as well as events open to the wider community.
Jon Snow commented: “I was immensely proud of my time as Chancellor at Oxford Brookes and every time I return it has been transformed with amazing new buildings.”
Institute of Technology for England to be created
Oxford Brookes will partner with Swindon College as one of 12 new Institutes of Technology to be created across the country.
In April 2019, the Government announced the organisations that will run the new Institutes of Technology to offer top-quality, higher level technical education and help close skills gaps in key science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas.
Oxford Brookes is one of Swindon College’s existing partners, providing a number of courses including graphic design, education and healthcare. This new £21 million investment will create a state-of-the-art institution, which Oxford Brookes is well placed to support with its technical faculty and industry links.
‘Lost’ artwork restored
A radical piece of art from aeronautical engineer turned artist Frank Malina has returned to working glory following a restoration project.
Cosmos is an early example of kinetic art and had a tumultuous history since being commissioned by Robert Maxwell in the 1960s, before being lost from public access for many years. It has now been restored and involves a complex mix of lights and moving parts depicting the universe in harmony.
The artwork is now permanently on display by The Glass Tank Exhibition Space on Headington Campus and is free to view.
Paul Inman, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment, said: “The story behind the finding of this lost artwork is also one that has captured the imagination of staff, students and our wider community.”
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