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Cutting the ribbon at UCOL's new Learning Hub
Cutting the ribbon at UCOL's new Learning Hub
UCOL’s ‘inner street’ transformed into a living room for students will be officially opened by the Minister of Justice and Rangitikei MP Simon Power this Friday.
The new Learning Hub at the Palmerston North campus has been in use since the start of the academic year. Bonnie Dewart, Deputy Chief Executive - Academic, says the response from students has been even better than expected.
“It’s a vibrant, busy area,” she says. “Students are using it to socialise and network, and to further their studies, using the new wireless computer equipment, the Library and student support services clustered in the Hub.”
She says ready access to barista coffee is an asset that aids all of those activities. “Our mini café, Stagedoor @UCOL, provides great coffee and food for students and staff.”
The new Learning Hub brings together many UCOL student support services, provides a comfortable lounge area, more than 60 computer stations and wireless access for laptops. But Bonnie Dewart says the Learning Hub has a larger purpose: to provide an environment that focuses on student success and achievement. “It has changed the way students work and helped make the learning process easier, more enjoyable and more visible,” she says.
When Minister Simon Power arrives to cut the ribbon on Friday he will have an opportunity to meet some of the students who use the Hub, as well as UCOL staff members, UCOL Council members and invited members of the community. “We’ve extended the invitation to groups of students from each of our programmes,” Ms Dewart says. “They can best show the value of having their own space, right in the heart of the campus.”
Meanwhile small improvements are still underway, including building a second ‘wind lobby’ to reduce wintry blasts coming into the Hub’s west entrance.
Next week the Learning Hub is the venue for second semester Orientation Week, including competitions, prizes, giveaways, game shows, free food, music, and other entertainment, including the traditional Big Breakfast.
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