On Thursday 15 November, The School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) and the Future Worlds Start up Accelerator celebrated the opening of new student project laboratories and 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 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 undergraduate and postgraduate students. 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:

“After 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”

Sir Robin Saxby said:

“I 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 tomorrow’s engineers to be able to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.”

Future Worlds’ new Accelerator Space forms a component of the Faculty Innovation Hub and will host startups from across the University as part of their start up programme, enhancing the already-vibrant culture of entrepreneurship being developed on campus.