Sussex engineering lab gets £10m boost
The University of Sussex is investing £10million in a new engineering and robotics lab, on the back of a 60% surge in applications for engineering and computing degrees.
Half of the money (£4.9m) will come from the government's £200m fund for STEM teaching. The development includes a complete internal refurbishment of one of the buildings on campus to create a new student-focused hub, as well as a suite of top spec computers and new teaching and project workspaces.
The newly founded Computing, Robotics, Electronics and Mechatronics Centre (CREaM) will allow students to learn about advancements in robotics and autonomous systems, working with the latest technologies behind innovations such as auto pilots, drones, space robotics and driverless cars.
Professor Diane Mynors, head of the School of Engineering and Informatics, said: "This dynamic new space within Sussex will empower the next generation of scientists and engineers and will foster the type of learning environment that could lead to great developments for mankind.
"We already have vast staff expertise in robotics and autonomous systems, with around half of our academics actively researching in this field. Now we will have the 21st Century facilities to match."
The work will start in the new year and is expected to be completed by March 2016.
