Science and Technology Precinct
QUT's Science and Technology Precinct will bring together teaching and research in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in a world-leading model.
The Precinct, with a theme of sustainable and secure infrastructure, will produce multiple research and graduate outcomes in key areas of national interest such as:
- Climate change
- Infrastructure
- Food, water and energy security
Globally relevant challenges will be tackled through multidisciplinary research and skills development.
The Precinct model draws on QUT's internationally benchmarked success in projects integrating infrastructure development with transformational academic change in health and creative industries.
Location
The Precinct is located in the heart of QUT's CBD Gardens Point campus, adjacent to the refurbished city landmark Old Government House, also on the campus.
The renewal of this prominent location in the centre of the city of Brisbane will ensure the reinvigoration of the intellectual, social and community life of the campus and establish an iconic presence for the surrounding community.
Scope of works
Plans for the Precinct entail the demolition of five aged and dysfunctional buildings and provision for new facilities for education and research. New works include:
- Two multi-storey towers
- Large public forecourt to the Old Government House Precinct
- Pedestrian link from Goodwill Bridge to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens
- A conference hall / large lecture theatre
- Student and retail spaces
New courses
The evolution of QUT's course profile will be accelerated in the area of cross-faculty and double degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The Precinct will enable course design and delivery reforms in:
- Bachelor of Engineering
- Bachelor of Applied Science
- Bachelor of Information Technology
Reforms will be made in undergraduate majors, double degrees across these fields, and in related Masters and Doctoral programs.
Capacity building impacts
The Gardens Point Science and Technology Precinct will provide capacity enhancements including:
- Renewed relevance for study, teaching, research and research training in sciences and technology at QUT
- Academic workforce renewal
- Development of more socially aware and rounded science, engineering and technology graduates
- Wide dissemination of research outcomes via public lectures and other events
- Attraction and retention of skilled researchers, higher degree research students and excellent teachers from national and global sources
Alignment with QUT's strategic direction
The Precinct is closely tied to QUT's strategic directions.
The University's key strategic planning document, the QUT Blueprint, places a strong emphasis on the application of scholarly excellence to 'real world' issues by bridging the academic disciplines in research and teaching and linking academic and external communities.
QUT has expressed this emphasis through the development of university-wide research institutes and through academic-community Precincts, in the areas of creative industries and health.
The Science and Technology Precinct will build upon this proven approach, extend it to the fields of applied science and technology, and strengthen the flow-on of research into student learning.
For some years QUT has identified the south-east area of the Gardens Point campus as appropriate for a Precinct-style redevelopment. In 2008, the QUT Blueprint designated the theme of the precinct as one of integration of science, engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM).