The Universities Minister has hailed Teesside University’s reimagined approach to Student Life as an example of best practice for student support and wellbeing.
Speaking at the opening of the £13.2m Student Life Building, Chris Skidmore, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, reflected on the growing need for universities to offer flexible support for students and praised Teesside’s swift and decisive action in remodelling all student facing services as part of the Student Life project.
The new building, set in the heart of the university campus, brings all student-facing services together under one roof and has been designed to further improve the student experience and promote well-being.
It is a whole new way of life for the Teesside students, making it simple to access services from counselling to careers advice, along with a diverse mix of wellbeing, relaxation and social activities.
Teesside has also introduced a digital service available twenty-four hours a day. Staffed by a specially trained ‘chatbot’, the Student Life digital platform will help students access the right advice and services swiftly, whenever needed.
This digital, future-facing approach also extends to the university curriculum. A dedicated CreatorLab, set within the Student Life Building, will act as a hub for digital innovation, bringing together staff and students to co-create cutting-edge Education 4.0 learning experiences.
Speaking as he unveiled the new building to students, Chris Skidmore said: “I’m delighted to open the new Student Life Building at Teesside University, which will transform the support services available to students.
“It’s incredibly important to help promote student well-being and experience, and this is a shining example of how students can get the advice and help they need to fulfil their ambitions in their academic careers.”
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Teesside University Professor Paul Croney, said: “We are committed to placing students at the heart of everything we do and it is fantastic to receive such positive praise from the Minister about the work we are doing to further enhance the student and learning experience at Teesside University.
“Student Life is about more than a building – we are changing the culture at Teesside University and providing a holistic approach to our student-facing services to ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
The Student Life Building is the latest project to be completed as part of Teesside University’s Campus Masterplan, which will see £300m invested up to 2026 to create a campus environment to rival any in the sector.
Malcolm Page, Chief Operating Officer at Teesside University, said: “Staff at Teesside have worked incredibly hard to centralise our student-facing services in order to provide the very best experience for all our students, through a project that was driven by the student voice throughout.
“We are incredibly proud of our new Student Life Building and the opportunities it will provide. The technology in the building supports a variety of learning styles and activities. It is a student-centred and student-led building, which houses information and services to support, inspire and empower success in learning and life.”
See a video of the opening here – https://vimeo.com/386933047