Students jet in for graduation
WITH the final touches being made to Edge Hill’s new Catalyst building, which will house the university’s library among as well as other core student services, the former Learning Resources Centre is getting a much-needed makeover.
The building, located in the Western Campus opposite the Hub, will be transformed into contemporary teaching accommodation for Languages, Law and Psychology, with an emphasis on light and space.
While the structure of the original building will remain the same, the internal area is being opened up to bring light and ventilation into the heart of the building.
As well as a new glass roof, the building’s entrance will be moved to face the piazza to make the most of two internal light wells.
Inside there will be a new lecture theatre, language labs, specialist psychology labs plus a range of study spaces.
The redevelopment will link the building with the wider landscape of the Western Campus and give staff and students stunning views over the woodland around the Rock Garden and Theatre.
EDGE Hill University’s graduation ceremony in July was a truly international event when four students flew over from Singapore to receive their degrees.
Muhammad Hafizzuddin Bin Mohamed, known as Hafiz, Zheng Jiejing, known as Joy, Ganapathy Sambandam and Tan Jye Min all studied at FY Institute of Technology, Edge Hill’s partner institution in Singapore, but decided to travel to Ormskirk for their graduation.
Hafiz, who works as an airline engineering operations engineer in Singapore, received a degree in engineering management.
He said: “I was very impressed with Edge Hill and with the facilities, which are well up to date.
“Also, the staff appeared very friendly and accommodating which reflected how well Edge Hill managed the students, both on their home campus and overseas.”
Business and management graduate joy was also impressed with the university, saying: “It was both a privilege and almost surreal experience to graduate at an actual English campus.
“I was overtaken by the size and maturity of this far away campus that I have only heard about.”
Joy, whose degree has enabled her to gain promotion to regional sales director at veterinary firm Pet Health Global, added: “It was a pleasant surprise to find out that I am associated with such an historical and famous campus.
“Being a woman, it was especially important for me to be associated with this university that was a pioneering backdrop for women in education.”
Ganapathy’s degree in engineering management has also had an impact on his career as a project engineer in the offshore marine industry.
He said: “The course has made things easier for my everyday working life.
“Some of the modules have reinforced my interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, and helped me feel confident in presenting my work to the senior management team in my organisation.”
Edge Hill has worked collaboratively with FY Institute of Technology for 10 years, during which time several hundred students have passed through the Business and Engineering programmes.
Dr Keith Cook, associate director (international), said: “It was a great pleasure and a privilege having some of our Singapore-based students and their families with us.
“It was good to help them to celebrate their special day and to emphasise that they are very much a part of our Edge Hill family.”