This is an exciting time for the University with many transformational redevelopments underway across campus. These new developments will benefit students, staff, visitors and the local community. The process of going from an initial concept to a new building on campus involves many teams across IT Services, and the wider University – from End User Services (EUS), Core Infrastructure and Estates to Networks, external vendors and more.
The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) IT Services team is currently involved in two major projects — National Buried Infrastructure Facility (NBIF) new build, and the Transient Railway Aerodynamics (TRAIN) refurbishment. Below is an overview of how these new projects will be funded, and how our teams will bring them to life.
UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC)
As one of eight capital facilities across the country forming the UKCRIC, the University is to receive £21.6m in capital to fund the NBIF on the southwest campus, and to refurbish the existing TRAIN facility. The University will also be required to invest a further £6m.
IT Services will play an important role in both projects — helping to develop the network specifications, and IT facilities during the new build of NBIF. This will require on-going consultation between Estates, Core Infrastructure and End User Services over the full design cycle. This is to ensure that IT requirements are included in the design process from the very beginning. Our team will also be involved in the pre-opening commissioning of the new facility and longer-term support after the opening.
With the initial funding now confirmed, our EUS team is already involved in developing the specifications.
You will be hearing more about these projects and others over the year.