Universitas 21 Learning Environment Design Forum Meet in UCD
The University recently hosted this years Universitas 21 Learning Evironment Design Forum. The Forum was hosted by Cliona de Bhaldraithe Marsh (Head of the UCD Newman Library project) and Aishling Kennedy (Facilities Manager) and the design team workshop led by Associate Professor Peter Jamieson of the University of Melbourne.
The objective of the Forum is to bring together a group of Universtas 21 colleagues with varying backgrounds covering a full spectrum from academic to professional staff across the network to engage in a realistic learning environment design project situated within UCD. This enables design responses and creative input which may inform the actual project. Design visions of three architectural firms comissioned to produce such a design vision for the project were also presented.
The Forum serves to improve the individual knowledge and skills of the participants so that they may be in a better position to cotribute to future learning environment projects within their respective institutions. Students also added to the Forum in one round table discussion.
The Fourm was designed to allow and encourage close collaboration, and exchange of various stakeholders perspectives and a creative approach to the design of actual campus projects. The Forum focused on a proposed major redevelopment at the heart of the UCD Campus involving the Newman and Library precinct. Working in smalll, multi-disciplinary teams the participants adressed three separate design problems:
- a proposal to create a 24 hour learning hub at the base of the Newan Building;
- the redevelopment of the James Joyce Library approach, foyer and primary entrance point;
- creation of two modern learning zones within the James Joyce Library to promote a wider range of student learning experiences.
The Forum had the widest number of colleagues from the various U21 universities, with a total of 25 U21 representatives in attendance. The Forum was organised to ensure a full five day intensive attendance and to enable active exchange of experiences and ideas. Among the attendees were colleagues from the following U21 institutions, University College Dublin; The University of Melbourne; The University of Birmingham; The University of Virginia; Lund University; The University of Edinburugh; The University of Nottingham; The University of Auckland; The University of British Columbia.
Pictured abve: Cliona de Bhaldraithe Marsh (Head of the UCD Newman and Library project)
UCD was represented by colleagues from Colleges, the Teaching and Learning Centre, the Library, and from Buildigs and Services, who participated throughout the Forum. Two invited representatives from the Standing Conference Heads of Media Services (SCHOMS) also participated - representing, Aberystwyth University and University of the Arts, London - building on an earlier initiative to develop close collaboration between the two groups. At the end of the Forum, participants presented a series of responses to the President, the Deputy President, Head of the UCD Library and other key institutional representatives which led to a lively debate.
Pictured at the presentations of the Universitas 21 Learning Design Forum, UCD President, Dr. Hugh Brady
In his closing remarks before a large audience of senior colleagues the President of UCD, Dr. Hugh Brady, stressed the value of the U21 association in bringing together such expertise. He was also very impressed by the design outcomes of the Forum and stated that with a modest budget some designs would be possible to implement.
