Newport’s £35m City Campus officially opens 
The University of Wales, Newport’s brand new City Campus was formally opened by entrepreneur and businessman, Sir Terry Matthews in March 2010.
The multi million pound investment on the banks of the River Usk will bring together the fields of Arts and Business, in a way designed to stimulate economic growth in the creative industries and stimulate creative ideas amongst local people, students and graduates.
This ‘creative business’ ethos is reflected in the design of the building, with staff from the business disciplines housed in an open plan “hothouse” with staff from the fields of Art, Media and Design. As well as being welcomed by local traders for the number of people the campus has brought to the City centre, the University has encouraged local businesses to make the most of services and collaborative projects available at the University.
The building, funded by the University, Newport Unlimited, Newport Council and the Welsh Assembly Government, was completed last Autumn by construction firm, Willmott Dixon, ahead of time and on budget. It opened to students at the start of the year and has won praise for its facilities, environmental excellence and innovative design.
The invitation to Sir Terry to formally open the building is a signal of the University’s focus on providing economic growth and regeneration to Newport and Gwent. In a full day of events, including a community open afternoon, Wales’s most famous businessman will provide guests
with his hopes for the role that Higher Education can play in driving the Welsh economy. He will also receive an honorary fellowship of the University.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Vice Chancellor of the University of Wales, Newport, Dr Peter Noyes said: “As we launch our new City Campus, the University will stake its claim on a place at the heart of the economy of the region. In this building, the University has created a new way of doing things of which the effect will be felt for years to come.
“At a time when Welsh Higher Education is facing a challenging period of core funding, Universities have to prove their worth beyond their traditional roles. This university has always been open to doing things differently, but our new presence on the Usk will make the University more relevant, innovative and produce the graduates that the Welsh economy will need in the years to come.
“Combining the strengths of the business and creative fields in this way is unique and will ensure that Newport is synonymous with applying creative ideas in innovative ways for the benefit of the Welsh economy.”
The video of the launch event can be viewed here
A city centre virtual fly through is here
Select here to view the video shown at the launch event