Royal stamp of approval for Teesside University Darlington

Flag waving children welcomed His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent as he officially opened Teesside University’s new £13m Darlington campus.

Children from Darlington College nursery joined Vice Chancellor Professor Graham Henderson CBE, University staff, students, governors and employers to welcome the Duke as he toured the iconic new building.

The five storey undergraduate and postgraduate teaching facility offers a complete University study experience for Darlington and is already popular with employers working in partnership with the award winning University.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent said: 'The development of higher and further education is extremely important and it is making a real difference in this region. I am impressed by this excellent new building and the high level of student satisfaction which matters a great deal. It shows their needs are being met and the needs of the community.'

Professor Henderson said: 'Teesside University's new campus in Darlington is a statement of confidence in our future and of the economic growth of the Tees Valley.'

Working with long-term partner Darlington College, the University campus offers superb facilities for higher education focusing on business management, education, fraud management and health related courses.

The Duke had the opportunity to see the full breadth of the flexible facilities which includes a learning lounge, roof terrace, IT labs, teaching spaces, library, conference facilities and cafe.

He also viewed the building's distinctive 'shark's fin' feature, constructed using a steel frame with glazing and brickwork to give a striking visual statement.

From the fourth floor the strategic position of Darlington can be appreciated, with views to the North York Moors to the east and the Durham and Yorkshire Dales to the west, while the main East Coast railway line passes directly below.

Teesside University Darlington also boasts two computer laboratories, one general and the other specialist for students on the University’s animation courses. A bank of laptop computers is available for all students to use in the building which has wi-fi facilities throughout.

The building’s ground floor features a Library to support all of the courses to be delivered at Darlington, with computers and a quiet working area. The ground floor also has its own informal seating area and café/licensed bar.

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