AUCKLAND (AUT University / Pacific Media Watch): The most advanced and contemporary communication studies school in New Zealand is located in a new 12-storey digital educational centre opened by Prime Minister John Key at AUT University today.
The Sir Paul Reeves Building, named after a former governor-general who was chancellor of AUT University, includes a glass-roofed atrium, lecture theatres, television studios and multimedia centre.
Located within the tower is the School of Communication Studies, largest in New Zealand with more than 1000 students.
It also includes the new Pacific Media Centre office.
The building offers screen and television studios, motion capture and chroma key studio, performance studio, a radio station, sound studios, edit suites and digital media computer labs.
A new convergence media centre includes advertising, digital media, journalism, public relations, radio and television facilities – bringing all pre-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes together under one roof.
The on-site Café Newsfeed and free wi-fi throughout the building support many social gathering spaces; while exhibition spaces and function areas will be attractive to a wider Auckland audience.
"It provides the types of spaces needed to enhance and optimise the way people learn today, ensuring more flexible and adaptable spaces to encourage exchange and interaction, collaboration and convergence," said a university statement.
Open day at AUT University
Below - video about the new building made a year ago by AUT student journalist Calida Smylie