Keys for Herts’ flagship building Spectra handed over as multi-million-pound project reaches major milestone

The University of Hertfordshire’s flagship, multi-million-pound science and engineering building, Spectra, met a major milestone as most of the building work is completed.

The keys for the five-floor building, which will house the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science and transform learning, teaching and research in STEM fields, were officially handed over to the University in July from lead contractor Morgan Sindall Construction.

Spectra will be the largest single structure on campus and will be a hub for innovation, research and enterprise. Its cutting-edge facilities and equipment will expand Herts’ range of study and research options and increase its capacity for high quality, realworld research impact.

Now the University has taken control of the building, it will complete the internal fit-out, with IT, audio-visual, furniture and specialist equipment, before the building opens its doors to staff and students.

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“We’re thrilled to have received the keys for Spectra and can’t wait to see it full of students in the new term. This remarkable space will inspire our students to become the next generation of leading engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians and physicists, and is a testament to our investment in high quality learning, innovation and the wider community.”

Beyond Herts, Spectra will benefit the local community, become a catalyst for regional growth by providing specialist services to regional businesses and fill crucial skills gaps in STEM industries nationwide.

New facilities within the building will mirror the working environments in students’ future careers. They include modelling, simulation and research labs, flight simulators, an automotive workshop complete with electric vehicle facility, a wind tunnel, welding bay and controls testing suite. Students will have access to state-of-the-art cyber security laboratories while the upper floors will provide space for workshops, research and computer science, as well as social and meeting spaces to collaborate and socialise.

Herts degree apprenticeship programmes will also all be taught in this state-ofthe-art facility, including Electrical & Manufacturing Engineer alongside Digital and Technology Solutions (Cyber Security & Software).

The University of Hertfordshire has also launched two brand new degree apprenticeships in Data Science and Civil Engineering to support the skills and workforce planning of local and regional employers, which will be taught in Spectra, alongside the current offering.

The University work in partnership with over 250 private and public sector employers to enable organisations to equip their people with the expertise and skills they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced workplaces, and the new facility will be an exciting place for these subject offerings to be taught in.

Spectra will champion and improve diversity in the UK’s STEM industry, alongside a range of initiatives at the University to inspire people from minority groups to pursue STEM subjects.

Professor Quintin McKellar, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire, said: “We’re thrilled to have received the keys for Spectra and can’t wait to see it full of students in the new term. This remarkable space will inspire our students to become the next generation of leading engineers,

To find out more about the University of Hertfordshire’s Spectra building visit: go.herts.ac.uk/spectra computer scientists, mathematicians and physicists, and is a testament to our investment in high quality learning, innovation and the wider community. Thank you to everyone involved with the project, particularly Morgan Sindall Construction, for all their hard work in making this huge milestone a reality.”

Emma Curtis, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction in the Northern Home Counties, said: “Handing over the keys for the new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science was an exciting moment, as this facility will significantly boost much needed STEM skills while creating a vital hub for advanced research and academic innovation.

Having a close, collaborative working relationship with the University of Hertfordshire and taking an innovative, Intelligent Solutions-led approach to the project was vital to ensure the completed Spectra building equips the University’s researchers and future experts with the capabilities they need.”

For more information on the University of Hertfordshire’s higher and degree apprenticeship provision for either businesses or learners, please visit go.herts.ac.uk/apprenticeship-study or contact one of the team on apprenticeships@herts.ac.uk