State-of-the-art new labs to inspire science and technology students

facilities: Refurbished area boasts Scotland’s only ‘food consumer experience’

A set of £3.5 million science laboratories has been unveiled at Dundee’s Abertay University.

The labs have four distinct areas to support the teaching and research of the school of science, engineering and technology, which also includes forensics and biomedical sciences.

The facilities, boasting Scotland’s only ‘food consumer experience’, were officially opened by Professor Dame Anne Glover, an honorary graduate of the university.

She said: “This is a wonderful refurbished building, which is for teaching and research around food and drink, forensics and other areas.

“It’s been beautifully designed and I think it will be very inspiring for both students and teachers.”

The consumer experience lab is made up of 12 climatically controlled booths for the sensory analysis of food.

In addition to providing a teaching and learning space, the labs will also be able to support external business projects such as food testing and product development.

A preparation and serving room is linked to a kitchen, while a waiting room can be used for consumer experience testing, student tutorials and small group working.

Meanwhile, a large teaching area with two labs will be used by forensic science and biomedical science divisions.

Professor Carl Schaschke, head of the school of science, engineering and technology, said: “I am delighted that our new laboratories have been designed to place our current and our future students at the forefront of cutting-edge science and technology.

“The opening of these labs coincides with the results of the latest Guardian league tables, out just two weeks ago, that places our food and drink programmes as the top in Scotland and ninth overall in the UK.

“In addition to being used by our undergraduate and postgraduate students, the labs have been designed to enable our staff to work in partnership with business.”

As well as work areas, the new labs include a relaxed social area with an 84-inch screen and seating.

Picture: Dougie Nicolson. Professor Dame Anne Glover, former chief scientific adviser to the president of the European Commission, in one of the new labs.

Picture: Dougie Nicolson. Professor Dame Anne Glover being shown the new lab by Professor Carl Schaschke, right, head of the school of science, engineering and technology.