ROYALTY was welcomed to the city on Thursday as Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal opened Warwick University’s new teaching building, the Oculus.
The Princess Royal unveiled a plaque in the building, which is the University’s first dedicated completely to teaching.
Consisting of two large state-of-the-art tiered lecture theatres, the Oculus also features 12 flexible teaching spaces, study areas and a cafe.
Her Royal Highness was received by the Lord-Lieutenant of West Midlands, Mr John Crabtree, and met Professor Stuart Croft, Professor Kumar Bhattacharyya, Dr Keith Bradshaw and Coventry Lord Mayor Coun Lindsley Harvard.
Professor Croft said: “The Oculus has been designed to bring together the strengths of the University’s departments to widen the worlds of students through innovative teaching resources and social learning spaces.
“We are extremely proud to have on our campus world class teaching and seminar spaces, innovative social learning and network spaces.”
Her Royal Highness also met students and staff including Margaret Low and Rachel Dickinson – who last year were named as National Teaching Fellows.
HRH was also introduced to Professor Gwen Van der Velden – academic director at Warwick International Higher Education Academy.
At the end of her tour of the building The Princess Royal unveiled the plaque in the ground floor foyer.
It is the second time Her Royal Highness has marked the development of the Oculus.
In October 2015 HRH visited the University to celebrate its 50th Anniversary and unveiled the foundation stone of the building.
