By Esther Lauaki
U-Vet’s newly expanded campus is being put through its paces with students enjoying world class labs, surgeries and study areas.
The University of Melbourne officially opened its $63 million Learning and Teaching building and U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital extension last week.
Vice-chancellor Duncan Maskell said the new five-storey, 6-Green Star-rated building and the adjacent U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital for doctoral veterinary medicine students was one of Australia’s leading veterinary hospitals, with capacity to treat more than 25,000 animals a year.
“We are very excited about the new Learning and Teaching building and the U-Vet extension,” Professor Maskell said.
“It will become a hub for our students and for the broader community.
“The expanded Werribee campus will provide even more learning experiences and opportunities.”
The Werribee campus hosts about 500 students a week.
Veterinary and agricultural sciences dean John Fazakerley said the Learning and Teaching building included state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms and surgeries.
“It also provides break-out spaces, study niches and a library and creates a home in Melbourne’s west for our veterinary students,” Professor Fazakerley said.
The upgrade included an intensive care unit and emergency ward, a new reception area with segregated waiting areas, additional consulting suites, a new cat ward, an exotic pet ward, student learning spaces, administrative offices and additional parking.
