Minister of State for Universities and Science visits Exeter

During his visit, the Minister was shown how the University is investing in state-of-the-art new facilities. He was given an overview of the University’s world-class research and innovative collaborations with business and industry.

University Council members and senior management gave David Willetts a glimpse of the Forum project, a new £50 million development for the heart of Streatham Campus. The Forum will feature an inspirational mix of outside and inside space that will deliver a new Student Services Centre, retail and catering outlets, a refurbished library, new technology-rich learning spaces, a 400-seat lecture theatre and a new University reception.

The Minister then took a tour of the new Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM). CALM enables businesses, entrepreneurs and researchers to harness the potential of ‘3D printing’. This is a new production technique that can create complex or bespoke parts and complete products by building them up one layer at a time in specialist machines. This groundbreaking technique can significantly reduce the time it takes to get a product from the design stage into market. CALM brings a unique set of facilities to the South West, opening up a wealth of opportunities for businesses in the region and across the UK.