A chic lounge area and larger floor space are part of the new UQconnect Service Centre at the Student Union Complex, St Lucia campus.
The education-focussed internet service recently moved from Staff House Road to the student services hub, near the main refectory, and was officially opened by Secretary and Registrar Douglas Porter and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Michael Keniger.
UQconnect provides all students with a free study account, accessed via dial-up from home or wireless on campus, and offers discounted broadband internet services with short contract lengths.
Information Technology Systems (ITS) director Nick Tate said the Student Union Complex was a more convenient, central and familiar location for students.
“Having the new UQconnect Service Centre there means being closer to other student service facilities, like accommodation services and the refectory,” Mr Tate said.
“Students and staff alike can drop into the new UQconnect Service Centre while they’re in the Union Complex getting lunch – they don’t have to take more time out of their day to walk to a separate location.
“The extra space in the new Service Centre will allow UQconnect to display more information about its products and services, which include the new UQSchoolsNet initiative.”
UQSchoolsNet allows schools to connect to each other and to the Internet at a speed of one gigabit a second.
This is one of the fastest school network links in the world and is a practical example of the digital revolution for education.
Mr Tate said the response from the student population had been positive, with many commenting on the centre’s fresh, new look.
“UQconnect also offers a variety of other products and services to help students get set up for study, including discounted software, extra download quota, USB sticks, cables, headsets, webcams and phone cards,” he said.
Media: Eliza Plant at UQ Communications (07 3365 2619)
