Monash Malaysia builds for the future

Report: Rahmah Daud

Construction of the new campus of Monash University Malaysia, just under a kilometre from the present campus at Bandar Sunway, is under way.

Overseeing the future: Professor Merilyn Liddell with the Monash Malaysia model.

The first stage of the two-stage process will provide the intellectual heart of the new campus -- clusters of multi-storey buildings which will house the university's schools. It is due for completion in 2007 and will cater for up to 4000 students.

Monash University Malaysia's pro vice-chancellor, Professor Merilyn Liddell, says the layout will make it easy for research staff and students to work together across various disciplines.

"The Medical School and the School of Arts and Sciences will be in the same building to facilitate collaborative research," she says.

The new campus will feature laboratories, tutorial rooms, lecture halls, a 350-seat auditorium and catering facilities, all built around central Learning Commons that will house the library, information technology centre facilities and student information centre.

"The Learning Commons will be near learning resources -- containing wired and wireless internet access -- within easy reach of cafes, the bookshop and the student centre," Professor Liddell says.

"This new campus heralds a new era for Monash Malaysia as we contribute to the Monash vision of being one of the best research intensive international universities in the world by 2025."