A new €34 million Human Biology Building has been opened at National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway.

The five-storey building was delivered by BAM in the University's south campus on the previous site of the former National Diagnostics Laboratory building.

Designed by Scott Tallon Walker Architects, in conjunction with international design firm Building Design Partnership, the facility has a gross floor area of 8,200m² and will provide the disciplines of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology & Therapeutics a platform to deliver;

• core pre-clinical teaching to Medical and allied Health Science students

• core teaching to Science, Biomedical Science and Engineering students

• provide a purpose-designed venue for discipline-specific training at undergraduate and postgraduate level

• and enhance learning and teaching within a research-led environment

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Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, 02 July, Health Minister Simon Harris said: "I'm delighted to officially open this building and its facilities, which will extend the capacity for and delivery of biomedical research at NUI Galway.

"NUI Galway researchers are tackling some of the most pressing issues of our times and the opening of this new building will, I hope, help to strengthen the university's deserved international reputation as being amongst the very best in the provision of research-led education."

NUI Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: "We are delighted to mark the opening of our new Human Biology Building, which will transform the learning environment for our health science students. By having access to the best facilities, our students will be supported to realise their potential and make a real impact in their chosen field."

Professor Timothy O'Brien, Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at NUI Galway, said: "The Human Biology Building will provide the next generation of scientists, doctors and healthcare professionals with a world class learning environment and will also provide our academics and researchers with state of the art facilities to further the teaching and research mission of the University.

"The structure of the building is state of the art, will greatly facilitate enhanced interactions between staff and students, and will provide superior technical and operational capabilities that underpin a research and innovation intensive environment."

(LM)