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11 Jan 2011 14:50:46
The Department of Computer Science and Technology’s facilities at the University of Bedfordshire have undergone a £1million expansion.
This is for two new teaching labs, a new study area for students and a new telecommunications lab at the Luton campus.
The University selected Rohde & Schwarz equipment for its new telecommunications lab. Rohde & Schwarz is an independent group of companies specialising in electronics. It has been a leading supplier of solutions in the fields of test and measurement, broadcasting, radio monitoring and radio location as well as secure communications for more than 75 years.
The purchase of six signal generators, six spectrum analysers and a vector network analyser significantly expands the University’s teaching and research capabilities into telecommunications, wireless, electronics, embedded systems development and beyond.
The Acting Head of Department, Professor Yong Yue, said: “Our intention is to expand our reputation as both a teaching and research centre of excellence. We have already experienced an encouraging uptake from our two new undergraduate programmes, with particular interest from overseas students.
“We are pleased to be able to work with Rohde & Schwarz to ensure our students and researchers get the best out of this investment.”
Rohde & Schwarz’s cutting-edge communications test and measurement equipment will be used by undergraduates, Masters, postgraduate students and researchers alike.
A catalyst for the investment was the addition of new electronics courses to the University’s portfolio. BEng Hons courses in Telecommunications & Network Engineering, and Computer Systems Engineering began in October, while a third undergraduate degree, a BEng Hons in Electronic Engineering, is due to start in October 2011.
To support the expanded syllabus, the Department has recruited ten additional staff and researchers, bringing its total to more than 40 people.
Phil McCluskey, Rohde & Schwarz UK’s University Programme Manager, said: “The University of Bedfordshire’s new test equipment gives students the opportunity to develop their skills on precisely the same equipment used by industry. This will ensure they are better prepared for the demands of the workplace and puts them in a great position to continue more advanced research.”
Professor Ben Allen, a Professor of Computer Science who is a recent addition to the Department, agreed with this.
He said: “Rohde & Schwarz’s equipment represents a combination of high functionality, performance and value for money. Thanks to a generous academic discount, we have been able to populate a useful number of seats with the equipment, while ensuring that all potential users are equally well catered for, whether they are first-time users or the more experienced among us.”
As part of its University Programme, Rohde & Schwarz has committed to support the University for three years with staff training on its instruments, teaching material for students and an annual prize for the best final year project in the field of RF (radio frequency) and wireless communications.
A number of invited guests will attend the official opening of the Department of Computer Science and Technology’s new facilities on Tuesday, 25 January.
Latest news» 2011» January» The rise and rise of the machines
