The University of Suffolk unveiled its new £13 million state-of-the-art health and wellbeing building.
The facility aims to provide students with a variety of state-of-the-art clinical simulation rooms, including two simulated hospital wards, a midwifery birthing unit, new physiotherapy teaching spaces, new sports and exercise rooms and a working radiography imaging suite.
The building also hosts the Institute of Health and Wellbeing Research and the Integrated Care Academy.
Paul Driscoll-Evans, pro-vice chancellor, Health and Wellbeing, at the University of Suffolk, said: "We’ve really made a significant investment in the student experience here.
"It also means a great deal to me personally as I live locally, so our graduates will be looking after my family, as well as the families of the readers.
"I think that the university is a part of the regeneration journey for Ipswich itself. This facility demonstrates that our town has a positive future ahead."
The university has almost 2,000 students attending health associate programmes and aims to double that number in the next few years.
The pro-vice chancellor added: "Our goal is to have 10,000 students on the Ipswich campus by 2030.
"Our students already said that the new facility gives them much more confidence as they are able to work on the simulation mannequins in the simulated spaces before they go into practice.
"It’s our responsibility to create an environment where they can learn safely and build up their resilience to manage stressful situations in real life."
Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk Lady Clare, Countess of Euston, who unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the official opening, said: "I am delighted to officially open the University’s Health and Wellbeing building and see first-hand the incredible facilities available to students.
"This modern teaching facility offers students a unique opportunity to gain skills and experience that will help them build successful careers in the health and wellbeing sector."
In the next academic year, the University of Suffolk will launch a BSc Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy course and set up a dental clinic.
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