The STU University Centre, a unique space for connecting people within the University as well as with public, is already serving its purpose. With the participation of Oliver Moravčík the STU Rector and Tomáš Drucker Minister of Education, Research, Development and Youth, it was put into operation on Monday, 16 September, by a symbolic ribbon cutting.
The aim of establishing the STU University Centre was to create a stimulating environment for University students, to contribute to their creativity development and to support interest of young talents in studying at STU. The Centre is located at Imricha Karvaša Street 4, and its premises with a total of 2,340 m² were built as part of the ACCORD investment project.
"The STU university Centre stands symbolically in the Centre of Bratislava the Capital, in close proximity to two important national institutions, at the place where four of STU faculties are located. It should also connect people within the University as well as the University people with public," said Rector Moravčík.
The concept of this unique place is based on the vision of bringing together primary and secondary school pupils, the STU students, employees and graduates and the public, i.e. all those who are interested in technology or want to enjoy its charm. The space should serve as a social and promotional Centre for STU students and also wider interested parties, potential university students, graduates and staff of individual STU faculties, providing them the background for starting up their business in the premises of the STU Technology Incubator, while combining their leisure and study activities.
The STU University Centre in Bratislava complements the set of technical services already provided for students within the existing scientific libraries at individual STU faculties. The new premises are also intended for presentation and marketing the STU activities, while offering a pleasant environment for relaxation and meeting of employees and students.
On floors 1 and 2, there is a science cafe with an atrium - an open 2-floor space intended for informal meetings of employees and students, accessible to the public, which also serves as an exhibition space for presenting student projects. It is also suitable for organizing various lectures and discussion fora devoted to scientific and other topics. There are self-access centres, a library, rooms for student group work equipped with high-performance computers with access to scientific databases, monitors, modern furniture, and access to a computer network. Two conference rooms with a capacity of 18 and 50 seats (with the possibility of increasing the capacity to 65 seats), equipped with projectors and projection screens, sound system, interactive whiteboards and video conference system, are suitable for organizing trainings and similar events. A relaxation area and a kitchenette are also available.
The space is primarily intended for students, and also for organizing various activities of the STU faculties, such as conferences, presentations of scientific results, etc. They can be utilised for marketing and promotional activities of the Rector’s Office and Faculties, e.g. presenting STU study options to secondary school students, meeting with expert advisors from selected secondary and primary schools, tutoring for those interested in studying at STU and similar events.
Floor 3 houses the STU Technology Incubator providing different types of workspaces for the needs of start-up entrepreneurs: cubicles, open-space offices, hot desking and desk sharing. Meeting rooms of various size and associated social and service spaces such as a kitchenette, a chill zone, warehouses, and a server room are also available. The intention is to achieve a functional connection of the student zone with the Incubator in order to provide comprehensive services for students involved in the fields of entrepreneurship, founding companies, possible cooperation in entrepreneurship, and forming the STU financial fund to support entrepreneurship.
