THE University of Strathclyde’s former Student Union building on Glasgow’s John Street is to be transformed into a new learning hub in a £30 million project.
The Charles Huang Advanced Technology & Innovation Centre (CHATIC) will act as a digital, entrepreneurial, and social engagement hub, and is named in recognition of a £30 million donation to the project by Dr Charles Huang, former student at the university and global business leader and founder of private equity firm, Pasaca Capital Inc.
Situated in the heart of Glasgow City Innovation District, CHATIC will provide additional facilities for advancing health technologies, 5G communications, industrial AI, FinTech, quantum technologies, and space research, alongside housing an innovation and entrepreneurship hub, and a social innovation hub.
With space for businesses to co-locate within the university, the University of Strathclyde added that CHATIC will create a ‘critical’ mass of companies and innovation support organisations, alongside community engagement facilities that will deliver increased economic and social impact.
The building has lain empty since the Strathclyde Union moved to its new home in the university’s learning and teaching building on Richmond Street in 2021, though part of the building incorporates the university’s combined heat and power district heating system.
Scheduled for completion in 2026, the refurbishment of the 10-storey, 5,535 square metre former student union premises, originally built in 1959, will emit around 67% less carbon when compared to a new-build, while retaining a building which holds many memories for Strathclyders and Glaswegians more widely and continuing to contribute towards the city, the university said.
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, said, “I am delighted that CHATIC will facilitate new opportunities to: partner and innovate with industry; enhance research capabilities by actively developing our research leaders of the future; grow entrepreneurial and social innovation opportunities open to staff, students and the wider community; and, it will create opportunities for our students to engage with industry research partners.
“We are hugely grateful to Charles for his very generous contribution to this project and are delighted to recognise this through the naming of the new building.”
The £50 million donation from Dr Huang also enabled the creation of the Stephen Young Institute for International Business, funded two professorial chairs in the institute and supported the establishment of The Stephen Young Entrepreneurship Awards and The Stephen Young Global Leaders Scholarship Programme.
Lina Tullberg, CEO of the Charles Huang Foundation, said, “We are thrilled to see our donation to the University of Strathclyde come to fruition and meet with Dr Charles Huang’s original objectives. The CHATIC is the last piece of the programmes funded by the donation, with the other elements progressing well.”
