Scientia renamed

The University’s most recognised and architecturally renowned building, the Scientia, was officially renamed The John Niland Scientia Building at a ceremony held at the University last week.

Emeritus Professor John Niland was Vice-Chancellor of the University from 1992 to 2002. He was instrumental in bringing the Scientia building to fruition as part of the UNSW Campus Development Strategy.

“John has had a long and distinguished history at the University,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Wainwright. “He led the University through a golden age which included campus revitalisation and substantially increased internationalisation. This building symbolises John’s vision for, and dedication to, UNSW.”

During his student days at UNSW Professor Niland studied a Bachelor and Master of Commerce and was President of the Student Union. After a period at the University of Illinois, where he completed a PhD in Labor Economics, he took up a lectureship at the ANU. He returned to UNSW in 1974 to become Professor of Economics and rose through the academic ranks to become Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Economics in 1989.

"This building symbolises John’s vision for, and dedication to, UNSW.”

The Scientia has won numerous awards from leading industry and architectural bodies. These include the 2000 Sir Zelman Cowan Award for Public Buildings conferred by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, the 2000 Sulman Award for Public Buildings from the Royal Australian Institute of Architecture (NSW Chapter) and the 2000 National New Commercial Building Award from Master Builders Australia.

“Since its official opening on 1 July 1999, the Scientia has become a social centre, both for the University and the wider community,” Dr Alec Cameron, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources) said at the ceremony.

The building (to be known colloquially as The Niland Scientia) takes its name from the Latin word meaning ‘knowledge’, which is incorporated in the University’s coat of arms.

Chancellor Mr Gonksi, Vice-Chancellor Prof Wainwright and Emeritus Prof Niland and the renaming ceremony