Nobel winner's medal to inspire new researchers

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

OPENING FOR SCIENCE: Gayl Gentile outside Victoria University's Alan MacDiarmid Building, named for her late husband. She holds his Nobel Prize chemistry medal, won in 2000, which she has given to the university.

Relevant offers

Education

School unapologetic for chewing gum expulsion Former principal gets community work New degree to boost te reo ACT banks on charter schools New degree to boost te reo Critics dispute Family First findings on day care Massey education students' year begins Principals give Govt an 'F' on class sizes Christchurch schools use recruitment firm Boy genius may finish school at 15

Victoria University science students shooting for the stars now have the ultimate motivation displayed in the foyer of their new building.

The $48 million Alan MacDiarmid Building opened yesterday with Mr MacDiarmid's widow, Gayl Gentile, presenting the university with his Nobel Prize medal.

The medal would sit in the foyer as "an inspiration to the staff and students that study here", Vice Chancellor Pat Walsh said.

Mr MacDiarmid, a Victoria University alumnus, was one of three recipients of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2000. He discovered a way for plastics to conduct electricity – a technology now common in such applications as cellphone displays. He died after a fall in his home in 2007.

Having the building named after him was a big honour, Ms Gentile said. "It's exciting."

Members of the family, including a grandson based in the United States, travelled to Wellington for the official opening by Prime Minister John Key.

Project manager Ian Maskell said the building, on previously unused land, was funded by the university and cost $47.6m. It includes a lecture theatre, five seminar rooms, laboratories, and offices.

Students began learning in the building this trimester and some researchers have used it since late May.

- © Fairfax NZ News