Canon donates SEK 2 million to Vattenhallen Science Centre in Lund
Canon, the new principal owner of Axis, is donating SEK 2 million to the science centre for school children and the general public at Lund University – Vattenhallen. The contribution will be used for the interior design of an entire new floor with space for an experience room for small children, a chemistry lab, a computer room for learning programming among other things, a conference room, and a staff room.
– Publicerad den 16 juni 2015
“This allows us to receive more visitors, from the current 40 000 people per year to 60 000 people”, says Monica Almqvist, director of Vattenhallen Science Centre and senior lecturer at the department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering (LTH).
The renovations and the interior decorating of the 400 square metre floor is planned to start in autumn 2015 and be completed in spring 2016.
The donation was presented by the president of Canon Fujio Mitarai to the dean of the Faculty of Engineering Viktor Öwall, in connection with a meeting at the Old Bishop’s House in Lund earlier today with the management teams from both Canon and Axis, as well as various regional representatives. Currently, a large part of Vattenhallen’s activities are funded by LTH and the Faculty of Science.
“Axis has sponsored activities that promote studies at LTH for many years. Canon's contribution sends a message to young people of today that they are needed for developing the cutting-edge businesses of tomorrow”, said Viktor Öwall.
The renovation is part of a planned major expansion of Vattenhallen. A 2000 square metre expansion to the West is scheduled as a next step, thereby enabling the Centre to house more and larger exhibitions, a restaurant, a large themed playground and an auditorium. Savings bank Färs och Frosta have already reserved funds for the auditorium.
The interior of the new floor funded by Canon will include the following:
- A room that caters to small children, 0–5 years, focusing on their different senses to discover and explore our world.
- A chemistry lab for experiments using slime and bath bombs, as well as for inspiring chemistry lab work of students in all grades
- A multi-room (computer room) that can be used for class visits (teaching) to conduct various experiments in, for instance programming and electronics, as well as be used for children’s parties
- A conference room for meetings and continuing professional development for teachers that companies can rent for various types of events.