Radio Podcast

This radio podcast is going to RMIT Students' podcast Cataclysm - the official podcast of the Catalyst magazine.

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Transcript:

Cataclysm (C): Why does RMIT carry out the New Academic Street aka NAS Project? How much does it cost? Who are coming to NAS? No one can answer those questions better than Mr. Jeremy Elia, Project Director of NAS, who has worked with the project since it was just something on paper.

Hi Jeremy. Welcome to Cataclysm today.

Jeremy Elia (JE): Hi Jess. Thanks for having me.

C: It’s only 4 months left until the official launch of the New Academic Street. Flashing back to 2 years ago, what inspired RMIT to carry out the NAS project?

JE: We found out that our students love spending time in Building 80 because of its cutting-edge design and facilities but there is too little space that many of them end up sitting on the ground with the laptop on their knees. We really want to create more spaces like building 80 for students to study and relax after classes. NAS is all about enhancing student experience, inspire and make them feel proud of being RMIT students.

C: So the project is going to an end soon. What are your feelings?

JE: It has been 2 years of ups and downs. NAS has grown into something I eat and sleep with everyday, so I do feel a sense of ending kicking in these days. (laugh). But yeah, I am more than excited to see the students’ reaction to NAS.

C: I can see that students are thrilled about the new retail area, especially the food & beverage retailers. Can you reveal a bit about those retailers?

JE: (laugh) I am excited too! For now, I can’t tell exactly which are coming because we are still having them finalized. However, I can say with certainty that 2 of the most wanted retailers - the Standing Room Cafe and Boost Juice are definitely coming. That means RMIT Boost lovers will no longer have to walk all the way to Melbourne Central to get their favorite drinks!

C: Haha true. Whenever I want to get a Boost, just thinking about the walking distance is daunting enough that I end up getting a Coke from 7 Eleven. So, can you tell us some criteria RMIT uses to select those retailers?

JE: Pretty simple. Our options are based on students’ preference. We simply bring students what they love so that they can enjoy the campus life to the fullest. We also focus on creating opportunities for RMIT alumni, staff and students to launch their businesses on campus. So you will see several made-in-RMIT retailers around in no time.

C: That’s exciting. So, how much does the project cost in total?

JE: The project costs about $220million.

C: Wow, that’s just a lot. Is RMIT going to increase our tuition fee?

JE: Absolutely no. The project is 100% being funded out of RMIT’s Capital Works Program budget. Tuition fee will certainly remain the same while students are going to benefit from a new high-class environment.

C: Just a personal question, if you were a student, what would you like best about NAS?

JE: It’s not that I am trying to brag or something but NAS has absolutely made RMIT a dream campus. I like everything but maybe a bit more excited about all the new student spaces. When I was at uni I struggle with finding a place to study at all times for either self-study or group work. NAS will bring more than 1000 study spaces so I am pretty sure RMIT students will never have to “fight” for a study space.

C: Thank you Jeremy for your interesting sharing. We wish you all the best and let's look forward to the New Academic Street.

JE: Thank you. And I would like to thank all of our students for your patience while we are transforming the heart of the city campus.