BYU-I dedicates three new buildings

With ever changing technology a mainstream of our current society, schools and facilities preparing students for that world face the constant challenge of keeping up with an ever moving target. That's why the new Science and Technology Center at Brigham Young University-Idaho is such a big deal. It looks to close that gap, and prepare students for a future in the world of technology.

"Oh its so exciting," said Alex Loveland, a food science major and senior at BYU-Idaho. "I'm able to see real life applications of some of the things I'm working with."

Food Science is just one of the majors and departments that will call the new facility home. Others include: Computer Information Technology (CIT), Animal & Food Science, Applied Plant Science, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering; with subfields and stuides within each of those majors.

Students say the up-to-date technology really helps prepare them for their fields more adequately. "You know, it's progressive," said Hannah Millet, an animal science major. "We're producing animals and food for people all the time and we need to stay up to date on that."

One particularly neat room in the new Science and Technology Center is called the Cyber Noc. It's a room that shows real time data (or close to it) of cyber attacks and counter cyber attacks occurring on different networks.

The field of cyber security is a subfield of the CIT major, and it's one that's increasingly important and in-demand. "For people that are going into cyber security, they have three jobs (available) to one person," said Alex Bloomfield, a CIT major. The new center at BYU-I gives students the tools to prepare for such fields, like cyber security.

One other thing of interest about the Science and Technology Center is it holds the distinction of BYU-I's most energy efficient building. Staff said they worked closely with engineers and architects to give the building an open and light feel. This means the school saves quite a bit of money on lighting and electricity.

The Science and Technology Center was officially dedicated today by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS church. Elder Andersen also dedicated the newly finished Central Energy Facility on campus, as well as the renovated Agricultural Science Center west of town.

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BYU-Idaho dedicates and showcases new Science and Technology Center - LocalNews8.com