I would like to welcome all new and continuing students, both local and international, to the academically diverse Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building. I trust you will find your study here this year both personally challenging and intellectually profitable.

The Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building is centrally located on Harris Street in Ultimo in a large, modern, purpose-built building. Our facilities are of the highest level nationally, providing some of Sydney's best spaces for exhibitions and conferences and include advanced laboratories and workshops for computing, photography, printing and manufacturing technology, as well as the UTS Gallery, and even a coffee shop and bistro.

Our Faculty caters to a broad spectrum of people from around the world offering them eight undergraduate degree programs, Honours and combined degrees as well as a large range of postgraduate coursework and research programs. We are committed to innovative interdisciplinary and practice-based learning as well as maintaining our longstanding traditional belief in professional education. Furthermore, students are encouraged to explore the full range of elective and interdisciplinary subjects offered not only by the Faculty but the University at large. Increasingly we are recognising the value of research for both staff and students and are proud of our expanding research culture. For students approaching graduation, we invite them to stay at the cutting edge of their profession by committing to a lifelong learning program of continuing professional education created and maintained via the Faculty's strong links with industry and the relevant professional associations.

To complement your studies, I encourage all of you to take full advantage of the large range of cultural and sporting events available through UTS clubs and associations. There is much on offer within the University and the larger Sydney community that can shape and influence your perceptions and your subsequent endeavours. Finally, I wish all of you a rewarding and enjoyable academic year.

Professor Peter G Burgess
Dean