THE Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, officially opened a new £5 million university facility as Medway's student population continues to grow.

Canterbury Christ Church's new Medway campus in Chatham Maritime is part of the £50 million Universities at Medway initiative.

It has been named after Rowan Williams Court after the Archbishop.

Dr Williams spoke to students, staff and invited guests before unveiling a plaque. He said: "To have a court named after you while still alive and well is a slightly sobering event - at least you haven't called it the Rowan Williams Memorial Court."

Dr Williams added: "Christian faith contrary to what some people might think is about growing up. It's about your humanity becoming a larger and more interesting thing that it might otherwise be.

"There's one thing I wish for all of you that will be studying here that it will be an occasion for you to become more fully alive."

The opening ceremony took place at the new 160-seat lecture theatre.

The opening of the three-storey building will eventually lead to 750 Canterbury Christ Church students being based at Medway by the end of the 2004/05 academic year.

A range of vocational programmes in health, education and policing will be available at the facility, which features two lecture theatres, seminar rooms and much more.

Principal professor Michael Wright also spoke at the opening ceremony. He said: "Canterbury Christ Church was delighted to welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury for the official opening of our new state-of-the-art facility, which aims to produce high quality health, education and policing professionals.

"The facility has been named Rowan Williams Court in keeping with the University College's tradition of naming prominent buildings after Archbishops of Canterbury."

Prof Wright added: "Canterbury Christ Church already has a reputation for academic excellence combined with a friendly welcoming atmosphere.

"By working together with the other Universities at Medway initiative partners, we will make a significant contribution to the number of vocational programmes offered locally."