The new centre, which will be based at the University’s Markeaton Street site, is expected to be completed by 2017.
The building will focus on real-world learning, combining functional teaching space with infrastructure designed for the specific needs of engineering and computing.
Hari Punchihewa, Deputy Chief Executive and Finance Director at the University of Derby, dug a commemorative silver spade into the ground to mark the start of the work at the event. He said: “This will be an outstanding facility setting the University of Derby apart from other institutions and an environment where students can gain high-quality skills and academic knowledge to further their future careers in STEM subjects.