Discover and share good practice for smarter working universities

UEA campus

The higher education estate – delivering increased value for money

In the second blogpost on estate management, Sian Kilner describes the findings of her research into value for money trends including how universities are offsetting higher operating and maintenance costs by diversifying their property income base.
The efficient lab – maximising the use of scientific research equipment

The efficient lab – maximising the use of scientific research equipment

The S-Lab programme aims to improve laboratory efficiency and effectiveness in all dimensions, including scientific value, resource efficiency and staff well-being. Director Peter James discusses the laboratory good practice and improvement ideas that that have emerged from the S-Lab award scheme and events.

No room for complacency in the drive for efficiency and excellence

February 2015 sees the launch of a report led by Professor Sir Ian Diamond highlighting examples of efficiency in higher education. In the first in a series of blogposts that Efficiency Exchange will run ahead of the launch, Sir Ian emphasises the need to build on previous work towards the goal of creating smarter, stronger universities.

Efficiency Effectiveness and Value for Money report 2015

The Efficiency, Effectiveness and Value for Money report develops a new agenda for efficiency, effectiveness and value for money in higher education. It presents evidence, analysis and recommendations arising from a review of the sector led by Professor Sir Ian Diamond and coordinated by Universities UK in partnership with a wide range of sector organisations.
University of Hertfordshire's College Lane Residence

The higher education estate – hard investment choices for universities

The quality of a university’s facilities influences my choice of institution, say a majority of students. But Andrew May warns that capital funding cuts are leaving universities with hard choices about their future investments in estates.
Helen Fairfoul

HE’s got talent: managing the sector’s workforce

The challenge of sustaining an effective and flexible workforce will be covered by Professor Sir Ian Diamond in his review of efficiency in higher education. Ahead of the launch of Sir Ian’s report, Helen Fairfoul of the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) looks at how universities are approaching talent management.
Alan Turing Building, University of Manchester

Carbon reduction and energy efficiency in the HE estate

Growing awareness of the need for energy efficiency is prompting households to look for ways to reduce consumption and universities are no different. Sue Holmes describes what higher education institutions are doing to work towards carbon reduction and energy efficiency.
Two people shaking hands in a meeting

The benefits of collaboration in procurement

Collaboration in procurement is nothing new, but is becoming ever more important as universities seek to double their capital spending, Rex Knight writes.

Efficiency, effectiveness and value for money – a new agenda for higher education

Universities must continue to make efficiency, effectiveness and value for money core operational priorities if we are to make a robust case for future investment, says Professor Sir Ian Diamond.
Sir David Bell

Sir David Bell: efficiency is crucial for serving universities’ core mission

As we anticipate the publication of the efficiency review, vice chancellor Sir David Bell explains to Rosie Niven that a university’s core mission is learning and research, and that efficiency is never an end in itself.