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.
RESULTS: territorial or communal – which tribe are you?
The Times Higher Education recently quoted a report by a Dutch University, which claimed that universities could reduce estate footprint by 25% if staff become less “territorial” and shared teaching and office space with colleagues in other departments.
Building the campus of the future at Northampton
Terry Neville came out of retirement to do an interim job at the University of Northampton - that was five years ago. Rosie Niven speaks to Northampton’s chief operating officer about the leading role he is playing in a campus relocation project that will transform the university.
How the hub concept is taking hold in universities
With boundaries becoming blurred between disciplines, flexible space, exemplified by the concept of a multi-functional hub, is becoming common in many institutions, writes Damon Jones in Universities Business.
How to build sustainability resilience into university business
A guide to building economic, social and environmental sustainability into all university operations has been launched by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges. The aim of the guide is to demonstrate the business benefits for universities in making sustainability resilience, innovation and opportunity a top table issue.
Survey shows facilities a key factor in students’ choice of university
Research released by AUDE shows that facilities are key for two thirds of UK students when choosing university, with the library being cited as the most used university facility. Some 85% of the 2,000 surveyed say they are learning, socialising and living in clean and well maintained university buildings.
Sue Holmes: ‘student experience remains our priority’
Oxford Brookes, like most universities, is facing pressure on its estate from increasing student numbers and higher expectations. We talk to the university’s director of estates, Sue Holmes, about how she is dealing with these pressures.
Efficient estate management: five lessons from local authorities in the west Midlands
Since early 2010 local authorities in the West Midlands have taken steps to save more than £170 million using their property portfolio more efficiently. Here are five measures that these councils are taking to make sure that their estates are being used efficiently.
Balancing the heart and the head: maintaining UEA’s iconic buildings
The University of East Anglia is taking a low-cost approach to its efficiency and effectiveness programme, which is being delivered by a small team. Ian Powling meets four members of this team to discover their progress in realising the programme
Innovative spaces and pedagogies for enhanced teaching and learning
The rise in tuition fees over recent years has made delivering value to students increasingly important, placing renewed spotlight on the quality of teaching and learning spaces within higher education. A recent forum event, hosted by FaulknerBrowns Architects, explored how innovative teaching and learning spaces could support radical new pedagogies.
