AUDE updates its toolkit for sustainable estates
An updated version of the Model of Estates Costs has been published by AUDE, which feeds into its toolkit providing guidance for a sustainable estate. The toolkit, which is backed by a number of higher education funders, was put together to improve the tools available to institutions for the management of space in the sector.
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.
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.
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.
Assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of porters and cleaners
Benchmarking is increasingly used in the quest for efficiency and most universities have used the Procurement Maturity Assessment, developed by SUMS Consulting and the Southern Universities Purchasing Consortia. SUMS has now developed another maturity model that allows easy self assessment and indicates a way forward and has applied it to portering and cleaning services.
How one university is tackling under-utilised teaching spaces
Single discipline teaching labs can often be under used: typically for just 24 weeks per year. Ian Tidmarsh explains how new larger teaching labs at the University of Birmingham aim to provide more flexibility, higher utilisation and thus deliver better value for money.
Report reveals more efficient use of higher education estates
Universities are becoming more efficient at using their estates, having achieved a reduction in space and property costs, a report by AUDE on the sector's 26 million m2 property portfolio reveals. The report suggests a list of indicators to measure the performance of the entire HE estate.
Estate management and efficiencies in higher education
We continue this week's series in which we re-share selected posts on how universities are advancing efficiency and effectiveness. Today we highlight estate management.
UK university income grows by £2bn in one year, AUDE report reveals
UK Universities' response to the efficiency agenda and their own income generating projects have helped them increase their income to a record £30bn.
Championing change in Sunderland’s new science complex
When the University of Sunderland refurbished its science complex, the ambitions for the project was to transform the faculty’s culture. The university’s head of estates, Iain Garfield, explains how engaging “change champions” was key to the project’s success.
