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PLUS + HIRE PURPOSE + HE leaders Our experts debate how predict Johnson’s to attract the best sta next move + Campus + SOUND AND VISION design trends The latest audio-visual kit to invest in right now + Engineering: tackling the image problem
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Zamzam Ibrahim The NUS president talks plans, hopes and “shaking doors” Bringing your places to life
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Key account director Joe Lawson-West Welcome joseph.lawson-west@wildfirecomms. ith the election now behind us and Brexit a certainty, questions co.uk remain about how the elected government will address many of Key account director the issues still facing higher education in 2020. Will any of the Jessica Speirs W recommendations of the Augar review ever be implemented or will they be [email protected] ‘cherry picked’ with potential repercussions a ecting the nancial stability Managing director of the sector, as highlighted by Professor Hugh Brady, vice-chancellor of Craig Daykin Bristol University, in our special post-election industry comment (p6)? [email protected] The rising cost of living for students has been on the radar perhaps Senior Marketing Executive more so than ever in 2019, with the average weekly cost of rent now Damien Burnett [email protected] £125, which is the same as the average weekly loan allowance, leaving no money for anything else*. Save the Student highlighted the poverty facing Marketing consultant students, who have an average funding gap of £267 per month. This has Debbie Luckham resulted in some students having to cut back on social activities and some Marketing assistant have had to turn to adult work or visit food banks in order to survive. Molly Cording Will 2020 be the year that the government tackles a ordability, To subscribe as raised by the OfS and highlighted in the Augar review? And www.universitybusiness.co.uk/subscribe will the ‘Cut the Rents’ campaign be realised? Approriate funding WILDFIRE COMMS LIMITED must be addressed – we cannot allow our students to have to take Unit 2.4 Paintworks, Arnos Vale such desperate measures in order to survive while studying. Bristol BS4 3EH Tel: 0117 300 5526 Please do share your views on funding, a ordability and www.wildfirecomms.co.uk any key issues in the HE sector. Plus, keep up to date with Wildfire Comms is an independent HE news at www.universitybusiness.co.uk publisher, specialising in the education sector. Some of our other titles include: Education Technology Independent Education Today Independent School Sports Cathy Parnham Note: copyright – all articles and features Interim editor including illustrations and photos may not be COMING reproduced, reprinted or posted on the internet, in part or whole without the express permission NEXT MONTH... of Wildfire Comms Ltd. Disclaimer: The legal responsibilities for all images or copy supplied to University Business by third parties remain those * Save the Student: National Student Roundtable: our panel of the third-party supplier. The magazine cannot Accommodation Survey 2019 – Results discusses cybersecurity be held responsible for copyright – or similar – infringements that may arise as a result of images Meet sustainability champion or copy sent in by contributors outside of Wildfire Comms Ltd. The obligation to check for such issues Connect with us… Iain Patton is the duty of the party who supplied the images or Libraries: how to blend copy. Content supplied for print may also be used Have you seen www.universitybusiness.co.uk digital and physical online, and vice versa, unless otherwise requested. www.facebook.com/ubmag @UB_UK Printed in the UK on paper from Join our private members-only group, Higher Education a sustainable source. – The Conversation ISSN 1751-9209 © 2019
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 03 promotion
TOSHIBA CARRIER UK LEADS CPD TRAINING AT BATH UNIVERSITY Building engineers and facility managers benefit from free courses
oshiba Carrier UK Ltd (TCUK) is Skelding, TCUK’s HVAC speci cation the following six modules: leading a series of continuous manager, will also cover: refrigerants, CPD 1: A basic guide to air conditioning; T professional development (CPD) both existing and new options for the CPD 2: F-Gas: A detailed look at the training courses at Bath University to update future, their safety and environmental latest legislation and its implications building engineers and facility managers on requirements under EN378; the correct for the air conditioning industry; important changes in legislation and application of Variable Refrigerant Flow CPD 3: Refrigerants: Current and technology. TCUK is a joint venture (VRF) air conditioning systems; and an future refrigerants, and the impact of between Toshiba Carrier Corporation and introduction to compressor technology. the F-Gas regulation on their use; Carrier in the United Kingdom, and is part “Bath University has a very forward- CPD 4: BREEAM, Pump Down of Carrier, a leading global provider of thinking approach to building services and EN378: An overview of EN378 innovative heating, ventilating and air and its team of building and facility and BREEAM credits for DX conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, re, managers look a er a wide variety of systems, and Toshiba's solutions security and building automation HVAC technology across the campus,” to comply with legislation; technologies. said Jon Skelding. “The training modules CPD 5: Variable Refrigerant Topics covered to date include the latest are designed to quickly get people up- Systems: A guide to VRF system revisions to the F-Gas Regulations and to-speed on key topics, to help improve technology, building on Module 1; the implications for the industry and end energy e ciency, environmental CPD 6: Compressor Technology: users, plus an overview of air conditioning protection and occupant comfort.” The di erent types of compressors technology and its application for occupant TCUK courses are o ered free of charge used in DX air conditioning, their comfort and building energy e ciency. and led by experienced practitioners at application and comparison. The programme, approved by the customers’ o ces or other convenient The CPD modules are in addition Chartered Institute of Building Services locations across the country. Upon to Toshiba’s technical training courses Engineers (CIBSE) and led by Jon completion of modules, those attending are for installers and service technicians, presented certi cates and credits towards which cover VRF systems, Digital and their annual personal CPD training targets. Super Inverter Splits, Controls, and safe “The sessions to date have been well handling of ammable A2L, A2 and A3 received by our engineers, and they stimulate refrigerants. Many courses are now also an interesting debate,” said David Hughes, available online via Toshiba’s Training mechanical and electrical services manager Portal at https://training.toshibaac.co.uk at Bath University. “It is a valuable exercise and I am grateful to Toshiba Carrier for For more details on Toshiba training, organising the programme and sharing their and to book a course, please visit expertise on these key topics of interest.” www.toshiba-aircon.co.uk/support/ The full programme includes training contents
ON THE COVER 17 PROFILE: ZAMZAM IBRAHIM James Higgins sits down with the NUS president as she discusses her new, 10-point action plan and how she’s brought unity to a fragmented organisation
REGULARS 10 N E W S Our round-up of the biggest higher education stories right now 14 STATS How students feel about data security – the Higher Education Policy Institute crunches the numbers
FEATURES 06 17 6 ELECTION COMMENT Leading HE fi gures share their thoughts on the impact of the general election on higher education 22 ROUNDTABLE: RECRUITING STAFF Our panel of experts discuss how to hire the best person for the job 33 WIRED FOR SOUND AND VISION We take a look at the latest o erings from the audio-visual market, from laser projectors to secure charging trolleys 40 DESIGN SHOWCASE Standout new buildings and spaces on UK campuses from Teesside to Bournemouth 22 47 THE CODE What exactly is the Student Accomodation Code? And how can it benefi t your university? 42 51 ATTRACT, ENGAGE, CONVERT We examine an array of digital tools designed for student recruitment 58 OFFCAMPUS LIVING Cleaning rotas and community relations: what’s it really like in student digs?
OPINION 31 ENGINEERING: CHANGING PERCEPTIONS The UK needs to fi nd a million new engineers 51 – how can universities help? 62 STUDENT ACCOMMODATION: NO PLACE LIKE HOME? Portsmouth VC Professor Graham Galbraith on the big issues around student housing
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 05 election comment
The new government: what could it mean for HE? A cross-section of higher education leaders share their initial thoughts on the impact of the general election on the HE sector
Brexit, research and dispute resolutions Jo Grady, general secretary, UCU Contact: @ucu www.ucu.org.uk
“Brexit will continue to dominate the government’s agenda in 2020 and navigating its consequences will be a major challenge facing higher education this year. It is imperative that universities continue to fight any attempts by the government to make it harder for EU and international sta and students to work and study in the UK – a global outlook is one of our sector’s strengths. “Another key challenge will be to maximise the prime minister’s apparent enthusiasm for boosting research funding while pushing for continued access to the valuable partnerships oered by the EU’s Horizon programme. “The uncertainty caused by Brexit also means it’s all the more important that universities prioritise finding sensible resolutions to the current industrial disputes over pensions, pay and equalities. Ensuring that careers in higher education are sustainable will be critical to ensuring that the sector can continue to deliver the high-quality education this country needs.” As the new government takes oce, UK universities await Boris Johnson’s next move
06 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK election comment
The new government: Building on success Professor Hugh Brady discusses the impact of the general what could it mean for HE? election result on higher education PROFESSOR HUGH BRADY is vice-chancellor and president of the University of Bristol Contact: @BristolUni | www.bristol.ac.uk
here was much in the Conservative already resident in the UK. The UK has are catalysing exciting new university- Party manifesto to suggest that the always been a magnet for top talent from industry partnerships in key sectors T new government is aware of the across the globe. The competition for such such as aerospace, digital engineering, great strength of the UK’s higher education talent is more intense than ever before and cybersecurity, creative technologies, and (HE) system and its strategic importance. we must ensure that our institutional and quantum technologies that should help As someone who has viewed the UK system national o er is the very best there is. My embed, scale and evolve these industries from afar for most of my career, I consider plea is that we implement this much-needed in the region over future decades. myself reasonably objective when I contend immigration reform as a matter of urgency. The cloud on the horizon is, of course, that the UK is home to arguably the world’s And, nally, to our research and our continued participation in the EU strongest HE system. It is true that, when innovation ecosystem. The UK has many research and innovation ecosystem. Brexit is taken together, the US universities are larger, wealthier and stronger in terms of overall research outputs; but it is more a collection of strong individual or regional The competition for [global] talent is more intense than ever institutions than a national system. before, and we must ensure that our institutional and national In sharp contrast, the great strength of the UK HE system is that it has been offer is the very best there is shaped by a keen appreciation of the importance of institutional autonomy balanced by a set of over-arching national attractions for both UK and international getting done but let’s not throw the baby out policy objectives, targets and incentives researchers. The traditional strengths of unnecessarily with the bath water. Research developed through evidence-based the Research Councils, Research England is one area where both sides recognise the dialogue between the universities, and Innovate UK have been bolstered by win-win of a strong ongoing partnership. government and other stakeholders. the creation of UKRI. The establishment Therefore, my third request of our new Let’s build on this track record of successful of the Industrial Strategy Challenge government is that research and innovation partnership over the years ahead! Fund, in particular, has fundamentally is included in any rst phase agreement. changed the relationship between the UK’s Such a move would be unequivocally in the KEY PRIORITIES universities and industry. In the Bristol city/ national interest and could, indeed, set a Which takes me to my speci c requests region, as an example, these investments positive tone for subsequent negotiations. of our new government. As a physician, it possibly comes as no surprise that my rst request is primum non nocere ( rst, do Competing in a global market no harm). The UK’s higher education and Julie Barker of Julie Barker Associates and non-executive director of research system is a jewel in the national CUBO. Contact: @CUBO_Comms | www.cubo.ac.uk crown. The rst question when any policy intervention is being considered should be “It is good to have clarity on the political situation, which will help the ‘will it, in any way, compromise our already higher education sector prepare for the future, although we still await the successful system?’ A particular concern government’s response to the recent Augar Review against a backdrop here is that certain recommendations of of rising sta and pension costs, and don’t let’s forget that some universities are already the Augar Review will be cherry-picked – struggling for survival. thereby threatening the nancial stability “CUBO members (who have commercial responsibility across campus services) will now of the sector and its ability to deliver on be asking themselves: how do we prepare and adapt to forthcoming change as Brexit is important national objectives in widening mobilised; and how do we continue to add value and compete on the worldwide stage? participation and economic development. How do we provide the environment that supports all students – regardless of culture, My second request pertains to the global gender diversity and cost – and help universities adapt for the future? And, importantly, how competition for talent. The HE sector do we provide services in the most sustainable way, responding to the growing consumer was greatly heartened by the pre-election voice across climate change, single-use plastics, veganism and energy conservation? acknowledgement that the UK needs a “CUBO members will continue to work with government across issues such as mental t-for-purpose immigration policy that is health, design and facilities that serve both UK and international students and ensure we can welcoming to both international students continue to compete in a market that is increasingly global.”
Image © depositphotos.com and researchers, including those EU citizens
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 07 election comment
The ‘soaring ‘20s’? Professor Rama Thirunamachandran calls for the government to prioritise work-focused education and flexibility in upskilling
PROFESSOR RAMA THIRUNAMACHANDRAN is chair of MillionPlus, The Association for Modern Universities, and vice-chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University. Follow on Twitter: @million_plus | @CanterburyCCUni | #thinkmodern
new government gives us the are a driving force of higher technical and training through the apprenticeship chance to give fresh impetus to education across the UK and, by working levy. The apprenticeship policy must remain A crucial agendas. Politicians from in partnership with employers, HE students an employer-led one, not skewed to t gaps all parties have emphasised the need for the are o ered the opportunity to learn using in publicly funded provision at low levels. UK to reboot its o er to people looking for work-placements, degree apprenticeships Ensuring this refreshed higher education vocational or employer-led education, o en and by studying innovative courses that are o er is exible and open to people called higher technical education. Higher simultaneously technical and academic. throughout their working lives is critical. education, in this new o er, should be one In 2017–18, 96% of modern universities Here modern universities, particularly for people at all ages and stages in life, as o ered support to students, allowing them the Conservative manifesto states, not just to unlock their ingenuity by creating aimed at young school or college leavers. start-up companies and social enterprises. Modern universities, like my own, The good news is that the A SHARED MISSION government has renewed Modern universities also work closely with further education (FE) colleges who share its commitment to technical our mission to be engaged, technically education and lifelong focused and community-based institutions. Across the UK, 13 FE colleges are part of learning in its manifesto the group structures of MillionPlus member universities. This level of innovation in provision and partnerships is almost unheard those represented by MillionPlus, excel in of in many of our European neighbours. what they o er. MillionPlus universities Higher technical education at modern also have the highest proportion of universities equips people not only with students who are mature learners or hands-on skills but with the underpinning who study exibly among all of England knowledge that will equip them well to deal and Scotland’s campus universities. with the changes in job roles being wrought by AI and in the automation decade to come. EARN AND LEARN The new government should commit Yet, the chance to both earn and learn to enabling greater diversity of provision, has been hindered by the impact of the which is focused on the workplace, including Great Recession and austerity on training continued support for high-level education budgets and changes to the regime for higher education fees. Programmes below degree-level, which were o en studied Turbulent years part-time and/or while in work, have seen Nick Hillman is director at HEPI – The UK’s only independent think tank their take-up plummet dramatically. devoted to higher education. The good news is that the government Contact: @HEPI_News | [email protected] | www.hepi.ac.uk has renewed its commitment to technical education and lifelong learning in its The one certainty for universities from the clear election result is that the manifesto. Fixing this challenge is possible next few years are likely to be turbulent. A hung parliament could have by making student loans available for made big changes dicult, but a clear Conservative majority gives Boris Johnson and his smaller blocks of learning than a degree ministers considerable room for manoeuvre. and by bringing back grants or bursaries I doubt there will be really big changes to student loans, though there was a hint in the for less well-o prospective students. Conservative manifesto that interest rates could change. But I think there will be more Both were thoughtful recommendations substantial change elsewhere. We can expect a big increase in research spending but also a put forward by the Augar Review, which rebalancing of the public R&D budget away from direct grants to the usual list of universities the government might helpfully accept. in favour of money for research institutes, star academics and big regional players – There is reason to be optimistic when including, potentially, some post-1992 institutions. we see the opportunities before us. We can expect a more welcoming regime for international students, though it is an open The decade ahead can be the ‘soaring question whether demand to study here will remain so high once we are out of the EU. twenties’ if the UK thinks modern and Policymakers will, I suspect, continue to be interested in student wellbeing, teaching quality supercharges the skills and innovation of and access and I think the appetite to attend higher education will continue to grow. its people by harnessing and embracing the role and potential of modern universities.
08 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK election comment
Student accommodation priorities Jon Wakeford discusses what the student accommodation sector might expect from Boris Johnson’s government
JON WAKEFORD is group corporate a airs director at University Partnerships Programme (UPP) and Chair of Board of Trustees at the UPP Foundation. Contact: @UPP_Foundation | https://upp-foundation.org
n December, the British public provision of student accommodation has, tuition fees, the Tory manifesto did speak emphatically returned Boris Johnson to a large extent, facilitated the expansion of “[looking] at the interest rates on loan I to Downing Street with a large in participation witnessed across the sector repayments with a view to reducing the Conservative majority. What will over the course of the last two decades. burden of debt on students”. This was this new sense of political dynamism It also represents a vital element in future a key focus of the review ordered by mean for the UK’s HE sector? growth, as the number of 18-year-olds Theresa May to reduce the lifetime costs Looking ahead, it is clear that HE and the in the population is set to grow by nearly of participation and levels of repayment. PBSA industry as a whole will have to adapt 23% over the coming decade, which in the face of changing government priorities could represent an extra 350,000 potential STRENGTHENING THE CIVIC ROLE and directly address issues of a ordability places. Given the demand by the majority Finally, the government has committed that have been raised by both the O ce for of students for a fully immersive on- to “[strengthening] universities and Students (OfS) and in the recommendations campus experience, PBSA will need to colleges’ civic role” to encourage greater of the Review of Post-18 education. respond accordingly, enhancing the student integration between universities and The new composition of the Conservatives experience and ensuring value-for-money. their local communities, with a view to means that focus could shi towards In 2020, student accommodation developing mutually bene cial outcomes greater support for further education and apprenticeships – as illustrated by their manifesto commitment to “invest £2bn to upgrade the entire further education The provision of student accommodation has, to a large college estate and develop 20 Institutes of extent, facilitated the expansion in participation witnessed Technology”. Equally, the government has said it will consider “the balance of funding across the sector over the course of the last two decades between universities, further education and apprenticeships and adult learning”. The PBSA industry will need to recognise providers need to ensure that the role of and the propagation of shared values. these shi ing priorities and demonstrate both provision is recognised for the vital role it The UPP Foundation is leading the way how they support universities in the provision provides in many university towns and cities in this respect. The Foundation’s Civic of a ordable accommodation, but also the helping to relieve the pressure on the wider University Commission – launched wider long-term social value they bring. private rented housing stock. However, as in 2018 – has already established an an important element of a university’s ‘shop important precedent in this area, bringing VALUE FOR MONEY ESSENTIAL window’, accommodation plays a critical institutions together to support local areas. This focus on a ordability was evidenced role in attracting and retaining students. In summary, for the student by Chris Skidmore’s summit on PBSA Both UK and international students are accommodation sector, the new government delivery and value-for-money, while key to local economies, with spending appears not to signal a radical change in the ongoing ‘Cut the Rents’ campaign by the latter generating £25.8bn in gross direction. The debates on accommodation underlines the political cost of failing to output for the UK economy including a ordability have been present for some tackle these issues head on. In light of this, £10.8bn of UK export earnings. time and it is right that they should be student accommodation providers and their interrogated. However, this must be university partners need to engage with this REDUCING THE BURDEN informed both by an understanding of by widening and informing the narrative OF DEBT? the practical challenges of delivering on the real di culties and costs involved Beyond this, we can expect elements of a ordable, high-quality supply and the in delivering accommodation that is both continuity with Johnson’s administration. wider context of an industry that has a ordable and of an appropriate quality. While the previous government drew developed to service growing demand,
Images © depositphotos.com This engagement is essential because the back on any commitment to cutting unprovided for elsewhere.
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 09 news
Seven more universities drop APPOINTMENTS modern language degrees Two new reports address decline in students studying modern languages
even UK universities third-year Oxford University dropped their modern undergraduate, makes Slanguage degrees in 15 recommendations 2019, according to a report for reversing the huge by the University Council of drop in demand for New VC for Exeter Modern Languages (UCML). learning languages University The Language Provision in in the UK. These Prof Lisa Roberts, the current UK Modern Foreign Languages include: more varied deputy vice-chancellor of (MFL) Departments 2019 Survey GCSE and A-level the University of Leeds, found the number of higher courses; making a will become the new vice- education institutes (HEIs) foreign language compulsory chancellor of the University of o ering languages as a degree at key stage 4 (KS4); era, we need students of Exeter in September 2020. subject fell from 69 to 62 in 2019. increasing teaching sta languages who will be able She will be the first woman It also revealed a strong numbers; and supplementing to take their skills into the to lead the university, which tendency for MFL to be merged tuition fee income with workplace, working with received its royal charter in with other disciplines, resulting additional government colleagues from around the 1955, and will succeed in a perceived ‘downgrading’ of funding to safeguard minority world in their own native Prof Sir Steve Smith. the subject. All HEIs surveyed languages and facilitate free, languages. While it is clear that have taken steps to mitigate additional language-learning the number of students taking Hillary Clinton new the impact of Brexit with for students and sta . A-level languages for some chancellor of QUB three promising to underwrite “The decision to limit subjects is declining, for others Queen’s University, Belfast the Erasmus agreement for language-learning in schools it is actually increasing. So, the (QUB) has appointed Hillary two or further years. by making GCSE languages picture is more mixed than Rodham Clinton to be its might appear to be the case. new chancellor. Mrs Clinton “Just 32% of 15-to-30-year-olds from the UK can read “Language departments at becomes the university’s 11th and write in a foreign language” university and schools are still chancellor and the first female very much open for business. chancellor in Queen’s’ 112- Thirty universities o ering voluntary is probably the single I welcome calls for nancial year history. MFL degrees in the UK most damaging education incentives for teachers of during 2019 responded to the policy implemented in England languages – the earlier we can survey. Non-degree language so far this century,” said Nick get young people interested o erings, such as Institute-Wide Hillman, director of Hepi. in languages the better.” Language Programmes (IWLP) “The UK is bottom of the pile Prof Andreas Schönle, courses, were not included. for the number of young people head of the school of modern A second report, from the familiar with another language languages at the University of Higher Education Policy and miles behind every EU Bristol said: “This is a timely Institute (Hepi), has also country. The problems this has and important report, which highlighted the decline in caused are now hitting university makes a number of sensible uptake of languages at HEIs. languages departments hard. policy recommendations. A Languages Crisis? (Hepi Student numbers for French and “As the UK seeks to reinvent Report 123) highlights a German have almost halved since its relations to the world, MillionPlus announces 2018 European Commission 2010 and, for Italian, they have the strategic importance of new chair report that found just 32% of fallen by around two-thirds.” multilingualism cannot be MillionPlus, the association 15-to-30-year-olds from the overstated. Language learning for modern universities, UK can read and write in a Post-Brexit era in secondary schools has been has elected Prof Rama foreign language – far behind Senior university gures hurt by the perception that it Thirunamachandran as a new France (79%), Germany have responded to the Hepi represents a di cult subject chair to lead the organisation (91%) and Denmark (99%). report. “Languages are vital likely to result in low grades. for the next two years. The report says these gures to the UK,” Dr David Lees, Examination boards need to Thirunamachandran, the threaten the UK’s position director of undergraduate devise new forms of assessment vice-chancellor of Canterbury as an academic and scienti c programmes for the school of that validate authentic Christ Church University, world leader and suggests modern languages and cultures communication, rather than succeeds Bill Rammell, Brexit is “a pivotal time” to at the University of Warwick, promoting rote learning former vice-chancellor of the review policy and attitudes. told University Business. which can easily extinguish a University of Bedfordshire.
Author Megan Bowler, a “As we enter a post-Brexit student’s interest in the subject. Illustration © freepik.com
10 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK news
MIT of the north: experts pour cold water on government’s proposals HE leaders tell the government to invest in existing universities
he government’s will be an early test of the new proposal to build a government’s commitment to T new research-intensive the north of England,” he said. institution in the north of There are regional imbalances England has been met with in the distribution of research a cool response from several funding. In 2017, the south- senior higher education leaders. east of England and London Taking inspiration from accounted for 52% of total UK the Massachusetts Institute R&D expenditure, according to of Technology (MIT) in the O ce for National Statistics. the United States, northern Plus, the south-east of England powerhouse minister Jake received a h of all UK R&D Berry suggested that the investment (a combination government could look to of private, business, HE and create a similar institution in government spending), more the north of England in a bid to than any other region in the UK. The N8 Research Partnership is calling on the rebalance the UK’s research and In comparison, Yorkshire and government to invest in more innovation districts development (R&D) sector. the Humber received just 5%. Although supportive of Sir David urged “the that do not necessitate building Dr Bramley suggested the greater funding for northern government to promote a a whole new institution. government instead build universities, Sir David ‘Northern Challenge’, backed “It is an incredible cost for innovation districts across Bell, vice-chancellor of the with substantial funds, to buildings and governance when the region to make it easier University of Sunderland, said encourage further collaboration there are already institutions for universities to collaborate between universities to tackle in the region that are doing and share their research. She “Sir David called on the the big issues that we face great research and training. said the region “needs people government to ditch the around transport, energy, There are more e ective ways in businesses who can absorb plan and instead ‘trust, new manufacturing and of leveraging the expertise, innovation and better transport and fund, the universities productivity, and skills”. skills and networks, rather than and broadband, so people can He added: “Government popping up a new institution. move freely throughout the of the north’ ” and businesses are important “Those strengths already exist north, not just the big cities”. partners, too, but if there is a real in the ‘northern powerhouse’ For example, the Advanced a brand-new institution “would commitment to devolution and and it would be a better use Manufacturing Research Centre be an unnecessary diversion empowerment, decisions about of public funds to invest in (AMRC) at She eld University of time, e ort and money”. how money should be spent those projects so we can hit has been a powerhouse for Dr Annette Bramley, director should be made in the north. the ground running.” investment in the region and of the N8 Research Partnership, That, though, will be easier said Dr Bramley says the N8 helped She eld generate £124m which represents eight research- than done as centralising instincts Research Partnership’ members, in engineering research income intensive universities in the run deep in Westminster and and the other universities in and investment in 2018, the most north of England, welcomed Whitehall, irrespective of which the north, represent the best of any university in the UK. the government’s “level of political party is in power.” opportunity for investment. Last year, She eld University ambition”, but said there were In a rebuke to the idea for a new opened AMRC Cymru in other methods that would Working with industry institution, Dr Bramley said: North Wales, a £20m research avoid “incredible cost”. Speaking to the Today “It would be very easy for cities and development centre close to While commending the Programme on BBC Radio and parts of the north to argue the Airbus wing-manufacturing Tories’ ambition to spread 4, Chris Day, vice-chancellor among themselves over which plant in Broughton. The Welsh innovation across the country, of Newcastle University, said: one should bene t from an government predicts the new Sir David called on the “Working closely with industry ‘MIT of the north’ investment. facility could increase GVA to government to ditch the plan is the way forward rather than “If we want to bring the region the Welsh economy by as much and instead “trust, and fund, starting from scratch with a up and deal with inequalities, we as £4bn over the next 20 years. the universities of the north”. new institution that would can’t pit parts of the north against Dr Bramley suggested it was “Releasing funding and take years to produce results.” each other. We should invest more important government “use allowing northern universities Dr Bramley said: “The N8 in excellence, but excellence its resources to make the region and their partners to develop welcomes the scale of ambition, can be found in lots of di erent attractive to rms and investment ideas here, without micro- but we think there are other places, in di erent forms, and it’s and create the conditions to management from London, ways to deliver those outcomes important we recognise that.” build a really good skills base.”
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 11 news
USS pension crisis: talks agreed in bid to stave off more university strikes Representatives of Universities UK, the University and College Union and the Universities Superannuation Scheme aim to find a long-term solution
ive dates have been for eight days in November UUK remained “committed to The union is involved in set for talks between and December 2019. ensuring that USS remains one two separate disputes – the Femployers, unions and Further strike action has of the very best pension schemes rst on the cost of USS pension representatives as the been threatened a er the UCU in the country”. He added: pension contributions and the threat of strike action over the said that it would re-ballot “We’re pleased to be able to second on pay, casualisation, Universities Superannuation members at 25 universities in move forward quickly with these equalities and workloads. Scheme (USS) escalates. January 2020. The deadline for tripartite talks and encouraged by UCU members at 15 The tripartite summits in those new ballots will close the the commitment from all parties universities involved in the January will seek to reform the day before the nal summit. to work constructively together. second dispute are being re- USS following the publication UCU said the talks could “Priorities for discussion balloted on strike action weeks of the second report from the help avert further strike action include full consideration of a er an eight-day stoppage led joint expert panel (JEP). and were an opportunity the recommendations of JEP’s to disruption at 60 universities. to resolve the dispute. second report; jointly agreeing Both separate ballots will “We are keen to get going Chief executive of a refreshed scheme purpose close on Tuesday 28 January, with these talks and to Universities UK (UUK) and valuation principles; potentially paving the way work with all parties to Alistair Jarvis will meet UCU reforming the governance; and for large-scale walkouts at 36 look seriously at how we general secretary Jo Grady and exploring di erent approaches universities in February 2020. can reform USS” USS Group chief executive to the valuation methodology Following a meeting last – Jo Grady, UCU Bill Galvin for sessions chaired for 2020, acknowledging the year, a spokesperson for the by JEP chair, Joanne Segars. respective roles of each party.” Universities and Colleges The report called for Updates will be published Employers Association meetings between the di erent on the JEP website within Working together con rmed the organisation parties to resolve problems seven days of each meeting, Ms Grady said: “We are keen to would not enter a negotiation with the scheme’s valuation and further crisis talks could be get going with these talks and to on pay, but said: “We had process and governance. scheduled if progress is slow. The work with all parties to look at indicated prior to the meeting Strike action was called representatives said they would how we can reform USS. If we that we hoped that we might last year a er the University include the Pensions Regulator are to avoid further disruption at have fruitful dialogue on the and College Union (UCU) in discussions if appropriate. universities over USS, then we other three issues and found claimed the rst report from Mr Jarvis said he hoped all need to work together and it informative to hear UCU the JEP was not enacted. Sta the talks would bring about a look at issues like the valuation colleagues articulate some of at 60 universities went on strike “long-term solution”, and that and the scheme’s governance.” their aspirations and concerns.”
HE regulator calls for robust procedures over reports of sexual misconduct and harassment
The Oce for Students has The initiative comes in the wake clear or eective,” published new proposals for of October’s BBC investigation said OfS how HE institutions should act suggesting that reports of rape, chief executive, following reports of harassment sexual assault and harassment Nicola Dandridge. and sexual misconduct. at UK universities had trebled in To counter this, The statement of three years. the OfS expects expectations builds on research One hundred-an- twenty-four providers’ policies and recommendations from universities told the corporation and processes organisations – such as the NUS that they had recorded 1,436 to include: and Universities UK – alongside allegations of sexual harassment examples of good practice or sexual violence against Provision of easy across the sector. students in 2018-19; up from 476 to understand The proposals also add in 2016-17. information for students and perception of bias clarity as to how the regulator “Too often, students say sta on how they can report, In the event of a disclosure, would intervene when given they are not getting the support disclose or seek support those involved have access evidence of HE providers they need if they suer this An investigatory process to appropriate support prior failing to adequately enact unacceptable behaviour, and that is fair, independent and to, during, and following any complaint-handling processes. that reporting systems are not free from any reasonable formal investigation
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Food Trends for 2020 Wrien by Professor David Russell in partnership with Charlo e Harbour Nutritional Therapeutics BSc
he new decade has begun – the More gluten-free baking alternatives: Protein matters: We are all well aware of renewed energy of a new year Gluten-free is nothing new, though the boom in meat-free diets. These lifestyles T brings a host of exciting and the vast array of options continues to continue to thrive and, as such, new and innovative food and beverages for us to expand. Ever had cookies cooked with innovative products are continuing to enter try and enjoy. Understanding food trends banana our? How about a cake made the market to ll the gaps and satisfy this enables us to evolve our provisions for from chestnut our or protein balls growing need. While soy has o en been the students and align o ers with market baked with tigernut our? The world of dominating meat substitute, we can expect developments. So, what can we expect gluten-free baking continues to expand, to see alternatives such as nuts, seeds and to see over the coming months? and we can expect to see the integration even avocado replacing the humble soybean. of alternative gluten-free products. Similarly, we will continue to see alternatives such as the ‘impossible burger’ in Gut health upgrades: Probiotics the mainstream, which minimises the taste (healthy bacteria for the gut) have been and texture of meat but is entirely vegan. an integral part of food trends for the past This type of food appeals to ethical vegans, few years, with the addition of ke r and who enjoy the taste of meat but do not kombucha into the mainstream. We are believe in the methods of procuring real meat continuing to see the expansion of gut- from animals. This shows that student meals healing foods enter the supermarket shelves, should continue to be cognisant of changing with collagen powder, bone broth (stock) and individual philosophies and needs. and supplements containing digestive enzymes. Gut health is imperative for the What do you expect to see this absorption of vitamins and minerals and has year? Let us know on Twitter
Image © freepik.com also been linked to positive mental health. @RP_Consultants
Future gazing By Ma hew White, chair of The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) and the director of campus commerce at the University of Reading
e are in for a busy year, if 2019 themed ‘Breaking the Mould’, takes place is anything to go by. Last year in July (27–29). The event will also provide Wsaw TUCO host two very the perfect platform to announce the successful conferences, release its invaluable appointment of Phil Rees-Jones as new ‘Intelligence’ food and drinks reports, chair of TUCO. Phil will be coming on expand its procurement services and grow board with over 24 years’ experience in the Image © depositphotos.com its Academy’s learning programme. These catering, hospitality and retail sector. We are just a few examples of the exceptional look forward to welcoming him to the team. work we have been carrying out not only We will once again be releasing our to deliver real value for our members, but must-read Global Food and Drink reports, already tapped into this trend by extending to provide a strong industry voice as the which ensure members stay one step ahead their facilities and o ering excellent leading professional membership body when it comes to the latest industry trends. sporting, accommodation and dining for in-house public sector caterers. Talking of future trends, while facilities. This is encouraging to see. Moving forward, we will continue to vegan, plant-based foods and sustainable So, all in all, an eventful rst-half of build on our key philosophies of ‘share, consuming remain a key focus, we are also the year. For more information on our learn, buy and grow’ and ensure best practice seeing a larger prominence role given to plans for the latter half, we welcome you for our members, starting with our events. university caterers to help support student to visit our website. But for now, I look Entries are now open for our TUCO wellbeing and mental health. No longer forward to seeing what we, as an industry, competitions. Returning to the University are we asked to just ‘deliver food’, but can achieve now and in the future. of Warwick on April 7th and 8th, this our sta are increasingly required to be year’s competitions have been developed to part of student pastoral care. One of the As always, we will keep our members feature three new challenges which we are challenges for us, as an industry, is how we up to speed with the latest market data con dent will be a big hit with the industry. improve on the range of skills required to and trends shaping our sector via our Following on, our TUCO conference, deliver this role. Some universities have reports and website at www.tuco.ac.uk
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 13 stats
of students concerned 69% over data security New research by the Higher Education Policy Institute identifies concerns among students over the security of their data and how it is used
Just 31% of students feel their institution has clearly explained how their PERSONAL DATA IS USED AND STORED, of45% students say they are compared to 46% who disagree and 24% unaware of how their who neither agree nor disagree institution handles their personal data
of students69% are concerned about rumours of universities facing data security issues 65% say they have a right to view any personal information stored on them by an HEI
65%of students say a higher education Only a third (35%) of students institution having were supportive of a poor security reputation would 48% PARENTS OR have made them of respondents less likely to apply say it is fine for GUARDIANS institutions to share health BEING or wellbeing CONTACTED information with about academic performance their parents issues at university, ONLYof students feel 45% confident or guardians compared to almost half that their institution will keep (19% neither agree of students (48%) who are their personal data secure nor disagree and opposed and 17% who do not and private 33% disagree) take a stance on this issue
93% of students agree they should have the of students consider their personal contact details as the most important data to RIGHTany personal information TO VIEW their higher protect, closely followed 87%by medical and passport information education institution stores about them
Source: The Higher Education Policy Institute’s report, Students or data subjects? What students think about university data security. www.hepi.ac.uk Illustrations © freepik.com
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Zamzam Ibrahim’s 10-point plan lays out the NUS’s national objectives ‘This role is very high profile. Surprisingly so. Things move so fast that it is really easy to think that somebody has done something maliciously’ After the National Union of Students announces its 10-point plan, its national president, Zamzam Ibrahim, talks to University Business about reforming the union, sexual harassment, student recruitment and her style of leadership
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amzam Ibrahim, national president of the National Union of Students (NUS), says she is here to “shake the door” in a ery statement Zof ambition. She will not be president for long, but sees her role as guardian of the union’s deeply held mission to support young people’s access to education. Zamzam, who took o ce last July, has laid out the union’s national objectives in a new 10-point action plan – and wrote an opinion piece on the topic for our December 2019 issue (University Business, p14-15). The union’s number one priority is the formation of a National Education Service, including extra funding and regulation, and an end to marketisation. The other priorities include: a ordable housing and transportation; accessible healthcare; better support for students with disabilities and mental health conditions; stopping a no- deal Brexit and improving international students’ lives; decolonising education; abolishing the government’s education counter-terrorism strategy, Prevent; combatting sexual violence and harassment; Post-election, Zamzam’s ambitions for the NUS are as high as ever and tackling transphobia in education. Quite the list. Quite the president. I arrange to meet Zamzam in ‘The Quad’ She describes using her EMA to pay for “it was never clear what the organisation of Middlesex University the day before food and travel on alternate days, unable was doing as a whole”. It was this feeling Britain heads to the polls. We are meeting to a ord both meals and the bus fare. which prompted her to create a manifesto at Middlesex because the university sits on “Some days I ate and some days I walked for the movement. Di erent branches the edge of two north London bellwethers; to college,” she re ects. These experiences across the country are elected “on di erent Hendon and Finchley and Golders Green. catapulted her into politics, but she says, for mandates with di erent plans”, she says, Both are held by Conservative members others, “their visions, I guess, were broken and coalescing around one central plan was and Zamzam has arrived to rally the student or burned down” by their circumstances. important to “let students know what the electorate and ip the seats. Sitting down Despite this, she describes her life hell we’re working on”. That confusion to write this pro le aer the results of the as “privileged” in no uncertain terms. stemmed from the very top, she says. general election, I wonder whether the Her parents were educated, but aer “I think the organisation has been NUS will have to recalibrate its ambitions. their move to Europe, “education meant fragmented in the last four years. What The UK didn’t (and nor, incidentally, nothing”, Zamzam recalls. Her father was was clear from our national conference this corner of Barnet) back the politics “driven by knowledge” and her mother was was members wanted a united team, Zamzam stands for, which may put some “very much an activist” – both “fostered in regardless of political di erences. And I of her loier goals out of reach. Despite us all a will to educate ourselves”. Speaking think this year the team has really listened the election result, Zamzam says her of her mother, Zamzam says: “She couldn’t to the membership and has delivered on aspirations remained undiminished. hear a single problem without asking me to that. Every single person in the team is in nd a solution. I think both of my parents agreement with everything that is in the THE PERSONAL IS POLITICAL would remind me of how privileged and plan. And, the funny thing is, we haven’t At the outset of our conversation, Zamzam lucky I was to be able to access one of the best had a team that’s been this united in years. is keen to talk about her parents. The education systems in the world for free.” “I think the space that we ll, as student daughter of Somalian refugees, Zamzam “My rst-ever job was teaching refugee unions, as student leaders, is to shake lived in Sweden before she, and her family, kids English. My father paid me to teach up the political scene, and to highlight moved to Bolton in Lancashire where she somebody else’s kids. And I was like, just things that aren’t being highlighted by the spent the formative years of her life. give me the money directly, it could be public. When things become mainstream, To this day, she says she is “conscious my pocket money, but he was teaching I think it’s our place to move on to in remembering” her peers at primary me the importance of giving back. And something that nobody is talking about.” and secondary school and “understanding opening the doors for somebody that didn’t Despite the di erence of opinions in the where those people went and why”. have the privilege I had,” Zamzam says. union, Zamzam says it was not hard to nd She feels too many had their education common ground. “I think education should “sti ed” and says policies like education THE FUTURE OF THE NUS be funded through a state, but there are maintenance allowance (EMA) were a Zamzam has been involved in the NUS for members of the team who think education lifeline to people like her at that time. the last ve years and she says, in that time, should be funded through progressive
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taxation. I don’t agree with that. A er was to take a heavy toll on the NUS. been really fun to have conversations debating it, we agreed what we should “Conferences became critical spaces about a completely transformed education be campaigning for isn’t the half-baked for point-scoring,” Zamzam observes, system. Scrapping the classroom compromise; we should be campaigning and the union’s national campaigns mentality. Scrapping the ‘sit down and for what we want and what we need.” fell by the wayside as the organisation do a three-hour exam’ mentality.” was rocked by low morale and “chaos”. Although she doesn’t like to use the IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE WAS A A large gap opened up between the term, Zamzam says universities do DEBATE, AND ZAMZAM WON NUS and students, she concludes. not understand their “customers”. “I wouldn’t call it winning,” she quickly “I know the impact that a huge reform “But I don’t think the intention replies. “What has been the biggest does to an organisation. When I was is to understand the customer. I problem in the NUS in the last couple president at Salford, we went through think the intention is to package the years is that it has been a very divided a very shaky time when we lost our university, so it is ‘glammy’. It’s like team and the intention has never been chief executive and a lot of sta le the decorating the front of a shop.” to have a conversation like we did. In the past, it’s been malicious. People have been paranoid about each other.” The organisation Zamzam inherited The way I see my role is to shake the door so that it opens a had been rocked by nancial problems and a £3.5m de cit – a thorny topic little bit for the next person to come shake it some more Zamzam’s predecessor, Shakira Martin, had to tackle before she stepped down at the end of her term last year. Despite organisation. I was the only second year The president bemoans the investment not appearing on the union’s 10-point o cer and the team felt like they didn’t have into “glitz and glam” buildings instead plan, calming the storm seems to be at any leadership. I realised the importance of of university sta . She says if there was the centre of this new president’s mission. leadership and morale in an organisation.” greater emphasis on learning, “the debate “The foundations of the organisation When asked what she had learned would still be about the marketisation of got knocked down,” she explains, “and from observing her predecessors at work, education – which is problematic – but at the organisation was put in a position Zamzam says: “To think the best of least students would be getting a better- where it had no choice but to cut down every situation and of everybody.” quality education. The money should be the amount of money we were spending “This role is very high pro le. going into the output students get in the or else it was going to go bankrupt.” Surprisingly so. Things move so fast that classroom, the support students get writing Cutting costs led to “panic and the loss it is really easy to think that somebody assignments, but that’s not happening”. of key sta that had been there for years”, has done something maliciously.” Zamzam continues. The impact of this TACKLING SEXUAL HARASSMENT ACHIEVABLE AMBITIONS The NUS commissioned a report in 2010 Given the scale of the nancial challenges, on gender violence and sexual harassment I ask if it’s achievable to o er such a on university campuses, which in turn comprehensive list of priorities in a led to a Universities UK report on the manifesto. Zamzam say she is con dent same subject a few years later. But with in the organisation and her team, and the issue still very much on the agenda adds, with a wry smile: “I guess it helps in 2019, how far does Zamzam think the having an accounting and nance degree, sector has come in recognising the issue? because I don’t have to spend hours trying “I think we’re much closer. And I to gure out what the hell’s going on.” think, maybe this is optimistic, but “This isn’t a one-year plan. None of us I do think there are universities that can claim to have done the work in that plan; are starting to take it seriously.” all we’ve done is bring the work together. But what of the others? Zamzam names This work is going to happen a er we leave. universities she feels are behind the curve I think the vision isn’t visionary enough; on tackling this issue. She says reputational I think it could be so much more visionary. damage is still the biggest consideration I think we, as student leaders, limit ourselves in some institutions’ approach to handling to the timeframe we have in our roles. People sexual harassment complaints and too o en it think of something realistic to do in a year, serves to entrench a “hush-hush mentality”. but, actually, the way I see my role is to shake “This year Rachel Watters, NUS’s the door so that it opens a little bit for the women’s o cer, is working with Jo Grady, next person to come shake it some more.” general secretary of the University and Zamzam hopes in a decade higher College Union, on this issue – speci cally education will be free, mental health the reporting structures universities services will be funded under the NHS use and how victims are impacted. The and universities will not be expected to NUS is also raising the pro le of ways o er counselling services of their own. students can report incidents. Our unions A degree in accounting and finance means “One of the things we tried to do is are running their own campaigns and Zamzam sees the wider financial picture reimagine education as a whole. It has we will be supporting them in that.”
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Zamzam says the NUS is running the campaign because too many students are turning to social media for redress “when their university doesn’t take them seriously”. “Things blow up on social media and the university does everything it can to cover it up. I think the role we need to play as a national body, and through our student unions, is to make sure victims don’t feel the only way they can deal with sexual harassment is to publicly put themselves in a very di cult and harmful position.”
COST OF ACCOMMODATION While it is hard to argue that safety is not a pressing issue in university halls, the cost of accommodation is a harder challenge to crack. How can universities take responsibility for the escalating costs when market forces are stacking up against them? “I don’t believe it is outside of universities’ control,” Zamzam responds. “Rent Universities are essential for social mobility, says Zamzam should be capped in halls because there are cases now when a maintenance loan doesn’t even come close to covering the “If the education sector wants to talk the class issue because we face it ourselves cost of accommodation. I think the biggest about widening participation and breaking in our everyday lives,” she continues. issue is private providers building around the poverty gap, then you can’t expect Zamzam says universities are a vital campuses that have agreements with a student who comes from a working- part of the social mobility puzzle and universities, which then advertise that hall class background, who is unable to fund fears funding pressures could be harming to their students. If student nance doesn’t themselves, to do well at university because those institutions doing the most for cover the cost of the student halls, the they will probably spend most of their time working-class students in the UK. university should not be advertising it.” at university working a job,” Zamzam adds. “I have spoken to a lot of di erent vice- The authors of a recent report from the chancellors and senior leaders, particularly Higher Education Policy Institute and UPP WORKING-CLASS OFFICERS those in post-1992 universities, and they feel Ltd suggested universities must “think Last year, some local NUS branches made they’re in this weird di cult bubble, where hard about how to choose the partners who the decision to elect working-class o cers. they’re having to recruit as many students will build or service accommodation [so] I ask Zamzam if it is a move she hopes will as they can to make ends meet because their this relationship can o er less expensive be replicated nationally. She shakes her head. numbers are so tight, they might go under if options for students”. According to Unipol, “A working-class o cer would permit they don’t recruit enough students,” she says. the overall average weekly student rent every other o cer not to work for Chris Skidmore, and some of his stands at £147 – an increase of 5% on working class members,” she replies. Conservative predecessors at the Department the previous year. The average student “I don’t how what role a working- for Education, have critiqued what now pays £6,366 a year, with rents in class o cer would have in questioning has been described as a ‘bums on seats’ London nearing £9,000 per annum. structural barriers that a woman’s, a trans, culture. Zamzam retorts: “I think it’s Many universities are based in some of a black, or a disabled student’s o cer isn’t ridiculous to say that knowing full well the most expensive neighbourhoods in highlighting already. When we highlight you’ve squeezed these institutions that the country, where the cost of land and structural barriers, like institutional racism, are struggling to survive. These are the surrounding housing stock may limit we’re also highlighting the class issue.” institutions that take the highest number ambitions to reduce student rents. I ask if a white, working-class male of working-class people. He might as “If we want to invest in our students student would, necessarily, feel the same. well turn around and say university is not and their ability to succeed, then we need Zamzam disagrees and stresses her original for the working-class community.” to invest in them. I think universities play point, and adds, “Speaking as someone from That passion for education – and for a direct role in ensuring that they don’t a working-class background, the structural sharing it – combined with a love of support or promote private institutions barriers that I faced as a black woman were activism, makes Zamzam sound almost that are charging students a ludicrous much higher than the ones I faced as a predestined for the role she now ful ls. With amount. But, also, many institutions are in working-class woman alone. Right.” a Conservative majority government now the nancial position to o er bursaries to “There are issues that need to be in place, the NUS’s 10-point manifesto those who can’t a ord to live in those cities. highlighted, but I don’t think they are might have to take a back seat while I think it’s a cop-out, especially from the missed out. And one of the things I can the organisation mounts more pressing big, well-known institutions,” Zamzam comfortably say is that every single o cer campaigns. But, in the words of Zamzam says. She also supports an expansion in currently in the national NUS team is herself, she’ll no doubt “shake the door” for university-provided accommodation from a working-class background. And so her successor. And governments don’t last for second- and third-year students. actually, arguably, we already understand forever. Expect to hear some rattling.
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Recruiting thebest How are universities striving to aract the best and most diverse staff? Steve Wright asks our panel of experts
When it comes to attracting the best sta, Sarah Setchell: Our values-led approach is certainly Q are there any failsafe techniques? key to attracting sta , as is our growing number of Malcolm Paice: In higher education, as in so many academic accreditations and rankings in the sector. sectors, it is really important to know your institution’s Therefore, a good failsafe is to ensure that you are USPs, and why people might want to work there rather promoting these aspects during the recruitment process. than somewhere else. It’s key that the story of the institution, and the candidate’s place in it, is clear and Samantha Johnston: Building your employer consistent, from job description through to interview. brand is integral to attracting top talent. This isn’t It’s no use stating that a role has great promotion just about being top of the university league tables, and development prospects if the interviewing panel but also about being seen as an attractive place to doesn’t then know what those prospects might be. work. Talk about your unique bene ts and why In HE, job descriptions and person speci cations your university is a great place to work. Gym access, are usually pretty clear, so it becomes more about learning and development opportunities, subsidised selling the speci c bene ts of each institution, lunches: all can make your role stand out. and what it has to o er – in terms of prospects, Everything can now be reviewed online, and facilities and its position in the sector. employers are no di erent. Make sure you are using resources such as Glassdoor and encourage “International collaborations with EU partner your employees to review your organisation institutions are essential to research and innovation to build up your employer pro le. Social on major global and societal issues” media is a powerful way to promote – Sarah Setchell your organisation – and to illustrate why your employees love working there. Alison Thorne-Henderson: There’s no magic bullet – In the HE sector, one out of three jobseekers are I wish there was one! We can’t ever become complacent actively signed up to job boards. Of those, not all about the recruitment process. It’s the rst thing you are looking for a job and two out of three candidates encounter as a potential employee, and if it’s done might not even hear about your vacancy! Think about poorly, we risk not attracting the best candidates. how you are going to attract these passive candidates. Portsmouth is a modern, agile and vibrant university Use a specialist recruitment agency with a strong with an ambitious new strategy, and we are working network in the university sector, able to apply search on our HR processes to re ect that, by maximising techniques to approach the most suitable passive technology to improve the candidate experience. candidates in the market. It is important to build a strong relationship with your recruitment partner, Ian Thompson: I think it’s important that recruitment who should represent your brand in the best way re ects the values and identity of the institution. possible – understanding your vision, goals and values As a new, small teaching-centred university with a and ensuring a high-quality candidate experience. focus on exible face-to-face and online learning, Our recent salary survey found that a higher salary we o er alternatives to the traditional university; remains the number one motivator for candidates. for similar reasons, we have to work harder than Ensure that your salaries are as competitive as long-established names to attract candidates. possible. A er that, HE candidates are o en For example, we focus on delivering a recruitment looking for a better work-life balance. Make sure experience that re ects our values of supportiveness, you mention bene ts and opportunities for exible integrity, innovation and ownership, together with working, as these are o en powerful draws. our pride in supporting students to realise their potential. We are an established local employer in Coventry, while also building a presence in
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22 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK roundtable
The panel
Malcolm Paice Managing director, Keystone Employment Group
Alison Thorne- Henderson Executive director of human resources, University of Portsmouth
Ian Thompson FCIPD, Director of human relations, Arden University
Sarah Setchell Director of human resources, University of Derby
Samantha Johnston Divisional manager: education and training, TPP Recruitment
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 23 roundtable
How much legislation and bureaucracy must Qemployers go through when hiring? Do you feel that this level of checks is appropriate? MP: Of course, all across the education sector there are the relevant checks of quali cations, practical experience references, DBS and so forth. I’d say they are pretty appropriate for the sector. Those who work in the sector understand that it’s a necessary process, and professionals rarely complain about institutions checking that an application is bona de. There is almost certainly more to be done to centralise and simplify how this information is accessed to save time – but that will come.
ATH: There is a balance of risk in employing anyone, so checks will always be essential. Checks also ensure IT: While the legal landscape has changed, the overall “We are that the university remains within the law and that we impact is similar. Inclusion is a more conscious goal. With working with maintain our Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) our distance-learning focus, technology increasingly trade unions ‘gold’ status. Technology makes bureaucracy simpler helps academic sta work remotely. More HE institutions to review part- than it once was. The Home O ce’s Disclosure and are now challenged to stand out in a larger crowd, but time, hourly- Barring Service can be accessed online, and people’s this has also created a larger pool of potential recruits. backgrounds can o en be veri ed through social media. paid contracts SS: The focus has broadened out in terms of the skills to ensure SS: There are signi cant compliance requirements required of academics. We need individuals who are both they meet the when hiring within HE. We must ensure that we meet academically quali ed and able to adapt and change, to requirements our statutory compliance, for obvious reasons. We also drive innovation and commercial income. Student fees of a modern work hard to align our practice with guidance from the have changed the dynamics and the expectations of the university Universities & Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), service they receive at university is greatly a ected. Non- and provide to deliver best practice within the sector. Although red-brick universities are trying to balance the need for attractive compliance is robust within the sector, this level feels research credibility with the delivery of more vocational opportunities appropriate given the nature of the industry and the quali cations – increased with the introduction of the for candidates” responsibility to deliver excellence for our students. HE apprenticeship routes in, for example, nursing. – Alison Thorne- Henderson SJ: Here at TPP we are audited by the Recruitment and And have temporary/fixed-term contracts Employment Confederation (REC), so our employment Qaltered the landscape? checks are of the highest standard. Employment checks MP: Without a doubt. Given the more uid and are important to ensure that the candidate has the right mobile environment, there are more institutions using to work in the UK and that their CV is accurate. Best contingent workers, as things can change throughout practice would also be to obtain references from previous an academic year. Also, with more workers wanting employers – not only to check employment dates, but also exibility and agility in their working lives, this suits to ask speci c questions relating to their performance. those trying to balance life and work more evenly. Recruitment businesses and agencies have to comply with As a result, we’ve seen more people enjoying more the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment varied roles, and gaining wider experience than before. Businesses Regulations 2003, which ensures that they have con rmed the identity of a work-seeker, checked that they ATH: Recruitment across all sectors has moved on have the experience, training and/or quali cations necessary a great deal in the past decade, and we are moving to do the job and are willing to work in the relevant with it. We are working with trade unions to review position. Employers obviously have certain responsibilities part-time, hourly-paid contracts to ensure they (such as checking that they’re not discriminating against meet the requirements of a modern university and someone in their hiring processes), but they don’t provide attractive opportunities for candidates. have an equivalent to these Conduct Regulations. SS: The sector has always had a strong reliance on Has the HE recruitment landscape changed temporary and xed-term contracts, due to the exible Qradically over the past decade or so? nature of demand. As a result, the HE landscape MP: People are more mobile now than they were 10 hasn’t altered as signi cantly as other sectors. years ago and more prepared to try new challenges, move to di erent institutions and have a more varied How successful are HE institutions career. Ten years ago, people were more inclined to Q at incorporating diversity into their stay put for longer in roles they saw as secure. Now, an hiring practice? increased demand for experienced sta , especially proven MP: I think HE is one of the most successful sectors in academic sta and demand, along with personal ambition, embracing diversity, and I believe that most institutions results in more mobility in the sector. The changes in are adopting a ‘talent rst’ approach without prejudice funding in HE have also been a factor and the landscape on race, gender or age. As the cohort of students has is more commercially competitive than a decade ago. become more diverse, institutions’ sta ng policy has
24 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK roundtable
kept up. The di culty is in attracting a wider cross- “Recruitment equal-opportunities policy. We have never yet found section of society into academia in the rst place. practices an institution seeking to do anything other than should be nd the right talent – irrespective of background. ATH: Universities by their nature are diverse, and two-way and Leadership on diversity has improved in the sector diversity is essential if we are to create innovation and as more vice-chancellors acknowledge that, with an values-driven, learning, two of the pillars of higher education. increasingly diverse student cohort, the latter’s outcomes We still have work to do. We want to think reflecting the are better served by having suitably diverse faculty sta . radically and our workforce to truly re ect the diversity of diversity in our student population and in our staff in the ATH: There are many ways of approaching diversity. city. We have to think beyond traditional areas of recruitment We have Athena Swan accreditation and have been diversity and, for example, ensure that our hiring adverts and awarded the Race Charter. We are looking for academic practices attract neurodiverse candidates. throughout the role models in the underrepresented communities hiring process” we serve. There’s more to be done, and it’s our IT: Recruitment practices should be two-way and – Ian Thompson responsibility to understand what barriers are stopping values-driven, re ecting the diversity of sta in diversity – and to change our processes accordingly. the recruitment adverts and throughout the hiring process. In our experience, it is important to build, SJ: At TPP, we spend a lot of time talking to universities rather than move towards, a diverse workforce. about their equality and diversity policies. Our top tips on It’s also helpful to improve bene ts, including incorporating diversity into your hiring practices include: childcare and exible working, as well as showing a commitment to maintaining an inclusive, Ensure that university boards are representative supportive and open culture as we grow. A diverse board is a great starting point for ensuring that your university has a diverse workforce. SS: As an institution, we are conscious of best practice, Research by the Employers’ Network for Equality both from a legal perspective and in terms of our and Inclusion (ENEI) has shown that inclusivity community responsibility. needs to be fostered from the top down. Inclusivity is a key consideration to ensure that we are attracting the best candidates, regardless of their personal Advertise your roles widely characteristics. We also focus on the impact that this has To recruit a diverse workforce, it’s important to advertise on our students: the impact of diversity and student-body roles on a variety of job boards. Work with an agency representation on student attainment is a key priority. that uses a variety of methods to source candidates.
And what strategies are universities using to Blind recruiting Qbecome more diverse? Remove personal information from applications MP: We have seen a growth in universities guaranteeing (including name, gender, nationality and alma mater) interviews to candidates from speci c underrepresented to eliminate unconscious bias during the recruitment groups, but in the main they simply have a robust process. Applications are thus reviewed purely on Image © depositphotos.com
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the basis of skillset and experience. Ucas currently SJ: Like other sectors, HE tends to be more diverse “Of the 19,000 uses name-blind applications, and this practice is up to middle/senior management. The senior board professors in becoming increasingly widespread in the sector. members and vice-chancellors across the UK aren’t the UK only as diverse as they could be. For diversity to be truly 115 are black Have a diverse interview panel embedded in an organisation, it needs to come from and only 25 are Interviewing is very subjective and hirers tend the top down. Diversity isn’t just something that to hire candidates in their own image. needs to be embedded in the recruitment process: black women” – Malcolm Paice institutions must also analyse how inclusive their Interview fairly workplace truly is to avoid losing good talent. Use a point-scoring system to ensure that the best candidate gets the job. What digital tools/channels are most Qeective for recruiting sta? Review your gender pay gap MP: In 2019 alone we have seen use of our Talent … and take action wherever possible, to ensure that Bank solution among universities increase by over men and women are paid equally for identical roles. 40%, as more and more institutions want to take recruitment back ‘in-house’ and reduce their reliance How diverse is the HE workforce in on third parties. That simply mirrors what the rest Qcomparison to other sectors? of the world is doing: moving to more agile and MP: Well, for academic sta there is still a long way lower-cost online services and using so ware-as-a- to go – for example, of the 19,000 professors in the service tools to make light work of nding talent. UK, only 115 are black and only 25 are black women. The big increase is among contingent workers, Clearly, that is not something that will change overnight with temporary role volumes having increased year- but, for the most part, institutions we have worked on-year for the past ve years. Services such as Times with are taking the matter seriously and trying to Higher Education’s THEunijobs are still popular for understand and remove barriers and perceived barriers permanent roles but will need to evolve to keep up with for entry into academia. Among the non-academic the demands of the sector and modern technology. workforce, the diversity of sta ng is far better. ATH: It depends on the role. LinkedIn is good for ATH: Knowledge-seeking seeks no bias and attracting hard-to- nd candidates; video is useful universities are fortunate. Our population of 30,000 in ‘meeting’ international candidates. We try and sta and students comes from all over the world make sure we are matching the role to the right and is constantly changing, creating resilience to digital channel: there is no one-size- ts-all. change and diversity that can be rare in other sectors. Having said that, there’s always more we can do. SS: At present, social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, are proving to be the most e ective method of resourcing SS: The UCEA HE Workforce Report 2019 reveals that a wide pool of candidates, in a cost-e ective manner. the sector faces several diversity challenges, particularly in Search engine and website optimisation is also a key regard to representation of women and ethnic minorities tool to ensure that vacancies are easily found, with in senior roles. For example, 22% of early stage academic mobile phone/tablet-supported application processes sta are from ethnic minority backgrounds, compared to follow. In addition, generic or industry-speci c job to 7% for departmental and faculty head positions. sites, such as gov.uk’s Find a Job or jobs.ac.uk, o en Improving ethnic diversity within the workforce help drive more volume of relevant applications. is noted as a topic of discussion with several institutions, particularly around representation SJ: LinkedIn remains the number one tool for recruiting of local communities and the student body. sta , as it allows for proactive headhunting of passive
26 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK roundtable
candidates who are not actively searching on job boards and vice-chancellors all concerned over the future of “The senior or university job pages. The more visual and creative the our prestigious education system. When most of our board members adverts, the more hits they get. Our video advertisements funding for university research comes from the EU, what and vice- do very well in promoting roles and getting good does this mean for the future of our research funding? chancellors quality responses. Utilise social media channels such as Early indications suggest the number of prospective across the UK Facebook and Twitter to advertise roles and promote EU students choosing to study in the UK might fall your university as an excellent place to work. because of Brexit – a loss that could cost the UK economy aren’t as diverse more than £690m per year. Applications from across as they could How has/will Brexit aect HE employment? the European Union have already dropped for many be. For diversity Q MP: In a word, it is about uncertainty. universities. Large numbers of academics have expressed to be truly We are yet to nd a university that is gravely pre- concerns over job conditions post-Brexit, with dozens embedded in an occupied about the impact of Brexit – but they do of EU academics already rejecting job posts in the UK. organisation, it want to know the how and when of it all. Early on We have had a mixture of responses, with some needs to come there was something of a ‘freeze’ but, in the three universities noting a signi cant drop in student from the top years that have trundled by since, institutions have applications and others stating their student applications down” realised that they must keep calm and carry on. have continued to increase. It’s important for universities – Samantha Johnston The uncertain landscape means that temporary to continue to diversify and compete to attract the and contract roles have increased, as institutions best students. The market for international students look to remain agile and exible depending on is competitive and the UK is currently the second what happens – and that will continue for the next most popular destination behind the US – and home couple of years, as the actuality of it all unfolds. to ve of the top 25 universities in the world. The big question will be around the overseas workforce The British education system is one of our most and, of course, overseas student numbers. For the most valuable assets and contributes signi cantly to the part, EU student and sta numbers ought not to be too UK economy. Whatever happens with Brexit, badly dented, but if equally good prospects are on o er one thing is certain: politicians must ensure that elsewhere within the EU with no visa complications, that higher education is high on their agenda! may just clinch the decision-making process for some. Again, it comes down to certainty and clarity of message. If people do not understand the timetable for change and precisely what the UK Visas and Immigration rules are, it is almost certain to have a negative impact. If the government is clear on EU citizens’ right to work and study rules going forward, and o ers a frictionless policy, then the universities will reciprocate and ensure that they do all they can to sustain the UK’s pre-eminence for educational excellence.
ATH: Over the past decade, recruitment pools became increasingly diverse, especially from Europe, and this is now at risk. Fewer candidates applying from Europe is likely to make it necessary to think long and hard about new ways of reaching international candidates.
SS: The University of Derby is an international employer with sta from over 65 countries around the world who contribute to the success of our teaching, research and professional services. Currently, we are maintaining a steady recruitment from the EU. However, Brexit may impact our ability to recruit EU citizens from prestigious HE institutions. International collaborations with EU Contacts Retention Survey 2019 partner institutions are essential to research and www.tpp.co.uk/employers/salary- innovation on major global and societal issues. Keystone Employment Group surveys-recruitment-advice The direct recruitment impact following Brexit is www.keystone-jobs.com ENEI: What is inclusive leadership? very di cult to predict. Areas for concern are around TPP Recruitment www.enei.org.uk/diversity-inclusion/ our ability to easily attract skilled EU citizens to www.tpp.co.uk inclusive-leadership senior teaching and research positions. Furthermore, UCEA HE Workforce Report 2019 our recruitment may be a ected nancially by www.ucea.ac.uk/library/publications/ potentially increasing costs with the inclusion of Useful links he-workforce-report-2019 EU citizens in the new immigration system. Glassdoor job search Times Higher Education: THEunijobs www.glassdoor.co.uk www.timeshighereducation.com/ SJ: Brexit has been at the heart of conversations within TPP Salary, Rewards and unijobs the sector, with academics, professional sta , politicians, Illustration © freepik.com
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keystonetalentbank.comkeystonetalentbank.com promotion BUILDING FOR CHANGE The Passivhaus Standard explained
his year, many estates o ces are taking stock as universities head T towards the end of their rst carbon management plan (CMP) periods. In addition to the challenges posed by the growth in campus size and student numbers, several have been faced with a performance gap between the predicted energy demand and carbon emissions from new or renovated buildings and their actual performance. As the country now looks towards even more ambitious net zero carbon targets, nding building approaches which can close this gap is becoming increasingly vital. One proven option is constructing to the Passivhaus Standard.
PASSIVHAUS Passivhaus sets clear energy performance targets designed to allow the creation of buildings which require little energy to heat or cool, while providing a high level of comfort for occupants. Kingspan TEK Cladding Panel was used to construct the airtight and highly insulated building shell for the University of Nottingham’s RAD Building
Performance targets construction methods, o site construction More recently, the University of for a European climate approaches such as Structural Insulated Nottingham integrated Passivhaus measures Primary energy demand Panels (SIPs) can provide a simpler, within its Research Acceleration and ≤ 120 kWh/m/yr faster and more adaptable solution. Demonstration (RAD) Building, a 2000m2 Space heating/cooling demand SIPs feature an insulated core sandwiched facility incorporating advanced laboratories. ≤ 15 kWh/m/yr between two layers of OSB, with a jointing SIPs are utilised within the outer façade to Specific cooling load system that ensures excellent insulation provide excellent fabric performance and ≤ 10 W/m continuity throughout the envelope and airtightness and the building is designed limits air loss. They are designed and pre- to achieve a rating of ‘Excellent’ under While these do not speci cally address cut to each project’s precise plans o site, the BREEAM sustainability standard. a building’s carbon emissions, in practice allowing rapid and accurate construction. they should signi cantly limit emissions By assessing all junctions and openings TARGETS MET when compared with a property built to within the building envelope and As the climate emergency deepens, research current Building Regulations/Standards. carefully installing additional insulation, suggests that a growing number of students The Standard is backed by a rigorous thermal bridges can be eliminated would factor an institution’s commitment certi cation process, and post-occupancy and the U-values and air-leakage rates to the environment into their choice of monitoring suggests that, on average, actual reduced to the required levels. university2. By adopting building approaches energy performance of these properties The airtight designs necessitate good such as Passivhaus, universities can have meets or outperforms the design prediction1. ventilation typically via a mechanical greater con dence that buildings will The external fabric of a Passivhaus ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) perform to their expected level, forming a property typically needs to be insulated system. MVHR systems extract the heat more reliable part of their overall CMP. to meet a U-value of 0.15 W/m K, or from outgoing stale air and transfer it to lower, and be fundamentally ‘thermal warm incoming fresh air, further reducing For further information and technical bridge free’. Close attention to detailing heating demand and ensuring a fresh, support, please contact: is crucial to ensure that potential thermal comfortable environment within the home. Tel: +44 (0) 1544 387 384 bridges around openings and at junctions Fax: +44 (0) 1544 387 484 are properly addressed. In addition, air- PRINCIPLES APPLIED Email: [email protected] leakage rates must be no higher than 0.6 The Passivhaus Standard has been Website: www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk ach@50 Pa. This is typically achieved by successfully met on several UK university installing an airtight layer, such as oriented buildings, including an accommodation SOURCES 1 Rachel Mitchell, The Performance of Passivhaus in New strand board (OSB), and airtight tape, block at Leeds Beckett University’s Construction (Passivhaus Trust, July 2017) which is applied to seal all junctions. Carnegie Village campus which 2 2019 College Hopes and Worries Survey Report (Princeton Review: https://www.princetonreview.com/ While it is possible to meet these became the rst Passivhaus certi ed cms-content/2019-College-Hopes-Worries-Survey- envelope requirements with traditional student accommodation in 2010. Report.pdf) promotion
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practices in engineering and encourages a full exchange Engineering: of ideas with students learning in other disciplines. This process mirrors how real businesses work and underlines the importance of recruiting professionals who changing perceptions can communicate e ectively with colleagues, interpret standards, work with varied datasets, and understand In the face of huge demand for qualified the unique demands of research and product design. However, all this potential can only come to fruition engineering graduates, universities must if engineering’s reputation is transformed. Many young overcome the industry’s image problem, people assume engineering is limited to hard, manual labour. Broadening and correcting this image, as well says Professor Salah Al-Majeed as inspiring more women to pursue STEM subjects and careers, helps bridge existing skills gaps in science and technology and better presents what engineering is – and how it can play a positive role in young people’s lives. Engineers today are more likely to nd themselves working in areas such as industrial systems engineering or the Internet of Things. Their expertise is o en employed in thinking about the future. Technology is naturally fast-paced and products need to develop and be shaped to match the skills, knowledge and behaviour of customers. The Royal Academy of Engineering estimates that the UK needs to nd more than one million new engineers by 2020 to meet industrial demand, while Engineering UK states that there is a shortfall of 69,000 engineers and technicians entering engineering or STEM-related subjects. This is both a challenge and an immense opportunity.
Image © depositphotos.com Booming sector The UK is one of the world’s best countries to become here is an outdated perception of engineering as “Engineers play an engineer. The automotive and aerospace engineering a profession that focuses solely on dealing with a crucial role as sector is booming and average starting salaries are higher Theavy equipment and working on a factory oor. innovators: they than the UK national average, with general engineers This is harming the ow of new students who might be design, build earning from £27,157 versus £18,000–£22,000 for encouraged into higher education to study this hugely other UK graduates. To prepare students e ectively, all and improve rewarding subject. Modern engineering is about far our Engineering Technology courses and programmes more than nding mechanical or structural solutions, technology” incorporate a strong industrial pathway, re ecting and employers need graduates who are capable of dealing the needs of the evolving industry. Some of the with a host of challenges and innovative approaches. Gloucestershire rms involved in supporting this include Engineering graduates earn, on average, 20% more BAE systems, Airbus, BT, GE Aviation and Raytheon. than their peers and can expect to earn even more These companies o er placements for our students during their careers than those studying many other and also help co-design our curriculum, ensuring subjects. Engineers play a crucial role as innovators: that degrees are up-to-date and produce career- they design, build and improve technology and are ready graduates. Programmes are designed to meet central to national productivity, economic growth the requirements for professional bodies, including and modern living standards. Engineers are the the Chartered or Incorporated Engineer level of people who turn scienti c knowledge into practical the Engineering Council UK through the Institute application, social bene t and economic value. of Engineering and Technology and iMechE. The vision is to provide high-quality engineering Maximising potential education, research, outreach and engagement that Higher education providers have a responsibility enables students to achieve their career goals, boost the to ensure that student expectations and graduate productivity of employers we work with, and promote a potential is maximised. Employers expect new strong and sustainable engineering future for the region. recruits to demonstrate unique and practical skills Engineering can be complex, but it stands to reason which will add value to their business. This is why that everyone bene ts if industry and educators can an e ective systems approach is needed to provide work together to catch the attention of a wide range of wider knowledge to learners who are dealing young people, not just those who are already deemed with innovative engineering challenges, alongside to be technical, but new entrants to the sector who are more practical hands-on work that distinguishes fascinated by the bene ts that technology can o er. between being a specialised or a general engineer. University of Gloucestershire students learn through a Professor Salah Al-Majeed, head of engineering, framework approach, which combines the best common the University of Gloucestershire, www.glos.ac.uk
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Wired for sound &vision Nicola Yeeles rounds up some of the latest off erings from the audio-visual market to help you off er the very best experiences to your students and staff
t wasn’t long ago that universities started piloting lecture capture, encouraging students to share content or video conferencing. Now, of course, all these things are ubiquitous. What have changed, though, are expectations. IOur world is full of high-quality digital content, and universities have to step up to match that. Students won’t tolerate videos with blurry pictures any less than a lecturer would appreciate a recording of her with dodgy audio. This is why manufacturers are prioritising exceptional output: razor-sharp images, crystal-clear audio and so ware to adjust for perfection. Going greener is also a driver: longer-life lasers, auto shut-o and web-based remote control are also things to look for when choosing AV products. Image © depositphotos.com
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 33 edtech
PANASONIC CAMERA: UE4 WIDE-ANGLE 4K PAN–TILT–ZOOM RIGHT: The Panasonic UE4 camera CAMERA USED WITH AUTO- allows you to programme in set angles TRACKING TECHNOLOGY BELOW: The Panasonic UE4 Release date: November 2019 technology allows for a wider angle of shot Panasonic PTZ technology has been developed to provide solutions for every space. The recently-launched UE4, for example, is capable of outputting UHD video at 30p, and has a viewing angle of 111 degrees in width, meaning that you can now capture a fantastic wide shot, making it perfect for huddle spaces and seminar rooms. You can save up to 100 preset movements through the pan and scan feature Panasonic has developed auto-tracking over IP technology, which is a cable-free and integrated solution with the ability to automatically track a presenter in a room. It means that a presentation can be recorded without the need for an operator, infra-red lanyards or expensive tracking chains. Panasonic’s solution is fully integrated into Panopto’s video platform, so it can simultaneously capture video, audio and presentation data. Following advances in hardware technology, powerful i9 processors and GPU (graphics processing unit) cards can now be utilised by auto-tracking so ware. This leads to better framing of movement around the presenter, and the ability to work in lower lighting levels. Auto-tracking so ware is a one-time purchase with no annual subscriptions and is scalable to meet the speci cations of the PC and server.
VIVITEK D770 SERIES ULTRA SHORT THROW PROJECTOR Release date: June 2019
The Vivitek D770 series bene ts from Vivitek’s Ultra Short Throw technology and brings a multitude of bene ts to education users. One of those bene ts is that the D700 series’ ultra-short throw lens can create a stunningly large 100- inch diagonal, 2.15-metre wide projection image from as little as 44cm away from the screen surface. This means even if the set-up space for the technology is tight, the projected image itself will be large enough for even the students at the back of the lecture theatre to enjoy. This makes presenting to large groups much more feasible. As well as delivering an optimal viewing experience, the D770 series projectors ensure that the sound quality is crisp and clear, too, thanks to powerful, in-built 2x10W speakers which, combined with microphone input, ensure presenters and lecturers can be heard clearly. For added convenience, the D770 series features integrated network monitoring ABOVE: The Vivitek and management solutions, including those DW770UST Right Hero from Crestron® RoomView™, among others, enabling you to control the audio- visual tech from a di erent computer.
34 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK edtech
BENQ BLUECORE LASER SHORT THROW PROJECTOR Release date: November 2018
BenQ’s new ultra-accurate HDR BlueCore Laser projector delivers exceptional visual e ects and razor-sharp 4K resolution images. This is delivered with a super long-life laser, which o ers 20,000 hours of maintenance- free operation – saving an average of 10 typical long-life lamps over the life of the projector. In terms of picture quality, the Auto HDR Colour Rendition has an ultra-high contrast with 3,000,000:1 contrast ratio for true deep blacks, vivid rich colours and ne subtle details. The projector uses Pixel Enhancer 4K, a motion-adaptive edge enhancement feature that produces sharp edges and precise textures, so that students and sta don’t have to put up with blurry images even if the original was not as clear. In addition, its 0.8 short- throw ratio eliminates distracting shadows and glare while the dustguard feature helps to protect against grainy images. lens shi of up to 60% and horizontal of 23%, ABOVE: BenQ’s laser The projector will rotate through 360°, so providing exible installation capabilities. projector produces you can create dynamic spaces putting content BenQ’s soware allows you to manage high-quality images onto walls, oors, ceilings, or angled signage. the projector remotely, turning it on It has a wide 1.1X zoom range with a vertical and o and swapping sources.
CRESTRON’S DMPS LITE: A LINE Manufacturers are prioritising exceptional output: OF MULTISOURCE-TO-DISPLAY AV SOLUTIONS razor-sharp images, crystal-clear audio and software to Release date: 2019 adjust for perfection The new DMPS Lite product line is a portfolio of multisource-to-display AV switchers that integrate to build the in-room experience. The DMPS Lite BELOW: Crestron’s new solutions takes smaller spaces to the next level by providing work well in smaller spaces you with exceptional audio and video switching, system control, source connectivity, microphone mixing and audio ampli cation. Built-in scaling ensures a reliable, high-quality video image, so DMPS Lite can provide enhanced HDMI® video switching and audio presentation capabilities in areas such as classrooms and meeting rooms, giving the same user experience everywhere on campus, not just in the lecture theatre. DMPS Lite requires no programming and is ready to use right out of the box with fully automatic operation and web browser setup. There are no new wires to run. If you want to add a touch panel, button panel or occupancy sensor to extend the possibilities, that too is done with one click, including built-in security. Displays are clear as the technology includes a 4K video scaler and, on some models, audio ampli cation. You can con gure the products via the web, controlling the display, and upgrade it via Crestron’s Cloud service. Compared to earlier models, this line also o ers improved network connectivity to support high-tra c networks in universities.
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 35 edtech
Barco technology allows for more interaction
BARCO’S WECONNECT HYBRID SOLUTION FOR ONLINE AND Portable ‘green’ power FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING ZIOXI SECURE CHARGING TROLLEY WITH ONVIEW Release date: Q1 2019 This is the latest version of Zioxi’s secure trolley that stores and charges 32 devices in as green as way as possible. This is also the first model with an internal computer called weConnect enbables educators to engage onView which not only saves people money, but also reduces their carbon footprint. and interact as if in a traditional lecture onView connected to wifi can perform many useful functions to make the trolley greener, theatre setting, while their students can be prolong the life of its laptops, chromebooks or tablets and enable you to control it via anywhere in the world. It enables live zioxi’s app. For example, the onView computer will alert the right person if not all devices teaching to remote, as well as on- are returned, the door is not locked or the trolley has been unplugged when it should be site, participants, who can interact, charging. You can also set up bespoke alerts. Charging is halted when the devices are full. communicate, view and discuss This feature alone saves an average £160 in annual power costs, extending the battery life presentations, and engage with learning of devices by around a year. resources, all in an online setting. onView itself also communicates with the national grid and draws as much of its charge as Interaction tools for basic polling and possible at times when sustainable power is supplying most energy to the grid. The trolley quizzing help create a truly collaborative materials are sourced from UK manufacturers and then put together in zioxi’s Oxford factory. and engaged environment. For more, go to www.zioxi.co.uk weConnect is hosted and accessed via cloud-based so ware, from any device. All universities need is a Remote Classroom subscription-based licence, which will provide you with the required processing hardware and so ware to turn any room into a real virtual classroom. But now there’s no need to decide which cohort of students a lecturer wants to engage with: weConnect’s hybrid classroom enables lecturers to engage and interact as if in a traditional lecture theatre setting, while their students can be either inside or outside the room. The technology can also provide you with interactive remote sessions for other purposes, such as recruitment events, The UK-sourced and built charging trolley careers fairs and even admissions events with overseas and home students.
36 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK Charging Trolleys for Tablets, Chromebooks and Laptops 16, 20, 32 or 40 Tablets
16 or 32 Designed and build in Laptops Intelligent charging saving Britain you a whole lot of carbon and around £160 pa
16, 20 or 32 Chromebooks Lockable with a key or digital code Stylish Design
Natural ventilation - Mobile and easy to use no electric fans zioxi onView is the trolley’s brain, it’s an option you won’t want to be without. What does it do? Smart Charge - for energy saving and prolonged battery life, Green Charge - which pulls power when more renewable energy is feeding the grid, Device Count, Unplug alerts and Security www.zioxi.co.uk alerts that notify you via email and your phone if something is amiss. Find out more 01844 280 123 University Business.pdf 1 09/01/2020 16:50:54
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K promotion SUSTAINABLE SLEEP SOLUTIONS Delivering quality without compromise
ll over the world, brands have never been under more pressure to make A sure that their actions, products and services are having a positive impact on the environment. However, achieving this without compromising on quality or nal price is not easy when you’re operating on a large scale such as within a university’s halls of residence. That’s just one of the reasons why Hypnos Contract Beds is on hand to o er a sustainable sleep solution.
COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY With the reputation for supplying some of the world’s most luxurious hotel brands, o ering both comfort and solid environmental credentials, Hypnos has put its commitment to sustainability at the heart of its decision-making for the past decade. This is shown through the fact it was the world’s rst-ever carbon-neutral bedmaker. In addition, the company has reused the equivalent of 185 million plastic bottles, which would have otherwise gone to land ll sites or into the world’s oceans. Filled with young, socially-aware and conscientious students, university halls COMPETING ETHICALLY of residence have a great opportunity to Hypnos’ mattresses Putting sustainability and the environment promote their own green credentials to an include sustainable at the core of any business provides a audience that truly cares. On top of this, fibres and are 100 per tangible and ethical way to promote providing these supremely comfortable your accommodation in a competitive beds gives accommodation providers cent recyclable market, but it also helps recruitment ample chance to work towards the wider and retention as employees feel they are business’s environmental targets. should specify Hypnos’ Student working for a conscientious business. Deluxe™ mattress. A comprehensive Richard Naylor, sustainable development 100% RECYCLABLE and ethical option, the Student Deluxe™ director at Hypnos, said: “With natural Hypnos’ mattresses include sustainable combines a single-sided pocket sprung and sustainable materials, our standard bres and are 100 per cent recyclable at construction, with natural and blended ve-year guarantee as well as anti- the end of their life, thanks in part to the comfort layers. Engineered torsion side bedbug and anti-microbial protection, exclusion of chemical-based foams, which supports add strength and durability our products are perfectly suited to can also cause o -gassing. Furthermore, to the perimeter of the mattress, meeting the rising demand for premium, its divans are built using timber from which is particularly useful in student sustainable student accommodation. fully managed, FSC-certi ed sources. accommodation as a student or students “It’s easy to talk the talk when it comes Therefore, accommodation providers will regularly sit on the edge of the bed. to company practices and corporate social Finally, the Student Deluxe™ mattress responsibility, but much harder to walk is simple to care for – with a lightweight the walk in the long term. Universities design, it features Hypnos’ no-turn who wish to make their environmental technology, making it easy for regular practices greener are best placed starting rotation as well as extending its longevity. with improving three key areas: waste, As Hypnos can testify, revolutionising e ciency and suppliers. By tackling and a business to build a strong, sustainable meeting these three things head on, drastic vision for the future is not something that improvements can be implemented in no happens overnight. In the meantime, time, all of which goes down particularly developers, universities and private well with 21st century discerning students.” accommodation providers can boost their green credentials in the short-term by www.hypnoscontractbeds.com partnering with providers that have an [email protected] outstanding track record in this area. Call 01332 497 111 design showcase
LEFT: BATH SPA UNIVERSITY The Grade II-listed Herman Miller factory has been transformed into the new Locksbrook Campus, providing a state- of-the-art learning environment for art and design students with people-focused space that brings together dierent disciplines, sta, students and the public
Five striking developments to watch for in 2020 Willmo Dixon showcases some of their developments for 2020, including iconic builds at Bournemouth and Bath Spa universities
oday’s university environs Richard James, Willmott Dixon’s sector are unrecognisable compared specialist for universities, said, “Tuition fees to a generation ago, and it have transformed the university-student is companies like Willmott relationship to one of service provider and In Dixon who are being charged customer, with buildings and the university collaboration Twith delivering this profound change. estate playing a pivotal role in delivering that with Iconic buildings, ultra-modern facilities transformation. Universities are responding and beautiful surroundings are no longer to the challenge and the quality of what’s Willmott Dixon the preserve of a few establishments; being built is the best in the world. The UK universities are investing in space to really does have the highest concentration aid collaboration with cutting-edge of top-class higher education provision.” academic facilities, high-tech labs and well-equipped sports facilities. www.willmottdixon.co.uk
LEFT: CITY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON Willmott Dixon Interiors reconfigured the School of Arts and Social Sciences campus, one of the university’s five specialist schools, split over three locations in two buildings
RIGHT: THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT The three-storey Kennedy Building is home to the School of Economics, giving a stronger visual focus, identity and community
40 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK design showcase
BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY The new build is home to a world- class specialist facility for Science & Technology and Media & Communication students, equipped with studios for TV and film, a cinema, plus sound editing labs, media production spaces and green screen with motion capture studios for animation
ABOVE: TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY Part of Teesside University’s Campus Masterplan, the Student Life building is a student-centred, student-led space at the heart of its Middlesbrough site. This technologically enabled environment supports a variety of learning styles, activities and attendance patterns with flexible spaces that enable social and collaborative learning
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 41 xxxxxdesign showcase
A modern, flexible space at UAL’s Camberwell Campus In collaboration with
Flexible living and Overbury learning spaces Versatile learning spaces and home-from-home design are musts for higher education spaces today. We look at a number of key HE design trends
Sound-absorbing work/study pods at the LSE Life library in London
42 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK design showcasexxxxx
High-spec, speciality area at the University of Warwick School of Engineering
Homely features at King’s College London’s Strand Campus
A modern refurbishment of the Northumbria University library
oes your campus have with sleek concrete and collaborative in the environmental credentials of the the spaces people need furniture, creating a modern exible space. university they attend, making credentials to get their work done? Meanwhile, the LSE Life library has sound- like SKA for Higher Education (SKA HE) When designing higher absorbing work/study pods for sta and all the more relevant in today’s HE spaces. education spaces, students to use. The duality such spaces o er University College London achieved the rst Dthis question needs to be addressed in is what students and sta need to succeed. SKA HE gold accreditation with the help terms of both students and sta . of Overbury and Rider Levett Bucknall. Attracting and retaining the best Homely features employees and top students means There has been a big move in providing a Specialist spaces investing in the spaces they’ll be using home-from-home experience for students, Enabling students to work individually every day. There are a number of key trends to help them transition to university and collaboratively is key. University in uencing HE design, to meet the changing life and aid positive mental wellbeing. of Warwick’s School of Engineering needs of both sta and students alike. Kings College London includes home features high-spec laboratories for comforts of so furnishings and casual students, with additional social spaces. Modern, exible spaces spaces in its Strand campus project. Creating such spaces may seem daunting, Modern, exible spaces are one of the but a refurb may be the answer and quicker prerequisites for HE today, and while some Sustainable education spaces than you might think. Northumbria people thrive in bustling, open-plan spaces, Research from t-out contractor Overbury University, for example, refreshed its library others like a quiet space to get things done. reveals there is an increasing demand from in just seven weeks, while maintaining University of the Arts London students for sustainable educational spaces access throughout the t-out. (UAL) took modern to heart with the with minimal environmental impact. The For more information, visit refurbishment of its Camberwell campus, majority of students surveyed have an interest www.overbury.com
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 43 xxxxxdesign showcase
Anodised aluminium references the surrounding forest A utopian place of learning Celebrating its unique natural seing, the Sibson Building creates a vibrant new destination within beautiful woodland on the northern edge of the parkland campus
he University of Kent’s Lecture theatres, seminar, café and create the sense of a woodland understorey, agship academic hub social learning spaces are organised upper levels clad in an autumnal palette of brings together the School on ground and rst oors around a anodised aluminium reference the forest of Business and the School dramatic top-lit concourse. The schools’ canopy. Internally, natural colours and of Mathematics into a individual receptions and admin areas in patterns are echoed and re ected back in the Tsingle 8,200m building comprising the ground oor wings link directly to material palette, furniture and graphics. interactive social learning areas, innovative upper oors where oces and workspaces Sustainability and low energy in use were teaching environments, academic for academics, PhD and post-graduate key criteria for the university’s Carbon workspace and open plan research space. researchers are located. This spatial Management Plan, to reduce the overall Re ecting the schools’ initial arrangement successfully creates degrees of campus energy consumption. Passive measures apprehension to being co-located, the separation for a range of civic (social), public (natural ventilation, thermal mass, night- university’s competition brief envisaged (teaching and learning) and more private time cooling) combined with long structural three linked but separate buildings. Our (research and working) spaces to coexist. spans and raised access oors provide for winning design brings all three together – an Although the largest campus building long-term adaptability. The building is interconnected hub, with shared learning since the university was founded, its overall designed to allow for adjustments when space and teaching at its heart. This o ers an layout, massing, external and internal demand changes between the schools. enriched learning environment that fosters treatment is designed to resonate with, Sibson has quickly become a much- interaction, collaboration, social exchange rather than dominate, this ecologically loved home for the schools and a new and further synergies between the schools. sensitive site. Lower levels are set back to landmark destination for all on campus.
44 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK design showcasexxxxx
Ground floor social learning space
In Large lecture theatre with views out into woodland collaboration with
Penoyre
Central top-lit atrium with concourse
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 45 promotion CGI images © Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson Ltd. HAPPY NEW ERA FOR PREFECTIRUS Case study on a new ‘Chinatown’ development in She eld
ew Era Student Living is a £66m Krystal continues, “Many of our major project like this, you expect issues, complex of luxury studios and one/ guests come from hot places – most are particularly as we needed access to every N two-bedroom apartments in international students with around 90% room. I thought tenants would complain She eld. Krystal Chan, manager of the coming from China. They like warm about the disruption, but nothing! No one facility, explains, “This is a rst of its kind in rooms, but we found the heating was on all minded, the team were so friendly, and so the UK. Manchester and London have day. When windows were opened, letting quick – they estimated 45–60 minutes per well-established Chinatowns, but we are in fresh air, the heat was just blasting out room, but it was more like 30–40 minutes.” bringing a di erent experience to She eld and our utility bills were quite high. for everyone, not just the students.” “The building had a standard heating BIG ENERGY SAVINGS The people of She eld are welcome system, with no control apart from a boost Establishing a new Chinatown in Yorkshire to soak up a avour of China in New button, so it was using a lot of energy. and keeping 409 residents happy is no Era Square, which includes an Oriental Changing the temperature was a nightmare mean feat and Krystal is kept busy. She was supermarket, small retail units, dining and – we had to unscrew the control button concerned that, with such a sophisticated cultural experiences. Krystal says, “Jerry from the wall, ddle with the back of it, then system, it may take a while to learn how Cheung, one of the visionaries behind re-secure it. Doing that with 466 heaters everything worked. “When I rst logged this development, is very interested in made it very di cult and time-consuming to on, I thought ‘OK I’m on my own. Let’s see talking to anyone about bringing their change from summer to winter programs.” what I can do’, but it’s really straightforward. ideas here and making them happen.” Krystal and her team searched for Irus is incredibly easy to use, has so many Twenty oors containing 409 student alternative controls but were surprised that features and records more information dwellings are sandwiched between the no products seemed to meet their need. than I expected – little things, but when private residential ats and penthouse “We had to nd something to change added together, they will make big energy apartments on the top oor and temperatures more easily and give us more savings. We can even tell if someone commercial units on the ground oor. control. Then we found PrefectIrus; it has brought in their own fan heater! was the only product that had everything, “All this data means planning for the literally everything, we needed. winter months and maximising how we “We were looking to control heat, but use energy is easier. Our tenants are used monitoring light, decibels, humidity, to very warm rooms, and part of the plan, etc was perfect. Having all that data with Irus, is to gently reduce the heat input, at our ngertips is very helpful.” so the tenants remain happy and don’t A visit to a nearby university where Irus notice the lower temperatures while we are was installed gave Krystal the opportunity happy our energy bills are decreasing.” to experience its features and performance rst-hand and ask probing questions of those For further information, please contact using it. She came away very excited by the Adrian Barber, Prefect Controls, potential for the New Era installation. on 01787 320604 or email “I chose Prefect to install Irus. With a [email protected] accommodation
The UUK Accommodation Code of Practice Claire Furnival explains what ‘The Code’ is, what it covers, how it is enforced and the responsibilities of both the accommodation provider and the student Image © depositphotos.com
What is The Code and what does for and what timescales they should support, medical help, nancial it cover? work to when carrying out emergency advice and counselling services. The Student Accommodation Code or planned maintenance work. 6. A living environment free from anti- protects students’ rights to safe, good quality 3. A clean, pleasant living environment social behaviour – this covers measures accommodation, wherever they are studying, – this outlines the services and that universities and colleges should take and makes sure they get the best out of utilities students can expect in their to help ensure that their residences are their time living in university or college accommodation, from heating and happy and respectful environments. residences. It outlines everything students lighting to rubbish and recycling can expect from their accommodation as collection, and bicycle and car parking. How is The Code enforced? well as their responsibilities as tenants. 4. A formal, contractual relationship Each university and college is audited The Code covers six main areas, with the university or college every three years to ensure its management designed to protect students’ rights to: landlord – this details the information arrangements for student accommodation 1. A healthy, safe environment – covering students can legally request from their are up to the high standards expected students’ rights to information on essential landlords including rent payment by The Code. This ensures The Code is re safety precautions; accommodation schedules, cleaning schedules and accountable and transparent. To ensure that security; and details on what furniture and details on how to report a problem. the auditing processes are as rigorous as facilities should be provided for them. 5. Access to health and wellbeing possible, auditors follow a four-step process 2. Timely repairs and maintenance – this services – this outlines the requirements for each investigation. This involves: explains what repairs and maintenance for universities to provide information 1. Talking to students or student the university or college is responsible on where students can nd welfare representative bodies
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 47 accommodation
The volunteer groups THE GOVERNANCE BOARD This comprises volunteers from across sector associations (AUDE, ASRA, CUBO, USHA, AMOSSHE, CHEIA and AUE) as well as representatives from the ANUK code, NUS, Local Authority, Universities UK and MHCLG and it oversees the operation of the Code and issues guidance as necessary on day-to-day management issues. It conducts an annual review of the Code taking account of HHEs’ experience, audit findings, complaints raising issues with regard to compliance with the Code and reports from other bodies. The Board receives recommendations from the Sector Advisory Group with regards to the development and promotion of the Code, membership requests and compliance related matters.
THE SECTOR ADVISORY GROUP
Image © depositphotos.com This comprises volunteers from across sector associations (AUDE, ASRA, CUBO, 2. Inspecting documentary evidence for Student Accommodation USHA, AMOSSHE, CHEIA and NUS). 3. Conducting a physical inspection of Managed and Controlled by The Sector Advisory Group’s authority a sample of the accommodation Educational Establishments lies in its ability to articulate, monitor 4. And investigating any formal – The ANUK/Unipol Code of and improve the CoP’s key operational complaints made by students. Standards for Larger Developments processes, membership compliance and for Student Accommodation Code content. This particularly informs Key facts about The Code NOT Managed and Controlled the production of an annual report and The Housing Act 2004 introduced by Educational Establishments. any proposals for changes to the licensing for houses of multiple A revised Code of Practice was statutory instrument as required by the occupations in England and Wales. Higher laid before parliament on 7 May Housing Act 2004. education institutions are exempted from 2019. This was approved and came licensing, providing they sign up to a into force on 1 June 2019. code of practice that has been approved by Universities UK/Guild HE has overall UUK Code of Practice Fees are 0.40p a bed space compared to the average HMO licence fee costs which vary considerably The Code outlines everything students can expect from their from authority to authority. The London average, for example, for a three-storey accommodation as well as their responsibilities as tenants shared house containing ve single person lettings in 17/18 was £1,119. Failure to comply with The Code the Ministry of Housing, Communities responsibility for administering the could lead to a university’s removal and Local Government (MHCLG). Universities UK/GuildHE Code from the Code and the requirement The Accommodation Codes set out of Practice. This duty is discharged to become registered as an HMO a list of standards that institutions through two volunteer groups: the (house of multiple occupancy) with must be compliant with to ensure a Governance Board; and Sector the respective local authority. high level of management standards Advisory Group, respectively. for student accommodation. To be a member of The Code, the CONTACT DETAILS Three codes of practice for the higher institution must undertake an external Claire Furnival, UUK/Guild HE CoP education sector were approved audit against the Code every three administrator by parliament in April 2006: years, and ensure compliance with Email [email protected] or visit – The Universities UK/GuildHE any ndings, annually report formal www.thesac.org.uk Code of Practice for University complaints relating to the Code and Managed Student Accommodation submit an annual building list. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION – The ANUK/Unipol Code Being a compliant member of the Code www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/policy-and- of Standards for Larger quali es the member for exemption from analysis/Pages/accommodation-code- Residential Developments HMO licencing and fees. The 2019/20 of-practice.aspx
48 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK promotion
TAKING THE RIGHT STRATEGIC DECISIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS With AUDE highlighting a three-year-long reduction in maintenance spend, how can facility managers and director of estates focus their e orts on carbon reduction?
ecently, student numbers have risen despite there being fewer UK R people of the right age to go to university. From 2021, the number of UK 18-year-olds available to enter university will begin to grow for the rst time in a decade. This will result in greater demand on student accommodation, building space optimisation and carbon use. With Greta Thunberg being named Time person of the year 2019, it is clear that the younger generation are driven by sustainability. Indeed, Green Credentials are the second in uencing factor in choice of university (a er course availability). This puts increasing pressure on universities to demonstrate commitment to reducing their environmental impact. Many universities are developing their own environmental accreditation schemes, to track progress against sustainability targets, or signing up to external schemes such as the Green Level Awards or LEAF.
REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION ACROSS YOUR CAMPUS BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY CASE STUDY savings and a positive ROI across the estate. Buildings account for nearly 40% of global Next Control Systems, sister brand to The next implementation of energy-related CO2 emissions. University AXON, designed and installed an updated AXON will be in public areas to build campuses present operational challenges, building control system. This brought engagement with the student population with a diverse building stock of di erent immediate savings observed at a billing and university sta and to encourage ages, usage and location. An e ective level. Yet Bournemouth University sought and reinforce behavioural change to campus-wide tool for building operation is greater granularity to enable a more strategic create a more carbon-aware culture. critical, for e ective carbon management. approach. This is where AXON was able Directors of estates and facility managers to help with their building performance GATHERING MEANINGFUL BUILDING DATA need the means to capture the data to be able platform. Rolled out rapidly across the CAMPUS WIDE to measure and reduce energy use. But it is whole Bournemouth estate, AXON was The AXON platform gathers big not just about energy usage at a billing level. incorporated into the existing infrastructure. building data to provide visualisations The dashboards integrate operational of actual operation including reporting CARBON MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES data with energy data. With AXON, on energy, consumption, lighting, By measuring gas, electricity and water Bournemouth University is able to pro le environment and occupancy, for estate at individual building level, a wealth each building, to identify operational cost performance analytics at all levels. Being of new data becomes available. By and energy reduction opportunities. With technology independent, AXON can incorporating operational data with this granular data it can optimise individual integrate disparate data streams from the energy data, each building can be buildings in order to generate incremental technologies already installed within your pro led, identifying operational and campus estate, thereby enabling you to energy reduction opportunities. deliver better, smarter buildings today. The bene t of adding real-time occupancy data and statistics into the performance model If you wish to take a more informed means faculties also have the potential for approach to your building dynamic space allocation. This means you management, then please approach can avoid the heating and lighting of large the AXON team to learn more. lecture theatres occupied by a few students. Contact us on 01252 406398 or Matching the size of the lecture space to email us at [email protected]. actual attendees prevents energy wastage. Visit www.axon.eco to learn more Our digital solutions increase conversion at every stage of the applicant cycle
Contact us today to find out how we can help you become a first choice university.
0113 205 3750 [email protected]
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promotion Making kitchens safer PEACEOFMIND COOKING
The timer that prevents hobs from being left on if the cook is distracted. refect Controls has Hobsafe is easy to use with Hobsafe provides peace of mind for safety conscious landlords and just launched the simple button operation care partners of those living with dementia. Hobs are turned off after P PRE 9276. The and clear, dimmable LED a predetermined time, ensuring the kitchen is left safe. On-Off or single-gang unit is installed indicators. When the current Timer modes offer a choice of operation. Hobsafe is ideal for student accommodation and other multi-occupancy dwellings. between the hob and cooker time-run is about to expire, isolator switch and ensures that the red ‘hob active’ LED will hobs cannot be le on, should ash to warn that the hob is NEW single gang the cook be distracted. about to be turned o , giving model This version of Hobsafe the operator the opportunity has the same features as the to reset the timer, if necessary. popular two-gang versions but Hobsafe conforms with is more compact. The capacity EN60730 and is moulded is 30amps with 15-, 20-, 30- or in PC/ABS, making the 45-minute run-times being timer durable. PC/ABS selectable during installation. is UV stable and resistant There is a neutral feed to cleaning products. terminal and a neutral Prefect controls is also output. These large (13.3mm) able to install Hobsafe, terminals make xing easy providing a one-stop, peace- and quick – eliminating the of-mind service for student • Robust, tamper-proof design and manufacture • Quick and easy to fit ddly issue of doubling up accommodation managers, • 15, 20, 30 and 45 minute run times • Large terminals • 30 amp capacity • 2 gang vertical and horizontal models available (40 amp capacity) two cables into one terminal. safety-conscious landlords, There are two modes of and care partners of those operation: Fixed – when the living with dementia. timer runs its course – or On/ O – where a second press of For more information, call the button allows the time-run Adrian Barber at Prefect Prefectcontrols.com • 01787 320604 to be stopped at any point. Controls on 01787 320604 edtech
Attract, engage, convert
Kim Renfrew looks at ways in which universities are harnessing the power of digital tools to a ract potential new students
Wolverhampton’s website is a storytelling device, not just a list of options
@UB_UK | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | 51 edtech
lmost all student Political Science and University of Brighton recruitment tactics now harness the marketing power of their involve digital tools in websites with content-optimising so ware, some way, even if it’s that o en means perfecting search facilities. something as simple as One recent large-scale, data-heavy Aa poster featuring a QR code or an open project involved developing King’s new day booked online. But operating as they course search. CEO Richard Chivers says: are in a buyers’ market, higher education “For any university, the courses and study institutions are doing everything they can to area of their digital estate is o en the most grab potential students’ attention and using important: this is where Google search increasingly innovative ways of engagement. queries will land and where most prospective But what does the catch-all term students spend the majority of their time.” ‘digital recruitment’ mean in practice? Therefore, accurate, e ective search is essential, as nding the right information Vicky Hayhurst, commercial director of Ask a digital friend gives students a positive view of their Revolution Viewing It means every aspect of digital engagement is being harnessed to assist students in their quest to nd the ideal place to study. Gartner reports that 25% Even blockchain technology – used in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin – is of customer service operations being utilised by UK-based Education will involve virtual assistants Index in Libereka, its platform that enables international students to apply to by 2020 and many universities multiple universities with a single are already using chatbots form and one set of documents. More familiar tech-like digital assistants are also increasingly popular; Gartner reports potential university. While Chivers notes that 25% of customer service operations that technical implementation using will involve virtual assistants by 2020 Elasticsearch combined with Zengenti’s Owen O’Neill, CEO of University Compare, and many universities are already using APIs is straightforward, the challenges whose clearing app is used by an estimated 35% of clearing students chatbots – unimpeded by opening hours come from modelling and curating content or time zones – for student enquiries. in a way that delivers users’ needs from the Leeds Beckett’s ‘Becky’ held 20,000 beginning, rather than as an a erthought. conversations during 2018 clearing, “Having search as a bolt-on you add while Lancaster’s digital friend ‘ASK later will give the most disconnected L.U.’ launched earlier this year. experience,” Chivers cautions, adding that third-party search engines don’t E ective search is essential allow for optimum content integration, But before universities adopt more bells- meaning that, as content changes over and-whistles tools, they need to hone the time, “search will o en fall behind”. fundamentals of their digital recruitment strategy. For so ware company Zengenti, Telling a story which helps universities like King’s College University of Wolverhampton’s digital & London, London School of Economics and creative services manager, David Allen,
David Allen, digital & creative services Revolution Viewing works with over 90 manager, the University of Wolverhampton universities to provide video, web, VR and 360 media for virtual tours and open days
Zengenti’s CEO Richard Chivers Image © Revolution Viewing
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University of Brighton harnesses the marketing power of its website with content-optimising software also views the website as a university’s The value of virtual tours theoretical subjects, such as maths, they focus most important digital recruitment tool, For students, visualising yourself at a on “brilliant facilities on campus: there’s requiring “a simple and engaging experience university is fundamental in choosing a lot of money invested in shared learning for the user, with clear calls to action”. where course fees will be spent; students spaces, libraries and things like that”. To that end, Wolverhampton worked “want to see what it’s really like and want Virtual tours also bene t in terms with Granite Digital to revamp its site, to hear from actual students talking in their of diversifying the student body: for changing text-laden pages to bring together own words about a particular subject”, says potential students abroad “it’s the best multiple data sources in a dynamic, visually Vicky Hayhurst, commercial director of way to get a sense of space and place striking layout with behaviour-triggered Revolution Viewing, which works with over and facilities and subject”, according to animation that drives users to action. 90 universities, including Lancaster, Salford Hayhurst, who notes virtual engagement Wolverhampton’s website is not just a list of and Hull, to provide video, web, VR and is essential for people from less-privileged options, Allen says; it’s a storytelling device, 360 media for virtual tours and open days. backgrounds, who can’t a ord to visit capturing university experience and allowing The company’s research shows 70% a wide range of physical open days.
Easing the pain of clearing Students are better informed than ever, so now they are And what happens when results day comes around and many students face clearing? taking their time, assessing what universities have to offer and These potential new students can download making a choice a dedicated app to consolidate di erent options and simplify the sometimes bewildering choices. Launched by University prospective students to picture themselves of students expect universities to o er Compare in 2016, the Clearing App has studying there. “The new site features a range virtual tours and 93% would be more been downloaded 275,000 times and is used of components that help us tell these stories, likely to attend an open day a er taking by an estimated 35% of clearing students; on such as case-study widgets and infographics one. For Hayhurst, the challenge of this results day this year, 128,000 users signed in. for a course’s potential career paths,” he notes. type of digital recruitment is to tease out CEO Owen O’Neill says that the As part of the process, Wolverhampton the university’s uniqueness and showcase aim of the app is to make results day “as and Granite conducted focus groups with it in the most appropriate way. “Some pain-free as possible”, achieving this by sixth-formers, current students and alumni universities have fantastic facilities, in streamlining the process into a series of to de ne structure and design, revealing which case the 360s work really well,” simple stages, including university rankings, essential information for potential students she says. “Other universities need to get quick-call and push noti cations. that had hitherto been overlooked. across the personality of their campus, O’Neill cites the example of one Allen says: “Areas such as student in which case videos work better.” user who opened the app, made a call lifestyle, previously seen as less important, Di erent disciplines also present their own and was o ered a place within seven were crucial to prospective students, so challenges, she says, and while “it’s easier to minutes of receiving results. areas like ‘university life’ are now one nd more rich, engaging content with the Although the facility for lightning-quick of the main points of navigation.” more vocational courses” such as fashion, for reaction is available, O’Neill points out that
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University Compare’s clearing app’s push notifications advise students of the best time to call their chosen university. There are also options to request a call back, plus the university listing and quick call again many clearing students now take more time students, “from when they have attended deciding, a change he’s observed since the an open day, what they are interested in Peer-to-peer recruitment app began. “Clearing as a recruitment period on a site, which emails they are interested Nik Higgins, co-founder has changed so much in such a short time,” in, and how we can help them”. and chief strategy o cer he says. “Initially, we saw a large portion It’s something that Chivers believes at The Access Platform, of calls processed in the rst four hours but deserves considerable investment – of both comments on this vital now the data shows students are patient and time and money – that isn’t being given recruitment tool well aware that the power sits with them, not yet. “I know of organisations that are the other way around. Students are better spending hundreds of millions of pounds “We believe in the power of peer informed now than ever, so now they are building physical things, with digital recruitment – the concept of working taking their time, assessing what universities budgets of less than £200K,” he says. with your current students to help recruit have to o er and making a choice.” Revolution Viewing’s Vicky new ones. Why is it so powerful? Well, it really helps a prospective student make the best decision for their future; Seventy per cent of students expect universities to offer peer recruitment can help them decide if they can see themselves studying at virtual tours and 93% would be more likely to attend an open day a university, and it helps them gather as after taking one much information as they need. They feel empowered and confident. “Through peer-to-peer conversations, Personalisation: the key to future Hayhurst also sees personalisation as prospects also get the direct, personal and student recruitment a key future tool, and her company is human touch they want when choosing If this is where universities are now with responding by creating products that their university. digital recruitment, where will things take allow universities to create videos “We believe in peer recruitment them in the future? O’Neill predicts that the based on what courses students have because it works. The data from our desktop will become obsolete as everything applied for and where they live. customers underlines this: a 24% goes mobile, with students choosing a Wolverhampton is tapping into the VR prospect-to-applicant conversion rate, university in the same way prospective revolution by o ering virtual tours of the 100x attributed ROI, and one of our homebuyers choose a house, since “consumers university using VR headsets, meaning partners doubled its normal applicant-to- are wise and time-conscious, and they that prospective students can use Google enrolment conversion rate within just certainly won’t be visiting 15 university Street View to ‘walk’ around campuses two months. websites to see where they should study”. from a browser or their phone app. “We’ve stopped seeing peer recruitment Zengenti’s Richard Chivers says that very Allen says that the website and virtual as just part of student recruitment. We precise personalisation of student experience tours let “users to get a sense of our campus believe peer recruitment is student will be key to future recruitment, in what he and its facilities, then speak with sta recruitment, because it redefines how calls “joined-up data analysis”, connecting or current students online to mirror the universities engage with young people, systems so that universities can understand friendly, personable experience they would regardless of where they are in the world.” all the di erent touchpoints of their potential ordinarily get at an on-campus event”.
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T2000 provides a exible, automated and intuitive solution for universities What our clients say V and colleges to easily manage their “VT2000 has allowed us to automate our payroll functions; we have hourly paid sta , saving time and money. moved from using a purely paper-based method of claiming and authorising hours worked to a fully electronic process.” WHAT DOES VT2000 DO? Payroll Manager Solent University VT2000 automates the end-to-end management of hourly paid sta and integrates with existing “VT2000 has modernised and greatly improved our processes for HR and payroll systems. With VT2000 you can: hourly paid appointments and I would recommend this system to Automatically on-board new sta onto other universities.” existing HR systems without having HR Systems Manager City University of London to re-enter employee information Submit and approve pay claims with “City, University of London has been using VT2000 for over five years and an online process that can be accessed I have been extremely impressed with General Technology’s friendly and anywhere from a smart device collaborative approach in working with us to add value to our processes. Eliminate the need for payroll sta to For example, General Technology recently developed and installed manually check claims against work contracts customised options within VT to allow us to better manage the contracts Manage department budgets independently of hourly paid employees who are subject to Tier 4 visa restrictions. while your nance team keeps control of Before this, we relied on an external supplier to monitor the hours the budget allocations throughout the year scheduled for this group of sta – which added an extra layer of process Generate reports for all purposes in real and cost. time, including contract summaries, claim “Now, VT2000 automatically prevents compliance breaches for Tier summaries, nancial reporting and much more 4 employees, meaning that we can manage all hourly-paid sta using a single, standard procedure regardless of their immigration status. Using For more information, visit us online at the system has resulted in time and cost savings for us and I would www.vt2000.info therefore recommend VT2000 to other universities.” Call 0207 375 0000 Deputy Director of HR, City University of London Email [email protected] promotion
TAP INTO PEER RECRUITMENT When it comes to student recruitment, students are becoming more discerning
oung people today know when powerful as a discrete strategy within a touch when choosing their university. they’re being sold to. They can wider recruitment and marketing piece. Peer recruitment gives them exactly that. Y smell a corporate marketing Why is it so powerful? Well, it really We believe in the power of peer message from a mile away. At best, they’ll helps a prospective student make the best recruitment – not just because of some ignore it; at worst, they’ll mistrust and decision for their future; peer recruitment idealistic view of wanting to help reject it. can help them decide if they can see young people make more informed and Gen Z has grown up with all the themselves studying at your university. con dent decisions (although that is a information they could ever want – about They feel empowered and con dent. large part of it) – but because it works. anything – at their ngertips. They’re The beauty of peer recruitment is The data we’ve seen from our customers children of a democratised internet that it solves problems – for universities underlines this. Customers have seen: that is underpinned by social media, and for prospective students. a 24% prospect-to-applicant customer reviews and user-generated For universities, if peer recruitment is conversion rate content. They want content to help done well it leads to higher conversion 100x attributed ROI them make their own decisions. rates, better retention and more diverse and we know three-quarters of prospective students are more likely to apply to your If peer recruitment is done well it leads institution a er using our Chat feature. One of our partners also doubled its to higher conversion rates, better retention normal applicant-to-enrolment conversion and more diverse recruitment rate within two months of working with us. And our customers have used our This holds true for everything, from recruitment, as you can overcome platform to connect their student buying a pair of trainers or picking geographical and cultural boundaries. ambassadors with prospects in more a movie to stream through to, you It also shows the world what life is actually than 160 countries worldwide. guessed it, choosing a university. like at your university – peer recruitment We’ve stopped seeing peer recruitment We’re years on from ‘three can o er a window onto campus through as just part of student recruitment; we and a tree’ being enough. which anyone can get a sense of what’s believe peer recruitment is student Prospective students want authenticity. happening and if it might be for them. recruitment, because it rede nes the They want the inside scoop on university As for prospects, they not only get a way that universities engage with young life and they want it from people like better and more honest experience and people, regardless of where they are in the them – their peers. They want to explore understanding of your university, they world. This brings huge opportunities and they want their questions answered. also get the information they’re desperate across the recruitment cycle, from They want to know if they will belong. to nd. Despite usually wanting lots of awareness to conversion and beyond. What can give them that decision- details, prospective students o en struggle making con dence? Peer recruitment. to nd them. Peer recruitment puts that Get in touch to learn how we can Put simply, peer recruitment is the information, or someone who can help help you harness the power of peer concept of working with your current give that information, front and centre. recruitment for your next campaign. students to help recruit new ones. A lot of More than anything, prospective students Contact us via theaccessplatform.com this is done online and can be incredibly today want a direct, personal and human or @TAPlatform CONNECT WITH THE LATEST EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Get hands-on with the latest smart learning solutions at ISE 2020
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Off -campus living – The secret life of students Poppy Humphrey packed her bags to spend a week off campus to get fi rst-hand experience of student life
or many working in higher education, we have daily interactions with Fstudents, but how much do we really understand the student experience, especially when it comes to living o campus? Such an understanding is vital to ensure that o -campus services o ered by universities are shaped to suit the needs of our students. Further, it is imperative that institutions with a high proportion of students living o campus can continue to promote community cohesion within the diverse communities in which our students reside. The United Kingdom Town and Gown Association was established in 2014 by Cooper Healey, manager of Manchester Students Homes a er recognising the dearth of formal support for those professionals who work in an o -campus setting. Fast- forward ve years and the UKTGA now has over 350 members within the network and provides a platform for those who specialise in o -campus support to enhance their skills, knowledge and understanding cycle is made up of many ‘ rsts’, but we of issues arising in such communities. could be forgiven for forgetting how It was back in November 2018 at the daunting it can be to live independently biannual UKTGA Conference where we for the rst time, even more so in a heard from Simon Horniblow, managing world with more increasing demands director of Campuslife, about an initiative and pressures than ever before. where a member of their team went back What struck me during my week was to live with a group of students in halls, just how well organised the group were in to nd out what students really wanted terms of general household management. from their accommodation providers. The We talked about the systems they had lm o ered unique insight and prompted established to manage their waste and discussion back at UKTGA HQ about us recycling, cleaning, shopping and bills. ‘The Secret Life of Students’ is a series of working on something similar, but from an When Campuslife had initially put short YouTube fi lms designed to educate o -campus and community perspective. the call out to students via social media, students about what to expect about life we were keen to work with a group who o campus. Focusing on specifi c thematic Home from home? would be relatable to their peers, typically policy areas including safety, housing, So, working alongside Campuslife, I le second year, home undergraduates and noise and ASB, waste and recycling and the comfort of my own home to become a who chose the trajectory of living in community engagement, the videos will student again, living in a shared house ‘on a large shared house in an area with a form part of our ‘Halls 2 Home’ campaign. location’ in Fallow eld, Manchester… for high density of students. I was keen to Halls 2 Home is delivered via Manchester a whole week. I was keen to learn from my explore issues around safety, health and Student Homes to support students, pre, new housemates about their experiences of wellbeing as well as alcohol and patterns during and post the transition from halls of community living and how they juggled of socialising, issues that we as o - residence into their own homes. academic pressures with other demands campus practitioners deal with daily and on their time: volunteering, socialising o en form the bulk of our workload. https://uktga.org/2019/12/16/the-secret- and other extra-curricular activities. What did surprise me was the demanding life-of-students/ We recognise that the student life schedules of students. During my week,
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I volunteered, learnt about part-time jobs, Certainly for those working in roles attended a library study session and even similar to myself and who o en have to played a hockey match. I was interested deal with the challenges arising from to hear from my housemates about their ‘studenti cation’ as coined by Professor views on the perceptions by some that Darren Smith* is that it is vital that we students are transient, not invested in have policies and strategies in place their local communities and, dare I say to inform meaningful initiatives and it, sometimes anti-social party animals. campaigns to educate students and support not only them, but all members Feeling connected of our o -campus communities. What was evident was that many students Partnership is also essential. We very do feel connected to their community o en highlight the role of external and are keen to integrate. It did surprise agencies such as the police or local me that many students were unaware of authority in town-gown discussions, many local community assets, public spaces but we mustn’t forget that we work in and local amenities on their doorstep, all partnership with our students, too. things which can enhance the feelings And so the lm is designed to educate of connectedness with a local area. students in halls, and I’m hoping it’s of Poppy Humphrey was appointed My housemates discussed the interest to colleagues as well, to gain insight o -campus student a airs o cer connection to communities within into the o -campus student experience. at Manchester Student Homes, a jointly communities, via courses, societies and Did I learn anything? I learnt that I funded department of the University sports teams, for example. What was haven’t forgotten the awkwardness of of Manchester and Manchester further evident was the support the shared bathrooms… However, the exercise Metropolitan University in 2013. housemates gave each other – whether this served as a timely reminder that for those She is currently the only internationally was quizzing each other for exam revision experiencing this rite of passage – and let’s recognised o -campus practitioner or having house excursions, the house not forget the majority of students spend the in the UK. felt a community of its own. It certainly majority of their time living o campus – it felt like a home rather than just a house is vital that we continue to grow and adapt Source with a transient group residing within it. our policies and management in this area. * https://uktga.org/2019/12/02/what-is-studentifi cation/
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Vision the future The best way to change the future is to create it CUBO Winter Conference receives rave reviews as members ‘vision the future’...
ver 100 CUBO (College and University Business O cers) O delegates and corporates joined forces at CUBO’s Winter Conference to ‘Vision the Future’ – a future which sees universities engaging with passion, optimism and increasing immersion into smart technology and social media (eg Instagram), in order to keep up with today’s ‘Generation Screensaver’ digital era and with the ongoing transformation of next tier students (Generation Alpha). Delegates praised the content as being highly strategic, giving valuable di erentiation of CUBO from more operationally orientated associations in the sector. of the future are set to shape these. to receive clear messages in a way that Professor Peter Mathieson, principal Julie Barker, founder of Julie Barker resonates with their culture – which is and vice-chancellor of The University of Associates and non-executive director for increasingly aligned to smart technologies, Edinburgh, ranked alongside high-pro le CUBO, reinforced that this year’s content online portals and apps. Universities speakers such as: Dave Gorman, director, was powerful and relevant amidst the need to ‘get with it’ and get closer to Department for Social Responsibility current uncertainty that prevails in the social feature apps such as Instagram. & Sustainability at the University of sector. She said: “We really got into the “As gender diversity becomes the norm, Edinburgh; Mark Fawcett (founder of ‘We mindsets of students and the upcoming at least 50% of students believe that their are Futures’, originally the National Schools traits of Generation Alpha to ‘vision gender doesn’t matter(3). Campuses are Partnership); the respected author, Neil the future’ in a way to help members already moving towards gender neutrality, Gaught; and Helenor Gilmour, director of look at the student experience afresh. modifying services and features accordingly insights at Beano for Brands (Beano Studios). “We know that young adults are and we can learn from sharing best practice. contradictory, and they respond to, and “We debated how the HE sector can make Conference themes value, optimism. Gen A is a fascinating age. a di erence on climate change. There is no Key themes debated were all linked to Generational pro ling shows us that likely question that this topic is close to students’ generational pro ling, including universities’ student traits will include: young activists, hearts as young activists, and we can change adaptability towards issues such as climate digital masters, creative entrepreneurs and behaviour through motivation. Already, change, gender neutrality, sustainability, a compulsion to question everything while there’s a marked increase towards plant- changing campus’ experiences, and being hands on in driving change(1). based menus and veganism, but there is a how evolving and smart technologies “We know that students don’t feel great deal more to be done across emissions, across estate’ assets and also when it comes to plastic waste – by 2050, it is estimated there will be more plastic in the ocean than sh. Universities need to ‘get with it’ and get closer to social “In general, students have modest feature apps such as Instagram ambitions for the future, but make no – Julie Barker, non-executive director, CUBO mistake that they are under immense pressure to achieve. When looking at university accommodation of the future, we should ‘listened to’ by politicians with HEPI’s be prioritising wellbeing, a ordability, recent ndings debated, which showed a blended community and experiences, that over 75% of students feel that the and we should consider our residential life government has let them down in the way programmes by outcomes, not inputs.” it has engaged over Brexit( 2). Furthermore, 41% of students feel that the government www.cubo.ac.uk should be paying more in relation to student fees (reference source – HEPI). Sources “We learned that we need to ‘get visual’ *1 Getting to know Gen Alpha (Beano for Brands) *2 HEPI – 2019 Election Briefing with our messages and invite students *3 HEPI – 2019 Why British Students Live Away From to review what we do. Students want Home and Why it Matters
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Joint conference chairs: Patrick Daly, Queen’s University Belfast and Sally Jorjani, Edinburgh Napier University CISG-PCMG 2019 annual conference & exhibition This year’s joint conference of Ucisa’s Corporate Information Systems Group and the Project and Change Management Group was a great success and well supported by the sector and our suppliers, sponsors and partners
he underlying theme of working Knowing your sta , their decision-making and change are being welcomed and ‘better, faster, smarter’ was processes and developing their talents are seen as drivers that will allow us to T explored through a diverse mix hugely important to your business success. work ‘better, faster, smarter’. of keynotes, presentations and parallel Digital transformation, or as some It also came across that many institutions sessions, focusing on productivity, preferred to call it ‘digital evolution’, is have invested in business analysts and rationalisation, system migration, security, making a real impact in our institutions. their project management o ce functions changing culture, evolving sta roles, The drive for better user experiences to help drive change, provide better leadership and project management. and system and data integrations is integration and streamline their digital Delegates were given much to now starting to deliver for our users. evolution. This message is key for the contemplate during the event, and we CapEx v OpEx is still a major debate sector as it emphasises the importance hope they have taken the messages and that needs to happen in our institutions. of planning, interlinking projects and the other university practices presented Under-investment in IT services will programmes and the development back to their own institutions to fuel directly impact the quality of our processes necessary for our sta to operate debate and inform decision-making. degrees and the overall experience of our in a changing working environment. users and ultimately our reputation. The conference also proved timely Keynote messages Many areas are starting to see the bene ts for Ucisa, as it allowed them to update Networking is an important tool that helps of cloud and hybrid solutions, although the community on recent changes that to develop and engage our community, they still appear to be being viewed will help streamline the delivery of their and during the conference we try to cautiously by the sector. However, most services and events to the community. provide opportunities for peers to meet and agreed that these modes of delivery Working ‘better, faster, smarter’ will be a discuss common issues and systems and and support will continue to grow. challenge for the sector, especially in a time interact with the suppliers exhibiting at the Data security and GDPR are ongoing of political and nancial change, but it was conference. This year, we feel this aspect processes – they are not tick-box exercises evident from the conference that the sector was particularly successful and this has – but need constant review and action. is rising to this challenge and embracing been re ected in the conference feedback. O ce 365 is becoming well established the change necessary to aid productivity, Several messages were reinforced at the as a primary tool for communication, streamline systems, introduce e ciencies event in the keynotes and presentations: collaboration and user storage, and and improve our users’ experience. The importance of people and the way it is evident that CRM systems are CISG-PCMG 19 delivered a range of they engage and how they approach now being embedded into many excellent presentations. Congratulations decision-making, change and risk came of our practices and processes. to all our participants and presenters and up several times and it was good to see The adoption of arti cial intelligence a special thanks must go to our suppliers that, although approaches di ered, the and machine learning technologies and sponsors who were fantastic in goals and outcomes were largely aligned. is still in its infancy, but innovation supporting the conference and exhibition.
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Student accommodation: no place like home? The horrific fire at Bolton, together with over 20 late private student developments in 2019, have provoked ministerial interventions in student accommodation. Professor Graham Galbraith, vice-chancellor at the University of Portsmouth, highlights some key c0nsiderations
am certain that where you live and how much it costs are very important to you. But when it I comes to student accommodation, this seemingly trivial point has not received the attention it deserves. I am pleased to say that things may be changing. Private sector accommodation is more expensive than university accommodation – 22% over the year (outside London) and the sector is getting larger. Last year, the private sector controlled over 50% of the halls of residence beds in the UK – up from one-third in 2014. To understand the issues better (and to see what can be done), I recently chaired a Universities UK roundtable on student accommodation. Sector and student representatives attended, as did members of the Pricing “Last year, the higher education think-tank world and Unipol, whose There is a growing price di erentiation between cheap and private sector voluntary code many private providers sign up to. basic to all-singing-and-dancing accommodation, with controlled over the availability of ‘a ordable’ accommodation increasingly 50% of the halls The key considerations le to universities. Concerns around the ‘ghetto-isation’ of residence Cost, the customer and wellbeing of poorer students are, in my experience, overblown but It is clear that accommodation issues are of critical signi cant di erentiation weakens the claim universities beds in the UK” importance to many stakeholders. For students, it is can proudly make that higher education is the least about the cost of living, fair treatment as customers and socially strati ed part of our entire education system. their general wellbeing. For parents, it is similar – the FT recently reported that more than one in 20 parents Demographics takes a second job to support children at university. There are longer-term issues around the demographic increase in 18-year-olds from 2020. Value for money Where will universities house these extra students? For taxpayers and government, it is about value for Are we having conversations with our cities and money. While tuition fee loans, and hence costs communities about the potential impact of more for students, currently do not rise with in ation, 18-year-olds? Are private developers discussing maintenance loans do. An increasing proportion their plans with universities and local authorities? of the amount graduates owe is due to living costs In the short-term, we can strengthen regulation to – in a few years, it could be over half the total. support students and be clearer on where responsibilities lie where private providers have no formal relationship The ‘place’ with a university. But longer-term work is needed, Universities’ most obvious imprint on our towns particularly around the demographic increase. This will and cities is our physical presence. In cities with involve individual universities as well as the sector, students housing problems, it matters little that some student and government collectively – much of it in partnership accommodation has no formal link with universities with other stakeholders. This work is unavoidable. and can be developed despite our planning objections. People assume all accommodation belongs to universities Local people see money invested in universities and expect us to act even when we have no levers to and students, but very little invested in them. pull. Whether problems arise with universities’ own accommodation or not, it is our reputations on the line. When things go wrong Over the next few months I will be working When developments are late or amenities don’t work with UUK to see what work we can do to for extended periods, students nd that contracts can be address this important issue. If you are interested very one-sided, favouring the developer. There are also in being involved, please let me know. concerns that welfare issues, particularly around wellbeing and mental health, are not always given su cient Please email [email protected] or weight in accommodation design and management. visit www.port.ac.uk
62 | www.universitybusiness.co.uk | @UB_UK Student comfort.
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