News
AUDE Conference 2010 - Building a future for UK universities
Released on 29/03/2010
Building a future for UK universities at Queen’s conference
The challenges of creating the finest campus facilities for future generations of United Kingdom students during an economic recession will be debated at a major conference at Queen’s University today.
Around 130 delegates from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the United States, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand are in Belfast for the Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE) conference from Monday to Wednesday, 29 to 31 March.
AUDE is the professional association for Estates and Facilities Management in Higher Education, with close links with Universities UK, the Government and UK Funding Councils.
Keynote speakers will include Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK, who will discuss the importance of maintaining a high quality infrastructure within the national context of higher education. Paul Finch, Chair of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, will talk on promoting good design in a recession, while Bahram Bekhradnia, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, will speak on the role of the student experience at the heart of higher education development.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Queen’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson said: “The estate of any university must be developed to support the strategic aims of that institution. Balancing competing demands can be challenging, especially in times of economic challenge and rapidly changing student aspirations.
“Directors of Estates in our universities have a huge responsibility. Many universities, like Queen’s, are custodians of their region's architectural heritage. But the estate is about more than bricks and mortar – it provides the environment within which individuals research, learn and work with the wider community.
“We also recognise that the ongoing development and maintenance of the estate must be based on partnership between the Government, the University and its many stakeholders. This approach is exemplified by the £50 million McClay Library at Queen’s, which opened for business last summer. The funding for this ambitious project was raised from Government, from the University itself and from private sources through the Queen’s University of Belfast Foundation.”
Queen’s Director of Estates Gary Jebb said: “Our annual conference provides an important opportunity to reflect on our role, the challenges we face and the opportunities too. It is a valuable forum for us to get together for discussion and debate, to share good ideas and practices, and to identify synergies and develop partnerships with our colleagues throughout the sector.
“Our programme aims to address as many of the challenges that currently face the sector as possible – from the sustainable refurbishment of older buildings to future library design and construction, carbon management and integrated emergency planning.”
Patrick Finch, Chairman of AUDE and Director of Estates (Bursar) at the University of Bristol, said: "AUDE is delighted that Queen's University Belfast is hosting our Annual Conference. This will be the first time the AUDE conference has been held in Northern Ireland for over 20 years and Queen's has assembled an exciting and challenging programme.
“The Conference is very well supported by UK universities and by our various partners in industry and consultancy and internationally. The conference will represent a wonderful learning and networking opportunity for Directors of Estates and Facilities and those with whom they engage."
Notes for editors:
Media facilities will be available throughout the three days. For programme details, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/aude2010
For media enquiries please contact: Anne Langford, on 028 90 97 5310, Mob 07815 871997, a.langford@qub.ac.uk
Conference web site at: http://www.aude.ac.uk/conference/Conf2010
