The European Universities Estates Congress held in collaboration with University Design Forum, and AUDE as event supporters is a new conference and networking event taking place on 27-28 January 2026 at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The Congress will be dedicated to real estate and facilities management in higher education and bring together professionals from across Europe, the UK and beyond. The European Universities Estates Congress provides a unique platform to exchange knowledge, share best practices and explore innovative solutions to the challenges facing university leaders today. 

The congress brings together those responsible for real estate, facilities management and campus development to collaborate, identify common challenges and discover solutions that transcend borders. As institutions respond to increasing demands around sustainability, refurbishment & retrofit, good estate management, and technology and AI, the Congress offers a dynamic platform to exchange ideas, share best practice and foster cross-border collaboration, ensuring estate strategies are aligned with the future of higher education.

The Conference Programme is now live!

The European Universities Estates Congress presents a dynamic two-day programme designed for senior estates and facilities leaders across the higher education sector. From strategic planning to operational transformation, each session offers practical insight and cross-sector inspiration to support evolving campus priorities.

Day One sets the strategic tone with a focus on policy, master planning and estates management. Expect inspirational keynotes, incisive panels and real-world case studies, such as pioneering approaches to sustainable infrastructure, navigating legacy buildings when budgets are tight and rethinking space ownership models for efficiency and resilience.

AUDE will have a panel session on day 1 (Tuesday 27 January) at the event on Legacy Buildings: How to create new from old when there's no money. 

Universities worldwide face intersecting pressures limited budgets, carbon targets, and aging estates. AUDE’s Legacy Buildings Guide (in partnership with Arup) champions a "retrofit-first" approach, preserving heritage and reducing embodied carbon, while also unlocking cost and time efficiencies. In this engaging four-country interview format chaired by Jane Harrison‑White (AUDE), four estates directors share real-world case studies and strategies. Discover how campuses can blend historic character with 21st‑century performance through informed decision-making, data-driven analysis, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Ideal for university leaders, estates professionals, and policymakers seeking practical pathways to decarbonised, future-ready estates.

Session chair: Jane Harrison-White, Executive Director AUDE

Panel members:

• Syd Cottle, Director of Estates and Infrasturcture, University of Liverpool
• Mike Clark, Director of Campus Infrastructure, Trinity College Dublin
• Anita Edson, Director of Estates, Cardiff University
• Chris Spiteri, Director of Estates, Facilities and Capital Development, University of Malta
• Philip Egan, Senior Architect, ARUP (Invited) 

On Day Two, the spotlight shifts to the human side of the campus: student wellbeing, inclusivity, flexibility and the changing academic office. Dedicated sessions examine how student accommodation enhances engagement and wellbeing, share insights on designing inclusive living-learning environments and explore the impact of academic office reimagining on collaboration, flexibility and wellbeing.

Together, the two days offer a compelling journey, from high-level strategic imperatives to tangible, day-to-day transformations that impact campus communities.

👉 View the Conference Programme: https://www.euecongress.com/conference-programme

Meet the Speakers

The European Universities Estates Congress brings together influential figures from across higher education, design, policy and the built environment across Europe. From university estates directors and sustainability leaders to architects, consultants and public sector partners, our speakers share deep expertise and forward-thinking ideas to help institutions navigate change and shape resilient, future-ready campuses.

Discover the people behind the programme and the perspectives driving the conversation.

👉 Meet the Speakers: https://www.euecongress.com/speaker