on campus
UQ’ s Global Change Institute( Image credit: Peter Bennetts and Angus Martin)
Technology Technology is driving change on a number of fronts: new styles of teaching, online learning, student-led learning. To keep up, ageing buildings have to be replaced or upgraded to incorporate new technologies. Given the prominence of technology in education, it is surprising that it is not discussed in any detail in the master plans.
Student population growth and demography The increase in numbers and changing student cohorts will place additional pressure on collaborative and social learning spaces. It will also emphasise the importance of the types and amounts of amenity infrastructure such as student services, retail, food and beverage facilities and, of course, student housing. One might expect that a rise in post-graduate students and early career research staff would require new types of accommodation on and off campus.
Competition for staff, students and funding We see from our international reviews that competition for talent is driving improvements in the campus for students and staff as the learning and working environments become vital selling points. More open space and student services, retail, cultural activity and access to technology, and better transport connections and pedestrian access all enhance the experience for everyone on campus. Greater emphasis on innovative industry co-location, translational research, productive academic workspaces and student collaboration centres are also helping entice the top students and staff from around the world.
Environmental sustainability Environmental concerns in relation to biodiversity, carbon emissions, climate change, and the use of energy, water and other resources are identified specifically as drivers of change on campusreview. com. au | 27