The University of Free State (UFS) recently successfully hosted the annual Higher Education Facility Management Association (HEFMA) conference on its Bloemfontein Campus, providing a valuable platform for universities to network, share problem-solving initiatives, and explore cutting-edge technologies. 

The theme for this year’s four-day conference was ‘Maintenance Matters Sustainable Campus Infrastructure.’ This theme held profound significance in the evolving higher education landscape. Reflecting on the conference, Nico Janse van Rensburg, Senior Director of University Estates at the UFS, stressed, “Our focus was on the issue  of  neglecting maintenance due to insufficient funding, often overlooking the long-term costs associated with new construction projects.”

The conference addressed the challenges related to facility management in panel discussions and specialised sessions. Key topics included promoting planetary health through sustainable development goals, insourcing, digitalising maintenance, proactive maintenance planning, and green-building initiatives.

Janse van Rensburg elaborated, “The UFS buildings are designed to be 95 percent maintenance-free, embodying a sustainable campus infrastructure with features like waterless landscaping, greywater systems, water reservoirs ensuring 48-hour business continuity, and the utilisation of solar power to meet 23 percent of the university’s needs. The commitment to green-building principles, energy management systems, and standardised manuals for building design and planning further underlines their dedication to sustainability.”

Compared to previous years, the 2023 conference witnessed an unexpected 30 percent increase in attendance, fostering collaboration and benchmarking among participating institutions.

“Effective maintenance is essential for providing students and faculties with an optimal academic and research environment. Nonetheless, capacity constraints remain a critical challenge that necessitates effective planning and management support,” Janse van Rensburg emphasised. 

Looking ahead, Janse van Rensburg outlined the UFS’s plans to incorporate the conference's key takeaways into long-term sustainable campus management and infrastructure development strategies, capitalising on the insights shared during the event.

The association also aims to promote collaborative efforts among universities, transcending institutional boundaries and nurturing a collective spirit in the higher education sector. 

When delegates left the conference, they departed as united partners, ready to drive positive change and embrace sustainable practices within higher education.