leader


The hard realities of soft power


AN interesting report out this month highlights the crucially important role universities play in promoting Britain’s global influence.


The report,”Knowledge Capital”, from the influential New London Architecture group, examines the cluster of universities in London, pointing out that it is the world’s top university city, with 14 in the top 500 list. “We are in a prime position to benefit from the growing global significance of this sector,” it affirms.


Air of academic excellence


The refurbishment of West Court at Jesus College, Cambridge has incorporated a natural ventilation system to help create the ideal learning environment. Four areas of the development use GEZE’s automatic window drive and indoor climate building control, which are connected to a weather station and together they balance internal conditions.


Story page 28


Of course, it’s not just London that enjoys such a concentration of intellectual capital and the “soft power” it exerts around the world. Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, Edinburgh and many other university cities are equally significant in the international academic firmament. So, at a time when Brexit threatens to reduce the number of international students who choose to study here, and when our place and role in the world is being reinvented, Government would do well to remember what an extraordinary asset we have in our higher education estates – and do eveything possible to bolster it.


One big step would be to speed up planned infrastructure investment. The NLA report says London universities’ future prospects depend partly on improved road, rail and other transport connections between London, Oxford and Cambridge, as well as an increased supply of affordable housing for students and academics. This is something that Government must drive forward as fast as possible, certainly faster than it currently appears to be doing.


Editor Andrew Pring


Sales director Julian Walter


Production Gina Mitchell


Design Sandra Cid


Managing director Toby Filby


Of course, universities must play their part too. Fostering links with entrepreneurs and industry generally is very much in evidence these days, but the NLA calls for a wider range of laboratories for start-up companies. “A more nuanced understanding” of the wider market and commercial realities is required, it suggests, if the full potential of these gown-town links is to be realised.


On that theme, we have an extremely interesting article in this issue from Stantec, explaining how designers can help foster these links.


We also have a case study of a university building project – the University of Kent’s Sibson building – which the estate team there describe as the best construction job they have ever worked on.


Collaboration at its best – and something university and political leaders should always be striving for.


Publishers Stable Publishing Limited, SBC House, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH, England. t. 020 8288 1080 f. 020 8288 1099 e. sales@educationdab.co.uk


The publishers do not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors and cannot accept responsibility for claims made by manufacturers and authors, nor do they accept any responsibility for any errors in the subject matter of this publication.


Andrew Pring Editor


andrew@stable-media.co.uk highereducationestates 3


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