Building institutes of higher education

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: 2.2 trillion which will need to be sought from other providers, including private partners and foreign entry providers.

The challenge for universities throughout India is whether the local infrastructure can keep pace with the growth of new campuses in urban, and more importantly, rural areas. There are amazing opportunities for Indian and foreign students to develop their learning in quality universities offering a vast range of subjects for much needed trades.

Global pressure on resources also requires that new infrastructure projects are delivered to the highest sustainable standards. New guidance is being developed by Indian courts in line with global standards now established by British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method in the UK and by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design in the US, as used in Dubai. But the integrity of the standards can only be met if the ethos and systems of the university understand the cultural changes required. This can often be a far greater ambition than delivering sustainable buildings. It is how those buildings are used and managed that really matters.

Historically, children in India have been sent away to gurus for their education. The new opportunities for the planned, universities will similarly see students travelling around the country to continue their education rather than travelling abroad as some have before. Campus universities offer the opportunity for a purpose built environment in which students can share experiences and develop their skills together.

Many aspects of the approach to master planning and designing new university buildings are similar in UK and India. One should not overlook communicating with the end users for feedback and keeping them informed on progress and the greater opportunities the new campus will bring, when planning to consolidate premises, or when simply increasing the size of a campus.

It is inevitable that new ideas will meet with resistance, particularly in the traditional environment of well-established universities and colleges. If the infrastructure is to be delivered successfully to meet demand, it is important that a vision is clearly defined through an imaginative masterplan that is flexible and able to respond to the constantly changing demands of the curriculum.