The Digital Campus In Higher Education

• Published date: 23 July 2021
• Subject Matter: Consumer Protection, Education
• Law Firm: Mills & Reeve
• Author: Eve Beere

As the Higher Education campus strives to re-position itself following the sweeping changes in campus learning driven by the Covid-19 pandemic, what are the technology solutions institutions should consider to make the campus a more desirable and sustainable place to live, work and study?

Developing the "digital campus"

Moving towards a campus that can call itself "digital" amongst Higher Education institutions will require an innovative approach to campus facilities and design. We expect a reduced demand for fixed office and desk space, with a transition to hubs where colleagues come together to collaborate and develop ideas. Repurposing this space provides an opportunity for re-design, with technology at the core. Moveable walls with built-in display screens could be used to divide breakout spaces; device charging points in social areas could provide valuable meeting hubs for students. There is clearly an appetite amongst the student population for new opportunities to socialise; in Save the Student's November 2020 survey, 49% of respondents described themselves as "really worried" about facing loneliness. Being forced off campus by the pandemic has highlighted the importance of students being together as part of the whole university experience.

Several universities across the UK have already rolled out apps which support the student experience by providing real time access to timetables, event information and monitor usage of other facilities.

Partnering with US app developers such as Guidebook (who already work with several UK universities) and Campus could offer the opportunity to build advanced apps, which integrate third-party solutions such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Combined with interactive data screens on campus to show capacity in spaces like libraries and canteens and provide real time campus and transport information, use of facilities and transportation across campus should become more streamlined.

Powering the digital campus

Increased use of technology will come with...