In recent years most western countries have seen the costs of refurbishment and retrofit outweigh those of new construction. In part this is a result of the rising cost of labour compared with materials, coupled with the labour-intensive nature of adaptation work on existing facilities. It probably also has something to do with finite land resources in strategic locations in our urban environment. But more so, it is the result of concern over sustainable development and climate change impacts, which dictate a focus on the performance of existing assets.
New facilities account for a 1-2 per cent addition per annum to our total built stock, so even if they are consistently of the highest environmental standard, it would take the best part of a century before they dominate the existing landscape.
Sustainability is the single most important issue facing the Facility Management profession, and its significance is intensifying. As a response to this challenge, the Institute of Sustainable Development and Architecture at Bond University has launched its Master of Asset and Facilities Management degree aimed squarely at senior facilities management professionals in our region.
The course itself is delivered intensively, where participants attend classes in a series of three-day residential sessions spread out over one calendar year (full-time) or ideally two calendar years (part-time).
One third of the degree specifically addresses the core competencies for the new-age facilities management professional, including the study of green facilities management, corporate real estate decisions, advanced asset management, and strategic facilities space planning. Another third of the course, undertaken collaboratively with building surveyors and lawyers, deals with sustainable refurbishment and retrofit, forensic engineering, dispute resolution, and an integrated project based on a real world case study. The final third of the degree comprises free electives, which can be selected from postgraduate subjects in architecture, construction, property development, planning and sustainability science programs.
Intakes for the Master of Asset and Facilities Management are in January, May and September. For more information, view the degree.
