Thought Leadership Thursday 19 December with Andrew Arifuzzaman of University of Toronto Scarborough

Today, we proudly present insights from Andrew Arifuzzaman, a prominent member of the administration at the University of Toronto Scarborough in Canada. Arifuzzaman recently contributed to a highly engaging SHURE Initiative event. We are eager to share his impactful summary comments.

To connect with Andrew, please scan the QR code in the video.

In an era marked by rapid changes in media, marketing, and research—particularly a rapid decline in the effectiveness of print publications and periodicals and shift to digital media, social and impact consulting—you can count on the SHURE Initiative (The Student Housing and University Real Estate Initiative) to provide expert guidance and innovative solutions to help you thrive in the competitive landscape of student housing and university real estate.

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SHURE stands for the Student Housing and University Real Estate Initiative, a global association created to unite leaders in post-secondary education and student accommodation. Our mission emphasizes the ecosystems within higher education and surrounding communities, highlighting the importance of academics, food services, transportation, and housing in student life and institutional effectiveness.

**Join the SHURE Membership today and connect with global innovators for just $39!** 
The SHURE Initiative Membership is the most comprehensive resource for university planners, C-suite executives, and property technology leaders to share global best practices and strengthen business relationships. >> https://shure.international/product/shure-premium-membership 


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The University of Toronto Scarborough, a centre for learning and new ideas. Right here in Toronto, UTSC is a place known for great learning and new ideas. With about 13, 000 students, UTSC has a diverse and exciting learning environment.

Andrew Arifuzzaman, a leader in university administration. Leading UTSC's administrative team is Andrew Arifuzzaman, a very experienced leader in university management. As the Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Arifuzzaman ensures the university runs smoothly and effectively. He's a team player, good at building strong teams, and creating a positive workplace.

The SHURE Initiative. Creating new ideas for student housing. UTSC knows that having a good place to live is important for students. That's why they're working on new and creative ways to offer more on campus housing. The SHURE Initiative. Which stands for Student Housing and University Real Estate, shows how dedicated the university is to creating eco friendly and affordable housing for students.

Experts from different fields are working together on this initiative to come up with smart new ideas for student housing. SHURE believes that well designed student housing can really help students do well in school and in life.

A new era of student housing at UTSC, the 750 Bed residence hall in September, 2023, UTSC celebrated the grand opening of its brand new student residence hall. This modern building with 750 beds shows how much UTSC cares about giving students a great place to live on campus. The residence hall was designed to help students build a strong community.

It has up to date amenities and different types of rooms to fit what every student needs. There are study areas, places to relax, and a big dining hall where students can hang out, eat together, and make new friends. The residence hall also has spaces for student support services, so students can easily get help and advice.

Scan the QR code to connect with Andrew Arifuzzaman of University of Toronto Scarborough.

Building green, getting passive house certification. UTSC wanted this new residence hall to be eco friendly because they care about the environment. They aimed for passive house certification, a tough international standard for energy efficient buildings. Passive house buildings use much less energy for heating and cooling.

This is done through smart design, good insulation, airtight construction, and renewable energy. Setting new standards. The first passive house residence of its kind in Canada. Achieving passive house certification for this student residence was a first in Canada. UTSC aimed to create a great place for students and promote eco friendly building.

This project sets a new standard for sustainable student housing.

A new way to build, the Public Private Partnership. UTSC used a Public Private Partnership, or P3, for the new residence hall. This approach gets projects done faster and optimizes resources. P3s are becoming more common for big projects, especially in student housing. Teamwork makes the dream work. Working together for the best results.

The P3 for the residence hall was designed for mutual benefit. The university had good credit, owned the land, and avoided certain taxes. The private company excelled in design, construction, and project management. Together, they made the project efficient and affordable.

Smart planning, less risk, more fun. A new model for university building projects. With the P3, both partners shared the responsibility of managing risks. This encouraged them to plan ahead and prevent problems. Sharing responsibility meant everyone was thinking about the long term. The Student Housing Challenge, a complex problem.

The new 750 bed residence hall is a big step towards providing more on campus housing. But Mr. Arifuzzaman knows that student housing is a complex issue. It's not just about having enough beds, it's also about affordability, being close to campus, safety, and having different types of housing. Mr. Arifuzzaman talked about the challenges students face in Toronto's competitive housing market, like high rents and the increasing cost of living.

The university needs to not only provide housing, but also support policies that make housing affordable and accessible for all students.

Making housing affordable. Balancing what students need with the housing market. Mr. Arafusaman talked more about affordability. He knows it's tough to balance giving students good housing with the high cost of operating in a competitive real estate market. He believes in finding creative solutions that balance financial needs with social responsibility.

Safe and welcoming housing, UTSC cares about student well being. Mr. Arifuzzaman said that safety and inclusivity are just as important as affordability. UTSC's approach includes security guards, controlled access, good lighting.

Finding housing for faculty. Attracting and keeping great faculty. Mr. Arifuzzaman then talked about another housing challenge. Recruiting and keeping good faculty. It's getting harder to attract top professors, especially in popular fields, because housing is so expensive. Many universities in expensive areas are exploring faculty housing options, like rent subsidies or building faculty housing on or near campus.

Meeting the needs of different faculty options and flexibility. Mr. Arifuzzaman knows that faculty members have different needs and preferences. It's important to offer different housing options for different family sizes and lifestyles. New faculty might want affordable housing close to campus, while experienced faculty might want bigger homes.

Building a strong campus community. The advantages of on campus faculty housing. Mr. Arifuzzaman discussed the benefits of faculty living on campus for the UTSC community. Faculty living on campus fosters a stronger sense of community and informal interactions. This makes campus life more exciting and helps students feel they belong.

Adapting to changing needs. Mr. Arifuzaman explained that student housing needs are always changing. Thank you. Universities must adapt to stay relevant. Flexible living arrangements are in high demand. Students want customizable living spaces. Technology is crucial for good internet and smart features.

Thinking outside the box, exploring new models and partnerships. Mr. Arifuzzaman encouraged universities to explore new models and partnerships. He mentioned modular construction and co living. These approaches can be faster and cheaper. By being innovative, universities can create sustainable housing communities.

A vision for the future. Good, affordable housing for everyone. Mr. Arifuzzaman envisions a future where all students have access to safe, affordable, and high quality housing. This is a fundamental responsibility of the university. Universities must innovate, collaborate, and challenge the status quo. Housing is a core part of the university's mission, linked to student success and well being.

UTSC leads in sustainable design, new financing models, and partnerships to expand housing options for all students. Together, universities, government, and private companies can ensure all students thrive.

A global view, learning from other countries. Mr. Arifuzzaman emphasized learning from other countries about student housing. Europe and Asia have innovative approaches that could benefit Canada. Denmark's student housing cooperatives offer affordable, community focused housing. These cooperatives are run by students and offer low rents.

Singapore ensures affordable, high quality housing through government plans. This includes government subsidized housing and public private partnerships. Adapting these models to Canada offers valuable insights. Universities should collaborate internationally to adapt successful models. Setting priorities, investing wisely.

Developing and maintaining good student housing requires a lot of money. Universities need to balance investing in student housing with other priorities. Investments must align with the university's mission and goals. A holistic approach to resource allocation is essential, shaping UTSC's future, a future focused on students and new ideas. Andrew Arifuzzaman's insights show UTSC's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and student centricity. The new 750 bed residence and faculty housing solutions highlight the importance of quality housing. Public private partnerships enhance housing quality and foster collaboration.

The Passive House Residence underscores UTSC's commitment to sustainability. UTSC prioritizes affordability, flexibility, and inclusivity in student housing. Exploring new models and partnerships reflects UTSC's forward thinking mindset. UTSC's growth and commitment to excellent housing ensure a vibrant, supportive environment.