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Higher education institutions have been challenged to rethink how they plan, fund and maintain campus infrastructure with a warning that buildings without sustainable maintenance strategies risk undermining the quality of education they were meant to support.

The call came at the closing of the Higher Education Facilities Management Association of Southern Africa (HEFMA) 2026 Conference the University of Botswana (UB) hosted at the UB Campus Indoor Sports Centre from the 12th to the 15th of October 2026.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education, Professor Richard Tabulawa, delivered the closing address during which he emphasised that expanding access to quality education and strengthening skills development depended on safe, functional and well-maintained facilities.

Professor Tabulawa urged institutions to consider the entire life cycle of infrastructure, from construction to maintenance and eventual renewal, instead of  treating buildings as once-off investments.

He also called for greater professionalisation of facilities management through stronger competency frameworks, clear recruitment pathways, continuous professional development and collaboration among universities, TVET institutions, industry and professional bodies. His remarks echoed those of UB Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr Dawid Katzke, who had cautioned against developing infrastructure without adequate plans and resources for its ongoing maintenance.

Held under the theme “Maturing of Facilities Management in Higher Education,” the conference explored how effective facilities management can help institutions develop smarter, more resilient campuses.

This was further examined in a discussion titled “You Can’t Digitise Chaos: The Maturity Journey to Smart Campuses” which highlighted that successful digital transformation depends not merely on adopting new technologies, but on organisational readiness, reliable data and sound operational processes.

Delegates also had the opportunity to experience the University of Botswana campus firsthand through a campus tour facilitated by Director of Facilities Management, Mr John Kennedy.

Hosting the milestone conference positioned UB as a platform for regional dialogue on the future of higher education infrastructure with discussions underscoring that sustainable facilities management was essential to supporting teaching, learning and research for generations to come.

The programme further included group photo sessions, providing an opportunity to commemorate HEFMA’s 25-year milestone and the connections strengthened during the conference.