WSP delivers smart campus strategy for University of Glasgow

WSP has delivered a Smart Campus Strategy for the University of Glasgow which is claimed will help transform the experience of 29,000 students and 8,000 staff.

Founded in 1451 and the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world, the university appointed WSP Smart Places in early 2020 to deliver a strategy which embraces both digital enterprise technology and physical campus systems.

The Smart Campus project was launched as part of the World Changing Glasgow Transformation (WCGT) programme, designed to prepare the university for a future that is increasingly dynamic, digitally competitive and driving toward net zero carbon.

The University of Glasgow is committed to preserving targets for reducing their carbon footprint, making the digital strategy element a priority step for acting more intelligently as an estate operator and as a global teaching and research leader.

Morven Clements, smart campus project director, University of Glasgow, said: “WSP enabled the University of Glasgow to make valuable and much-needed headway at pace by supporting this multi-faceted educational giant in developing its digital strategy and its approach to delivering a world-class user experience. 

“The team was agile in the true sense of the word - they delivered even in the wake of Covid-19 but more than that, the team brought a vibrant fresh approach to the University, one that resonated with the projects many stakeholders, an approach that has digital and strategical know-how at its core.”

John Gleeson, WSP’s smart places UK team lead, said: "The smart places team quickly recognised the uncertainty across the higher education sector earlier this year and worked closely with the project board and proposed a change of direction for the business case.

“The vision the university has shaped puts people and planet first and the steps they are taking illustrate their assertiveness in responding to the climate emergency – steps which align with WSP’s commitment to deliver net zero.”

Chris Green, chief transformation officer, WCGT, said: "WSP were able to reshape our direction for Smart Campus and translate the business case value on both human and commercial levels. The collaborative working relationship that came to the project reinforced our confidence in the role of a critical friend and the value available from strategic technology advisors.”