There is a clear connection between performance and environment. This is a proven fact. The better the quality of habitat, the more you can thrive.
This applies critically to education. High quality classrooms help students learn better, help teachers teach better and directly affects comfort and concentration; it’s just so integral. Classrooms today require state-of-the-art screens and video conferencing equipment; colleges require top of the line sustainable design and green spaces; the security and safety standards need to be high priority. This is what a student and a parent looks for. This is directly proportional to the quality of growth a student can expect.
A huge part of the educational experience of a student is the living experience. This is where they learn life lessons. How to live among others, how to negotiate, how to manage their life, how personal finance works, how to maintain hygiene and cleanliness; and so much more.
The quality of infrastructure in terms of student housing is so integral. The climate of typical hostels with shared bathrooms and below par quality of food creates a frustrating environment that takes up unnecessary head-space. It is the need of the hour to provide the highest possible quality of comfort, hygiene, food, furniture and interiors.
The design of the spaces should inculcate an environment of community and collaboration. The living experience must be governed with technology and apps. Technology has to become the driving factor for ease of living and interaction with their environment. While it provides convenience, it also has huge advantages in terms of student data and using this systematically for better optimisation of facilities and offerings. The quality of kitchens directly affects food standards and must be state-of-the-art. The quality of chairs and study desks must facilitate long comfortable hours of work. The quality of the bed must facilitate great sleep so students feel refreshed and ready every day. The placement of lighting equipment must be strategic. CCTVs and biometrics should govern safety 24×7. Large collaboration spaces must be designed to facilitate group work. Chill zones must be designed to help students let off stress and relax.
This is what creates aspiration. Its all about the experience. And infrastructure is bang in the centre of it all.
(The author is Mr. Aman Mehra – Director of Marketing & CTO, Tribe and the views expressed in this article are his own)
