Australian Journal of Business and Management Research New South Wales Research Centre Australia (NSWRCA) Vol.4 No.9 | January-2015 ISSN: 1839 - 0846 1 AN EVALUATION OF AFRICA UNIVERSITY’S STRATEGIC FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Stanislas Bigirimana, Phd Faculty of Management and Administration Africa University PO BOX 1320 Mutare, Zimbabwe sbigirimanaus@yahoo.com Prof Nelson Jagero,Phd Faculty of Human Resource Development and Education Chuka University PO BOX 109 Chuka Kenya jageronelson@yahoo.com Engineer Hatina Murowe Works Department Africa University Box 1320 Mutare, Zimbabwe muroweh@afrcau.edu ABSTRACT Facilities Management is an integrated function in which management issues pre-dominate over technical issues. Through examination of documents and participant observation, this study aimed at assessing the strategic direction and specific strategies that Africa University is pursing in managing its facilities. This study concluded that Africa University is pursuing a growth strategy given the ongoing increase of student numbers. Whereas the performance of the Facilities Management function was over-all above average and adequate for the current status of the University, the growth strategy will lead to inevitable need for changes in the facilities management strategies and procedures in order to match the increasing students population. 1.0 INTRODUCTION According to Graves et al (2000) starting from the 1970s, Facilities Management (FM) evolved from mere janitorial services to an integrated management discipline. This evolution was a result of changes taking place in the work environment particularly office automation and the need for improved ergonomics. This led to formation of formal professional organizations that recognized the importance of facility managers. The development of FM varies across regions, nations, culture, languages, and market structures. As such FM markets and regulatory bodies have developed at their own pace and in different direction globally. In Europe, all 29 European countries agreed to use the following definition of FM: ‘Integration of processes within an organization to maintain and develop the agreed services which support and improve the effectiveness of its primary activities’. They also included in their definition: (1) a classification, and structure for facility management, (2) space and area measurement for planned and existing leased or owned buildings, (3) a guidance on quality in facility management, (4) a guidance on facility management processes. In Africa the sole FM professional body is in South Africa and there has been an attempt by the South African Facilities Management Association to expand its influence beyond the SA borders. (Graves et al, 2000) The Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education (ZimCHE) has set facilities standards for approval of continued operation of universities and approval of expansion of academic programs (ZIMCHE, 2011). The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) also has minimum environmental and waste disposal standards (EMA, 2000). The compliance with these requirements falls within the FM framework and is critical to the continued survival of e university. Educational institutions offer a service as opposed to a tangible product. The rating of a university’s service offering includes its ability to deliver the core service (tuition, research and publishing) in an appropriate environment that includes campus grounds, classrooms, administration buildings, halls of residence and other support facilities such as sports, water, electricity, waste disposal and others. In light of this FM has a bearing on a University’s product/service strategy as follows in terms of (1) customer focus, (2) cost control; (3) employee motivation (4) operational capability (5) legal prerequisites.