The importance of space capacity and frequency audit of a Malaysia Public University

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present the space audit finding of a Malaysia Public University (MPU) by focusing on the capacity and frequency assessment criteria. The common problems faced by MPU regarding the space management are lack of academic office space, postgraduate space, refurbishment and maintenance issues, management unsolved space issues, space territory and others. The space audit exercise promotes a more strategic approach to facilities management in order to support the strategic objectives of the university. The space audit is conducted within three months at a selected public university in Malaysia. Data are collected through fieldwork activities, documentation review and retrieval including archival records review. This paper provides an insight into a better understanding of the application of space audit within a Malaysia public university. The findings of the audit revealed that the space capacity and space frequency rates play an important role in determining the space required by a faculty or an institution. The data have assisted the university management to clarify whether to maximize the use of existing space or to request for a new learning space. The university management needs to respond to the new demands of the stakeholders while maintaining and improving the existing purpose of research, teaching and learning that has become more complicated. Thus, it is important for the university to have a proper space management policy and planning towards future sustainable university.