SHURE Initiative

This is a free and open discussion with Canadian higher education stakeholders about their current challenges and opportunities. The discussion is friendly and comfortable, with multiple participants sharing first-hand stories, insights, and other observations based on their experiences. We are all in this together, and the goal of the open forum and roundtable is for these higher education planners to assess and prioritize the com...

Recorded live at SHURE Initiative GTA & Eastern Canada on 16 October 2024 in Toronto. Real Questions and Real Answers: A highly interactive and engaging discussion wherein investors ask tough questions of each other and offer the best answers possible. Proposed Discussion Points: * With the reduction in interest rates, are you attempting to buy or sell? * Were the last 3-4 years challenging, or were you simply on the sidelines...

Proposed Discussion Points: * Understanding the impact of the recent federal government limit on international visas, effect on the student population * Public sentiment of international students: How is it continuing to evolve due to lack of housing and affordability across Canada? How has sentiment changed since the 2023 SHURE event presentation findings? * What is the drop-off in international student enrollments at various Cana...

Discussion Points: * The rate of technology is enormously faster every year. How technology can be your foe * Alternatively, how to use technology to enhance seamless operations and marketing * How AI is being used in marketing technology firms, such as University Living * University Living's expectations of how AI might change the game again: Is AI scary or not scary? Recorded at SHURE Initiative GTA & Eastern Canada on 1...

While humans have been using geothermal heating and cooling since the Paleolithic era, it has only recently gained popularity and acceptance as a cleaner energy source that can reduce traditional costs by 20% or more. Over the next 30 minutes, you will hear Jimmy Leask, Director of Marketing & Business Development at British Columbia-based Geotility, a 50-year-old business that has become a geothermal leader, developing and del...

The SHURE Initiative interviewed Fred Pierce, President and CEO of Pierce Education Properties, commonly known as PEP, a leading U.S. student housing investment and operating company. In addition to his real estate investment company, Mr. Pierce is very active with post-secondary institutions. In this interview, Mr. Pierce will discuss post-pandemic university priorities, real estate decision-making by university boards, enrollment...

Danica Djurkovic is Vice President – Campus Planning and Facilities, British Columbia Institute of Technology. Ms. Djurkovic will raise the following important themes related to the improvement of real estate strategy on campus:  * What defines successful Real Estate Strategy for post-secondary institutions * Services first – Real Estate second * Campus is not an island: understanding societal, educational, and urban context * Know...

Mr. James Hunt leads the Global Student Accommodation real estate team, responsible for real estate portfolio expansion through the acquisition of development opportunities and investment properties. Mr. Hunt is a chartered surveyor with over 20 years experience of purpose built student accommodation in the UK, Europe, Australia, and the USA. Mr. Hunt has delivered complex projects in investment strategy, acquisition, development, ...