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Nadeem chosen as HEFMA’s new president
Author: Operations and Finance
Published: 16/11/2021

​​Nadeem Gafieldien, Director Property Services at Facilities Management, was elected President of the Higher Education Facilities Management Association (HEFMA) at the mini conference hosted by Stellenbosch University in October 2021.

HEFMA's purpose is to develop and maintain high-quality standards in the facilities management of the physical infrastructure of campuses for Higher Education. Apart from information sharing and networking, the association is actively involved in the training and upskilling of members in higher education facilities management environments.

For many years now, Nadeem has been actively involved in the association's work. Says he: "our mission is to empower Facilities Managers to develop, maintain and sustain high-quality facilities and infrastructure for Higher Education Institutions. This association brings together facility managers from 26 universities across South Africa to learn from each other. HEFMA is the knowledge centre of facilities management related issues for and on behalf of its members".

As HEFMA's new President, Nadeem wishes to expand the association's footprint to include the approximately fifty colleges around the country. "I will also refocus our actions towards giving our members access to professional training and upskilling, as well as a strong emphasis on management. As we control our various institutions biggest assets at facilities management, our members must be fully skilled in their areas of specialisation. We are nothing short of managing small municipalities. Therefore, one cannot afford to drop the ball," says Nadeem. "We need to ensure our members can manage these facilities and be up to date with the latest technology and management styles."

HEFMA holds three to five training sessions per year in various regions. Once a year, members are invited to a conference where they are exposed to peers and experts in facilities management in the higher education environment.​