OperationsÂ
Back on campus, the beginning of 2026 was defined by a powerful display of nature’s force—and the equally powerful resilience of our Facilities team. As the first quarter unfolded, the Facilities department—encompassing Operations, Hospitality, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Maintenance, and Safety, Security, Health, Environment and Quality (SSHEQ)—navigated extreme weather and rigorous professional milestones to ensure a successful start to the academic year.Â
Weathering the StormÂ
The year began with an extraordinary environmental challenge. Between 9 and 19 January, the campus received 390 mm of rainfall, bringing the total for the first three weeks of the year to 458 mm. This deluge led to extensive road erosion, minor structural leaks, and significant disruptions to Wi-Fi communications. The Operations and Maintenance teams immediately shifted into high gear, initiating substantial repairs to the main entrance road and addressing complications such as swollen wooden doors and flooded equipment.Â
The elements also tested the campus infrastructure when a borehole pump failed on New Year’s Eve, leaving the site without water for four days until a temporary solution was secured on 5 January. Despite these hurdles, the staff’s commitment to mitigating these unusual circumstances was nothing short of commendable.Â