How Zayed University Improved Campus Safety and Security

Managing campus security simply and efficiently to help keep students safe in the pursuit of knowledge.

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For university leaders, the safety and security of our students, staff, and faculty is paramount. Yet, the traditional paradigm often focused on reactive measures like increased patrols and stricture access controls often falls short. Campus safety and security is nuanced, demanding deeper exploration beyond the physical aspects of brochures and emergency sirens. We need to rethink campus security and embrace a more holistic, preventative approach.

In this article we peel back the layers university security delving into the often-overlooked aspects that truly underpin a safe and secure learning environment. We also delve into the security challenges of campus safety and how Zayed University Abu Dhabi overcame them by partnering with Gallagher to implement university security solutions.

What is campus safety and security?

Campus safety and security encompasses both proactive and reactive measures that create a safe and secure environment for students, staff, and faculty. This includes physical security like patrols and access control, but also extends to preventing violence and harassment as well as cyber threats.

The goal of campus safety and security is to foster a learning where everyone can thrive without fear. Since campus is often both home and school for students, it is crucial for them to have peace of mind and know that they are safe, ultimately enhancing the student experience on university campuses.

The importance of campus safety and security

As students embark on their higher education journey, it is essential for educational institutions to prioritize campus safety. Maintaining a secure environment not only ensures peace of mind for students but also contributes to their overall well-being. In today's ever-changing landscape, where safety concerns are on the rise, implementing robust security measures has become more crucial than ever.

From surveillance systems and access controls to emergency response protocols, universities must adopt a proactive approach to safeguard the lives and interests of their growing student population. By prioritizing campus security, institutions can not only prevent potential threats but also create a conducive learning environment that fosters development.

The cost of unsafe campuses

In recent years, university campuses have faced a variety of security challenges, including theft, assaults, and even active shooter incidents.

In September 2023, the National Center for Education Statistics released a report on the Condition of Education, which revealed that more than 20,000 criminal incidents occurred at universities throughout the United States of America in 2020. Additionally, in 2022, criminal incidents per 1,000 residents within a 3-mile radius of a university campus ranged from 35.5 to 180.3 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland combined.

These statistics underscore the importance of institutions developing comprehensive safety and security strategies that address the unique needs and risks of their campus community.

From reactive to proactive campus safety

Traditional campus safety approaches often focus on reactive measures – responding to crises once they occur. While critical, this misses the opportunity to prevent incidents before they happen. A proactive approach demands building a culture of safety and implementing security technology.

To ensure campus safety, universities must implement a range of security measures and protocols. This includes the installation of surveillance systems, access controls, and alarm systems to deter and detect potential threats. Surveillance cameras placed strategically across campus can help monitor activities and identify suspicious behavior, while access controls restrict unauthorized entry and protect sensitive areas such as dormitories and laboratories.

Effective campus security requires well-defined emergency response protocols in place to handle natural disasters, fires, and active shooter incidents. Gallagher’s Command Centre ensures rapid evacuation and lockdown during emergencies, providing peace of mind to students, faculty, and staff. The system's real-time information and alerts help emergency responders locate and respond to incidents quickly, which minimizes harm in emergency situations. Additionally, the system can notify people of changing threat levels through building intercom systems and Broadcast Notifications to mobile phones and email. This allows for the sending of instructions and updates to students and staff, with different messages based on their location on campus.

Creating a culture of safety and well-being

Beyond physical security measures, creating a culture of safety and well-being is essential for student success. Universities should invest in mental health services, counseling centers, and support programs to address the emotional and psychological well-being of students. By providing accessible resources and promoting mental health awareness, institutions can help students navigate the challenges of college life.

Furthermore, fostering an inclusive and diverse campus environment contributes to overall campus safety. Embracing diversity and promoting respect for all individuals reduces the likelihood of discrimination, harassment, and hate crimes. By creating a welcoming and accepting atmosphere, universities can ensure that every student feels safe, valued, and included.

Universities that invest in campus security solutions can ensure the well-being and satisfaction of their students, staff, and faculty, which is critical to the success of any academic institution, plus they can use their investment in this security technology as a strong selling point when attracting new students.

How Gallagher helped Zayed University enhance campus safety

About Zayed University Abu Dhabi campus

Zayed University is the newest of three government sponsored higher education institutes in the United Arab Emirates. The campus is located on the mainland of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, near the Abu Dhabi International Airport and Masdar.

The 229,000m² campus houses six colleges across 28 separate buildings, including faculty and administration buildings, a childcare facility, residence halls, classrooms, science and computer labs, cafeterias and a sports complex, all equipped with the latest technology. Future development plans will see the student population increase to 7,500 and the campus grow to cover a net area of 269,000m².

“The Gallagher system is powerful, versatile and allows security personnel to carry out their day-to-day responsibilities with efficiency.”


Mukesh Karsan, Serco IT Manager, Zayed University

Strength through partnership

Access to and from the campus is an important concern for Zayed University and is carefully managed around the clock to keep the 6,000 strong student body safe. The university employs Serco to implement and manage their campus security requirements. Serco partnered with Gallagher, selecting the Command Centre security platform to manage gate barriers and access-controlled doors with just under 650 MIFARE®* readers and 130 controllers across the site.

Zayed University implements a policy to provide students with a secure campus environment. This includes managing the entry and exit of the students based on their scheduled classes.

To achieve this, Zayed University runs an interface between Command Centre and its Banner system. Banner is a comprehensive computer information system that contains information on courses, students, faculty, staff and alumni, including financial aid, finance and human resource components.

Entry and exit requests for students to pass through the campus gates are sent from Command Centre to the Banner system for approval, using the Command Centre OPC Alarms and Events interface. Based on the time of the entry or exit and the student’s schedule, the Banner system decides whether the request is accepted or denied. Banner then sends a command directly to the Gallagher Door Controller to open that specific gate if entry or exit is allowed.

Providing peace of mind

Gallagher’s campus security solutions provide the assurance and the knowledge that movement throughout campus is managed simply and efficiently to ensure a safe, secure environment.

“Keeping students safe is of utmost importance to us”, says Mukesh Karsan, Serco IT Manager at Zayed University. “The Gallagher system helps us honor this commitment. Its intuitive user interface provides flexibility and easy management of operations.” He adds that he’s been “impressed with the reliability and robustness the system offers; it’s powerful, versatile and allows security personnel to carry out their day-to-day responsibilities with efficiency.”

Gallagher solutions are trusted by education providers worldwide to:

  • issue student and faculty access cards
  • manage individual access rights
  • control campus and dormitory access
  • secure computer labs, science labs and other high-value assets
  • integrate with scheduling and resource booking systems
  • evacuate or lock down sites in case of an emergency

Solutions designed to meet your needs

From intelligent integration with building management systems, to people and time efficiencies gained through automation and smart use of resources, Gallagher designs solutions that save time and money.

Whether it’s across multiple zones within a single campus, or over multiple campuses, Gallagher solutions offer an intelligent, powerful way to ensure business continuity, protect your assets and keep people safe.

Contact our team today to learn more about our campus security solutions, get expert advice, or find out how we can help keep your campus running smoothly.

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