Welcome to UTM Asset Management Office!
Part of OSAM (Operations, Sustainability and Asset Management) in Facilities Management and Planning, Asset Management is responsible for monitoring campus infrastructure throughout its lifespan and arranging for appropriate measures once upgrades or replacements are needed.
The office was established in 2023 to develop an integrated corporate asset management program which supports UTM's Strategic Framework through the fiscally responsible management of its tangible assets. This asset management program ensures that UTM's investment in its tangible assets is evidence-based and aligns with the Campus Master Plan, Master Servicing Plan and enables the implementation of UTM’s very ambitious Climate Positive Plan.
Quick links
- Why is Asset Management Needed?
- What We Do
- Assets Owned by UTM
- Key Asset Management Initiatives
- Your Asset Management Champions and Contacts
What is Asset Management?
Asset management is the coordinated activity of an organization to realize value from assets. Effective asset management enables an organization to achieve its objectives efficiently and effectively through
- alignment with organizational objectives
- consideration of the entire asset lifecycle - from acquisition, then to operation and maintenance and finally to disposal
- identification and management of risks associated with asset operation and ownership
The roles of leadership and organizational culture are paramount in promoting effective asset management through
- evidence-based decision-making and
- regular review and adaptation to provide continual improvement of relevant processes and performance
Why Asset Management?
Most asset owning organizations, both public and private, currently face challenges that directly impacts their ability to effectively manage their tangible assets while continuing to offer sustainable levels of service. These challenges include but are not limited to:
- Financial Constraints
- Growing Number of Aging Assets
- Regulatory Requirements
- Change in Building Standards and Codes
- Climate Change Impacts
- Growth (Increase in demand of services)
An Integrated Asset Management program enables an organization to deal with the threats and risks posed by the above mentioned challenges and proactively develop mitigation strategies while maintaining a fair balance between available limited funds and an ever-growing maintenance and lifecycle needs of aging assets.
What We Do
At the Asset Management Office, we bring together the ingredients that supports the development and maintenance of a successful integrated asset management program. In order to make informed and evidence-based decisions we:
- Determine the state of our infrastructure through regular condition assessments of our tangible assets
- Analyze the collected data from condition assessments to forecast lifecycle renewal and enhancements
- Update our asset management database and prioritize lifecycle renewals based on risk and business needs while exploring synergies to implement the goals of Campus Master Plan and Climate Positive Plan
The updated data informs the 5-Year Plan for lifecycle renewal projects implementation that allows us to forecast our funding needs and to proactively develop mitigation strategy for any risks that could affect our ability to fulfil those needs.
This information also helps us in developing our Tri-Campus Annual Deferred Maintenance Report.
Assets Owned by UTM
The University of Toronto Mississauga owns, operates and maintains the following asset categories:
Sanitary Infrastructure
Stormwater Infrastructure
Watermains
Roads
Buildings
Transit Assets
Sidewalks & Streetlights
Parking Lots
Gas & Hydro
Geothermal System
Utility Service Tunnel
Sportsfield
Key Asset Management Initiatives
Linear Asset Management Plan (2024-25)
The creation of UTM’s first ever asset management plan for all linear and buried assets is underway. This plan will include state of infrastructure report, relevant asset management and condition assessment strategies, levels of service (based on survey feedback provided by faculty, students, and staff), financial strategy and improvement plan.
Data Validation – Facilities/Buildings (Ongoing)
The new Asset Management office is constantly engaged in site confirming and updating buildings specific database that will inform planning of capital renewal projects, proactively and accurately, based on actual condition of building elements while synergizing other initiatives and needs to plan and execute these projects in a financially optimized way with minimal disruption to our clients.
Ongoing Building Condition Assessments
These are smaller projects that include element or systems specific condition assessment by a subject matter expert such as detailed assessments of structural, plumbing, roofing, electrical systems.
Your Asset Management Champions and Contacts
Ahmed Azhari
Managing Director - Operations, Sustainability and Asset Management
Ahmed is an accomplished and goal-driven facilities operations leader with over 15 years of experience in effectively managing facilities, critical plant operations, project management, and sustainability in both public and private sectors. Ahmed leads operations, sustainability and asset management teams at the department of Facilities Management & Planning at the University of Toronto Mississauga, where he manages and oversees critical infrastructure and support services to advance the university’s academic and research mission. As a leader, Ahmed strives to foster a harmonious workplace culture to deliver high quality and professional services by instilling shared values and embracing equity, diversity and inclusion. He holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and currently registered with Professional Engineers Ontario as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), with Canada Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), and with Association of Energy Engineers as a Certified Energy Manager (CEM).
Sameem Shah
Senior Manager Infrastructure & Asset Management
sam.shah@utoronto.ca
Sameem is a highly skilled and experienced Civil Engineer who is passionate about developing an industry leading fully integrated asset management program to support the University’s academic and research objectives with reference to Campus Master Plans and a very ambitious Climate Positive Plan, so the University continues to maintain acceptable levels of services in a fiscally responsible way for many decades to come. Further he oversees the upgrade of the water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure on campus to make the campus future ready for growth and make these core assets more resilient to withstand the effects of climate change. During the last 17 years, Sameem has graduated from a Master’s program and gained valuable experience through managing a variety of government facilities and construction projects from inception to completion. In 2021, as Manager Corporate Asset Management at the City of Markham, Sameem developed the City’s first Asset Management Plan that, at the time, fully complied with Ontario Regulation 588/17. He presented the plan to the Council members, successfully receiving Councils endorsement of the plan. In addition to being a licensed Professional Engineer with Professional Engineers Ontario, he is also certified from Project Management Institute as a Project Management Professional.
Dr. Muhammad Humayon Zafar
Facilities Asset Management Coordinator
humayon.zafar@utoronto.ca
Dr. Muhammad Humayon Zafar brings a specialized focus to the field of asset management, drawing from his advanced knowledge in Construction Management and Environmental Engineering. As a Facility and Asset Management Coordinator at the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus (UTM), Dr. Zafar is committed to optimizing the lifecycle of assets while ensuring alignment with sustainability goals. His background enables him to approach asset management with a strategic mindset, emphasizing efficiency, long-term value, and environmental stewardship. His work at UTM has involved meticulous data management, project coordination, and process improvement, all aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency and sustainability of the university’s facilities and infrastructure.