National Institute of Building Sciences Conference focuses on BIM education
Last month, the National Institute of Building Sciences Annual Conference and Expo wrapped up with a look at how building information modeling (BIM) is being taught to the next generation of building industry professionals. “BIM Academic Education Symposium—Setting the Course for a BIM Educational Strategy” brought together educators for the fourth year to continue their work to establish a common educational strategy for BIM education.
During the morning presentations, professors from several different universities shared their educational curriculum approaches and talked about how they had the various program disciplines — architecture, engineering, construction, project management, interior design and landscape architecture, facility operations, and even communications — participate in the project team during these courses. The second panel addressed the partnership between industry and academia and ways to integrate BIM.
During his lunch presentation, Arto Kiviniemi, professor of digital architectural design, School of Built Environment, University of Salford in the United Kingdom, talked about why the profession has been so resistant to BIM. He explained how the United Kingdom has established new regulations that will require BIM in building projects beginning in 2016. “Changes can happen very rapidly if there is pressure to do change,” said Arto. “Last year, we were the only University (in England) that had a graduate program in BIM. This year, there are five or six.”
The afternoon presentations focused on educational content issues, with speakers addressing the integration of BIM, offering case studies and lessons learned, and a healthy discussion of where to go next led by a panel of BIM educators.
With a registration of more than 550 attendees, the Institute’s inaugural conference exceeded expectations. Building Innovation 2013 sessions were often standing room only; meals were sold out; and the hotel room block was full. Feedback from attendees was extremely positive.
The National Institute of Building Sciences will hold its second annual conference, Building Innovation 2014, and will explore innovative solutions for Advancing Life-Cycle Performance, on January 6-10, 2014. To find out more and sign up for updates, visit www.nibs.org/conference2014. To learn about sponsorship, exhibitor and advertising opportunities, email nibs@nibs.org.
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