Better links between industry and the built environment’s academic community will support CIOB’s theme of modern professionalism, writes Caroline Gumble.
You may have seen the news item on CM’s website about my recent appointment as visiting professor of global engagement and transformation – built environment at Loughborough University. This is exciting news, for me personally and for the institute.
I will be working closely with Professor Chris Gorse MCIOB and his department to support work to engage with a diverse and international community.
This came about after I met Professor Gorse, who is chair of CIOB’s Sustainability Advisory Panel and a member of the institute, and talked about the work CIOB is doing to raise the profile of the need to drive diversity and inclusion. The school is keen to extend its network and ensure it recognises, attracts and engages with talent.
Working together, it was felt that the school will be even better placed to develop national and international ties with sector bodies, including academic and industry partners.
I have long been an advocate of closer links between academia and industry. When I visit CIOB members around the world, I try to include our accredited universities – and other institutions, particularly those on the journey to becoming accredited – to make links between them and with companies and other industry bodies.
Modern professionalism
In my CEO role, another key part of my work is to make the case for modern professionalism in the sector to those who work in it, those who are studying to enter the industry and those who could be attracted to a construction career.
“CIOB can support collaborations to bring the sector together to draw on our collective influence, promote quality and standards, and help deliver positive societal change.”
CIOB can support collaborations to bring the sector together to draw on our collective influence, promote high quality and standards, delivering the best built environment we can and, while doing so, help to deliver positive societal change.
The Loughborough University post is also a good fit for CIOB strategically, entirely in line with the previous CIOB corporate plan’s “moral compass” theme and the theme of modern professionalism which is central to our new plan (as featured in last month’s CM).
Our goals as an institute are also supported – our work to play a part in driving a cultural shift in EDI, social mobility, worker welfare and promoting quality, safety and sustainability is reflected in the ethos of the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering.
Caroline Gumble is CEO of CIOB.
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This is excellent news. The importance of delivering more than technical education at universities and colleges is particularly acute now, not only to ensure that students progress into construction rather than choosing another career path but also to recognise that many young people are concerned about doing the right thing, from ethical business practice to environmental sustainability, from responsible development to modern methods of construction.
Welcome to Loughborough Caroline!
The information available within the CIOB should be widely promoted to all students within the BUILT ENVIRONMENT sector as it can only be positive for all their projects & studies. Not forgetting the CPD that would also give them deeper knowledge and current CI info.