CIOB’s 2026 Student Festival welcomed nearly 100 students from across the globe, who actively engaged with a series of live panel discussions and presentations over the course of the two-day programme.
The festival is an annual, virtual, global event designed for all student members of CIOB. Whether participants are at the beginning of their academic journey or already progressing along a professional pathway, the festival serves as a platform for inspiration, innovation, and meaningful connection within the construction industry.
This year attendees from beyond the UK joined from South Africa, United States, Australia, Ghana, Nigeria, Malaysia, Germany, Ireland, Canada and Congo, among others.
The event began with a welcome address delivered by CIOB CEO Dr Victoria Hills, which set a professional and engaging tone for the diverse programme of presentations and panel discussions that followed.
The opening session featured Benjamin Lunn, project manager at SQ Projects Pty Limited, an International Tomorrow’s Leaders representative, who delivered an insightful presentation on residential construction. He shared his experience working on high-quality projects in Sydney, offering valuable perspectives on industry practices and project delivery.(See here.)
The final session of Day One brought together CIOB sustainability ambassadors Titus Akpan MCIOB, assistant project manager, Colemans and Mania Alabadla CEnv, associate sustainability consultant with AtkinsRéalis in conversation with Amanda Williams CEnv, CIOB head of environmental sustainability. This session explored both the opportunities and challenges associated with transitioning towards a circular economy within the built environment.
Day Two commenced with a session highlighting the achievements of the 2025 CIOB Rising Star, Rohit Malhotra MCIOB project manager at AtkinsRéalis. He reflected on his career journey, emphasising the importance of visibility, networking, and continuous professional development beyond formal education and current roles.
The festival concluded with a session focused on artificial intelligence, delivered by Phil Jackson of Hays. This presentation provided practical guidance on the responsible and effective use of AI within the job search and application process, leaving attendees with the key message that authenticity remains essential.
