Students from across the CIOB regions demonstrated their creativity and problem-solving skills as the CIOB regional student challenges get under way.
These annual challenges aim to engage students, identify future leaders and provide important links with industry representatives. They see university students form teams to then tackle a live brief, working together to develop and present proposals to a judging panel made up of industry experts. The event encourages intense collaboration, rapid thinking and practical application of academic knowledge to real-world issues.
Challenges took place in Yorkshire and Humber, London and South East, and East Midlands.
In Yorkshire and Humber, teams took part from The University of Huddersfield, Leeds Beckett University, University Campus North Lincolnshire (UCNL) and Sheffield Hallam University. The overall winners were the team from Sheffield Hallam University, with Most Innovative Idea being won by Leeds Beckett University and the best leader going to Jan Hryckowian.
At the CIOB Tomorrow’s Leaders Greater London and South East Bright Futures Student Challenge (BFSC), the competition was based around a site, 33-35 Piccadilly, a landmark redevelopment project being delivered by Kier Construction on behalf of The Crown Estate. The teams were invited to a site tour of 33-35 Piccadilly by the Kier project team, after which they had to produce and provide a 10-minute presentation to a panel of judges on a specific question about the project.
After two rounds of presentations, a team from the University of Reading was announced as the winners, with the University of West London team coming a close second. Viviane Marie Zügn, from University of Westminster, was recognised as the Outstanding Student of the day and was presented with a trophy, certificate, voucher and an opportunity for two weeks of work experience with Kier Construction. William Daniel Han, from London South Bank University, was recognised as Highly Commended and received a certificate, voucher and an opportunity for two weeks of work experience with Cast Consultancy.
The inaugural East Midlands challenge is set to take place on 27 January at Nottingham Trent University. Teams will contain 4-6 students who will be studying at Level 4 and above; HND/HNC/bachelors and masters’ students will be given their challenge in the morning and will present their findings in the afternoon to a panel of CIOB members and industry professionals. The topic is Tackling a Global Housing Crisis, asking teams to consider affordable and sustainable housing; improved infrastructure; community empowerment and economic development; as well as climate resilience and sustainability.
Prizes include a site visit, a week’s work experience and £50 Amazon vouchers for each student in the three winning team categories.
