Dubai, UAE. March 8th, 2012: Heriot-Watt University's Dubai Campus was delighted to host an evening event this week on the topic of 'Developments and Future Directions in Building Information Modeling (BIM)'. The subject is one of the most strategic areas of research and education within the construction sector while the majority of new construction projects are looking forward to implement BIM throughout the project lifecycle.
The University's School of the Built Environment was pleased to welcome key note speaker Professor Chimay J Anumba, Head of Department of Architectural Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, USA. Professor Anumba is a specialist in the field of Construction Informatics, and explained about the current developments which are opening up new opportunities and applications for the construction sector as a whole.
Special guest Professor Anumba, commented: "There is huge potential for BIM usage in the UAE, with so many ongoing and planned projects. However, many firms need guidance on how best to implement BIM and maximize its benefits."
Dr. Ozan Koseoglu, leading Lecturer on BIM at Heriot Watt University Dubai Campus, said: "This week's BIM event was extremely interesting to our students, academic staff and guests. It is important that as a University we lead BIM education and research that will affect our student's future ambitions in terms of entering into industry with high standards and qualifications. BIM is undoubtedly one of the hottest topics concerning the construction sector as a whole and we will be developing BIM initiatives within the content of our programmes for guiding the industry and practitioners."
The event was of relevance to a large number of students from Heriot-Watt Dubai Campus, especially those undertaking postgraduate programmes in Construction Project Management, Quantity Surveying and Real Estate Management and Facilities Management.
Vice-Principal and Head of Heriot-Watt Dubai Campus, Professor Ammar Kaka, said: "Heriot-Watt prides itself on offering first class Higher Education to students across the Middle East and beyond. Part of this means providing education that prepares students as much as possible for updated industry trends. The BIM event is just one example of ways that we aim to add value to the already excellent content provided within our programmes."
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About Heriot-Watt
With an international history dating back to 1821, Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and applied, leading-edge research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for Engineering and business. In Dubai, the university offers various foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Engineering, Business Management, Fashion, Built Environment, Information Technology, and Petroleum Engineering as well as MBA.
Heriot-Watt is Scotland's most international University with an unsurpassed global in-country presence. Degree programmes are delivered to 11,800 students from 150 countries around the world. Heriot-Watt University, Dubai Campus started in Dubai International Academic City in 2005. Due to high demand the University expanded in 2009, with the additional new block set to even further heighten its presence in the region as a leading university for the Middle East.
Heriot-Watt's new AED200m, 28,000 sqm (300,000 sq. ft) state-of-the-art Dubai campus was opened in November 2011 by Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond.
Media Contact:
Karen Morrison
Fifth Ring for Heriot-Watt University
karen.morrison@fifthring.commailto:karen.morrison@fifthring.com
+971 4 372 0155
© Press Release 2012
