ABU DHABI, Monday September 16, 2013: Engineering experts from the region and around the globe considered industry best practices for the design and construction of buildings at the Second Building Information Modelling (BIM) Conference in the Middle East, which opened today at the Higher Colleges of Technology Abu Dhabi Men's College.

The conference, which runs today and tomorrow, is convened by the Consolidated Contractors Company, in collaboration with the Center for Integrated Facilities Engineering at Stanford University and PROJACS Middle East.

Building on the success of the inaugural BIM Conference in 2011, this year's conference aims to highlight the most recent developments in the building engineering industry. It will bring together a variety of industry experts to discuss BIM application throughout the different phases of the facility life cycle, from A/E to construction and facility management.

In the presence of a group of VIPs including Mr Tawfic Khoury, Deputy Chairman of Consolidated Contractors Company, Professor Martin Fischer, Professor and Director of the Center for Integrated Facility Engineering (CIFE) at Stanford University and Mr Luay Khoury, President/CEO and co-founder of Projacs International, HE Mohammad Omran Al Shamsi HCT Chancellor inaugurated the conference.

The HCT Chancellor welcomed the delegates from the UAE and from around the world to the conference, saying it would generate some exciting discussions and developments in Building Information Modelling. "We can see in the Middle East and in the UAE that there is more demand for more complex commercial buildings, but with this there needs to be reliable designs and construction to lead to higher quality and safety. This conference is therefore very important for our country and for the region, and we at the HCT are very proud to be working with our partners to provide this opportunity," HE Mohammad Omran Al Shamsi said.

"We have decided to become the number one higher education institution in the UAE and the region, but we can't do that without partners, like these, who give the best ideas to the market and our students. I am sure that we will help our country with the best ideas from this conference," he added.

Professor Martin Fischer, Professor and Director of the Center for Integrated Facility Engineering (CIFE) at Stanford University said the conference would be a focus on the technology of BIM as well as emerging technology opportunities where "we can use the best of the world's (construction) practices on these types of projects and applications".

"Construction creates society's fixed assets and builds the fixed physical wealth of a nation, but this brings big responsibilities where we need to optimise this physical wealth. There can be social and environmental consequences from our buildings and we have to improve the impact of the buildings on society,"Professor Fischer said.

He said with the use of appropriate technology and industry expertise, such as BIM "we can predict better the outcomes and performances we are seeking from our buildings, and therefore allocate our resources".

Professor Fischer added that at CIFE by fully engaging with industry partners and using the latest technological advances there can be greater scope for connectivity between practice, research and education, which will allow the construction industry to attract more students and retain employees.

The conference will allow attendees to develop their understanding of the critical topic of BIM at the company, project and personal level over two days. The event will include a day of comprehensive presentations from industry leaders followed by a day of small-group, interactive workshops and demonstrations. 
 
Participants will discuss and learn about how the implementation of BIM has led to increased efficiency and client satisfaction through shortened design and construction phases, higher quality without rework, higher trade subcontractor productivity, and safer construction.  The event will cover how firms have set BIM-based strategies, developed the necessary management and execution skills, adjusted their workflows, selected and introduced BIM-based technologies, and engaged project partners for more successful and rewarding projects.

The conference is relevant for public and private owners and operators, developers, designers, general contractors, and trade contractors of industrial, oil and gas, commercial, infrastructure, institutional, and residential projects. It will bring together top management, division and project leaders, and key execution staff, so that an organisation's BIM strategy and execution tactics can be aligned effectively based on the knowledge from the conference. 
 
For more information about the BIM Conference, please visit: www.bimconference.me/

About the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
Founded in 1988 with four colleges, the Higher Colleges of Technology have grown to be the largest of the higher educational institutions in the UAE, gaining a well-respected reputation for innovative learning. More than 20,000 students attend 17 modern men's and women's campuses in the cities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah and the western region cities of Madinat Zayed and Ruwais.

HCT offers a wide range of English-taught programs in Applied Communications, Business, Education, Engineering Technology, Computer & Information Science, General Education and Health Sciences.  These programs are all relevant to the UAE's fast growing and evolving economic sectors.  All programs are designed in consultation with business and industry leaders to ensure that the skills students learn are job-relevant and to high standards. They are constantly monitored to ensure they are at the cutting edge of industry standards and technological change. Visit www.hct.ac.ae.

For more information or to arrange interviews contact: Paul Lancaster, HCT Communication Department. Phone: 050 616 0964. Email: paul.lancaster@hct.ac.ae

© Press Release 2013