Career Highlights – University of Leeds (1994-2008)
SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
DEPARTMENTAL & WIDER UNIVERSITY RESPONSIBILITIES
(1994 to 2008)
I was the Course Leader on the BEng. and MEng. Civil Engineering with Construction Management programme in the School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, UK from 1994 to 2008. This involved me in working within a team as a member of the Course Leaders Committee and taking individual responsibility for the day-to-day management of the programme.
Exchange Student Coordinator and Initiation of International Programmes
As Course Leader for the MEng. programme I took a lead role as Exchange Co-ordinator with the Universities of Waterloo (since 1995) Alberta, Canada (since 1997) and the National University of Singapore (since 2000). This involved developing these programmes and visiting and liaising with colleagues in the host Universities. I represented the School abroad and was able to negotiate a new exchange for construction management students at the University of Alberta in 1997. In 1998, I visited both the University of California at Berkeley and Penn State University to establish further undergraduate and postgraduate links.
Teaching and Departmental Quality Management
From 1996 I was working with the Directorate of Quality in the School, initially reviewing the Quality Procedures, and in 1997, developed the School’s Student Assessment system.
Departmental Marketing
I was a member of the Marketing Committee (1996-2008) and worked in a team developing an effective strategy for the School of Civil Engineering.
From 2006 to 2008 I was Marketing and Publicity Coordinator for the School of Civil Engineering and organised a number of initiatives to help promote the School including a highly successful 60th anniversary corporate and alumni dinner and an international alumni seminar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Faculty of Engineering Board Member
I was a member of the Faculty of Engineering Board (1996-2008).
Faculty Equal Opportunities Committee Member
In 2004 I became a member of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Leeds, Equality and Diversity committee. I was responsible for the development of the Faculties approach to Governance issues and was charged with identifying the training needs of senior staff, checking the Equal Opportunties policies for the Schools within the Faculty were consistent with University policies and reviewing the contents of undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks.
In 1998 I was invited by Professor John Bale, Dean of the Faculty of Health and the Environment, Leeds Metropolitan University, to represent the School of Civil Engineering on a nationally funded project to assist graduates working in small to medium sized construction companies develop their continuing professional development activities.
DESIGN OF GRADUATE PROGRAMMES & COURSE DEVELOPMENT
In 1994, I was engaged in the design and development of a new MSc. programme in Construction Management at the University of Leeds, UK. I was responsible for designing the curriculum, delivery and assessment methods. The course contents for the new programme were tested with industry though market surveys and workshops with senior managers from major construction companies.
In 1996, I was involved in the design and development of a new North American PhD Programme in Construction Management.
DESIGN OF UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES & COURSE DEVELOPMENT
Teaching of Engineering Ethics
In 2005 I was involved with colleagues in the School of Civil Engineering and the University Chaplaincy in the design, development and preparation of a new module on Engineering Business and Professional Ethics. This was offered as an elective module for Masters and final year undergraduate students in the School of Civil Engineering and across the Faculty of Engineering. My role wsas as Module Manager. This was part of wider University initiatives to promote ethics across the Faculties and was included in a successful bid for Government funding under the Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning scheme in the UK.
Innovative Construction Site Fieldcourse for Civil Engineering Undergraduates – “The Constructionarium”
Between 2003 and 2008 I was co-leader in developing a new course for second year civil engineering students which would provide them with hands-on experience of work on a construction site. This project had been developed by Imperial College and engineering consultants formerly with Arup.
The dedicated Constructionarium site is located at the National Construction College site at Bircham Newton, it comprises two site compounds and large project area featuring lakes, a dry dock, a ravine, “rivers” and other topological features.
The participating students are in project teams, each team constructs a scaled-down but substantial version of a bridge, building, or civil engineering projects over five day period. Students are assessed on the final day in terms of budgetary control, methodology and timely completion.
The main organisational model of the Constructionarium consists of a university, contractor and consultant working in partnership to deliver a new learning experience which combines the academic perspective with those of the design professional and practical site delivery.
The strategic aim of the fieldcourse is to create a step-change in how students relate design to constructability, and thus to enhance student learning and student understanding of a wide spectrum of design and construction related issues.
For photographs of the innovative “constructionarium” activity click here
INVITATIONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUTSIDE PROGRAMMES
- June 1997 and 1999 I provided key note lectures on the module titled Public Relations in the Construction Industry on the MSc. in Construction Marketing at Oxford Brookes University.
- In July 2000 I provided a one-day seminar on the MSc in Construction Innovation for Strathclyde University and Glasgow Caledonian Univeristy in Stirling.
- In June 2002, 2003 and 2004 I was invited to present half-day seminars to the MSc in Construction Management at the University of Bath.
1994 – 2006 ORGANISATION OF UK AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
September 2006, I organised a seminar at UNITEN in Kuala Lumpur on Business Development for Construction and Engineering Professionals. The event was a collaboration between the University of Leeds, UK and University Sains Malaysia, Inti Colleges, and the International Islamic University Malaysia. The even attracted over 60 delegates from academia and Industry.
October 2005, I organised a national one day seminar on Business Development for Construction Professionals in Leeds. This was sponsored by major construction companies and attracted over 150 industrial participants.
September 2004 I have organised the 1st National Construction PR Conference to be held in Leeds. This is supported by CIOB, CIMCIG and CAPSIG and is sponsored by Yorkshire Forward and numerous commercial organisations.
September 2001 I organised the 2nd International Construction Marketing Conference at the Building Research Establishment, Watford, England.
August 1998 I organised the first Leeds International Construction Marketing Conference. The Proceedings included over forty academic and industrial papers from over ten countries. Speakers included the Minister for London and Construction and other high profile industry leaders.
1997, I organised and chaired three major conferences and workshops aimed at enhancing understanding, and development of advanced commercial skills for construction managers. These were as follows;
April 1997, one day conference on Marketing and public relations in the construction industry (90 delegates)
June 1997, half-day conference on Pre-qualification in construction (60 delegates)
October 1997, one day conference on Service quality and client satisfaction for design and build contractors (100 delegates)
These events drew delegates from regional and national construction organisations and professional institutions. They were supported by the Chartered Institute of Building, the Chartered Institute of Marketing and other institutions in the construction sector.