RPS/GMIT were awarded Best Academic Paper for “A Collaborative Academia-Industry Approach to Programme-Wide Implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Processes using a Reciprocal Learning Framework” at the CITA BIM Gathering Conference on 13th November.

This collaboration between the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) and RPS has resulted in the development of an industry orientated Higher Diploma in Engineering in BIM (Honours Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications). The delivery of this Higher Diploma to RPS staff on a pilot basis since 2013 has enabled GMIT to test, further develop and measure progress of this programme on the delivery of large infrastructure and building projects in the UK and Ireland while working in a collaborative BIM environment. It has enabled RPS to offer professional services on projects in the UK and Europe resulting in the award of major highways, water and gas projects. This has resulted in a significant increase in staff with a particular focus on employing ‘BIM-capable’ graduates.

The winning paper charts the development and integration of BIM processes and learning requirements into the curriculum and research activities in the Department of Building and Civil Engineering at the GMIT over the last number of years, informed by a close collaboration with RPS. This academic-industry partnership has enabled the development of a reciprocal learning framework where industry best practice, curriculum development and research activities have been co-ordinated and utilised to address the educational challenges posed by the interdisciplinary nature of BIM. This collaborative initiative is the first of its type in Ireland and comes at a time when the demand from industry is at its peak.

The authors of the paper are Mark Costello from RPS and Dr Mark Kelly, Jim O’Connor and Gerard Nicholson from GMIT. This is the second significant success for this industry – academia collaboration between RPS and GMIT. In late 2014, this initiative was shortlisted for the Engineers Ireland Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Company of the Year and Excellence Awards with a submission titled “The RPS BIM Revolution”. Another major outcome of this collaborative initiative is that RPS has become the leading local employer of GMIT graduates and a leader in the provision of BIM led project delivery in Ireland and the UK.