BIM stands for Building Information Modeling.
It is the more apt expression of how new technologies can aid us. We can include BIM training in a transversal way in the different formations and specializations, from Architecture and Engineering to Business Management, and even Art. How? For instance, BIM can be applied to the rehabilitation of historical buildings, of artistic spaces or the recovery of the historical heritage.
Are Universities Recognising BIM Potential?
If BIM is so amazing, is it being introduced into university education?
University professors, faculty directors and department managers are aware that BIM should be included in a large part of university curricula and that their students should leave with this training. Yet, this is not yet widespread nor happening regularly.
The collaborative leadership of our BIM4Ed consortium understand the importance and value of BIM systems and networks. It is our mission to implement a social and collaborative environment for the community with regard to data flow and management. If higher education students understand BIM principles and how to use these, we can build a useful network system within European universities.
The aim of this project is to address and redefine the teaching and learning paradigm for students and professors especially in specialised topics which benefit from the use of BIM. Knowledge of BIM provides big opportunities transversally for learning, employment and the general approach to life.
The BIM4Ed Consortium is led by the following 6 partners:
Warnborough College
Warnborough College (WC) was founded in 1973. The college specialises in the provision of vocational and educational programmes across a range of disciplines and academic levels.
The College has nearly 50 years of experience in transnational education, working with over 40 partner institutions and organisations around the world to develop and offer programmes to students from different backgrounds and locations, at all educational levels. We have partnerships with universities for degree pathways or validations, and also partnerships with industry. The College is the leader of this project.
International Innovation from the South SL
Based in Granada, Spain, International Innovation from the South (INNOSOUTH) is a recent organization but its team has a long experience working in European Projects. INNOSOUTH aims to intervene and improve at the personal, professional, and social levels of their staff and territories where they operate, to create a better future for the community as a whole.
INNOSOUTH design and deliver quality training solutions with different themes to enhance team-building and develop soft skills to achieve work objectives.
University of Economics and Innovation in Lublin (WSEI)
WSEI is a non-state higher education institution, founded in 2001, offering full university degree programmes in a range of academic disciplines. With over 6000 students, WSEI is committed to partnering with EU organizations and institutions to support education, training, and research.
According to a 2017 national ranking, WSEI is ranked in first place for non-public universities in its region and 18th on the general national list. It has
received the “The School of Leaders” certificate from The Foundation of High Education Development over the last 6 years.
ÉK Egyesület (EK Association)
EK Associaton was established by young architects in Budapest, Hungary in 2006. As a professional architectural organization, its main objective is to contribute to raising the quality of Hungarian architectural and environmental culture, preserve historical monuments, and promote sustainability in architecture. The association aims to bring together individuals and organizations with an interest in cultural heritage to increase public awareness of public monuments and the preservation of buildings.
The University of Patras
The University of Patras is a public higher education establishment consisting of 7 schools and 35 departments with undergraduate programs, and 49 Postgraduate Study Programs. The Entrepreneurship & Digital Innovation LAB (E.D.I. LAB) of the Department of Business Administration is a Registered Active Structure of Startups’ Entrepreneurship Support providing support services to entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs by offering co-working spaces including training in several issues of interest along with mentoring and relevant coaching. E.D.I. LAB works closely with entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs (youths) to identify and develop the skills that are essential in order to be successful in the business world and to identify and establish the correct working environment.
Global Contents SL
GC has great worldwide experience in Building Information Modelling (BIM) education for the AECO industry (Architecture Engineering Construction Operations), with success in education and professional services, creating the first online master’s program in 2014 and one of the first global services in BIM.
This company’s mission is to contribute and support the implementation of BIM throughout Europe while participating in the creation and diffusion of the openBIM standards at national, European, and global levels.
Intellectual Outputs
The BIM4Ed project will seek to achieve the following three Intellectual Outputs (IOs):
IO1: A Research Study on BIM Knowledge within the Higher Education System
BIM is the foremost expression of what new technologies can give us. Therefore, how we can include BIM training in a transversal way within the teaching of academic disciplines in Higher Education? Is it being introduced into university education? Are University professors and department directors aware of BIM and how it should/could be included within university curricula? How can HE students graduate with BIM training?
A final report on the state of BIM awareness and inclusion in HE institutions will be written after surveys are carried out.
IO2: Design and Coordination Strategies to Include BIM in University Curricula
Taking advantage of the fact that our consortium includes 3 HE/FE institutions and two entities specialised in BIM training, the work will be coordinated based on the results obtained from IO1 to develop a plan where BIM can be assimilated into the consortium partners’ training programmes.
The universities will focus on introducing BIM modules and courses within the following three levels:
- Undergraduate training
- Postgraduate training at Masteral level
- Postgraduate training at Doctoral level
IO3: Design of Transversal BIM Courses for Universities
The consortium will engage both professors and BIM experts to prepare a BIM subject of a transversal nature (which will initially be extracurricular) and which will serve as an introduction to BIM for students. The idea is that this subject will meet the knowledge objectives that, in the 1990s, were (and still are) pursued by the transversal subjects that European universities developed on computer skills (from basic levels to highly-specific qualifications).
The subject must initially be taught in a face-to-face, blended or e-learning manner. Participants will be assessed through a one-off test, the results and their content being what each partner university will be able to teach and include in its own academic programme and whose development methodology can be shared with European academic entities.
Disclaimer: The European Commission’s support for the project does not constitute an endorsement of its outcomes, which reflect the views only of the project partners, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.