Students of the Birmingham City University (BCU), UK, are literally shaping the history of their university by lending a hand in the expansion and construction of new buildings on campus.
"We have a responsibility to give our students live projects, to help them gain work experience and to provide internships. When we commissioned the architects and the construction company, we insisted that they employ our students so that they get to experience a live project. In the process, students are not only getting handson training but are also shaping the history of our university,"says Cliff Allan, vice-chancellor, BCU, during a recent visit to Delhi.
"We have a responsibility to give our students live projects, to help them gain work experience and to provide internships. When we commissioned the architects and the construction company, we insisted that they employ our students so that they get to experience a live project. In the process, students are not only getting handson training but are also shaping the history of our university,"says Cliff Allan, vice-chancellor, BCU, during a recent visit to Delhi.
The aim is to enhance the employability of students by allowing them to work on the building construction; they put into practice what they have learned in the classroom. "We have spent nearly 300 million pounds on the buildings and facilities to modernise the university because we believe that students need 21st century facilities,"he adds. Students from a variety of educational backgrounds worked on this project. "We had students from architecture, quality surveying, building, construction and engineering, work on different projects. Students earned credits for the work they did. We employed 140 students in a rolling group. The construction of the building took two-three years, so different students were active for a certain time-period. Now, we are commissioning three new buildings and we will do exactly the same,"explains Allan.
The faculty facilitated the project as they identified the students who worked with the architects and construction firm."The architects told the head of department about the possible areas that students could work on and the school of architecture then identified students who could join the project," informs Allan."Students juggled theory classes and practical work."
Further, some of the building and construction students had a full-year placement as part of a sandwich course.
FACTSHEET
The university has come up with new postgraduate programmes in arts and project management; data analytics and management; design innovation management; fashion media management; luxury brand management; oil and gas management among others. Scholarships for 1,500 pounds, 2,000 pounds and 3,000 pounds are available for Indian students. For details, visit the India office or visit http:www.bcu.ac.uk
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