University News Last updated 11 February
BCU wants to play a key role in shaping the future of cities, buildings and infrastructure worldwide - and believes closer ties with the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) will help.
The Department of Architecture and Built Environment recently welcomed Don Ward, Chief Executive of CIB, to explore opportunities for deeper international collaboration.
The visit also highlighted opportunities for Early Career Researchers and research students, including plans for a CIB Student Chapter at BCU, which will provide direct access to global experts and cutting-edge research.
Beyond research, the partnership will support enterprise activity and research-informed teaching, ensuring global insight delivers real-world impact.
"The Department's commitment to engaging its researchers with CIB is impressive,” said Ward, a highly respected leader in the global built environment community, with more than 35 years of experience in research, innovation and industry change.
“The breadth of staff involvement across CIB’s commissions, and the enthusiasm of the researchers including students, demonstrates a genuine appetite for international collaboration. We look forward to seeing this partnership flourish."
Peter Baldwin, Head of the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, said the relationship was of strategic importance to both staff and students.
“Connecting our staff and research students with a global network of this calibre opens up extraordinary opportunities, from collaborative research and knowledge exchange to expanding the horizons of our PhD and MRes students,” he said.
“For our early career researchers, it offers a clear pathway to international visibility and professional development. We are keen on making the most of this kind of partnership.”
The collaboration forms part of BCU’s Strategy 2030 and Beyond, supporting all three pillars: creating knowledge for good, developing talent for tomorrow, and powering prosperity by linking global expertise with regional innovation and growth.
Pictured (from left): Dr Saeed Talebi (Associate Professor, Department of Architecture and Built Environment), Professor Franco Cheung (Department of Architecture & the Built Environment), Peter Baldwin (Head of Department of Architecture & the Built Environment), Don Ward (CEO of CIB), Professor Rachel Sara (Oscar Naddermier Professor of Architecture - Research and Theory), and Paul Laycock (Associate Professor in Architectural Technology).