A study on integration of building information modelling (BIM) in civil engineering curricular

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a practical approach that can manage the construction projects' life cycle activities and be used by the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) to ensure the excellent quality of the projects, reduce cost and facilitate communication among contractor players. The development of the BIM uses in the construction industry has widely spread in many countries, unfortunately not in Malaysia even though it started in Malaysia since 2004. Several universities worldwide offer BIM courses in their program, while many others are under the process of integrating BIM into their curricula. Most of the universities lack the realization of the importance of BIM application, BIM teaching strategy, and plans to overcome the barriers to integration of BIM into the curriculum. This paper presents the current state of BIM education in the engineering program in the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FCE) as a case study. A detailed literature review and questionnaire survey performed for this purpose, followed by statistical analysis. The research presented the status of BIM education in FCE and formulated a framework that will provide guidelines for those universities which are not currently implementing BIM or just started developing BIM curriculum. More practical project-based class assignments that supported students with learning how to apply different formal project management methods to real-world project management problems will be adapt. The program in the universities will be able to produce graduates who are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills of modern tools such as BIM before they enter into their professional careers.