The CIB Board of Directors consists of a broad range of individuals who hold senior leadership positions within their countries’ research and academic communities.
Each month we’ll introduce a Board member and ask them 3 questions on their organisation, how they see the benefits of CIB, and what they would like to achieve through the organisation in the coming years.
First up is Ron Wakefield of RMIT. He is a Vice President of CIB and Dean at the School of Property, Construction and Project Management at RMIT University, and Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor – International.
Ron was instrumental in delivering the World Building Congress 2022 in Melbourne Australia.
How would you describe your organisation and its areas of interest in construction and built environment?
The School of Property, Construction and Project Management (PCPM) at RMIT is a premier provider of programs in the Asia Pacific region in the disciplines of Construction Management, Project Management, Property and Valuation, Occupational Health and Safety and Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building. We are renowned for our reputable programs, strong links with industry, involvement in professional bodies and collaborative approach to research.
PCPM’s construction research has four main themes: Construction innovation, Construction practice and management, Education and professional training in construction, and Sustainable housing. Our Organisational Accident Prevention research focuses on Organisational Safety, Effective Safety Regulation, and Energy Pipelines. Our Property research themes include Measurement and Performance of Real Estate, Managed Funds, and Property law and urban planning.
How do you see the benefits for your organisation of Full membership of CIB?
CIB membership provides RMIT a fantastic opportunity to be involved on the international stage. It promotes links with other universities, with industry and with government research organisations. It provides a way to feature RMIT’s research to a global audience. Hosting the CIB World Building Congress in 2022 also allowed RMIT to showcase our city campus and activities, which contributed to enhancing RMIT’s international reputation.
CIB provides a great opportunity for staff to join working groups and task forces. If you are a full member, your staff can access more than 32 working groups. Staff who take advantage of this have a real opportunity to advance their reputation and therefore their careers.
What would you like to achieve from your engagement with CIB in the next 2-3 years?
I would like us to consolidate RMIT’s student chapter involvement in the organisation and promote networking opportunities for our students. I would also like to see our ECRs more deeply involved in the Future Leaders group. It would be great to see more Universities in the Asia-Pacific region join CIB and participate in our activities.
