In August 2021 we sat down with Buddhini Ginigaddara to talk about her experiences as a PhD student at Western Sydney University and as President of the CIB Student Chapter. Buddhini was born in Sri Lanka and did her first degree in Quantity Surveying in Sri Lanka. She then worked for Access Engineering plc, one of the largest construction firms in Sri Lanka, who supported her interest in remaining engaged with academia through some visiting lecturing, and she responded to an advertisement for a full scholarship to pursue a PhD in Engineering at the Centre for Smart Modern Construction at Western Sydney University three years ago.
In our conversation we covered the challenge of moving to a new university in a new country to start a PhD and her research topic of skills for offsite construction. We went on to discuss the activities of the Student Chapter, which were recognised by the award of the Western Sydney University Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award for University Engagement and Sustainability in 2020. All of us at CIB were very proud of their success, and their latest achievement is to have formed a collaborative team of CIB Student Chapters around the world to win CIB funding for a research project to look at current Higher Degree by Research (HDR) training programs.
Buddhini’s conversation is a really good listen particularly for those undertaking or considering a further degree in our sector, full of tips and advice. Throughout, her passion and enthusiasm for the sector and for research comes across loud and clear. One to watch for the future!”
