April 2011
Industry needs young graduates who can come into the profession and bring this vital knowledge with them”
and that they can get into a programme like this and do something great in their careers, it’s very exciting.” Explaining that the course is unique, he adds: “Within the industry there are a lot of people at the ends of their careers who do not consider these aspects of AE in their designs. Industry needs young graduates who can come into the profession and bring this vital knowledge with them.” The syllabus was developed by Ogwuda, in collaboration with colleagues at HeriotWatt’s Edinburgh campus, in Scotland.
Framec Engineering Ltd. He has a PhD in sustainable construction and has spent the last 16 years teaching; moving to Dubai in 2009 to establish the university’s engineering programme. He has also contributed to industry publications, covering such topics as the disposal and re-use of construction waste. “Buildings have to be designed first of all to be structurally stable, but we also have to look for ways to make them smart,” notes
CONSTRUCTION
Building smart With a career spanning four decades and four continents, Ogwuda is well positioned to equip this next generation of engineers with the skills they need to contribute to the evolution of the industry. “Compared to the UK, the community here is still developing. Mistakes are made in the design of both buildings and infrastructure in terms of energy efficiency and planning the re-use of materials when the building reaches the end of its current lifecycle,” he says. Ogwuda’s career began in 1987 in Nigeria where he worked as a civil engineer for Left: Dr Olisanwendu Ogwuda says it is important to equip the next generation of engineers with skills that will help the industry evolve. Right: Ogwuda says that he sees a lot of enthusiasm from prospective students and senses a momentum for change among the next generation of construction professionals. Below: The Dubai-based campus of Heriot-Watt University will soon launch the region’s first course in architectural engineering.
www.buildgreen.ae
Ogwuda. “Linking into that is if buildings have to be demolished, we should reuse the materials from these buildings and plan that into the demolition. “Concrete and brick works is already recycled and crushed, but I think if more care was taken we could see components like glass and timber reused more as well.” In anticipation of a full cohort this September, Ogwuda is also making use of his industry contacts to arrange guest lecturers and networking events, as well as work placements for students. “Huge demand already exists. When you go to schools to market the programme it’s all about green building and accreditation, this will be the generation that builds realising that you cannot just build for the sake of it,” concludes Ogwuda.
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