CIOB to host ‘Global Challenges’ in Construction International Symposium

Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) recently announced that they had won the opportunity to host the Global Challenges in Construction International Symposium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The symposium shall be held on 28 June to 1 July 2012 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel.

It will be held in conjunction with the international exhibition – Construction Expo 2012 (CE2012) to be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in June, 2012: an event also organised by CIOB.

Considered to be largest such event to be held in the island, the hosting of the ‘Global Challenges in Construction International Symposium’ was successfully obtained following a convincing effort by a Sri Lankan team of 16 delegates who attended CIB Working Commission 107, recently held in Hanoi, Viet Nam.

The other strong contender vying for this prestigious opportunity was Australia.

CIOB is organising the event together with CIB Netherlands, the global construction professional organisation in construction industry and the Department of Building, Economic and Management of the University of Moratuwa.

Lead by the chairperson, Prof. Chitra Weddikkara of the University of Moratuwa, the symposium will facilitate local and international industry professionals and students exchange information on challenges faced by the global industry, while having an opportunity to expand their industry related international network.

Professional and academic participants from over 30 countries are expected to attend the event.

Sub themes of the ‘Global Challenges in Construction International Symposium’ will include multinational construction practices, construction in developing countries, sustainable development, disaster management, energy management, project financing and risk management, knowledge/technology transfer and learning, innovative practices and robotics in construction, information technology in construction, procurement management, law and dispute resolution, construction quality and productivity, stakeholder management in construction, facilities management in construction, construction research and education and construction marketing.

The symposium has received the endorsement of several ministries in Sri Lanka including the Ministry of Construction and Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations, the Ministry of Land and Land Development and the Senior Ministry of National Resources.

This international event has also received the endorsement of several professional bodies in the country.

They include the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL), the Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka (IQSSL), the Chamber of Construction Industry (CCI), the Organisation for Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) as well as the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL).