Students studying the built environment were put to the test during a Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) challenge last week.

CIOB’s East Midlands regional hub hosted its first ever Student Challenge competition at Nottingham Trent University on Tuesday 27 January, with 16 teams from the host university, Cambridge University, Derby University, Nottingham University and De Montfort University taking part.  

The teams were set a brief centred around the global housing crisis and then had three hours to develop ideas and deliver a professional presentation to a panel of industry experts. Each team was required to demonstrate they had considered challenges such as safety, sustainability and funding along with how the UN Sustainable Development Goals could be factored into their solutions.  

The challenge aims to provide the students with experience of working under pressure, teamwork, problem solving and communication skills while giving them a genuine taste of industry collaboration. There were also opportunities for the students to network with peers, employers and lecturers.

A team from Nottingham Trent University were judged the winner of the challenge while there was also recognition for one of the Derby University teams for their innovative solution.  

Susie Kearns, Member services and events coordinator for CIOB, said: “The whole day was really inspiring and the atmosphere buzzed with conversation, determination and innovative thinking. The quality of submissions was outstanding and showed just how much talent we have across the region’s universities. Events like this give students the chance to step beyond the classroom and showcase the professional behaviours employers value so we’re excited to see them go on to have amazing careers in the built environment.”

Dr Ehsan Asnaashari, Course leader and senior lecturer in construction management at Nottingham Trent University, said: “It was a real privilege to host the event and welcome colleagues from CIOB and industry onto campus. These events show what is possible when universities and professional bodies work together to create meaningful opportunities for students. Congratulations to all winners but most of all well done to every student who stepped up, took risks, and learned out loud.”