Building innovation centre to double postgrad intake

The Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) is set to support 30 postgraduate students in the forthcoming academic year '“ double last year's figure.

The courses will cover areas such as data science and civil engineering. Picture: PA Wire

Working with the Scottish Funding Council, CSIC will part-fund their course fees as the students enrol in courses – covering subjects including civil engineering, data science and international human resources – at 13 universities.

The post-graduates, will also collaborate with the construction sector during their studies, with the final three months of their year-long course devoted to a research project, either working on a challenge set by a participating firm or on wider industry challenges linked to carbon emissions, future cities and the digitisation of construction.

Launched in October 2014, the CSIC brings together industry, academia and the public sector in a bid to drive innovation across the industry. It is supported by the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and 13 university partners.

Bruce Newlands, CSIC head of technical operations and postgraduate programme co-ordinator, said: “Skills shortages across the construction industry are a pressing problem. This programme is one of the ways that CSIC aims to bring fresh talent into the Scottish construction industry from a broad range of disciplines.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone – the students will benefit from part-payment of their studies, industry engagement, access to CSIC facilities and networks. In turn they will help our industry with new perspectives, cutting-edge technology and research support over the three-month period where they will focus on industry challenges. We’re very excited about working with all 30 students throughout this academic year.”

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