CM Introduces New Industry Driven Course
Construction Industry Institute
Colorado State's new partnership with a prestigious national research organization, the Construction Industry Institute (CII), is providing students with the unparalleled experience of learning directly from senior executives in the industry.
CII was established in 1983 to improve the cost effectiveness of the capital facilities industry from early project conception and front-end planning through project completion and start-up. More than 100 leading owner, engineering, contractor, and supplier firms comprise CII’s membership. CII staff works with its membership to develop an industry-driven research agenda and then solicits from academia proposals for executing this research.
After selecting qualified researchers, CII member companies participate on research teams with the faculty to develop solutions to critical issues facing the industry. Research teams also develop implementation resources to help member companies and industry implement the findings.
Two years ago, senior executives of member organizations along with CII staff created a course on the best practices as defined and developed by CII over the last 25 years. This fall, the executives are visiting the University of Texas at Austin to teach the 11-week course, Construction Industry Institute Best Practices, via live videoconferencing.
Colorado State is one of only 14 universities nationwide to offer this three-credit, continuing education course to students and industry professionals. Faculty of participating universities assist the CII instructors by developing and grading assignments and establishing criteria to evaluate the students’ comprehension of the material covered. The CM department is hosting the course via live videoconferencing and Assistant Professor Mehmet Ozbek is the course instructor.
The course provides students with industry contact time in the classroom and the opportunity to see how CII Best Practices are put into practice by leading members of the construction industry that could be the students’ future employers. Students also have free access to CII’s published research reports.
Dr. Ozbek sees further benefits resulting from this partnership. "CII is a premier research organization," he says. "Establishing this relationship with CII will lead to research opportunities for our faculty as well."
