Academic readiness for building information modelling (BIM) integration to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia

Abstract

Building information modelling (BIM) is a digital technological-change that aid the transformation of construction industry delivery processes from its traditional methods into a digitalised model full of information. BIM has been identified as a modern delivery technology that is revolutionising construction industry operation globally, with capacity to reduce inefficiencies, improved performance, and enhancing productivities through increasing collaboration and communication among project team throughout the project lifecycle. Despite this benefits, its acceptance have remain low due to lack of knowledge and skills required for it adoption and lack of competent BIM graduate injection to the industry. The paper aim at accessing the academic readiness of Higher Education Institution (HEIs) in Malaysia. To achieve this, the study first seeks industrial experts' opinions using interviews to evaluate their expectations from HEIs in the production of BIM competent workforce to the industry. Secondly the study employed an online questionnaire survey for HEIs' educators seeking to assess academic readiness for the production of employable BIM competent graduate to the industry. However, the paper submits that more is needed by HEIs to be academically ready for BIM to be integrated to HEIs academic programs. Also the study acknowledged that academic readiness will facilitates the realisation of institutional roles of the education sector of the industry and thus, prompting the review of curriculum to adequately take care of industrial needs as regards BIM competent graduate production.