Bridging the Gap between Academic and Practice Quantity Surveying in Nigerian Construction Industry

Abstract

In the construction industry worldwide there is a recognizable gap between academics construction knowledge and its application, and construction knowledge and application as seen in field of practice. In Nigeria, the Quantity surveying profession like other professions in the industry, suffers this same fate. It is based on this that this paper identified the possible factors causing gap between the two divisions. A survey approach was adopted, and questionnaire was used to gather data from construction professionals both in practice and in academics, Ondo State. Data gathered were analyzed using percentage, mean item score and Mann-Whitney U Test. Findings revealed that the major factors contributing to gap are majorly more theoretical knowledge than practical, inadequacy in educational curriculum, slow adoption of innovations and inadequate trained personnel. The two categories of respondents( practicing respondents and those in academics) believes that the most important factor that can help and in bridge the gap between QS in Academics and QS in practice is frequent organizing workshop, lectures and seminars which has been identified by past literature. Openness to new innovations, equilibrium of theoretical and practical knowledge, are the closely following factors. This study contributes to body of knowledge on this subject of discuss.