Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
02 October 2020 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Prof Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu believes there are a number of benefits and lessons that the construction industry can draw if they adopt technology that can lead to sustainable construction beyond the COVID-19 era.

The construction business has been hit hard, with various negative impacts on cost, implementation timelines, profits, and others. Increased and smart adoption of technology, however, can transform the sector to make it more sustainable. 

This is the belief of Prof Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu, Head of the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the University of the Free State (UFS).

As president of the Association of Schools of Construction of Southern Africa (ASOCSA), she delivered the welcoming address of the 14th Built Environment conference (21, 22 September 2020). Prof Kajimo-Shakantu is the sixth president of ASOCSA.

The theme of this year’s built-environment conference, presented for the very first time in a virtual format, was Technology, Transformation and Sustainable Construction.

Identify and harness opportunities 

“It is clear that while COVID-19 remains a challenge, opportunities can be identified and harnessed even by our own construction industry through the exploitation of technological, transformative, and sustainable practices. The technology and transformation taking place now – in South Africa and beyond this COVID-19 situation – should be embraced for competitive advantage, even after the pandemic disappears,” said Kajimo-Shakantu.

Clients, consultants, contractors, and suppliers of materials and services can wholly embrace technology and transformation for sustainable, cost-effective, less wasteful, and cleaner construction processes. – Prof Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu


She also provided some practical suggestions: “Technologies such as remote monitoring of construction sites and selected construction site operations through high-definition cameras and robust software should be encouraged as a way of minimising health and safety risks and mobility costs during the project duration, and at the same time ensuring an all-time virtual presence on site for various purposes.”

“Virtual contract progress meetings, site meetings, and supervision of specialised work are some of the benefits that the construction industry could gain if they adopt technology that can lead to sustainable construction beyond the COVID-19 era,” she added. 

Encourage meaningful partnerships

It is no longer a case of business as usual. Prof Kajimo-Shakantu believes stronger collaboration and meaningful partnerships must be encouraged among all stakeholders if the conference theme is to be fully actualised for the benefit of the construction industry, as it races towards attaining sustainable construction.

She said: “Clients, consultants, contractors, and suppliers of materials and services can wholly embrace technology and transformation for sustainable, cost-effective, less wasteful, and cleaner construction processes.”

Many insightful and thought-provoking papers touching on construction industry challenges and opportunities, as well as the teaching and learning of students, were delivered by both local and international delegates. 

The conference is believed to be one of the major cutting-edge built-environment conferences on the African continent. 

A guest of honour at the event was the Vice-Rector: Academic at the University of the Free State, Dr Engela van Staden. In her welcome address, she challenged delegates to establish a consistent channel for disseminating some of the research outcomes to industry stakeholders, including the respective government departments. “It is time to go beyond building rich databases and prestigious publications for our universities,” she said.

Keynote speakers included Prof Monty Sutrisna, Professor of Construction and Project Management and the Head of the School of Built Environment at Massey University, New Zealand; Prof Obas John, Professor of Sustainability and Environmental Law and Director of Internationalisation at London South Bank University; Prof David Edwards, Professor of Plant and Machinery Management, Birmingham City University, England; and Dr Reza Hosseini, the Associate Head of School (research) in the School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Australia.

The various interesting peer-reviewed research papers that were delivered, addressed topical issues that affect the built environment not only in South Africa, but also in the regions beyond.

News Archive

UFS announces SRC election results
2008-08-23

The results for the Student Representative Council (SRC) and Student Parliament of the University of the Free State’s (US) Main Campus were announced today. The elections took place on Wednesday, 20 August 2008.

Ms Heloïse Jordaan, B.Com.Hons. student and Freedom Front+ candidate, was elected as SRC President. She was SRC member for media, marketing and liaison in 2007/2008.

This year three organisations, namely the DA, Sasco and Freedom Front+, took part in the elections. Altogether 6 926 students took part in the voting this year, while 6 820 students voted last year.

“I am glad to report that, according to the Independent Election Authority (IEA), the elections and the announcement of the results took place without any incidents,” said Dr Ezekiel Moraka, Vice-Rector: Student Affairs.

“While the percentage of students participating in the elections remains low, the various initiatives by the IEA in partnership with student organisations are starting to yield good results. This includes communication efforts to improve awareness of the elections and the access to voting stations,” said Dr Moraka.

“The UFS will provide its full support to the efforts of the newly elected student leadership as well as representatives of various student organisations to further improve student participation in the elections. We want to work with the student leadership to continue the process of transformation currently under way at the University,” said Dr Moraka.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
22 August 2008

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept