Academic Roundtable July 2024

The 6^th c4SMC Industry-Academic Roundtable was held on 18 July 2024 at the Peter Shergold Building (1PSQ) of Western Sydney University. The event brought together around 100 industry, academic and research participants to discuss the theme, ‘Make Digitalisation Work for Construction’. The event was honoured by the presence of Professor Freya MacMillan, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor; Distinguished Professor Brian Falzon, Dean, School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment; and Professor Srinath Perera, Director, c4SMC.

A highlight of the event was the keynote speech by David Chandler OAM, NSW Building Commissioner, who received a special memento and was featured in a heartfelt video from c4SMC staff and students. The second keynote speech was delivered by Dr Vafa Ghazavi, Executive Director – Research and Policy at the James Martin Institute for Public Policy.

A conceptual policy framework for the digitalisation of the construction industry in NSW was introduced by Associate Professor Xiaohua (Sean) Jin, Deputy Director of Research and Membership at c4SMC, and Professor Srinath Perera, Director of c4SMC. Two engagement activities were conducted by Associate Professor W. Kathy Tannous (Western Sydney University - School of Business) and Professor Chyi Lin Lee (School of Built Environment, University of New South Wales) to identify factors affecting digitalisation of the construction sector and to identify and rank technologies used in construction practices, respectively.

The panel discussion of the event was highly engaging, featuring Gina Yazbek (Founder and CEO, Commnia), Dr Laura Florez-Perez (University College London), Meghann Sikorski (NSW Office of the Building Commissioner), and Angus Greenwood (Mainbrace Constructions Pty Ltd). The discussion, moderated by Professor Srinath Perera, focused on digitalisation, policy and strategy in construction.

Special acknowledgments go to Dr Samudaya Nanayakkara and Dr Marini Samaratunga for organising the event. The centre’s doctoral researchers, who are also members of the CIB Student Chapter at Western Sydney University, were instrumental in the organisation, especially Ferose Sachindra Hewavitharana (Secretary – WSU CIB Student Chapter) and Mona Jahangirzadeh (Project Lead – WSU CIB Student Chapter) as part of the project “Developing a policy framework for the digitalisation of the New South Wales construction industry”.

The c4SMC extends its gratitude to the James Martin Institute for Public Policy and Commnia for their generous sponsorship. The masters of ceremonies, Prasad Perera (President – WSU CIB Student Chapter) and Shashini Jayakodi (Project Lead – WSU CIB Student Chapter) ensured the event ran smoothly. The event concluded with many praising its engaging activities, research value, and the strong collaboration between industry and academia, with a warm vote of thanks from Associate Professor Sepani Senaratne, Deputy Director of Research at c4SMC.