Implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Education for Construction Management Students: The Case of Malaysia

Abstract

The construction industry is continuously evolving, and the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has become crucial for efficient project management. BIM can be defined as a collaborative process among various construction players by providing information in digital format throughout the project’s lifecycle. Its potential in the industry, such as clash detection between elements will improve project efficiency and operational processes. However, there is a shortage of BIM skills in the Malaysian industry, resulting in low implementation compared to other developed countries. As a result of this lack of skills and high demand for BIM professionals, institutions should integrate BIM education effectively. Although several institutions in Malaysia have incorporated BIM into their academic programs, and some are still working to do so, it still needs improvement. Therefore, there is a need to understand its challenges and strategies for implementing it in the academic system. This study employed quantitative research as the primary method of collecting data with questionnaires were distributed online to 86 active Construction Management (CM) students enrolled in the BIM course in UiTM. Only 54 students responded to the survey (62.79% response rate). The findings reveal that the inadequate facilities to implement BIM properly (technology aspect) is the most challenging factor when learning BIM. Besides, it was found that the best way for institutions to implement BIM is to work with BIM professionals. Thus, it is hoped that the outcome of this research will help institutions and educators identify areas of improvement for enhancing the quality of BIM learning.