CIOB Global Student Challenge: Indonesian students victorious again

Construction students from Indonesia’s Universitas Indonesia have won the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Global Student Challenge for the second year in a row. 

The global competition saw teams of students studying built-environment qualifications go head-to-head to create a cost-effective, flat-pack type building which can be used in disaster relief. 

“Team Santapurna Sacturary” fended off competition from 41 other teams from 20 universities around the world to scoop the top prize.

Universitas Indonesia is the first university in the contest’s 11-year history to achieve back-to-back wins. 

They will head to South Africa in June to present their project to an audience of global construction experts at CIOB’s Members’ Forum.  

“This victory surpasses even our wildest dreams,” the team said. 

“Our team’s remarkable synergy and dedication to teamwork propelled us forward. We owe immense gratitude to those behind the scenes who helped us shape our creations. As we bask in this triumph, we hope our achievements serve as inspiration for future generations.”

Teams presented detailed project proposals to an international panel of judges online. They also had to provide a completed design and build program, together with costs for every aspect of the build. 

Members of the winning team, who will each take a share of the £2,000 cash prize, are: 

Teams used CIOB’s online platform, Sim Venture Validate, to create their building.

It’s used by universities to teach employability and enterprise skills in various subjects. 

In joint-second place was “Team Plasfold Home” from Malaysia’s Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, and “ReBuilda” from Bahrain’s Applied Science University. 

Third place was claimed by “Team Blitzford by Solid Build” from Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Kate Macbeth, marketing director at CIOB, said: “Universitas Indonesia’s well-considered modular design was highly practical and flexible – providing individual and communal accommodation. It was recyclable, sustainable, reusable, foldable, transportable. Not only that, it took just 25 minutes for four people to assemble.  

“The judges thought it was another very well-engineered design which is suitable for a broad range of disaster situations and remarked the team had clearly refined their design after comparing it to existing market competition. 

“We were overwhelmed by some magnificent submissions in what was quite possibly the strongest contest to date, but Universitas Indonesia is a deserving winner for the second year in a row.” 

Technology firm Bluebeam sponsored this year’s competition.

Parth Tikiwala, its director for government and academic affairs, said: “Bluebeam’s academic mission extends across diverse environments, from bustling classrooms to intense student competitions. Together with the CIOB, we’re helping shape a future where knowledge knows no bounds.

“With a laser focus on bridging the digital divide, we are proud to sponsor the Global Student Challenge so that we can continue to provide access to cutting-edge technology and comprehensive training resources to the next generation of those who build. Congratulations to this year’s winners, your unwavering commitment and innovative approach to this year’s competition is a sign of new and exciting things to come within the industry.”

This article was originally published by Global Construction Review.