Civil Engineering undergrads make national finals of construction competition

Ever imagined what you might do with all the knowledge you acquire as an undergraduate student? Four of our Civil Engineering students forged a team to conceive the construction site of the future as they entered the international ideas competition The Trail by Vinci Construction.

The brief asked students across the globe to design a project that brings together the latest and best technology and apply it to improve construction sites. Team Monash, comprising Ishan Palawaththa, Hesavar Manivasakan, Lance Hammond and Riddhi Kalra, prepared their proposal based on a centralised BIM (Building Information Model). BIM is often described as a shared digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a building or construction project which forms a reliable basis for decisions.

The Monash team made it through to the second of three phases which involved a trip to Brisbane to visit a worksite, a networking event and to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. Only three teams in Australia made it this far, one of which progressed to the third phase in France. A team from Queensland University of Technology were the eventual winners.

The Monash team, who are each part-way through their Bachelor of Civil Engineering/Economics double degrees found it a valuable experience on two levels. Firstly, it gave them the opportunity to conceptualise a real-world project and think holistically about how a construction site could better operate using BIM demonstrated in this video that formed part of their submission.

Secondly, they found the experience invaluable in that they were able to meet individuals from one of the world’s top construction companies, consider and discuss an industry perspective on ideas they have learnt about in their studies at Monash and practice pitching their idea in front of the panel. Ishan reflected on the experience, “I think the pitching was the most valuable because we may be in this situation once we leave university and start working, and I can now say that I have experience pitching to a critical audience of high-level construction engineers”.

Through their successful project, Ishan, Hesava, Riddhi and Lance became known to VINCI’s human resources people and now have the opportunity to apply for an internship or job with VINCI Construction. VINCI Construction HR Development Manager in Asia and Oceania Nicolas Richard says the competition “helps to identify promising students who can build a team, think outside the box and propose innovative concepts and projects. It gives the company a good idea of these student’s mindset and personality which is crucial for both potential employee and employer”.

The Trail by Vinci Construction will be returning in 2020.