An Associate Professor of Real Estate Finance, Kola Akinsomi from University of Witwatersrand, South Africa and his counter-part, Prof. Bioye Aluko, the immediate past Dean of Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in Osun State have called for immediate review of academic curriculum being used to train undergraduates in Nigeria's tertiary institutions, to enable them adapt to technologies in the 21st Century built environment
The dons made the call on Thursday in their sperate paper presentations at the ongoing international conference on Sustainable Built Environment and Innovative Development in the 21st Century being organized by the School of Environmental Studies Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital
Akinsomi presenting a keynote paper at the conference which attracted academics and experts in the built environment, stressed the need to expose students to the new technologies being used in the built environment to reduce the harsh effect of green emission on the environment
The Real Estate Researcher who attributed 40 percent of global warming to the building materials being used for construction, emphasized the need for flexibility in building materials, through the use of technology in construction of residential buildings to mitigate effect of Climatic change, particularly in Nigeria and the rest of Africa
He stressed the need for adaptation to new technologies being used for construction of building, calling for usage of modern building materials for construction to decarbonize the environment
Similarly, Aluko in his lead paper at the conference, advocated attitudinal change on the part of academics in students in tertiary institutions to ensure seamless adaptation to changes in academic curriculum to reflect the reality in the 21st century built environment
The former Head, Department of Estate Management at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife who identified immediate review of academic curriculum as one of the recommendations that must be vigorously pursued to promote innovative development and foster sustainable built environment, also made other recommendations that must be considered by government and experts in the built environment to reduce the negative effect of Climate change on the environment
"Immediate review of the curriculum of tertiary institutions for the incorporation of technological innovations for the acceleration of sustainable built environment."
"There is the urgent need to promote collaboration and synergy among built environment professionals. The menace of unhealthy rivalry should be eliminated", he stated
According to him, "these professionals should see themselves as partners in progress, where information are shared and interoperability ensured, rather than business competitors"
The don equally recommended the deployment of digital technology which according to him, had improved construction processes all over the world must be encouraged.
"Built environment professionals are encouraged to invest in these technologies and improve upon their capacity to seamlessly deploy them"
"There is the need for government to enable the deployment of these technologies in the built environment."
"Appropriate policy framework for the acquisition, training and usage of these tools should be formulated", he suggested
The Professor of Estate Management stressed the need for Incentives that must be given to professions and organizations using these technologies in their operations.
"It is incumbent on built environment associated professional associations and regulatory bodies to sharpen the knowledge and skills of their members in the usage of the identified innovative technologies. In this regard, mandatory continuing professional development seminars should be devoted to the training of their members on the usage of these innovations", he stressed
Rector of the institution, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji declaring open the two-day international conference holding on its campus, inside OGD auditorium, described the theme "Sustainable Built Environment and Innovative Development in the 21st Century", as very apt and timely in view of global happenings and developmental issues
Also the Director of School of Environmental Studies, MAPOLY, Dr Samson Agbato had in his welcome speech, explained that the essence of the conference was to provide unique opportunity for robust interaction and engagement that would help the participants to chart the way forward for a sustainable built environment that is innovation-driven
"As far as we are concerned, creating linkages between Polytechnic and industry has the potential to contribute to the betterment of both industry and Polytechnic",he stated
Earlier, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Arc Olabisi Baiyewu had said the theme of the event, captured the current reality of building a sustainable environment in the 21st century via the deployment of innovative development in line with relevant Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)
The Royal Father of the event, Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle described the conference as first of its kind he would be attending in any of the tertiary institutions in the country
He lauded the organizers for packaging such event to plan sustainable environment for the present and future generations to come
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