The Global Student Challenge is back for 2019

The Chartered Institute of Building’s Global Student Challenge has now opened for registration for the 2019 competition.

Since 2014, this international competition has challenged built environment students to run their own virtual construction company – with the leaders after six weeks of competition given the opportunity to compete in finals that attract talent from around the world.

In this, the sixth year of the competition, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is seeking teams made up of full-time students studying a degree in the built environment. The winning team receives £2000 in prize money, along with access to a unique mentoring programme, with industry leaders offering advice and guidance to support the winners’ professional development.

CIOB’s Global Student Challenge is a real test of construction industry know-how, taking place in stages over a number of months. The competition provides a realistic simulation where teams, made up of three or four people, act as a Board of Directors running their own construction company.

There’s a “Foundation Years” stage, where competitors learn how to play the game, running a virtual construction company in a simulated environment using the MERIT software, testing different strategies and refining tactics for the competitive game. The CIOB advises that, based on performance in previous years, teams who do well in the competition are the ones who make the most of this stage.

The “Early Years” stage starts a few weeks later. Teams now play competitively with other teams around the world, making decisions that determine the success – or otherwise – of their companies.

More than 60 teams entered the 2018 competition, with the six teams scoring the most in the early rounds being invited to the finals as part of the CIOB’s annual Member’s Forum. In 2019 both events will once again run alongside each other, this time in Edinburgh from 23 – 27 June 2019. This means that as well as competing to win the Global Student Challenge title, finalists also get to participate in the CIOB’s Member’s Forum and network with senior construction professionals from all over the world.

The competition is only open to full-time students. Teams are normally made up of four members, but three is permissible. Costs remain the same as last year.

Registration closes: 28 February 2019

Teams compete at running a virtual construction company in a simulated environment using the MERIT software. Developed at Loughborough University, this software has been used to train young professionals since 1988 as part of in-course modules in degree programmes. It enables students to develop business management skills, requiring them to take decisions on staffing levels, estimating and bidding, managing cash flow and capital and seeking investment opportunities.

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is the world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership. The CIOB holds a Royal Charter to promote the science and practice of building and construction for the benefit of society, and has been doing that since 1834.

The CIOB accredits university degrees, educational courses and training. Their professional and vocational qualifications are a mark of the highest levels of competence and professionalism, providing assurance to clients and other professionals procuring built assets.

CIOB members work worldwide in the development, conservation and improvement of the built environment.

The CIOB is at the heart of a management career in construction.