Construction Chair

Thursday, 14 November 2013

The University of Newcastle has announced Professor Peter Davis, a respected academic and industry professional with more than 30 years' experience, as the newly established Chair of Construction Management.

Peter DavisJointly funded by two of Australia's leading construction companies - Lend Lease and John Holland – together with the University, the Chair will drive the research and teaching of over 1000 students.

Professor Davis will mentor staff and students and build on the opportunities provided by the ever-growing research within the discipline in the areas of construction education, sustainability, procurement, organisational culture and supply chain management.

"Professor Davis has had a distinguished career in academia and industry for more than 30 years and is looking forward to developing construction management research, teaching and industry linkages for our faculty," Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Professor Brett Ninness, said.

"Through this newly established role, we look forward to seeing Professor Davis enhance the established 25 year reputation of the University's Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) program*; increase the growing bank of national and international knowledge about construction management; and improve industry productivity and the Australian economy by developing valuable relationships with international research teams.

"The Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment gratefully acknowledges the generous contribution by Lend Lease and John Holland through the University of Newcastle Foundation to this Chair, which is part of their continued support of Construction Management in our Faculty," Professor Ninness said.

"The University is delighted to be collaborating with industry to bring Professor Davis' significant expertise to help solve some of our most challenging construction issues."

Lend Lease's Chief Executive Officer, Construction and Infrastructure, David Saxelby, said graduates of Construction Management were valued employees in the company's building and civil engineering operations and Lend Lease was pleased to support the appointment of Professor Davis.

John Holland's Executive General Manager for Infrastructure, Chris Evans, said they John Holland was proud to be able to assist in the provision of Australia's only online Construction Management degree program.

"As an industry leader, we consider it to be extremely important to assist in the development of the construction leaders of tomorrow. The appointment of Professor Davis will help to ensure the ongoing examination and improvement of construction management standards in Australia, to ensure our industry goes from strength to strength," Mr Evans said.

Professor Davis commenced teaching and research at Curtin University in 1994, prior to this working almost two decades in the private construction sector. He was most recently Professor and Head of the School of Built Environment at Curtin University. He holds a PhD in Economics and Finance from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and a Masters degree in project management. His research career includes five collaborative projects and a role as manager of an extensive research program for the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation (CRC-CI).

* The University of Newcastle's Construction Management (Building) program combines flexible problem-based learning via multiple pathways and reflective professional practice to solve real-world challenges faced by construction managers, building surveyors, facility managers and quantity-surveying professionals. The Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) is accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Australian Institute of Building (AIB), The Australian Institute of Quantity Surveying (AQIS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV).

Contact

  • Carmen Swadling, Media and Public Relations.
  • Phone: +61 2 4985 4276 or 0428 038 477.

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