Student Teambuild event in Edinburgh won by Team ACE

The Edinburgh Student Teambuild event was won by team ACE- “Aspiring Construction Enterprise”. The team of six students from the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University emerged triumphant after 5 rounds of competition, presenting to visiting judges from Industry.

This year we welcomed judges from AECOM, MACE, Morham & Brotchie and Oberlanders Architects. Our Trustees from CIBSE, RICS and CIOB led each group of judges in reviewing the presentations, grilling the teams, and scoring their efforts. The winning team members were Lauren Wretham (Architecture), Katie Punler (CPM), Shane McDevitt (Civil Engineering), Dimitrios Blatsios (QS), and Yining Wang (Landscape). They received a cash prize of £300 and certificates signed by the Chairman of Judges, Mr Richard Rooley FCIBSE, PPASHRAE.

‘ACE’ led a strong field of six teams, from the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, and for the first year, including students from Napier University. The second-placed team, awarded the Judges’ Prize of £200, were Team ‘Euphoria’. This year for the first time, MACE generously awarded a Prize, for “Pursuit of a Better Way”; to the team or individual who identified an innovative approach to a problem which would make a large value saving. This prize, awarded by John Lewthwaite of Mace (and Chair of RICS Matrics Scotland), was won by Cheryl Zoe Loke, a Construction Project Management student from Heriot-Watt University, representing her team ‘Beyond Construction’. Cheryl’s proposal to make the best of the unexpected wells uncovered on site during excavation, by harnessing their potential for water harvesting, grey-water recycling and rainwater attenuation, caught the judges’ attention.

All teams should be congratulated for their efforts: the judges were unanimous in their praise of all participants who had volunteered their time and displayed great levels of commitment, achievement and successful collaboration.

Quotes: 

” I’ve gained valuable insight and experience relative to events/situations I will encounter. Working as a team leader and presenting skills. Thank You!” A COMPETITOR

“It’s a great exercise in just two days- feels more like preparation for our future career. And it’s amazing to get a chance to speak to so many good professional people.” A COMPETITOR

“Very good setting and very good programme. Loved the arrangement and overall the challenge was superb.” A COMPETITOR

“Construction Industry undergraduate courses are very often taught in isolation from other disciplines. While this is necessary for technical knowledge, it is also essential that students learn the interdisciplinary nature of the industry. Teambuild is an excellent way to teach this.” A JUDGE

” Fantastic to see the enthusiasm and input from experienced professionals. Also excellent to see students working together from different disciplines.” A JUDGE