The Introduction of the BIM Concept in Civil Engineering Curriculum

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is changing the way projects are constructed. This emerging practice requires new mind-sets and technological know-how in order to achieve significant improvements in building efficiency. Universities must focus on the strategy of using BIM as an innovative technology to allow the acquisition of new skills by students and prepare them for their future activity in a more competitive world. Based on this perspective, the text presents some educational measures on offer at the Technical University of Lisbon. It focuses on the importance of teaching BIM: the involvement of students in research projects, PhD theses and MSc dissertations, and the dissemination of BIM through professional short courses and workshops addressed to the AEC community outside the school. Some of these have already been carried out in the school; others are presently being proposed or currently in progress. It is clear from this paper that school is an important driver for the growth of BIM knowledge and practice through the preparation of new and existing professionals.