OUR INTERVIEW WITH ALUMNI NICHOLAS OWUOR OF THE MASTER’S IN GLOBAL BIM MANAGEMENT

Based in Kenya, Nicholas O. Owuor signed up for the Master's in Global BIM Management for many reasons, among them, the international recognition of the program, its academic content, as well as the professional opportunities he would obtain upon completion. Currently, he works as the principal Architect and Trainer at Sui Generis Design Studio and also acts as a Consultant and Lead Project Manager at Jumba group. He is a member of the Architectural Association of Kenya. According to Nicholas, the information and teachings provided during the course are relevant and the opportunities for collaboration with the rest of the students "makes the experience more grounded and broadens ones knowledge about how challenges are faced in other countries."

1) Why did you decide to study BIM?

I chose to study B.I.M. after seeing the shortcomings of the current mode of the way construction projects are run locally.  In my opinion, B.I.M would make the process more transparent in terms of individual deliverables and responsibilities and also more predictable in terms of outcomes.  The cost savings that can accrue from having drawings with more descriptive data and that can be queried for a better understanding of the design from the initial stages to handover was also something I saw could benefit may clients locally.

2) What is the demand of BIM Managers in Kenya? And Africa?

Locally the demand is not as high as B.I.M is first not fully understood so how to describe a B.I.M. manager is also an issue of concern.  With a sensitization of the local and regional consultants on the benefits of B.I.M beyond a 3D model would finally get many more consultants and clients understand the need for B.I.M. managers.

3) How do you think the demand for BIM in construction projects will increase in Kenya during the next 3 years?

B.I.M. is an emerging field and something that most institutions training architecture locally want or are introducing in their syllabuses.  The trend of local firms also partnering with international firms for projects locally and some trying for projects internationally means they will encounter aspects of B.I.M as deliverables from discerning clients and project managers.  Thus I foresee an increase, (maybe slowly as the market accepts the new mode of working) as it is something a number of firms want to move towards as part of their workflow. With a better understanding of B.I.M and more practitioners, the growth can be faster.

5) Why did you choose the Global BIM Management Master's program at Zigurat?

I chose it mainly for it's practical approach to the study and its recognition globally by leading national B.I.M bodies and software vendors.  The collaboration amongst students and the exposure to various sets real-world problems sorted through the assignments gets one to understand solutions from other regions of the world to give better insight and readiness to work in full international teams and projects.

6) What do you value most about the Master's Program?

The interaction with other students from different countries during the assignments and thus getting to know truly international points of view and also the multidisciplinary student base which helped see problems & solutions from more than my architectural point of view.