CIOB-UK increase costs for Australian Universities

Accreditation process now more expensive due to a decision of UK Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB-UK).

Accreditation by professional institutes of undergraduate degree programs is sought by universities as it serves as an independent assessment that the course produces graduates with the skills and attributes required by industry.

For some universities teaching building and construction management courses, the accreditation process has just became more expensive due to a decision of the UK Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB-UK).

"For many years the there has been an alliance agreement between the Australian Institute of Building and the CIOB-UK where each organisation would recognise each other's university accreditation".

"However our British counterparts have unilaterally terminated this agreement," said Troy Williams, AIB Chief Executive.

The outcome is that universities seeking to have their courses recognised by CIOB-UK will need to outlay additional staff and funds to undergo a separate accreditation process managed by the British.

"In an environment where university resources are tightly-stretched and academic staff are over-worked, it is highly surprising that the CIOB-UK expects universities to devote staff and spend precious funds to prepare a separate accreditation submission," Mr Williams said.

"It confirms observations of senior stakeholders that CIOB-UK is disconnected from the environment in which Australian universities are currently operating," he continued.

Significantly, the British decision comes at a time when many professional institutes in Australia and internationally are harmonising their accreditation processes.

"AIB has been working with other professional institutes to harmonise our accreditation processes to reduce the workload on university staff - we prefer academics to spend time with students rather than fill in paperwork".

"Clearly the CIOB-UK has a different view," Mr Williams said.

"In recent times AIB has been lobbying the Australian Government to provide additional resources to universities teaching undergraduate courses in building and construction management".

"It would be terrible if the decision of the CIOB-UK simply means that these resources go on administration rather than teaching," Mr Williams said.

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