www.gcu.ac.uk/bne

OutlookThe School of the Built and Natural Environment at Glasgow Caledonian University | 18 | January 2011

Climate changeand urbanenvironment

Schools to merge

Credentials boost

New CPDprogramme

2010 prizewinners

Grant support forinnovation

Research projects

Staff changes

CBE relaunched

KAR ConstructionScholarships

2 Outlook 18 | January 2011

CEC at forefront of waste management and energy policy in Scotland

Caledonian Environment Centrecontinues to lead the way in goodenvironmental and waste managementpolicy and practice in Scotland.

Over the last few months, the Centre’s team,led by Director, Professor Jim Baird, hasassisted the Scottish Prison Service andDumfries & Galloway Council with theirsustainability planning.

They have also helped the University toproduce a comprehensive carbonmanagement plan and to achieve ‘Silver’ inthe Eco Campus awards scheme, which, inturn, contributed to it being joint winner ofthe Environmental Initiative of the Year in theHerald newspaper’s Society Awards inOctober. They shared the award with

Aberdeen City Council.

These impressive achievements have seenGCU soar up the ‘People and Planet GreenLeague’ 2010 from 104th in the UK last yearto 25th in the UK and second in Scotland.

SCOTTISH WASTE & RESOURCESCONFERENCEIn October, the Centre jointly organised theannual Scottish Waste & ResourcesConference, which addressed many of thecurrent issues facing the country, includinglooming increases in landfill gate fees whichwill cost £100 per tonne by 2012, costingScottish Councils an extra £68 million inlandfill fees by 2014.

Research by the CEC has shown that there islack of landfill provision in the Highlands andIslands, with waste currently travelling greatdistances, for example, from Inverness andSkye to a site in Perthshire.

In addition, with the Waste Incineration

Directive standards shutting down inefficientcoal-fired plants with effect from 2015, andnuclear energy plants more than 50 years-old being decommissioned, there is agreater need than ever to develop alternativeenergy supplies.

Said Professor Baird: “Landfill capacity inScotland is reducing year on year with theScottish Government supporting a moveaway from this type of waste disposaltowards reprocessing. Scotland hasintroduced increasingly stringent bans onwhat goes to landfill and there is excitingpotential to turn waste into energy, reducingour dependence on fossil fuels.”

HOLYROOD ENVIRONMENTAL ANDCLEAN TECHNOLOGIES EVENTAlso in October, Jim, a member of thegovernment’s Zero Waste think-tank, wasinvited to make a keynote speech atHolyrood Magazine’s Environmental and

Clean Technologies event.

In a session entitled “The current and futurepotential for businesses in the economy”,Professor Baird described the CaledonianEnvironment Centre’s expertise in developingrenewable energy sources and reducingwaste.

It is estimated that 4,000 businesses acrossScotland are already working inEnvironmental and Clean Technologies.Making the shift to a low carbon economyand supporting “smart green growth” are atthe centre of the European Commission’seconomic vision. The event investigated theinvestment, policies and skills necessary forScotland to play its part in this vision.More information can be found athttp://greenrevolution.holyrood.com/agenda

DISPUTE RESOLUTION LOCALCONSTRUCTION FORUM(DRLCF) ESTABLISHED

Ed McCluskey and Billy Harerepresent the School in this newforum, established by the ScottishConstruction Centre (SCC),which aims successfully topromote and educate the Scottishconstruction industry and its userson dispute avoidance and disputeresolution.

Although a local constructionforum, the DRLCF is open to thewhole of the Scottish constructionindustry and held its first meetingin November.

Other members are from allaspects of the constructionindustry, including prominentmembers of RICS: LisaCattanach (Construction DisputeResolution); the ICE: IainMcAlister (Acutus) and GordonBathgate (Scott Wilson); CIOB:Derek McNulty (Derek McNultyJoinery & Building Contractors)and solicitor Emma Harris, whospecialises in construction matters.

The DRLCF plans to hold eventsand seminars and welcomessuggestions on suitable topics.For further information, contactEdward McCluskeyedward.mccluskey@gcu.ac.uk orconsult the website www.scocon.orgSpeakers at the event

The School, in association with the ScottishConstruction Centre, hosted the ‘Internationalmediation in construction’ conference in September.

Peter Kennedy, Dean of the School chaired the eventwhere over 40 delegates from across the constructionindustry heard about mediation systems in Turkey andHong Kong as well as England, Wales and Scotland.

The key speakers, all leading figures in the field,comprised: Dr John Sturrock QC, Professor BrandonNolan, visiting Professor in the Law School at Universityof Strathclyde and partner at McGrigors LLP and GerardKhoshnaw, Nabarro LLP.

Dr Bryan Clark, University of Strathclyde, Dr SOCheung, City University of Hong Kong and Dr PennyBrooker, University of Wolverhampton, also gavepresentations.

Highlights of the day included a ‘mock mediation’involving BNE staff (acting awards go to Dr Billy Hare,Martin Cullen, Dr Iain Trushell and Edward McCluskey!).

A case study from Andrew Mickel of McTaggart andMickel also provided a valuable insight into onecompany’s actual experience.

The panel discussion session was lively and enlighteningand brought the successful event to a close.

Mediation in the international context

3Outlook 18 | January 2011

School achieves furthercredentials boost

At a time when competition among academic institutions is greaterthan ever and students, practitioners and employers are thinkingcarefully about where to spend their education, CPD and trainingbudgets, the School has further increased its credentials and thevalue it offers its students.

Recent accreditation visits by RICSand CIOB have resulted in theSchool’s post-graduate degreeprogrammes now being among themost accredited in the country: theAssociation for Project Management(APM) has, for the first time,approved the School as anaccredited CPD centre, one of only4 in the UK and, after a year longnegotiation, the ProjectManagement Institute (PMI) hasaccredited the Masters degrees inInternational Project Managementand in Construction Management –something of which very fewuniversities in Europe can boast.

The School’s entire suite of seventaught Master’s degreeprogrammes in the built and naturalenvironment are among the mosthighly accredited in their fields inthe UK.

In addition, from February, theuniversity’s London campus will beoffering a Master’s degreeprogramme in International ProjectManagement, which is also IPMaccredited.

Head of Construction Management& Economics, Professor IainCameron, said: “Such recognitionprovides further assurance for part-time and full-time students onMaster’s programmes that theeducation that they are receiving isof the very highest standardavailable which will enhance theirfuture employment and careeropportunities. It is also testament tothe hard work and commitment ofour staff.”Full details of these programmes are herewww.gcu.ac.uk/bne/study/postgraduateprogrammes

SCHOOLSTO MERGE

After a detailed restructuring

and reprofiling exercise

conducted within the

university, plans are now

being developed to merge

the School of the Built and

Natural Environment with

the School of Engineering

and Computing in the

university.

While precise details and

practical arrangements are

still being worked out, it is

proposed that the merger

will take effect in August and

the new School will be

called the School of

Engineering, Computing

and Environment.

It is anticipated that the

additional skill areas and

resources that will be

shared by the new School

will create many synergies

and enhance research

capacities, such as has

already begun in the Centre

for Energy and the Built

Environment.

More details will be

provided as these emerge.

The School is planning to take itsexpertise in the field of Fire RiskEngineering to a wider audiencethrough a series of CPD events inLondon.

Initially, three events on ‘hot topics’in fire engineering will be jointlyorganised with former senior Fireand Rescue Services officers basedin England who have also been onthe Executive of the Institution of FireEngineers.

Each event will focus on a differenttopic which will be chosenaccording to its current relevance toconsultants and practitionersinvolved in fire engineering and willusefully update their knowledge. Theopportunity will be take to gaugeinterest in other topics and in longeror differently delivered courses.

Topics will be covered twice eachday, with one session at breakfastand one in the afternoon/evening inorder to be accessible to as manyinterested people as possible.

The first event, scheduled for earlyMarch 2011, will be aimed at seniormanagement and focus on theimpact/implications of the new firesafety legislation, which significantlychanges personal and corporateresponsibility.

In order to ‘set the scene’, anintroductory event in January willallow influential guests to visit theLondon campus, and allow us tofind out their views onacademic/professional/regulatorycollaboration for the Fire CPDprogramme (and beyond).

Says Head of Environment, Designand Construction and Acting Dean,Tony Kilpatrick “It is hoped guestswill include senior officials from theFire & Rescue Services, Departmentof Communities and LocalGovernment, professional bodiesand industry. We will be offering todiscuss any fireengineering/regulation questions thatmay be raised on the day.”For further information about any of theseevents contact Audrey Meikle on 0141 3318458, Audrey.Meikle@gcu.ac.uk

“HOT STUFF” CPDPLANNED FOR FIRE

ENGINEERS

Industry views and support issought on the possibility ofcreating a dedicated centreproviding 4/5 day certificatedCPD programmes accreditedby APM and PMI. This will bedeveloped if sufficient demandis evident. Contact ProfessorCameron onI.Cameron@gcal.ac.uk if youwould like to comment on this.

Honoured by QueenDavid Smith, graduate of the School’s BSc Fire Risk Engineeringprogramme, has been awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal fordistinguished service in the 2011 New Year’s Honours list.

David commented: “This is absolutely fantastic and completely out of theblue. It is a great honour for me and for SFR and recognises my 20 years’involvement in home safety and education. Letters of congratulation havebeen flooding in, including from the First Minister!”

David, who studied part-time and graduated in 2006, is Deputy Director ofCommunity Safety in Strathclyde Fire Service’s HQ in Hamilton. He hasbeen heavily involved in policy development with the Chief Fire Officers’Association (Scotland) and at UK level.

Having served over 31 years in the service, David plans to retire inFebruary but will remain involved in the sector.

Outlook 18 | January 20114

RICHPICKINGS

Over the last few years, they have developed a strong and valuedrelationship with Historic Scotland, providing much neededexpert advice for the organisation’s many restoration andrenovation projects.

Dr Paul Baker is currently working on a number of projectsincluding the improvement of a tenement in Glasgow, carryingout tests to determine the impact of modern restoration

techniques on more traditional structures as modern internalinsulation techniques can potentially be detrimental to thebuilding fabric resulting in trapped moisture.

In Dumfriesshire, Paul is also carrying out tests on a Gardener’scottage within the Dumfries House estate, advising HistoricScotland on best insulation and renovation techniques to suit thetraditionally built cottage.

The RICH Centre’s vast experience andknowledge of modelling heat loss through thejunctions of buildings - thermal bridges - iscoming well to the fore in the light of the latestBuilding Regulations.

The new regulations require these to be takeninto account much more rigorously than beforein renovation and new building projects.

RICH’s expertise is being sought by those

seeking training to be able to carry out thenecessary calculations or are being hired to dothe calculations!

The photos show pictures of a window sill andjamb: adding internal insulation on the rightmakes the wall warmer but the jamb cooler; thegreen areas are at risk of mould.

If you would like assistance with this issue, contactChris Sanders at C.H.Sanders@gcu.ac.uk

The RICH Centre is one of30 partner institutionsinvolved in a EuropeanCommunity funded project,‘Climate for Culture’ whichwill attempt to assess theimpact of climate changeon cultural heritage sitesthroughout Europe.

The 5-year project will lookat how the effects of climatechange and the concomitantincreased energy andresource demands will

affect vulnerable, historicallyimportant buildings and howstrategies may be developedto preserve these invaluablecultural assets for the long-term future.

More reliable assessmentswill lead to better predictionmodels, which in turn will

enable preventive measuresto be taken, thus reducingenergy and the use ofresources. For the first timeever, the Climate for Cultureproject will connectcompletely new highresolution Climate Changeevolution scenarios with

whole building simulationmodels to identify the mosturgent risks for specificregions. All the results willbe incorporated into anassessment of theeconomic costs andimpacts.

RICH’s Dr Paul Baker is

mainly involved inHygrothermal buildingsimulation aspects of theproject and Colin Hunter, anexpert on bio-deteriorationin buildings is carrying outdamage assessments.

More information is available fromthe project websitewww.climateforculture.eu orcontact Paul at pba3@gcal.ac.uk

For more information about the Centre’s work and how they might helpyou contact Audrey Meikle, School Business Development Manager on

0141 331 8458 or at Audrey.Meikle@gcu.ac.uk

Bridging the thermal knowledge gap

Preserving Europe’s built heritage

The RICH Centre (Centre for Research on Indoor and Climate Health)continues to work on many important projects concerned with theimprovement and preservation of buildings, in the UK and abroad,

many of which are of historic and cultural significance.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SCOTLAND

Skills Development Scotland’s ‘FlexibleTraining Opportunities’ fund encouragessmall businesses to enhance employees’skills to bring real benefits includingimproved productivity and a strongermore confident workforce.

Attendance at CPD events or trainingcourses, including bespoke training andindustry recognised qualifications andworkshops, may be eligible for financialsupport of up to £5000.

Businesses with under 75 employees canapply for funding for up to 10 employees:the grant covers up to 50% of eachepisode of employee training up to amaximum of £500.

Note - the deadline for applications isend March 2011.Further information is available herewww.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk

LOCAL AUTHORITY TRAINING GRANTS

Councils in the West of Scotland,including Glasgow, Renfrewshire,Dunbartonshire and Lanarkshire haveTraining Grant schemes which assistSMEs based in their areas to accessfunding support fro training which willincrease sustainability, increasedcompetitiveness and growth.

Provided eligibility criteria are met, grantof up to 50% of training costs can be met.The eligibility criteria differ slightly fromCouncil to council so check with yourlocal authority’s website for details.

Note - definition of a SME is generallyregarded as having fewer than 250employees and turnover of less than 50million Euros.

5

Financial support fortraining in SMEs

Outlook 18 | January 2011

With the construction sector under considerable strain at present,now is the ideal time for employers to increase the skills of theirworkforce in order to improve competitiveness and be betterequipped to tackle future challenges.

There are a number of sources of financial support available to helpsmall and medium sizes enterprises (SMEs) pay for training.

NEW CPD PROGRAMMEANNOUNCEDHere is the latest series in the School’s popularprogramme of Continuing ProfessionalDevelopment.

All are “twilight” events from 4.00pm - 6.00pm(except those indicated * lunchtime and ** all day)and take place in Buchanan House.

Seminars are priced at £60 + VAT and multiplebookings are eligible for a discount.

To book or for more information please contactLucinda Facchini on 0141 331 8793 / lucinda.facchini@gcu.ac.uk orAudrey Meikle on 0141 331 8458 / audrey.meikle@gcu.ac.uk.Details are also posted on the website www.gcu.ac.uk/bne/cpd/

Extension of Time Thu, Jan 20, 2011

RICS New Rules of Measurement - an Introduction Tues, Feb 8, 2011

Safe Management of Migrant Workers Thu, Feb 10, 2011

How to learn levelling in 2 Sessions, Part 1 Tues, Feb 15, 2011

Electronic Waste Tues, Feb 22, 2011

Introduction to Building Compliance Wed, Feb 23, 2011

Negotiation Thu, Feb 24, 2011

How to learn levelling in 2 Sessions, Part 2 Tues, March 1, 2011

Estimating for Construction Work Thu, March 3, 2011

Dispute Resolution: Payment Tues, March 8, 2011

Building Warrants in the 21st Century

- Information Search for Checking Designs Wed, March 9, 2011

Workplace Transport Accidents* Wed, March 16, 2011

Dispute Resolution: General Construction Law Wed, March 16, 2011

Business Performance and Sustainability Tues, March 22, 2011

Dispute Resolution: Adjudication Wed, March 23, 2011

Acting Local: A Global Perspective

of Why it Matters ** Thu, March 24, 2011

CDM Regulations: overview and

update on current best practice Tues, March 29, 2011

Introduction to Modern Methods of Construction Tues, April 5, 2011

Practical Environmental Management Systems Tues, May 3, 2011

Pharmaceutical Contamination in Waste Water:

an EU wide problem? Tues, May 10, 2011

Assessment and management of

corrosion-deteriorated concrete structures Wed, May 11, 2011

Fire Safety of Multi-Storey Building Structures Wed, May 18, 2011

Environmental Monitoring of Operational

and Closed Landfill Sites Thu, May 19, 2011

CDM Regulations Part 4 (Site Management) Tues, May 24, 2011

BUILDING SERVICESENGINEERING

SVM Glasgow Prize for BestProject - BEng(Hons) BSEMark Galloway

Hays Prize for Best OverallPerformance by a Part-timeStudent in BSc BSERobert Jackson

Wallace Whittle Ltd Prize forBest Project BSc BSELee Reid

BUILDING SURVEYING

Robin Hagart Rose Bowl PrizeLaura Baillie

AGM Group PrizeDavid Clunie

GVA Grimley Prize for TopBuilding Surveying DissertationLaura Baillie

Clark Contracts Prize for TopLevel 3 ConstructionTechnology StudentDavid Maccoll

Argyll and Bute Council Prize forBest Overall Building ControlPathway Student at HonoursLevelJohn Lind

Watts Group PLC Prize for TopBuilding Surveying Studies 4ProjectKate Linden

Scottish Association of BuildingStandards Managers Award forBest Statutory Control 2 StudentTony Casci

Knight Frank Prize for TopStudent in Building SurveyingProfessional Studies 4Heather McIlroy

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

CIOB Certificate of ExcellencePrize for Top Hons StudentDavid Wright

CIOB Graduate Prize for TopManagement Student in CoreModules at Hons LevelDavid Wright

Scottish Building Contractors’Association Scholarship Prizefor Top Part-time StudentDavid Wright

Clark Contracts Award for TopLevel 3 ConstructionTechnology StudentSaman GhomashchianPaul Murray

Ogilvie Construction Prize forTop Level 3 Full-time StudentRebekah WendesCraig West

BAM Construction Ltd(Scotland) PrizePaul Murray

Building Journal Prize for TopLevel 3 Full-time Direct EntryStudentCraig West

Dawn Group Prize for Top Non-sponsored Level 2 StudentDavid MacInnes

Bovis Lend Lease Prize for TopLevel 1 StudentLuke Hambly

ROK Prize for Top ProjectManagement StudentTom Clark

ENVIRONMENTAL CIVILENGINEERING

Institution of Civil EngineersPrizeRoy McDiarmid

Scottish Civil EngineeringContractors Training GroupPrizeStephen Curran

Scottish Hydraulics StudyGroup Prize for Excellence in aFinal Year Project in HydraulicsDuncan McBoyle

Institute of Structural EngineersAwardAlan Stewart

PROPERTY MANAGEMENTAND VALUATION

Property Week Student PrizeTop Level 4 StudentAlison Aitken

Property Week Student PrizeTop Year 5 StudentClaire Galbraith

James Barr Prize for TopStudent in ValuationElliot Cumming

Outlook 18 | January 20116

Prize Winners 2010

“Currie & Brown was delightedonce again to support CaledonianUniversity and its outstandingstudents. As always we wereimpressed with the quality of prizewinners.”Jim HackettDirector, Currie & Brown UK

“ARCADIS are proud to sponsor theSchool of the Built and NaturalEnvironment in recognition of theirtop students.It is important that we continue tosupport our industry through thesesmall gestures.”Gary LogueDirector Buildings, ARCADIS

Robin Hagart

Jones Lang LaSalle Prize forTop Honours Level StudentClaire Galbraith

Lambert Smith Hampton Prizefor Top Professional PlacementStudentKathryn Bennett

DTZ Dissertation PrizeRebecca Campbell

Co-Star Prize for Top Level 1StudentClaire Chambers

QUANTITY SURVEYING

David Avery Prize for TopPerformance in Cost StudiesGraham Findlay

Altus Group Ltd Prize for BestCombined ManagementPerformanceGreg Bowie

Bovis Lend Lease Prize for TopLevel 1 StudentAdrian Walley

BAM Construction Ltd(Scotland) Prize for Top Studentin Corporate StrategyDavid Liguori

Arcadis Prize for Top Student inHonours ElectivesDavid Liguori

Arcadis Prize for Top Level 1Student in the POP ModuleRakesh Ricky Kewal

Balfour Beatty Prize for Top CivilEngineering MeasurementStudentRoddy MacKenzie

Cyril Sweett Top IndividualQuantity Surveying Student inInteract CompetitionJamie Tallieu

Currie and Brown Prize for aDissertation DemonstratingExcellenceDavid Liguori

Currie and Brown Prize for TopLevel 2 Full-time StudentLauren Meldrum

Currie and Brown Prize for TopPerformance in Level 2 CoreModulesLauren Meldrum

CIArb Prize for Top Student inDispute ResolutionKate Sinclair

Dawn Group Trophy for TopFinal Year StudentNicola Callaghan

SCQS Prize for Top Student inMeasurement ModulesMichelle Tracy Sinclair

Clark Contracts Prize for TopLevel 3 ConstructionTechnology StudentDonald Malcolm

Clark Contracts Alan CalderMemorial Prize for Top Part-timeFinal Year StudentDavid Liguori

MSc WASTE MANAGEMENT

Caledonian Environment CentrePrize for Top StudentCheryl Andrew

MSc ENERGY ANDENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Valpak Prize for Top StudentKelechi Joy Nwanekezie

INTERIOR DESIGN

TMS CADCentre Prize for BestLevel 3 Computer Aided DesignStudentKelly Thomson

TMS CADCentre Prize for BestLevel 4 Computer Aided DesignStudentDeane Harrison

FIRE RISK ENGINEERING

AECOM Award for ExcellenceRyan Hilditch

ADDITIONAL AWARDS

Khalid Abdul Rahim SocialEngagement AwardEoghan Quinn

Khalid Abdul Rahim Award forOutstanding UndergraduateStudentMark Galloway

Khalid Abdul Rahim Award forBest Overall MSc InternationalProject Management StudentMarina Morozova

Outlook 18 | January 2011 7

“Best wishes from Altus GroupCanada.”Altus Group

“The CIOB in Scotland has closeconnections with many Universitiesthrough its five centre committees.Here in the West of Scotland itremains supportive of the work andachievement of the BNE School atGlasgow Caledonian University.Congratulations to David Wright forhis 2010 CIOB award recognition.”Ken Morrison FCIOB

Chair of CIOB Scotland

The Centre for Energy in the BuiltEnvironment (CEBE) is currentlycarrying out research to measureurban climatic parameters inGlasgow in order to betterunderstand the nature of climatechange, the impact of urbangrowth and how this affects humanwelfare.

Visiting scholar, Professor EduardoKrüger, Associate Professor of CivilEngineering at the FederalTechnological University of Parana(UTFPR), Curitiba, Brazil is workingwith the CEBE team on the project.

A number of mini weather stationshave been set up in and aroundGlasgow, to measure air temperatureand humidity. These data will beaugmented by detailed thermalenvironmental measures in publicplaces.

Climate change induced by urbangrowth is an important determinantof human welfare and furtheramplifies the negative consequencesof global and regionalclimate changes. An understandingof the nature of urban climatechange, its impact on energy

consumption, human thermalperception and urban dwellers’coping mechanisms is necessary inorder to better mitigate the negativeclimate consequences of urbangrowth.

Study of local climate variation inhigh latitude cities is very rare:however, taking advantage of theurban warmth created by urbangrowth is key to urban energyefficiency. Data on microclimatevariations is also useful for furtherdevelopment in sustainable urbanenergy systems. This study willform part of a Comparative studybetween hot, humid and temperateclimates.

Dr Rohinton Emmanuel who leadsCEBE says: “In addition toestablishing a presence in urbanclimate research, such a modelvalidation exercise will help positionthe CEBE’s energy studies group asleading researchers in this fieldinternationally.”

Outlook 18 | January 20118

Prof Eduardo Krüger

Climate changeand the urbanenvironment

Dr Tahseen Jafry, attended a majorinternational conference in Malaysia in October,where she presented a paper on rural women inagriculture.

The International Conference On AgriculturalExtension 2010, ‘AGREX’10’ focused on the“Empowerment of agri-food stakeholders infacing global challenges towardssustainability”.

Dr Jafry’s paper, titled “Reaching rural women:Understanding what is gender sensitive inagricultural extension” was part of a session onAgro Community, Poverty Alleviation and RuralDevelopment and examined the important roleof rural women in agriculture.

Dr Jafry has wide experience of research andconsultancy in the area of sustainableagricultural development in developingcountries, leading and working on severalprojects for the Department for InternationalDevelopment (DFID) and International Fund forAgricultural Development.

Her participation at such a prestigious eventcontinues to raise the profile of the university,not only in Malaysia where the School has verystrong connections, but throughout thedeveloping world. It is expected that this willlead to further invitations for collaboration andresearch.More information and papers are available from the conferencewebsite www.apeec.upm.edu.my/agrex10 or contact Dr Jafry atT.Jafry@gcal.ac.uk

The Centre for Energy in the BuiltEnvironment (CEBE) is a joint initiative ofthe School of the Built and NaturalEnvironment and the School of Engineeringand Computing at Glasgow CaledonianUniversity.

Their combined skills and expertise createsa multi-disciplinary group of researchersworking together to stimulate research andoffer knowledge transfers and consultancyin the technology, business, people andpolicy aspects of energy and the builtenvironment.

To learn more about the CEBE and thisactivity, email:Rohinton.Emmanuel@gcu.ac.uk

Dr Rohinton Emmanuel

School’s expert on rural women in agriculture

The School has successfully worked on anumber of projects under the ScottishFunding Council’s (SFC) InnovationVoucher Scheme.

The scheme aims to build relationshipsbetween SMEs (Small to Medium sizedEnterprises) and HEIs (Higher EducationInstitutes) in Scotland through supportingcollaborative projects which lead to newproducts and processes and that have notalready received public funding.

The award, from £1k - £5k is paid to theacademic institution and the company isexpected to match the grant contribution.

Recently completed projects include:

• Prof James Sommerville and Dr NigelCraig worked with Clydebank basedproperty maintenance company,

William Latto Ltd to provide a buildingmanagement service for registeredsocial landlords.

• Prof James Sommerville, MalawiNgwira and Robert Stott assistedChartered Surveyors, D M Hall LLP, tobuild a database of commercialproperties for sale or lease.

• Dr Stas Burek and Martin Cullencarried out a study for CordaleProperty Services, the propertymanagement arm of Cordale HousingAssociation in Dunbartonshire, toassess the feasibility of a micro-hydroscheme for Dalquhurn Estate.

For more information about this scheme andhow it might assist your business contactAudrey Meikle on 0141 331 8458Audrey.Meikle@gcu.ac.uk or visit the SFCwebsite www.sfc.ac.uk/

Outlook 18 | January 2011 9

Professor JiaQian Jiang, whojoined the School in August, hasbeen awarded a 70K Euro grantfrom German drinking watersupply companies to investigatean innovative process fordrinking water treatment inGermany.

The 3-year project willinvestigate an innovativeoxidation process for treatingwater intended for humanconsumption.

Professor Jiang is also workingwith Dr Ole Pahl, on theEuropean PILLs Project, whichhas received additional grantfunding plus university matchedfunding, to investigate anadvanced oxidation process forremoving and destroyingpharmaceutical residues inwastewater.Information about this project, whichruns till December 2011, is availablehere www.pills-project.eu/

Dr Ole Pahl, a senior lecturer inBNE, with research interests inorganic waste management andtreatment, is working on aproject, which aims to reducethe environmental impact offarming – with not a bat in sight!

Livestock production contributessubstantially to the economies ofmany European countries in terms ofemployment, export of products anduse and maintenance of naturalresources. Much of this production isfrom intensified schemes, as is thecase for pig, poultry and some cattleproduction. However, intensificationis known to lead to a number of

environmental effects, which includeemissions to the air and dischargesto soils and surface waters.

BATFarm (Evaluation of BestAvailable Techniques to decrease airand water pollution in animal FARMs)is an EU funded project which aimsto set up a scientifically basedprotocol for the evaluation of realisticoptions for the abatement ofenvironmental impacts in air(greenhouse gases and ammonia)and water (nitrate content) fromlivestock wastes.

The project, funded until 2013through the Interreg Atlantic AreaTransnational Programme, iscollating information on pollutionabatement practices in each of itspartner areas in Portugal, France,Spain, Ireland and Scotland in orderto provide this information to otherfarmers. The project partners areNEIKER-Tecnalia, ITG Ganadero,Teagasc, Cemagref, ISA andGlasgow Caledonian University.

Glasgow Caledonian University isleading efforts from Scotland,contacting farms with cattle, pigs,and poultry livestock to collateinformation and measurements ofpollution abatement techniquesemployed by the farms.

An environmental engineer, whospecialised in waste water treatmentand related gaseous emissions forhis PhD conducted at the Universityof Birmingham and Silsoe ResearchInstitute, Ole has worked for CranfieldUniversity, the Meat and LivestockCommission and National EnergyServices Ltd on projects concerningthe implications of environmentallegislation on business practices andon environmental standards.

For further information, contact Ole atO.Pahl@gcu.ac.uk or visit the project websitewww.batfarm.eu

Grant support for innovation

Holy cow! BATFarm

Improvingdrinkingwater

Outlook 18 | January 201110

Au revoir PierreDean of the School, PeterKennedy took earlyretirement from the universityin October.

Peter joined the university in1990 as a Senior Lecturer, withresponsibility for ConstructionManagement within the Schoolof the Built and NaturalEnvironment (then called theDepartment of Building andSurveying). He became Deanof School in September 2007,following the departure ofProfessor Cliff Hardcastle.

Peter was very interested in thefields of construction conflictand dispute resolution and wasasked to speak on AlternativeDispute Resolution togovernments and institutions inUSA, Canada, Australia andHong Kong.

In 1998, he established theAdjudication Reporting Centreto monitor trends within thefield of constructionadjudication following the

introduction of the HousingGrants, Regeneration andConstruction Act. The centre isnow highly regarded as theUK’s only authoritativeresearch centre foradjudication and is, saysPeter, one of his proudestachievements.

Peter was a past Chairmanof the Scottish Branch ofthe Chartered Institute ofBuilding and served onthe National Council andMembership Board ofthe CIOB.

A keen Francophile,Peter says his plans for hisincreased leisure time includeimproving his grasp of thelanguage, touring the countryin his new campervan andabsorbing more of its cultureand viniculture!

His colleagues, staff andstudents wish him manyhappy years in which to doso!

Familiar figures who have recently left the School are Dr IreneBonnar, Dr Pollaphat “Frank” Nitithamyong, Eamon Fitzgeraldand Diana Hardstaff.

Unwilling to rest on her laurels for long, Irene is now working withthe Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) on their “Curriculumfor Excellence” programme for schools.

Frank Nitithamyong has returned to his native Thailand, where heintends to resume his career in Project Management consultancy(and the weather is much better!!) He will continue to maintainlinks with the university as a research fellow.

Eamon is retiring having exceeded the ‘normal’ retirement age(we won’t say by how much!) and having worked with theuniversity for over 30 years.

Diana has opted to go back into industry.

We wish them well.

Dr Pollaphat “Frank” Nitithamyong

Diana Hardstaff

Dr Irene Bonnar

Eamon Fitzgerald

Goodbyeand good luck ...

Meanwhile, Tony Kilpatrick has takenon the role of Acting Dean for theSchool.

The Head of Environment, Design andConstruction, and well known for hiswork in Fire Risk Engineering, Tony is a

keen supporter of industry andacademic partnerships and hisconsiderable experience includesworking both as a visiting lecturer atthe University of Maryland andconsultant to international companiesincluding IKEA and British Telecom andseveral government bodies.

Tony is keen to continue to create adynamic and forward thinkingenvironment for the School’s continuedsuccess both at home and abroad.

Tony Kilpatrick

Outlook 18 | January 2011 11

New faces

Dr Keith Baker

Dr Dylan Ryan

Professor JiaQian Jiang

Dr Rossella Ferraro

Welcome Professor JiangThe School is pleased to announce the appointmentin August of JiaQian Jiang as Professor of Waterand Environmental Engineering.

Originally from China, Professor Jiang’s last postwas a Lecturer and a Reader at the University ofSurrey. Prior to that he was ResearchAssociate/Fellow at Imperial College of Science,Technology and Medicine, London (1990-1998), anda Lecturer and the Head of Water Lab at ShanghaiInstitute of Technology (1982-1990).

Since 1982, Professor Jiang has worked on thedevelopment and application of novel technologiesin the areas of adsorption, coagulation, disinfectionand oxidation, as well as the modification of variousunit processes for water and wastewater treatmentand environmental remediation.

As a principal investigator/PhD supervisor, he ledand managed his research team to carry out andcomplete successfully a number of projects, fundedby the UK research council (EPSRC), industry,including Thames Water, Southern Water, BoraxEurope Ltd, the UK government, British Council andoverseas funding organisations.

Professor Jiang has published more than 120papers, has edited one book and holds threegranted international/national patents.

JiaQian is a Chartered Engineer (CEng), a Fellow ofthe Chartered Institute of Water and EnvironmentalManagement (FCIWEM), and a Member of the PeerReview College of the Engineering Physical ScienceResearch Council (EPSRC).

Having already made a major impact on theSchool’s work in environmental research, it isanticipated that Professor Jiang will continue to playa significant role in the research activities of the newFaculty to be created when the School merges withthe School of Engineering and Computing

NATIONALH&S ADVICE

Dr Billy Hare, SeniorResearch Fellow and part-time lecturer within theschool, on constructionmanagement and healthand safety topics, has beenselected to join the NationalH&S Advisory Committee ofthe Chartered Institute ofBuilding (CIOB).

Says Billy: “I was told thatthere were a lot ofapplicants so I was quitepleased to have got it.”

One of the leadingconstruction industrybodies, the CIOB takes astrong stance on health andsafety issues and has setthe goal of further raisingits profile, taking positivesteps towards improvinghealth standards andpreventing injuries.

Billy’s key involvement forthe School in many H&Sresearch projectscommissioned by the Healthand Safety Executive,Institute of Safety andHealth (IOSH) and othersmeans that his contributionto this prestigious role willbe particularly valuable.

Billy also represents theuniversity on the ScottishBuilding Health & SafetyGroup.

Take three doctors ...Also joining the School to work as ResearchAssistants in the area of Sustainable BuiltEnvironment are Dr Keith Baker, Dr RossellaFerraro and Dr Dylan Ryan.

Their input further strengthens the School’steam and demonstrates its ongoingcommitment to working in this important andexpanding field.

The Khalid Abdul Rahim Construction

Scholarship Programme, set up after

Glasgow Caledonian University

graduate Khalid Abdulrahim pledged

a quarter of a million pounds over

five years to support construction

and civil engineering students at the

university, has already helped many

students in the School. And many

more will benefit in future!

Travel Scholarship

It is planned to offer up to three travelscholarships per year up to themaximum of £3,000 per trip. Onestudent received this award in 2010.

BNE Students on Placement

Five students received an additionalliving allowance while participating inthe ERASMUS Exchange programmeand European Study Tour.

Student Mentors

Last year, six honour’s year studentsfrom the School of the Built andNatural Environment were supportedto fulfil the role of Mentors andsupport the annual EuropeanStudy trip.

Khalid Abdul Rahim Annual Awards

The Scholarship Programme alsoawarded the following prizes:

Khalid Abdul Rahim SocialEngagement Award

Khalid Abdul Rahim Award for BestOverall MSc International ProjectManagement Student

Khalid Abdul Rahim Award forOutstanding Undergraduate Student

(2010 winners’ are listed on page 7 ofOutlook)

Criteria for 2011’s financial awardsare still being considered but may besimilar to these categories and mayalso include the new categories:‘Widening access scholarships’ and‘Enhanced Study Tour’ to supportstudents keen to study in the MiddleEast.

Khalid’s generous donation providescurrent and future GlasgowCaledonian students withopportunities to gain internationalwork experience and make contactsthat will be invaluable in their futurecareers.

For more information, contactHeather.Meikle@gcu.ac.uk

Outlook 18 | January 201112

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School of the Built and Natural Environment, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA

T: 0141 331 3170 F: 0141 331 3696 E: schoolbne@gcal.ac.uk

Glasgow Caledonian University is a registered Scottish charity, no. SC021474

Marcus Edino, PhD student in theSchool, was invited by Mayor of London,Boris Johnson to attend an event,Africa@50 in London’s City Hall inOctober.

This was a further honour for Marcuswho, earlier in 2010, was named as oneof the top 30 black students in Britain.

Marcus, whose PhD aims to develop aframework that enhances sustainabledevelopment in the Niger Delta oil-producing region of Nigeria, said: “Ihumbly thank my supervisor Dr CarolineGallagher, the Management of the Schoolof the Built and Natural Environment andthe university for supporting me to attendthe dinner. Having one-on-one fruitfulintellectual discussion with the Mayor ofLondon and several High Commissionersand Ambassadors is a great privilegewhich shall not be forgotten in a hurry.”Any suggestions on what Boris is saying toMarcus can be emailed to Audrey MeikleAudrey.Meikle@gcu.ac.ukA small prize will be given to the wittiest!When Marcus met Boris ...

CPD GOES ONLINE!!

The School is about to launch a

great new service for all

construction and property industry

professionals enabling them to

undertake CPD online.

In a pioneering move, this new

initiative will provide a 24-hours-a-

day, 7-days-a-week flexible CPD

learning system with no geographic

boundaries: videos and reading

materials will be available online to

allow you to do your ongoing

professional development at a time

and place that suits you. No more

worries about taking time out of

work or having to travel to the

university (a boon in these snow

bound days!).

Of course, the School will continue

to offer its extensive programme of

CPD modules in the traditional

classroom style for those who prefer

this style of learning but now, for the

first time there will be a choice

available.

Consult the website or more informationwww.gcu.ac.uk/bne/cpd/ orcontact Audrey Meikle on 0141 331 8458audrey.meikle@gcu.ac.uk.

Khalid Abdul RahimConstructionScholarshipProgramme

CBE relaunchedFollowing the university’s decision to re-launchthe Centre for the Built Environment, it will beholding its inaugural event on January 24thfrom 12.00 - 2.00pm.

Despite the external funding from ESPRC comingto and end, the decision was taken in recognitionof the Centre’s considerable success in offeringa wide and varied programme of seminars for theconstruction and property industries and thecollaborative opportunities it generated with otheracademic and industry partners.

Speakers at the launch event will includerepresentatives from Glasgow CaledonianUniversity, Glasgow School of Art and theUniversity of Strathclyde, who will talk on thesubject of “Retrofitting: the challenges andopportunities”’.

The cost of the event (£15 + VAT) includes abuffet lunch.

To book a place please contact Audrey Meikleor call 0141 331 8458.Full details of the event will be published on thewebsitewww.gcu.ac.uk/bne/research/researchcentres/

The School has won a consultancy contractto develop materials and guidance for theBahrain Training Institute’s (BTI) Schoolof Built Environment.

The contract, worth £26,000, will require anumber of visits over the next 18 months toBahrain, in order to assist BTI staff with themanagement of research and QualityAssurance matters related to its QuantitySurveying and Civil Engineeringprogrammes.

Lead consultant Dr Billy Hare will developthe project’s key areas, including:

• Series of seminars to be delivered toQS and HND students

• Training staff and students on commonpractices used in UK exams

• Issues related to Quality Assurance

• Project report and techniques for case-study analysis

• How to critically review literature andother research

• How to design data collection andanalysis methods

• Research report writing

BTI, a well-reputed vocational trainingcentre, was established by the BahrainiGovernment in 1992. It is hoped this contactwill lead to further opportunities in theregion.

And it’s one way of escaping the snow…!

To train inBahrain