Deutschland, Weimar
18.06.2024 @ 09:00

EN: The second multiplication event in Weimar, Germany, played a significant role in advancing the understanding and implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) within the German educational system. Organized in collaboration with buildingSmart's regional group in Thuringia, the event focused on the IBIMD project's contributions to BIM education and its practical application in academia and industry.

The event kicked off with an introduction to the regional group and updates from the buildingSmart office. This session set the stage for a deep dive into the current state of BIM education, led by Jun.-Prof. L. Abrahamczyk, who introduced the BIM courses developed under the IBIMD project. Prof. Jürgen Melzner followed with insights into BIM implementation in Germany, emphasizing the courses offered at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar which cover both foundational and master levels, as well as research and professional training facilitated by buildingSmart.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Habeb Astour from the University of Applied Sciences in Erfurt delivered a guest lecture on the BIM-related activities and courses at his department. His presentation highlighted the potential for synergies and improvements through collaboration between educational institutions and industry stakeholders. A critical part of the event was the discussion session, where key questions were addressed: the relevance of teaching BIM in a non-interdisciplinary context, suitable examples of BIM in practice, skills expected from BIM engineers, and the debate between OpenBIM and ClosedBIM solutions. These discussions were pivotal in evaluating the current educational strategies and aligning them more closely with industry requirements.

The consensus emphasized the need for more integrated BIM education, suggesting the use of interdisciplinary simulation projects to foster understanding among various stakeholders and ensuring that students are proficient in BIM terminology and modeling techniques by the end of their studies. There was also a dialogue about the specialization in software and programming skills for BIM developers, recognizing that while these are essential for some, they are not necessary for every future engineer or architect.

The event was successful in establishing an ongoing exchange and communication channel between academia and industry practitioners, dubbed the "BIM Breakfast." Planned to continue on a bi-monthly or quarterly basis, these meetings aim to maintain and enhance the dialogue initiated at the event.

The target audience comprised academic professionals, students, industry experts, and practitioners in the AEC sector. The event was highly effective in disseminating the results of the IBIMD project, enhancing the understanding of BIM applications in educational and professional settings, and fostering collaborative relationships.

The outcomes were highly positive, with participants gaining deeper insights into BIM’s educational and practical applications and agreeing on the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration. The event met its objectives without significant deviations from the planned agenda, ensuring a productive and impactful gathering that promises to influence the future of BIM education and practice in Germany.

A G E N D A

09:00 Opening & Introduction of the buildingSMART regional group and "News from the office"

09:15 BIM in university teaching

09:45 BIM in university teaching from the perspective of the BIM working group of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department 

10:15 Discussion (key questions) 

Does teaching BIM in a NON-interdisciplinary context meet the requirements of practice? Which examples are suitable and how can practice support this?

What skills are expected from BIM engineers? 

OpenBIM vs. ClosedBIM Solutions? Requirements for newcomers