Construction management education for the 21st century: A South African perspective

The background to construction management education in South Africa up to the recent past is briefly reviewed. Anticipated future demands on construction management are identified in the context of changes in social, political, technological, legal, economic and other environmental factors. New education policies are outlined, as are their impact on construction management education. The current state and dynamics of the South African construction industry are also reviewed. It is demonstrated that, although the industry is capable of remarkable achievements, much remains unchanged. In particular, attitudes, working conditions and procedures, conforming to time, budgetary and quality standards, the occurrence of defects, and the division between the design and delivery functions of the industry continue much as in the past. The challenges presented to the South African construction industry and to construction management educators and researchers by environmental and education policy changes are daunting. An evaluation of these challenges as well as the results of a preliminary survey among academics and senior industry executives, have enabled the Department of Construction Management at the University of Port Elizabeth to transform its programmes in response to changing circumstances.