The effects of integration of industry faculty into a construction management postgraduate coursework program in the Australian environment

A postgraduate construction management program has been offered at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia continually for the last twenty nine years. The rationale for the program was to provide a transition from design to construction operations for Engineers who were interested in taking a role in construction operations. It was also used by immigrant Engineers who wanted to move into the Australian construction industry. The subjects offered ranged across construction and project management, construction law, site safety, finance, site communication, risk and sustainability of the construction process. The courses were delivered in face-to face mode and also selections were offered by distance education. The programs were arranged on a 'nested' basis with a progression of qualifications from Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma on to Master's level. Once the program began, it was found impossible to sustain without additional staff. The staff had to cover the range of subjects listed above and such a span of expertise was not readily available from within the full-time faculty. This situation resulted in the recruitment of part-time staff from industry to support the specialist subjects. The use of industry based staff has continued for thirty years. The link between industry and the university has enhanced the program and contributed to its longevity. This paper examines the characteristics of the industry-based lecturing staff and their influence on the development of the program over the time span. It is argued that they have shaped the course significantly in content and style and in the direction of the research topics undertaken by the students. An examination is made of the source of the students and the change of the pattern with time. The adaptation of the staff to such change is explored and it has been reflected in the changes to their teaching styles and approaches to the students. The conclusion is made that the industry-based staff have influenced the program so that there is a close relation to industry philosophies instilled in the students. That because of this, the research topics undertaken by the students are closely aligned with practice. These factors have contributed to the continuing success of the program over the years.