Engineers Australia was a supporting partner at last year's BuildTech Asia trade show, where industry transformation and regional partnerships took centre stage.
Singapore, 2 November 2017 – The 7th edition of BuildTech Asia concluded on 26 October with a record number of visitors and international participation since its inception. A key anchor event of the Singapore Construction Productivity Week, BuildTech Asia 2017 welcomed some 11,000 professionals, technology experts and distributors from the built environment sector.
Hosted by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), BuildTech Asia 2017 featured a variety of cutting-edge technologies and solutions in Asia. Over 130 exhibitors showcased virtual reality, drones, smart solutions and other productive technologies in addition to staple exhibits such as construction machinery, equipment, building materials, architectural solutions, and quality finishes at the building technology trade show.
The opening ceremony of the Singapore Construction Productivity Week saw Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for National Development, launch a Construction Industry Transformation Map (ITM) for Singapore’s built environment sector. Recognising key global trends which impact the sector such as digital revolution, rapid urbanisation and climate change, the ITM identified Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD), Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), as well as green building as key transformation areas to address the challenges faced by the sector.
Mr Hugh Lim, CEO of BCA said that the transformation process will lead to greater investment in capability building and more collaboration amongst firms to capture new business opportunities. It will also attract more Singaporeans to join the sector as a more technologically advanced workforce is needed.
Bolstering and furthering regional knowledge exchange
The inaugural SMART Women in Built Environment Conference held alongside BuildTech Asia 2017 was attended by more than 100 industry professionals. Organised by the Prestressed and Precast Concrete Society, Structural Engineering World Congress and Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, the conference provided a unique perspective on the current progression and empowerment of women professionals in the built environment sector in the region.
Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and Trade and Industry was the Guest-of-Honour. She said that cities around the world including Singapore face pressures of resource scarcity, climate change and population growth. More than ever, we need innovative and sustainable solutions for urban living. As an integral part of the workforce, women have an important role to play in this transformation effort, as leaders, experts and professionals.
Er. Emily Tan, the Organising Chairman of the conference, said “regardless of the different practices in each country, both men and women have to be Skilled, Motivated, Articulate, Resourceful and Transformed for the industry to transform and become more productive. We hope that this conference has seeded motivation for more young women to press on, thrive and excel in an ever-changing built environment sector that is no longer gender-specific.”
Leading female professionals and Government representatives from Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore shared the challenges that women face moving up the career ladder in the sector, how they can use their skills to excel in their fields, and ways to retain and empower women in the industry. The conference also served as a forum for all professionals to share their experiences.
Conference attendee, Ms Vivien Ng from VB+E thought “the concept of developing women professionals to step up into the industry into leadership roles provided a different perspective whilst ringing a bell to those already in the force. It is good to have such a platform to inspire and encourage younger professionals to enter the industry confidently.”
A new Built Environment Summit organised by the Singapore Contractors Association Ltd (SCAL) was also held in conjunction with BuildTech Asia 2017. International and local industry experts and leaders discussed what it takes for the built environment sector to remain relevant, seizing opportunities in a growing regional construction market and maintaining business competitiveness.
BuildTech Asia will return to the Singapore Expo in October 2018. Organisations interested in exhibiting at are welcome to reserve their spaces early. Those interested in forming a trade delegation group are encouraged to email their inquiries to [email protected].
For more information, visit the BuildTech Asia website.
Photos: http://www.buildtechasia.com/photo-gallery
Issued by Singapore Press Holdings Limited