Skip to main content
Media centre

Olympic theme for world-renowned conference organised by Teesside academics

12 September 2013

 

A conference which showcases the latest developments in digital technology in the construction industry is to have an Olympic theme.

More than 120 delegates from across the world are expected at the 13th International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality (CONVR) which runs from 30 October to 1 November and has been organised by academics at Teesside University.

Among the keynote speakers will be Jeremy Beeton, the Director General of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games who will talk about the lessons and best practices learned from the successful management of last year’s games.

The conference programme also includes a visit to the London 2012 site in Stratford.

Delegates at CONVR 2013 at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London will discuss the latest applications of virtual reality, augmented reality and Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction industry. More than 70 academic and industrial papers will be presented and discussed.

Organised by Professor Nashwan Dawood and Dr Mohamad Kassem from the Technology Futures Institute at Teesside University, the conference is now in its thirteenth year and is expected to attract people from as far afield as the United States, Japan, South Korea and the Middle East.

CONVR is initiated by Professor Dawood and since the first CONVR was held at Teesside University, the conference has travelled to Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia and the USA.

Professor Dawood, who will chair the conference, said: 'The conference has really helped to create a sense of community in the virtual technology world.

'It’s created a forum where people from academia and industry are able to get together and exchange ideas and new developments.

'Hopefully, CONVR will help find new innovations to improve efficiency in all aspects of the construction industry.'

Dr Mohamad Kassem who is coordinating the conference, added: 'This year’s conference is set to be a particularly interesting one.

'We are delighted to have a remarkable line-up of academics and industrialists to lead our debates and discussions.

'We have world class software and construction companies sponsoring the event.

'We have planned every detail from the selection of keynote speakers to the design of the programme and venue spaces to ensure quality and quantity interaction between delegates.'

Other speakers at the conference include Professor David Philip, Head of BIM Implementation at the Cabinet Office’s Efficiency and Reform Group; Professor Anthony Steed, Head of Virtual Environments and Computer Graphics at University College London and Professor Raymond Issa, from the University of Florida’s School of Building Construction.

There will also be a series of break-out sessions and workshops which will run in parallel to ensure that delegates get the maximum benefit from the conference.

Professor Dawood added: 'I’m really looking forward to this year’s event – each year I learn something new.

'For people who are new to this field, in particular, it will be very useful as they will benefit immensely from the support and advice of more senior people.

'These conferences are really helping to nurture up and coming researchers in this exciting field.'


CONVR 2013 takes place from 30 October to 1 November. For more information click here.
 
 
Go to top menu