Department of Construction Technology

Adigrat University, under the Ministry of Education, was established in 2011. The university has expanded different colleges and faculties to fulfill the objective of the university. Construction Technology and Management Program was started in 2005 E.C. with 120 students.

Construction Technology and Management is an important application of science, which plays a major role in the social and economic development of modern society. In order to perform this role effectively, construction engineers require a broad understanding of scientific principles, knowledge of materials, applied knowledge of civil engineering and the capacity to analyse and synthesise in order to arrive at solutions. This requires research, team working, and leadership and business skills. And it has to be situated in a social, economic and environmental context that reflects the reality within which the construction engineer and manager finds him/herself.

In Ethiopia, Construction Technology and Management has great role to play in supporting economic development and contribute towards the improvement of the living standard of the people. This role and contribution input is at different geospatial scales, from the Federal to the local, in both an urban and a rural context. As a country that is moving into a rapid phase of growth, the contribution that construction technology and management can make, to ensure that this growth is sustainable; is a particularly important one. It is therefore of vital importance that construction technologists and managers are prepared, professionally, to met this growth challenge and contribute to sustainable development.

1.1 Rationale for the program

The double-digit economic growth and the consecutive rapid expansion of construction industry in Ethiopia results in high demand for having professionals on the field of construction technology and management. Mainly the gaps seen in construction engineering, construction management, and construction technology become clear on the execution of construction projects. Inefficiencies in construction projects management, inadequacies in the adoptions of various construction technologies and techniques, etc call for having an integrated profession beyond the design aspect at the all phases of project life cycle (inception, planning, execution…). Moreover the expansion of infrastructure, the rapid urbanization, the transformation to industry, etc require more effective and efficient construction professionals that are able to operate beyond the design and engineering aspects.

1.2 Objectives of the Undergraduate Program

The Objective of this B.Sc. program is to produce outstanding construction technology and management graduates who have been prepared to become technological, managerial and public service leaders capable of understanding the social and environmental challenges that face the country, and who will be in a position to make a meaningful contribution to both national social and economic growth and development as well as being able to respond to, and benefit from, the impact of global change. The departement and the staff are committed to creating a learning environment that provides a level of knowledge and competency in these areas, through an innovative program of study, supported by a capability in information technology use, coupled with a capacity to integrate the key social and environmental issues facing the country.

This program is aimed primarily at training managing engineers required for managing constructing projects with efficient and effective management system, Administer contracts, Conduct researches to identify real problems on site pertaining to construction management, methods & materials, and find better solutions

It will produce well qualified managing engineers knowledgeable in construction engineering areas of structural, geotechnical and highway engineering, at the sometime those graduates will also have extensive knowledge of construction technology and project management skills, and can be actively engaged in the planning, development and management of construction/infrastructure projects. Managing Engineer’s competencies can be summarized as follows;

Construction Technology
Practical and scientific knowledge of construction, process, methods, techniques, materials and equipment
The ability to communicate through writing, and graphical and technical drawing
Construction Engineering
Basic understanding of the Architectural and Engineering design methods and process
Construction management
Organizational and management skills, leadership and Teamwork Financial knowledge, cash flow management, quantity surveying and estimating
Negotiation and decision making skills, Entrepreneurial skills
Organized record keeping skills
IT knowledge and the skill to work on construction related software
Ethics and etiquettes of professional practice including professional report writing and communication skills,
Other skills
General engineering and science
Social science and humanities etc

1.3 The General Objectives of the Program

Teach the fundamentals of Construction Technology and Management and undertake basic and applied research activities.
Provide innovative and economical solutions to problems encountered in the field.
Working in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skill that allow Construction Technology and Management to practice in associated areas of sciences and engineering.
Keep abreast of new technologies in Construction Technology and Management and provide orientation and/or training to subordinates as required.

1.4 Vision

To see best and most motivated graduates that serve the nation and the world specially focusing on the utilization of locally available raw materials, exploring potential local research areas, exploiting potential resources and to re-use wastage materials for construction to protect environment pollution and also manage construction activities and available resources including planning, scheduling, cost estimating, controlling and reporting.

1.5 Mission

To deliver quality education through practical teaching and dedicated staff which enable to produce qualified construction technology and management graduates to give vital contributions in solving problems they face in construction industry and other sectors, and ethically strong graduates.
To assist the attainment of technology transformation and development goal set nationally through well trained in construction technology and management by implementing the industry based education of target.
To give different community services for the society as whole.

1.6 Core Values

knowledgeable people with the required skills
Impart knowledge to students at all levels including undergraduate, graduate, and lifelong learning
Discovery of new knowledge through innovative research that encourages entrepreneurship and economic development to benefit society
Inclusiveness and collaboration on a worldwide basis
Originality and Innovativeness; Academic freedom and integrity
Responsiveness, Sense of belongingness and ownership
Nurturing diversity and Professional ethics
Transparency and accountability

1.7 Strategic Goals

Increase relevance of undergraduate program to the construction work
Diversify the undergraduate and programs in the areas related to construction management Engineering

Increase diversity, quantity and quality of academic staff and technical assistants

Increase construction work supported researches and consultancy activities
Increase attractiveness of the Program to students

Achieve high standards for instructional quality
Improve effectiveness of student advising
Provide effective mechanism for student informal feed-back.
Facilitate student access to industrial practice and job placement by working with professionals and entrepreneurs associations.
Support student professional clubs and extracurricular activities
Professional Profile of Construction technology and management

1.8 CORE SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES IN CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

Everywhere in the world, Construction Technology and Management:

are involved in projects ranging from small scale to sophisticated projects. In particular, they carry out different assignments such as planning, managing big construction projects like consultancy service, supervision and software training etc. Construction Technology and Management is broad term. It is an umbrella field comprised of many related specialties. The core services of Construction Technology and Management are shown in the following sub-sections.

Contract Administration:

Review and approve contractor’s program, method and schedule.
Supervise projects to ensure that drawings, specifications, materials and workmanship are as specified in the contract.
Check and approve measurement of work executed.
Administer claims and disputes.
Issue engineering instruction and variation order, check and approve variation order.
Conduct provisional and final acceptance.
Conduct studies on cost of construction, materials, labor, equipment and productivity.
Manage construction activities and available resources including planning, scheduling, controlling and reporting.
Supervise technicians and technologists.
Plan and organize the maintenance and repair of existing civil engineering construction works
Project program development
Preparation of bill of quantities and specifications
Cost estimates, Tendering
Material Testing
Project site exploration
Identification and classification of material in the field
Conducting field tests

Construction Management:

Deciding method of construction
Devising temporary works
Selecting appropriate equipment
Manage construction activities and available resources including planning, scheduling, cost estimating, controlling and reporting.