News from the association and about members

The 13th Symposium on Structural Analysis and Construction Practice will take place on 20 and 21 March 2017 in the Audimax and adjacent lecture halls of Ruhr-Universität Bochum. The conference is organised by the Chair of Structural Analysis and Dynamics at RUB in cooperation with the Chair of Structural Analysis and Design at the University of Duisburg-Essen and the Chair of Mechanics, Statics and Dynamics at TU Dortmund University as part of the University Alliance UA Ruhr.

 The "planen-bauen 4.0 GmbH" was founded in 2015. It goes back to a recommendation of the Reform Commission for the Construction of Major Projects under the leadership of Federal Transport Minister Dobrindt. Its task is to shape, coordinate and support the digitalisation of the entire planning, construction and operation value chain in Germany. It is intended to help identify risks and develop solutions for them. The value chain covers the entire life cycle of buildings, including the production of raw materials, construction, operation and maintenance, dismantling and recycling.

The important contribution of German industry as a pillar of the sustained positive economic development in Germany is largely due to the outstanding qualifications of graduates of engineering degree programmes. The quality and innovative strength of engineering graduates are highly regarded throughout the world.

You may have some expectations based on my writings on higher education policy and education. I would therefore like to say that I will not repeat in this lecture what you have already read from me. This lecture is roughly divided into two parts. Firstly, I would like to talk about digitalisation in general, the risks and the opportunities. Then I will move on to "Planning and Construction 4.0" and look at the consequences for education and training.