Construction Innovation has provided funding for scholarships to students since 2002. Over the next two newsletters, we put the spotlight on some of our current scholars, and look back on successful graduates. This month we feature current scholars Agustin Chevez , Judy Kraatz, Soon Kam Lim, Robert Lopez, Brett Mayze, and Abdul Sharabah.
Agustin is currently at the last stage of his PhD investigation and writing-up. He intends to submit a final Thesis draft to his supervisors by June 2009. The draft will initially be for internal revision by his supervisors before posting the final manuscript forexternal examination. It is anticipated that preliminary results of the research will be published in The Built and Human Environment Review (www.tbher.org). This forum was chosen because it is an internationally renowned open access scholarly peer-review electronic journal dedicated to postgraduate research in the built environment. He is currently completing the eGrad School's Knowledge Transfer & Research Commercialisation Grad Certificate.
Judy is on track for the 3 year completion of her PhD and has submitted it for external examination. Her PhD focus and committment to timelines as well as the quality of her results have been impressive. Judy undertakes consultancy work via her business Terrella Consulting (currently both research based and commercial). Judy submitted and had accepted a conference paper to CIB DUBAI 15-17 November 2008 entitled Value Mapping For Major Economic Infrastructure Projects by Judy Kraatz, Prof Stephen Kajewski and Dr Karen Manley.
In February 2009, QUT awarded Soon Kam Lim the 2008 Higher Degree Research Student Award (Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering) for research into sustainable construction. Soon Kam's research is progressing well and on track for completion, with submission for external examinations intended to occur by September 2009. His industry supervisor comments "The 26 identified key issues align with my experience. Actions nominated to identify and address each issue are realistic and consistent with good practice". Eight refereed conference papers have been published or are to be published to date by Soon Kam with him as lead author on six of these.
Robert's research is progressing as planned. The first stage case study interviews are approaching completion and application for renewal of Level A ethics approval is being prepared. Work on remaining sections of the thesis has commenced. Reasons for design errors have been identified. Three refereed conference papers have been co-authored by Robert and presented at the ARCOM 2008 conference in Cardiff September 2008. Robert has stated that while an academic/research career appears likely, he has been too preoccupied with the completion of his thesis in approximately 12 months time to make definite determinations on his future.
As of November 2008, Brett reached his PhD term and all data has been collected (pilot, study 1 and study 2). Brett applied and was granted an additional extension to write up his thesis which was due to expire end of March 2009. However, since January 2009, Brett has returned to full time work and has been granted a leave of absence which, with the remainder of his previous extension, should see him finish his PhD by December 2009. Brett is currently finalising a role with Maritime Safety Queensland and is part of a large commercial tender team with Worley Parsons.
Abdul is in the final stage of analysing data for his PhD, followed by writing his thesis. He expects to finish his PhD on time. Abdul has recently married and taken a leave of absence until 15 March 2009. Abdul works part time in VicRoads as Asset/Program Delivery Engineer. He is developing Road Maintenance plans/ strategies for Melbourne Metro North West region. Although dealing with roads Abdul is applying the same principle as his thesis for buildings. Abdul enjoys the job because he can use the experience he has from his research in different fields. As well, RMIT has contacted a number of Local Governments regarding Abdul's research. These agencies have expressed interest and support for his area of research.
