Education and training of Quantity Surveyors (QSs) has been a topical subject amongst academics, the industry, and professional institutions, often leading to a discussion about education versus training, in which case, the industry sometimes argues that QSs are often ill-prepared for work. The current study investigated strategies for improving QSs’ education training in Uganda, with a focus on devising ways of engendering better graduates that are fit for the industry. A semi-structured online questionnaire was used to collect data. The research population included QSs practicing in the Ugandan Construction Industry. The majority of respondents agreed to a great extent that QSs, and thus their training, are still relevant in the current construction industry. Majority of respondents desired the teaching curriculum to include more practical aspects that expose students to real challenges in practice. It was suggested that early exposure of students to real field practice was paramount to students’ training. Engagements such as industrial training and internship placements in Quantity Surveying firms were highly encouraged. The curriculum also needs to be responsive to recent advances in industry practices, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM). Meanwhile, the University should intensify action research with the industry, and forge collaborations with all the key players in the construction sector to streamline the training. The findings of this study, if implemented, could potentially improve the quality of Quantity Surveying programmes at institutions of higher learning in similar developing countries. This would hopefully produce graduates who are industrially relevant and with a sound academic background.
In the developing world, matching the education and training of Valuation Surveyors with the needs of the industry is increasingly becoming challenging. This is largely due to globalisation, commercialisation, and advancements in information and communications technology, among others. In Uganda, while curricula are reviewed at least every after five years, the technologies and the market requirements continue to evolve, affecting the skills and knowledge passed on to graduates at universities and other tertiary institutions. This paper evaluates the education and training of Valuation Surveyors in Uganda, through a stakeholder survey, to determine the gaps in training and suggest ways on how to fill the gaps and consequently improve the valuation surveying curriculum. A questionnaire designed to capture both quantitative and qualitative data was administered to valuation practitioners and students. Over 49% of the respondents suggested the need for constant review of curriculum and adoption of a more practical approach to learning, as one of the major ways of bridging the gap between the education system and the changing industry. The findings of the study can be used by stakeholders in the education sector, to identify and prioritise the training needs of valuation students in different institutions for quality improvement purposes.
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