BIM Education in Higher Learning Institutions: A Scientometric Review and the Malaysia Perspective

Abstract

Over the last decade, digital applications and Building Information Modelling (BIM) have been introduced in the construction industry to realize a smart construction ecosystem. However, the construction industry has not completely accepted BIM as a standard, and the concept of using BIM applications in universities has not been thoroughly researched. This paper addresses the first scientometric study of BIM education in universities, identifying the state of BIM education practices, skillsets, and the level of BIM education in universities. The paper used scientometric analysis and the VOSviewer mapping technique to assess the most impactful publication sources with the most important impact on BIM education by searching “BIM Education” and using 250 bibliographic data extracted from the Scopus database from 2011-2020 to identify the existing research gaps and research direction. Second, a structured questionnaire was distributed to 343 Year 2 and Year 3 students from two public and two private Malaysian universities that use BIM in their learning. Descriptive data analysis using cross-tabulation in SPSS and relative importance index (RII) were used to analyze the data. The paper revealed two stages of BIM education research; and identified research gaps in the fields of BIM education, architectural education, e-learning, curriculum and information management. The paper also revealed Revit, Cost X and the Glodon Cubicost software as the most used applications, while the common skillsets are design authoring, modelling, and cost estimation. However, both public and private university students mainly design 3D models at BIM Stage 1. The study recommends that institutions and other stakeholders provide continuous BIM training, purchase BIM software, and integrate BIM into the curriculum of Built Environment higher learning institutions for the next generation to be the generation that uses virtual collaborative platforms

BIM in the Malaysian construction industry: a scientometric review and case study

“…However, Othman et al (2021) acknowledged the collaboration between the Malaysian construction industry and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to promote BIM implementation by engaging with professionals and organizations to adopt the BIM process. In the same vein, Tanko and Mbugua (2022) confirmed that CIDB as a government organization, encourages the use of BIM technology through seminars and is presently working on a roadmap that will include clear guidance on BIM implementation.…”

“…As a result, many management techniques are being implemented, and at the moment, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is gaining popularity in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry due to the ability of the technologies in waste reduction from the design to construction phase more effectively, as approximately 33% of wastes were reported to be effected during the construction phase (Liu et al, 2015). To ensure that a building is operated sustainably, BIM can forecast its lifecycle, remove any design flaws, and improve the design quality through visualization (Tanko and Mbugua, 2022). The application of BIM may considerably aid in attaining sustainable construction through design optimization, cost reduction, risk mitigation, and improved project schedules (Haruna, Shafiq, and Montasir 2021).…”

“…, 2015). To ensure that a building is operated sustainably, BIM can forecast its lifecycle, remove any design flaws and improve the design quality through visualization (Tanko and Mbugua, 2022). The application of BIM may considerably aid in attaining sustainable construction through design optimization, cost reduction, risk mitigation and improved project schedules (Haruna et al.…”

Case study on barriers to building information modelling implementation in Malaysia

“…As information technology advances, the requirement for BIM expertise increases. A lack of BIM-trained professionals is the leading global impediment to BIM deployment in institutions (Mbugua, 2022). According to a report by Belayutham et al (2020), integration of BIM into higher education will help enhance AEC’s BIM adoption and address the current scarcity of competent BIM practitioners.…”

Bibliometric analysis, scientometrics and metasynthesis of Internet of Things (IoT) in smart buildings

“…The study analyses the most significant research databases, including Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) before selecting the optimal database for this investigation. Scopus and the WOS are the two most comprehensive databases for searching the literature in a variety of scientific subjects (Tanko and Mbugua, 2022). However, the Scopus database, according to many authors, is the most complete source of citations and abstracts for literature searches (Zakka et al, 2021;.…”