A university at the heart of Britain's emerging Northern Powerhouse has agreed a formal close collaboration with Beijing Construction Engineering Group(BCEG), which was ranked in 2012 as one of the world's top 50 contractors by revenue.
The link between the University of Huddersfield in Yorkshire and BCEG will help to develop the use of a vital new technology described by the British government as a "game changer" for the construction industry.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been drawn up between BCEG UK and the university where staff and students at the university's School of Art, Design and Architecture have developed expertise in Building Information Modelling (BIM).
Song Wu, professor of Surveying and IT at the university, said he is delighted by the multi-faceted collaboration with BCEG's UK arm.
"This is a cutting-edge approach that involves the use of digital technology during the design and construction process, leading to huge gains in efficiency," said Wu.
Professor Wu has been instrumental in securing the five-year Memorandum of Understanding with BCEG, with key objectives being to develop the construction giant's expertise in lean construction, healthcare infrastructure and capacity in BIM.
The two sides will work on joint projects and there will be placement opportunities at BCEG for undergraduate and postgraduate students of the university.
