Holcim, UP partner for sustainable construction course

Building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. has tied up with the University of the Philippines for an elective course this year on how the construction industry can have a more positive long-term impact on development.

Holcim Philippines’s Sustainable Construction course (CE197 Elective), offered to UP-Institute of Civil Engineering (UP-ICE) students, aims to teach the next generation of builders the advantages of sustainable construction or designing and executing projects that balances economic, environmental and social interests. This concept is the primary advocacy of the global LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, which encourages the building industry to play a bigger role in shaping a sustainable future.

Guest lecturers from Holcim Philippines as well as other industry experts will discuss the topics under the course for the first semester of the current academic year. The course will include topics such as sustainable design, environmental and social issues in construction, and the latest in building solutions and innovations.

Holcim Philippines President and CEO John Stull thanked UP-ICE for the partnership and encouraged more young professionals in the building industry to take on the challenge of executing projects with sustainability in mind.

“The construction industry has a direct role in development. If the industry shifts toward a more sustainable path, it can have a more positive impact. Through this program, we hope to raise awareness among some of the country’s future builders that they can help lead the industry towards building better,” he added.

In the fourth quarter, Holcim Philippines will also conduct a series of talks in engineering and architecture schools across the country to discuss and promote sustainable construction. The activity also intends to promote student participation in the global contest of the LafargeHolcim Foundation, the world’s most significant competition for sustainable design.

Held every three years since its launch in 2005, the contest rewards projects and visionary concepts that go beyond balancing environmental performance, social responsibility, and economic growth. US$ 2 million in prizes are awarded every cycle for regional and global winners in the student and professional categories.