The organisers of the UCT/CIDB conference include Dr Dave Root (left) and Mark Massyn. (The other organisers include UCT's Winston Shakantu, and the CIDB's organisers, Sheila Hughes and Kotli Molise.)

Postgraduate students in construction and the built environment have been invited to attend the UCT/Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) conference at the Vineyard Hotel from October 10 to 12.

The conference provides students with a rare opportunity to hear top candidates in government and industry, including the Minister for Public Works Ms Stella Sigcau, who will present the opening address. Also featured is a research indaba with special guests from academia and industry.

Students will have the opportunity to meet members of industry associations such as the Building Industries Federation of South African (Bifsa) and the Master Builders Association (MBA). The CIDB will also share its plans on regulating and transforming the construction industry into a leading economic sector for development.

The conference highlights the importance of keeping students, who often have rare and unique skills, in the industry after graduating. The building industry, particularly, is expected to benefit from the government's expanded infrastructure policies. These will take shape in an ambitious public works programme.

Another reason UCT and the CIDB are hosting this conference is to create a network of young researchers.

The discussions at the indaba, for example, will help the industry and tertiary sector structure and develop built environment knowledge networks.

Postgraduate students will be presenting their research papers. The best paper award will be decided by CIDB CEO Spencer Hodgson and construction management senior lecturers Dr Dave Root, Mark Massyn and Winston Shakantu, in conjunction with the CIDB's technical committee.