CIOB’s World Construction Symposium continues its rise as globally recognised research platform

Ceylon Institute of Builders President Dr. Rohan Karunaratne

The 14th World Construction Symposium (WCS) was concluded successfully by the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) together with the University of Moratuwa’s Building, Economics and Management Research Unit (BEMRU), marking another significant milestone in advancing construction research and industry collaboration both nationally and internationally.

Bringing together nearly 300 participants from Sri Lanka and across the globe—including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India, several African nations etc., the symposium once again demonstrated its growing international reputation as a premier platform for research and knowledge exchange within the construction sector.

The symposium attracted 156 research paper submissions from academics, researchers and industry professionals, reflecting the increasing global interest in addressing contemporary challenges facing the construction industry through innovative, evidence-based solutions.

A key highlight of this year’s symposium was its collaboration with the Built-Environment Project and Asset Management (BPAM) Journal, further strengthening opportunities for internationally recognised publication and enhancing the global visibility of research presented at the symposium.

A major feature of the symposium was the Roundtable Conference on “Sustainable Supply Chains for Resilient Construction Industries in Developing Countries.” The high-level discussion featured Prof. Ananda Jayawardena, Prof. Samantha Deloitte, Dr. Josephine Vaughan, Ch.Qs. Lalith Ratnayake and Prof. Mohan Kumaraswamy, with the discussion rapporteur Dr. Suranga Jayasena. The roundtable generated valuable insights into fostering collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers within the global construction sector.

The symposium featured distinguished keynote speakers, including Dr. Josephine Vaughan of the University of Newcastle. The success of the symposium was made possible through the leadership of Conference Chair Prof. Chitra Weddikkara, together with the dedication of the organising and scientific committees. The Scientific Committee was co-chaired by Ch.QS Prof. Anuradha Waidyasekara and Dr. Suranga Jayasena, while Dr. Kalana Alwis and Ranji Hewage served as Co-Chairs, supported by CIOB Secretary Eng. Saliya Kaluarachchi, and numerous academic and industry professionals whose collective efforts ensured the high quality of the event.

Addressing the successful conclusion of the symposium, Ceylon Institute of Builders President Dr. Rohan Karunaratne, expressed his appreciation to everyone who contributed to the event.

“The 14th World Construction Symposium and Sustainability Awards have been a remarkable success. On behalf of the Ceylon Institute of Builders, I extend my sincere appreciation to the Symposium Chair and Co-Chairs, CIOB Council Members, organising and scientific committees, event organisers, CIOB and university staff, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and all those whose dedication made this event possible.

“I especially thank the University of Moratuwa for helping elevate the World Construction Symposium into one of the world’s leading construction research forums “Together, we are paving the way for the World Construction Symposium to become one of the world’s foremost construction research symposiums. Thank you for your dedication, collaboration and commitment to excellence.”

The symposium once again served as a valuable meeting point for researchers, practitioners, policymakers and industry leaders to exchange knowledge on sustainable construction, digital transformation, resilient infrastructure, project management, innovation, and emerging technologies shaping the future of the built environment.

Building on the success of its previous editions, the 14th World Construction Symposium strengthens Sri Lanka’s position as an emerging global hub for construction research and innovation while reinforcing CIOB’ commitment to fostering collaboration between academia, industry and government to create a more resilient, sustainable and innovative built environment.