Pro Vice-Chancellor calls for construction sector to focus on UN's Sustainable Development Goals

De Montfort University Leicester (DMU)'s Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Business Innovation, Professor Mike Kagioglou, has been unveiled as the new president of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Throughout his year in office, Mike plans to use his platform as CIOB President to drive greater focus on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

DMU is the only university in the UK to be a United Nations SDG hub, representing SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Last year it was the only university in Europe to have its own pavilion at COP 28 showcasing research in sustainable development and addressing climate change.

Speaking at CIOB's annual Members' Forum event held in Cape Town, South Africa, Professor Kagioglou said the sector needs to focus on targets like building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation.

"In 2015 - what seems like a lifetime ago - the United Nations adopted the SDGs to guide how, as a global community, we tackle humanity's biggest challenges," he said.

"They are about sustainability in the broader sense. They are about the quality of our lives, access to justice, economic growth, and productive employment."

"The built environment affects everyone. It is the foundation of economies everywhere - offices, shops, infrastructure, hospitals, schools, and housing.

"More than that, our people delivering those buildings and infrastructure are part of communities - through our workforce, our supply chains, and the users of what we create.

"DMU has strong relationships with the United Nations through its SDG Hub, and I am keen to develop collaboration between academia and industry to advance research and foster innovation to tackle challenges which affect us all."

Professor Kagioglou is the 121st person to hold the position of CIOB President having taken over from Sandi Rhys Jones OBE, FCIOB. The CIOB is the world's leading professional body in construction and represents 48,000 members all over the world.

Before joining DMU, he was formerly the Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Development (Europe and UK) and Dean of Engineering, Design and Built Environment at Western Sydney University (WSU), Australia.

Notable achievements during his distinguished career, in which he started as an integrated systems engineer, include directing two government-funded innovative manufacturing research centres in built environment and healthcare infrastructure, overseeing the establishment of innovative educational units and structures in three universities and two countries and frequently acting as an expert for the evaluation of programs, subject areas, research councils and universities, globally.

Caroline Gumble, CEO at CIOB, said: "I am delighted to welcome Mike into the role of CIOB President. Mike's international perspective and experience as an academic will be very beneficial to CIOB's work, particularly in continuing to strengthen links between industry and academia.

"His knowledge will contribute to many of our areas of focus but, with his expertise, I know he will be key in driving forward our environmental sustainability work and our efforts to help close the skills gap."

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