Performance Based Studies Research Group

-Abstract-

A group of lecturers are proposing changing traditional education based graduate project management courses to a new research based project management program. The transformation is being tested on the Risk Management course, the Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation course, the Quality Control/Safety course, and the Procurement course. The new model will propose the following changes: 1) use construction industry structure to differentiate between efficient and non-efficient environments, 2) use deductive logic, simplicity, and dominant information to supersede traditional education on current practices, 3) utilize the graduate students as a resource instead of a traditional student, 4) integrate research proposals/results into the class material to provide continuity; 5) turn the program into a proactive value added program instead of a reactive educational program; 6) have a strategic plan to assist industry organizations to change.

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-Abstract-

This paper captures the efforts of the first graduate student (GS) to volunteer to participate in the research based graduate program approach at the University of Botswana (UB.)  This approach is to take part in a theoretical based class, take the theoretical based technology back to their organization, and convince the organization to support a research test on a real project, and fund the creation of an industry research platform with the university. 

Methodology

 Create a research based theoretical PM course, approach the GSs to implement the theory in their own organization, present the theoretical based technology, and run tests in the organization.  Also set up an industry/university research platform to run more “hypothesis testing.”

 Findings

 The test was successful.  The course was instituted, and the GS took the technology to his organization, and the best value PIPS tests were setup. 

 Value/Originality

 This is the first case of a GS becoming the mechanism to start the research based technology in Africa, and the setting up of a funded research platform for hypothesis testing at the UB.

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-Abstract-

Purpose

Review the attempt of transforming University of Botswana (UB) faculty into research based faculty using the U.S. Embassy test as a mechanism.

Methodology

The UB faculty were trained through a mentorship of learning to teach a research based course, were taught how to interface with the industry, were mentored on running the test, and then given full control over the research test.

Findings

UB faculty had problems, but are facing both a radical change in philosophy and culture. Problems occurred but progress is substantial.

Value/Originality

The research production of the UB staff has risen dramatically. This is the first time PIPS has been tested in Africa. It is not only a new technology, the research approach is entirely different. It needs a strategic approach where faculty actually must change how their approach their responsibilities.

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-Abstract-

This paper addresses the difficulty for part time graduate students to do research that will impact the industry.

Hypothesis

The education based structure of the graduate education may be the problem and not the graduate students in producing research results that impact the industry.

Methodology

This paper will use the theoretical comparison of the price based environment and the traditional graduate education for part time students. The hypothesis will then be tested using the University of Botswana (UB) faculty, transforming an education based course to a research based course, and training the UB faculty.

Findings

In the space of one year, the UB faculty increased their research capability by 200% based on written papers, research tests, and industry research coordination.

Value/Originality

This concept can result in the transformation of African graduate programs into research programs that impact the industry. With minimal funding, and using existing resources, they can duplicate results of much better funded and experienced research schools who may also be caught in the silo approach of education based programs.

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-Abstract-

Developed construction industries in the US, UK, and Europe have battled to increase the performance of their construction industries. These more developed countries influence the underdeveloped countries. The underdeveloped countries hire academics, consultants and experts from the more developed countries to model their industry and practices.  The author is proposing that the underdeveloped countries should not do this based on the low performance of the developed nation’s processes, and use more efficient and effective practices that are based on logic, practices from other more efficient industries, systems with proven dominant or very high performance.

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