A father and son team are among the former students of the University of South Wales (USW) who are involved in the building of a major new facility on the University’s Treforest Campus.
Chris and Callum Murray’s family connection to USW is further strengthened by the fact that Chris’s other son, Cody, is in the final year of his Construction Project Management degree at the University.
Both Chris and Callum work for BAM, the construction company appointed earlier this year to build the new five-storey Computing, Engineering and Technology building on the Campus.
The new hi-tech facility will include learning and research spaces, electronics and hydraulics labs, a flight simulator, a robotics lab, clean and industrial research spaces, collaborative teaching spaces, virtual reality capability, and exhibition spaces. The construction is already underway and is expected to take two years to complete.
The decision to appoint construction company BAM to deliver the new hi-tech resource meant that a number of the company’s staff would be returning to the site of their studies.
Managing Surveyor Chris is overseeing the project’s commercial and cost planning elements, while Callum is part of the team as an on-site surveyor.
Chris, who is an alumni of USW (in its former guise as University of Glamorgan) and who completed a Quantity Surveying degree in 2002, has managed the project from its pre-construction phase and continues to provide daily oversight. Returning to USW has already been a great experience for him:
“Working with the University after all these years, particularly on a project of this scale, has been a fulfilling experience,” said Chris.
“It’s rewarding to bring not only professional expertise but also a personal connection to the project.
“I’ve been keen through the whole project to get opportunities for youngsters on this and similar ventures because I know, from the experience with my family, how difficult it can be to secure role in the in industry.”
Also working on the project, alongside Callum as a Senior Surveyor, is Sophie Hawker.
Sophie, however, has taken a slightly different route to her current role. Having graduated from Glamorgan in 2010 with a Law degree, she decided to change direction and pursue a career in construction, completing a HND in surveying in 2013.
Since then, Sophie has built a successful career as a project surveyor, and is now overseeing subcontractor management, financial oversight, and client interactions, as part of the USW project.
“It’s surreal to be back on campus, but in such a different capacity,” she said.
“I’m thrilled to contribute to USW in this way, transitioning from a student here to now leading a project that future students will benefit from.”
Also involved with the project is Kingsley Davies, who is Design Manager for BAM Construction. This role involves the co-ordination and management of a multidisciplinary design team, including architects, civil engineers, landscape architects, and mechanical and electrical engineers, and also ensures the project’s design aligns with construction timelines, material procurement, and building standards.
Reflecting on his return to the University, where he studied Project Management (Construction), Kingsley said: “It feels like a full-circle moment. When I was a student, many of the campus developments constructed were just concepts, which as a student we would appraise as part of our learning.
“It’s incredible to see these ideas from 15-20 years ago being realised and to play a role in bringing them to life, with the new computing, engineering and technology building being next on list.
“Having a personal connection to the University, there's a certain element of pride in working on a project for this campus.”
Mike Bessell, the University’s Director of Estates & Facilities, said:
“There are seven of the University’s alumni working at BAM on the development of the new Computing, Engineering and Technology building, which is fantastic.
“It’s wonderful to have our former students, using their skills and experience, to now contribute to building a facility that will benefit generations of students to come.
“Our alumni are also sharing some of their knowledge with our current students, helping to deliver guest lectures and offering opportunities for students to gain crucial real-world experience, which will continue throughout the duration of the build.”
