CIOB Student Chapters: A journey to growth

With the goal of growing our student community in the Sub Saharan Africa region and more specifically, South Africa, I devised an ambitious plan to create ‘Student Chapters’. What are they, you ask? 

CIOB Student Chapters are a determined and dedicated group of CIOB student members from across Sub Saharan Africa’s education establishments. Predominantly in universities, they form a strong Tomorrow’s Leaders community. Over the past months, the Student Chapters have had weekly meetings discussing topics such as organising competitions, events and coming up with new ways to promote CIOB student membership within their institutions. Since forming in February 2022, the Student Chapters have accomplished several achievements so far. They have carried out several events including delivering Introduction to CIOB student membership talks, running mentor speed date and industry talk events and designed localised student competitions and inter university engagements. Students leading the Student Chapters have become very organised whereby they have initiated the process of planning student engagement plans, which will feature site visits and guest lectures from industry, supporting a student growth mindset.

Student Chapters bring together a group of like-minded individuals who share a common interest in the Built Environment. Providing opportunities for leadership, achievement and cultivation. Student members are the best contacts for on-campus activities, they know what communication styles work best to reach students and the topics that interest students today. 

Is it a formal set up? 

CIOB Student Chapters are a group of CIOB student members (a group of 15 students maximum) and they are organised in a formal structure and agreement. In principle, they are responsible for:
Creating an organisational structure, it is recommended that they elect chapter leaders (e.g., president, secretary, treasurer) to share responsibilities, universities usually have guidelines and support structures on registering a student chapter within their institution.

• Recruit new student members
• Organise student outreach activities/competitions
• Work with all student chapters in SSA to organise regional meetings
• Promotes the interests of the student community

I am delighted to announce that through CIOB’s Education Engagement Model we now have active CIOB Student Chapters in universities like the University of Johannesburg, Harare Polyethnic College, Zimbabwe, Mangosuthu University of Technology, University of Cape Town, and the University of the Witwatersrand. 

What role do educators play? 

Academics and support staff in education establishments play a key role in supporting CIOB Student Chapters, for example, encouraging students to take on a Student Chapter, encourage leadership, creativity, accountability and responsibility, all of which contribute to the personal growth of each and every student member in the Student Chapter, and all valuable skillsets for the workplace!

I am optimistic, working together with education establishments, that there is much more future growth to be seen for the region through collaborating with local professional membership bodies, employers and all other key stakeholders.

If you want to learn more about Student Chapters and how you can build a strong student community representing CIOB at your education establishment, please reach out to Qualifications Liaison Manager, Ntando Teddy Khuzwayo (Teddy), email: [email protected].