Dr M Crina A Oltean-Dumbrava MSC MA PhD CEng FICE MRICS ...

Dr M Crina A Oltean-Dumbrava MSC MA PhDCEng FICE MRICS MCIOBDr Crina Oltean-Dumbrava is a highly competent CharteredCivil Engineer, Chartered Builder and a Chartered Surveyor.Her rare combination of professional expertise, coupledwith two masters degrees and a doctorate spanning theconstruction and economics disciplines, provides her withunique perspectives across several built environment andeducation disciplines. In 2003 Crina was appointed SeniorLecturer in Asset and Construction Management at theUniversity of Bradford, where she is also a member ofSenate and Chair of the Standing Committee of Assembly.She became registered as a Chartered Engineer in 2007.CASE STUDYI am most proud of my Chartered Engineer qualification andof being a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Such aposition commands respect and distinction, due to: theexternal independent assessment required in order toqualify; the high standard of professional competence set bythe Engineering Council; and the national and internationalprestige and recognition of the title Chartered Engineer.The perception among many academics is that if they do nothave industrial experience and have not worked on majorprojects in the industry, they cannot provide the necessaryevidence to demonstrate their competence. This is not true.Any active academic researcher who is involved in researchor Knowledge Transfer projects can demonstrate theircompetence, even if they have no industrial experience.However, what they need to have are proficient industrialmentors to guide them through the process.Whilst I had industrial experience as a site and projectmanager and as a site engineer at the beginning of mycareer, I did not use this to demonstrate my competence.Instead, I used a recent research project and appliedthrough the Technical Report option. I was also fortunate tohave outstanding mentors. The then Chair of our CivilEngineering Industrial Advisory Board and another memberof the Board both kindly offered their considerable support.Under their excellent guidance I was able to use researchfunded by EPSRC as the illustration to demonstrate mycompetence.‘Becoming registered as aChartered Engineer hasstrengthened my linkswith the industry byproviding morecredentials to myprofessional knowledge.’My route to chartered status started some 30 years ago inRomania where I qualified as an engineer and proceeded tomanage the construction of several projects, among whichwas a complex chemical engineering plant.Created Sept 2010, Amended Aug 2012 Page 1 of 2

CASE STUDYHowever, I was drawn to the teaching profession and wasappointed Lecturer at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania where I was able to pursue my interest inteaching and research.In 1995, I moved to Scotland and was appointed to theUniversity of Abertay Dundee. During the last 18 years Ihave focussed primarily on sustainable constructionresearch. Being multi-lingual I am able to manageinternational research projects in the field and havedeveloped international Masters courses, and superviseddoctorates in the UK and in mainland Europe. I am a prolificwriter of academic papers and have been invited to presentmy research findings to audiences across the globe.Becoming registered as a Chartered Engineer hasstrengthened my links with the industry by providing morecredentials to my professional knowledge. It has alsoprovided me with opportunities to work closer with theindustry on several research and Knowledge Transferprojects, as well as being involved in contributing to theactivity of the Built Environment Skills Alliance HigherEducation Strategy Delivery Group, and of theConstructionSkills’ Skills Provision Steering Committee.In 2008 I was appointed the first woman chair of theAssociation of Civil Engineering Departments (ACED); a bodyrepresenting 53 UK universities offering civil engineeringcourses. I am a member of various internationalorganisations including the Association of Women in Scienceand Engineering, and have acted as a consultant to severalmajor engineering companies. In 2009 I was elected to theJoint Board of Moderators visiting panel. All these activitiesrequire a strong partnership with industry.My goals are to further enhance these activities, to bring thepartnership between academia and the industry evencloser. I will also continue to motivate and inspire ourstudents to aspire to becoming a Chartered Engineer andseek professional membership of the four institutions thatare represented in the Joint Board of Moderators. Iencourage all my sandwich course students to registerbecause it provides a year of placement in the industry. Incertain instances, this year contributes towards becomingprofessionally qualified with the Engineering Council andprovides the crucial foundation to a stimulating career as aChartered Engineer.Dr M Crina A Oltean-Dumbrava MSC MA PhDSenior Lecturer in Asset and Construction ManagementUniversity of BradfordRegistered 2007Page 2 of 2