Built environment students across the UK have been called on to submit applications for the 2020 Global Student Challenge.

Led by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the event challenges students to run their own virtual construction company. After a six week competition period, the leading teams will be invited to compete in finals that attract talent from around the world.

Caroline Gumble, CEO of the CIOB, said: "The Global Student Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for those taking their first steps into a built environment career to demonstrate the skills they've acquired and their capabilities with strategic thinking and high-level decision making. It's also a great chance to get valuable experience in navigating through project scenarios that mirror what can happen on site in the real world. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how the challenge plays out next year."

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The competition is open to full-time students studying either a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Bachelor's degree in the built environment. Teams are normally made up of four members, but three is permissible. One postgraduate member is also allowed per team.

The winning team will receive £2,000 in prize money, along with access to a unique mentoring programme, with industry leaders offering advice and guidance to support the winning teams' professional development.

The competition kicks off with a 'Foundation Years' stage in January. This allows competitors to learn how to play the game, run a virtual construction company, test out different strategies and refine tactics for the later stages. The CIOB advises that, based on performance in previous years, teams who do well in the competition are the ones who make the most of this stage.

The 'Early Years' stage starts a few weeks later. The stakes are higher as teams now play competitively with other teams around the world, making decisions that influence the success of their companies.

Applications for the 2020 Global Student Challenge are now open.

More information can be found here.

(CM/JG)