Exploring the Perceptions of Built Environment Student’s on Modular Constructions Influences on Facilities Management in Technical University Ghana
Oguah Evans *
Takoradi Technical University, Ghana.
Harold Adjarko
Takoradi Technical University, Ghana.
Francis Cudjoe
Takoradi Technical University, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study investigates the perspectives of built environment students at a technical university in Ghana regarding the impact of modular construction (MC) on facilities management (FM) practices. Modular construction offers efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, increasingly influencing facility design, maintenance, and operation. The research aims to assess students' awareness, understanding, and expectations concerning MC integration in FM, providing insights into how MC can enhance facility performance, optimize space utilization, and contribute to sustainable campus development. Traditional construction methods pose challenges for FM, often excluding facilities managers from early project phases. Despite MC's transformative potential, a skills gap exists in developing countries like Ghana, highlighting the need to equip future graduates with relevant knowledge. This study addresses the limited research on stakeholder perceptions, particularly students, regarding MC's effects on FM, bridging the gap between academic training and industry demands. By examining students' awareness, perceived impact, and associated challenges and opportunities, the findings aim to inform educational curricula, prepare students for industry demands, and enhance MC integration in Ghana's built environment sector.
Keywords: Built environment students, facilities management, Ghana, modular construction, technical university