CIOB Ireland Student Challenge
L to R: Dr. Jim Bradley, Conor Ryan, Laura Gibbons, Grace Butler, John Lillis, Dr. Michael Curran pictured at the CIOB Ireland Student Challenge
Monday, 3 March 2025

Four exceptional final-year students from University of Limerick's (UL) Construction Management and Engineering programme showcased their skills at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Ireland Student Challenge 2025, held in February 2025 at the Dundalk Institute of Technology. 

The UL team, consisting of Grace Butler, Laura Gibbons, John Lillis, and Conor Ryan, secured an impressive 2nd place among 11 competing universities from across the island of Ireland. 

The four students had previously demonstrated their prowess at the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region 8 International Student Competition in November 2024, and this prior experience undoubtedly contributed to their success at the CIOB challenge. 

Competing teams were given a three-hour window to analyse a real-world brief, ‘Tackling a Global Housing Crisis’, develop a comprehensive bid submission report, and present their insights and solutions to an expert panel of judges.

Adding to the team's success, Laura Gibbons was awarded the prestigious 'Best Speaker' prize out of the 44 students participating in the event, further highlighting the exceptional talent and presentation skills of the UL team.

Dr. Michael Curran, the team's coach, praised the students' efforts, stating, "This competition provided our students with another invaluable opportunity to apply both their classroom knowledge and experience to real-world scenarios. Their success is a testament to their hard work and the strength of our programme at UL."

The CIOB Ireland Student Challenge 2025 was part of a larger event that included a Construction Conference and Exhibition, featuring industry leaders and discussions on cutting-edge topics such as AI in construction and modular construction techniques. 

This environment provided an excellent networking opportunity for the UL students, allowing them to connect with industry professionals and peers from other institutions. The students were joined on the day by Dr. John Spillane, Course Director, Dr. Jim Bradley and Dr. Michael Curran.