Two Durban University of Technology (DUT) students represented South Africa at the 2025 BRICS+ Future Skills and Technology Challenge, an international skills competition which focused on future-oriented digital competencies. The 2025 BRICS+ Future Skills and Technology Challenge was hosted at Yibin Vocational and Technical College, with support from the international BRICS partners and industry collaborators, creating a platform for cross-country skills exchange and collaboration.
It brought together over 50 teams from BRICS and partner countries, competing both on-site and online across a range of future skills categories, including Building Information Modelling (BIM), which is increasingly central to the transformation of the built environment sector.
The BIM category evaluated participants on advanced digital construction capabilities, including BIM model development, coordination, accuracy, and technical problem-solving. Participants were also required to demonstrate the effective application of BIM workflows to complex built environment scenarios under competitive and time-bound conditions, reflecting real-world industry demands. The competition is aligned with the broader BRICS agenda on skills development, innovation, and technology transfer, particularly within the built environment and engineering disciplines.
DUT was represented by Hlengiwe Mbalenhle Ngubane, a PhD student in Architecture, who competed on-site in China, and Mnqobi One Sibani Donda, a Bachelor of Architectural Honours student, who participated online as part of the South African delegation. Both participants contributed to South Africa’s overall performance in the BIM category, demonstrating strong technical competence and the application of digital construction methodologies at an international level.
The competition concluded with Ngubane being awarded a gold medal and first prize in the BIM category, recognising exceptional performance, innovation, and technical excellence. Donda received an excellent award, acknowledging a high standard of competency and a meaningful contribution within the online competition stream.
The South African teams were coordinated through the BRICS SA Skills Working Group, with leadership provided by Dr Murendeni Liphadzi, Deputy Director at the Sustainable Human Settlement and Construction Research Centre (SHSCRC) under the DST–NRF.
Participation in the BRICS+ Future Skills and Technology Challenge reflects DUT’s ongoing investment in digital built environment education, research, and future skills development. Spanning both postgraduate research and undergraduate professional training, this involvement highlights the institution’s commitment to equipping students with globally relevant digital competencies. The participation of students across different academic levels further underscores DUT’s role in preparing graduates and researchers who are capable of contributing to innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation within the global built environment sector.
Pictured: Hlengiwe Mbalenhle Ngubane
Waheeda Peters
