About

Introduction

The Association of Schools of Construction of Southern Africa (ASOCSA) was officially launched on June 20 2006 at the culmination of the First Built Environment Conference at the Balalaika Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, attended by a broad spectrum of construction industry stakeholders that included both academics and practitioners.

These hailed not only from South Africa but from other parts of the world. The concept and launch of ASOCSA was supported by industry demonstrated by substantial sponsorships from prominent stakeholders such as Group 5, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), PPC Cement, Peri Wiehan and the Council for the Built Environment (CBE).

Aims and Objectives

ASOCSA aims to be the professional association for the development and advancement of construction education in Southern Africa, where the sharing of ideas and knowledge inspires, guides and promotes excellence in curriculums, teaching, research and service. To achieve this aim ASOCSA is partnering with the construction industry to find ways to effectively represent the interests of both construction academic and industry practitioners. ASOCSA will offer a variety of programs and services designed to help its members serve their customers more effectively and succeed in an increasingly challenging environment of construction information management and technology. To this end ASOCSA provides a forum for the debate and discussion of issues of mutual interest to all industry stakeholders. For example, one of the tasks of ASOCSA will be supporting the development of curriculums that address the needs of the construction sector in the Southern African region. ASOCSA convenes an annual conference where construction academics and practitioners can interact relative to practical experience and the findings of relevant research. 

​The Journal of Construction presently published twice per year is the official journal of ASOCSA and more than 5,000 complimentary copies are distributed to all industry stakeholders in the Southern African region. The production and distribution of practice notes and technical papers is a further endeavor to grow the partnership between academia and industry. 

With respect to the Southern African region, ASOCSA is committed to the following: 

​Vision

To be the custodian of construction related higher education. 
 

Mission Statement

To promote, facilitate, develop and monitor the relevance and quality of construction related curricula, research and graduates in conjunction with higher education institutions, industry and government. 
 

Strategic Objectives

  • to promote and facilitate the development of curricula for construction related programmes
  • to facilitate accreditation of construction related programmes
  • to hold an annual conference that acts as a forum for multi-disciplinary interaction between academics and practitioners
  • to publish an accredited research-based journal and contribute to the built environment body of knowledge (BEBOK)
  • to disseminate information dealing with construction education and related matters
  • to develop and maintain closer links with industry and government
  • to represent the collective views of its members
  • to liaise with other organisations and persons to promote the interests of its members
  • to promote and support relevant postgraduate research
  • to provide bursaries to postgraduate students in accordance with set criteria 

ASOCSA continues to seek opportunities to promote both academic and industry employment opportunities. Finally, ASOCSA intends to play a significant role in the accreditation of construction-related academic programs.

Meeting of Heads of Schools and Departments of Construction

ASOCSA believes that meetings of Heads of School and Departments of Construction is a vital component of its functions and holds Heads meetings at the end of each conferences in addition to bi-annual Heads meetings.  

International Affiliation

ASOCSA has commenced discussions about closer collaboration with similar institutions such as the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) in the United States and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
 

Member Benefits

In summary, benefits of membership of ASOCSA which are self-evident include participation in meetings of Heads of construction programs throughout the region, access to the Journal of Construction, reduced rates at all ASOCSA events, involvement at regional level with industry-academia forums, interaction and networking opportunities relative to, for example, collaborative research, curriculum development, external moderation of courses, and external examination 

Tax Benefit

ASOCSA is a registered Public Benefit Organization as defined in Section 30 of the Income Tax Act and a registered Section 21 Company as defined in the Companies Act. Therefore all donations made to ASOCSA will be fully deductible for income tax purposes and a section 18A certificate, for proof of deductibility will be issued to the donor upon receipt of the donation. The deductible donations is limited to 10% of the donors’ taxable income before providing for Section 18A and Section 18 deductions.

The Committee

Office Bearers

President: Prof Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu (UFS)

Immediate Past-President: Dr Hendrik Prinsloo  Jacksonville (USA)

Honorary Secretary Ferdinand Fester (DUT)

Honarary Treasurer Wayne Draai  (NMU)

Committee of Heads of Department

Chair: Heads Forum. Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu (UFS)

Editor of JoC: Prof Theo Haupt (Nelson Mandela University)

Assistant Editor of JoC: Ferdinand Fester (Durban University of Technology)

DOWNLOAD ASOCSA CONSTITUTION

Membership

Membership and International Affiliation

After much debate and discussion it was agreed that at this stage the membership of ASOCSA will be interdisciplinary, drawing membership from such disciplines as architecture, civil engineering, construction management, quantity surveying, and information technology. It is likely that this aspect will be reviewed given the concern such diversity might stifle the growth and development of the fledgling association. ASOCSA is seeking affiliation with similar institutions such as the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) in the United States with which initial discussions have already drawn an expression of support and interest in such a relationship. 

In summary, benefits of membership of ASOCSA which are self-evident include participation in meetings of Heads of construction programs throughout the region, access to the Journal of Construction, reduced rates at all ASOCSA events, involvement at regional level with industry-academia forums, interaction and networking opportunities relative to, for example, collaborative research, curriculum development, external moderation of courses, and external examination 

To apply for a membership, please email us on admin@asocsa.org