About IDBE
Alumni Say...
We asked our past students for their feedback; how they would describe the benefits of the course to others and if IDBE had changed or reinforced the direction of their career?
Here follows a selection of their responses:
Cambridge provides a unique environment for study. The range and quality of speakers/lectures is truly inspirational and the course has the right balance of design, investigative analysis and written work.
Paul Evans, IDBE 2, Architect & Director of company integrating new and renewable energy into buildings
This course would benefit senior employees/partners of firms who would like to ‘fast track’ into the construction industry
Rizal Sardon, IDBE 5, M&E Consultant
It is stimulating and fun and helps you look at your work in the built environment from a different perspective. You meet up with some interesting people from related disciplines and can form friendships and working relationships for the future.
Benedicte Foo, IDBE 3, Architect
Regardless of your background, it gets you out of the daily grind and can open your eyes and teach you how to think and write again.
Don Keigher, IDBE 6, Civil Engineer
I am now board director in an international environmental consultancy with responsibility for sustainability and business innovation. This has taken me out of my comfort zone and put me into new areas - something that my IDBE experience equipped me for very well and was a catalyst for change.
Peter Sharratt, IDBE 1, Board director of Environmental consultancy
An essential course if the industry is to move forward.
Bryan Gutteridge, IDBE 4, Architect
It’s a fantastic way to explore some of the issues peripheral to your work and turn them into a Masters degree and give yourself the edge over your competitors. It can reinvigorate your working life!
Fiona Cousins, IDBE 2, Engineer
How to expand your professional awareness encompassing existing and new areas of associated interest, in Cambridge with leading authorities on any given subject
Christopher Jones, IDBE 1, Architect
Cambridge offers the highest quality and most challenging of education opportunities. For building professionals IDBE offers the opportunity to work in areas beyond your usual range, to experiment with ideas and explore your own areas of interest.
Paul Akhurst, IDBE 3, Facilities Manager
Excellent course in attaining confidence and developing relationships with fellow building professionals.
Malcolm Tait ,IDBE 2, Building Services Engineer
IDBE has had a positive impact on my approach to the wider industry, the management of design, and liaison with other disciplines, all of which have been key themes in my career since.
Don Keigher, IDBE 6, Civil Engineer
The course addresses key topics confronting the industry, provides space to consider these issues, renew understanding/ consider current role, activity and professional direction. Re-invigorate intent, build confidence, consider a change of employment.
Ian Dubber, IDBE 7, Developer
Opens your eyes to how little you really know about your colleagues in the building industry- and gives you the chance to get beyond the cliches about each other.
Paul Redman, IDBE 4, Architect
The issues we tackled have had a direct relevance to working practices and some are only now emerging as influential factors in how we go about our business- sustainability and partnering being two of the most prominent.
Anthony Willats, IDBE 1, Architect
Course helped to broaden my understanding of design and construction. Written coursework particularly helped with structuring other written work in my job.
Matthew Lovell, IDBE 4, Structural Engineer
The IDBE course was tremendous for me in that it gave me a good understanding of regional and national issues related to urban planning and the built environment. As an American who had worked on urban planning issues from a policy side, it gave me invaluable insight into the pressures faced by the British building industry.
Alexandra Bailie-Baker, IDBE 7, Planner
I remember the residential weeks as being very intellectually stimulating. I felt it was a real luxury to have time away from work in such a fabulous environment- physical and mental.
Deb Thomas, IDBE 2, Structural Engineer
It was testing for all of us to approach areas outside our normal activities, and equally challenging for us to justify our actions in the areas we were accustomed to handling. Some residential periods were illuminated by particularly stimulating external lecturers.
Anthony Willats, IDBE 1, Architect
The quality of the project work was impressive in its scope, preparation and level of criticism. Many departments could usefully learn from IDBE.
Peter Sharratt, IDBE 1, Board director of Environmental consultancy
The course brought together everyone involved in the construction process and we had residential sessions every two to three months. It taught me that it’s all about communication, understanding and building good relationships throughout the whole design team. If you’ve got those, then you can focus on your green vision.
Trevor Butler, IDBE 4, Head of Sustainability,BDP (quote taken from bsj interview)
I have moved from being an employee of a large company to a self employed business owner and from development to fund management. I think IDBE gave me confidence to do both.
The letters ‘Cantab’ on business cards is also a business advantage.
Geraint Evans, IDBE 2, Chartered Surveyor