On September 21, 2024, the BRICS Group Standard "Building Information Modeling (BIM) Competition" Skills Standard Drafting Working Group Establishment Meeting (part of the BRICS+ Auditorium of Skills Development and Technology Innovation) was successfully held in a hybrid online-offline format. Over 60 representatives from 30 organizations, including members of the drafting working group, the Secretariat of BRICS Standardization Working Committee for Skills and Technology, members of BRICS Standardization Working Committee for Skills and Technology, industry representatives, experts, and faculty representatives from vocational colleges across China, attended the meeting. More than 10 international experts from Brazil, Russia, South Africa, and Iran participated online, while the main offline venue was hosted at Guangzhou City Polytechnic, the leader of the drafting Working Group.

Dr. Liu Zhenying, Chairman of China Section of BRICS Business Council Skills Development, Applied Technology and Innovation Working Group, International Alliance of Skills Development for Belt & Road and BRICS, Chairman of BRICS Standardization Working Committee for Skills and Technology, and President of BRICS Academy of Skills Development and Technology Innovation (Xiamen), attended the meeting and delivered a speech. He emphasized the significance of establishing international group standards for BIM skills, a key area of interest across all BRICS countries. Dr. Liu also expressed his hope that relevant organizations would actively participate in the development of BRICS group standards.

Mr. Wu Jianfeng, Leader of standardization department from BRICS Academy of Skills Development and Technology Innovation (Xiamen), shared the progress and achievements of the BRICS Standardization Working Committee for Skills and Technology.

Several experts from BRICS countries presented insights on BIM applications and development. Key speakers included:

· Anna Korotkova, Chief expert of BIM skill in Russia Future Skill Challenge. Associate professor, Institute of Civil Engineering, Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University,

· Valério Junior Piana, Internationalization Coordinator of SENAI Institutes of Innovation and Technology,

· Larissa Bianchini, Consultant for BIM and Lean Construction at SENAI Institute of Technology in Santa Catarina,

· Marcelo Vivacqua, Director of IFIA-ABIPIR LATAM Office, Member of IFIA Executive Member and Director of the Brazil-China Cooperation Hub in Brazil,

· Flavio Tonga, Research and Founder of Bitável Tecnologia,

· Alex Roberto Pereira, BIM Manager of Bitável Tecnologia,

· Dr. Murendeni Liphadzi, Sustainable Human Settlement Construction Research Centre/ University of Johannesburg with CIDB,

· Dr. Ada from Iran, School of Information Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology,

· Li Minghui, Vice Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Guangzhou City Polytechnic,

· Lei Hua, Dean of the School of Smart Urban Construction at Guangzhou City Polytechnic,

· Associate Professor Wu Manlin from Guangzhou City Polytechnic.

Notable presentations included:

· "Development and Implementation of BIM Technologies in Russia’s Construction Industry" by Anna Korotkova,

· "Development and Application of BIM Technology in Brazil" by Valério Junior Piana and Larissa Bianchini,

· "Application of BIM Technology in Practical Projects" by Alex Roberto Pereira,

· "BIM for societal IMPACT" by Dr. Murendeni Liphadzi,

· "Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Education and Industry in lran " by Dr. Ada,

· "BIM Application and Development" by Associate Professor Wu Manlin.

Lastly, Dean Lei Hua outlined the content, tasks, organization, and planning of the BIM skills standard work. He provided a brief overview of the various stages of the standard formulation process (drafting, public consultation, review, and approval), explained the timeline for completing the work, and emphasized the commitment to actively advancing and completing the standards.

The meeting aimed to advance the internationalization of Building Information Modeling (BIM) standards, intensify curriculum development, promote the construction of internationalized courses, improve the level of international cooperation in curriculum development, and foster international collaboration. It also sought to promote the alignment and coordination of BRICS group standards.