beX gave Victor the chance to work in Edinburgh Napier’s Institute for Sustainable Construction
French Civil Engineering student Victor managed to secure a placement at the Centre for Offsite Construction & Innovative Structures in Edinburgh
I am studying BEng Civil Engineering, part-time
I’m Victor Henquel and I’m in my fourth year of my BEng in Civil Engineering course, due to graduate in June 2020. I chose to study part-time so that I can work for the Centre for Offsite Construction and Innovative Structures (COCIS) within the Institute for Sustainable Construction at Edinburgh Napier University.
beX allowed me to work with COCIS while studying
I first heard about beX more than two years ago when I was studying an HND in Civil Engineering in my home country, France. I had to find an internship in order to complete my diploma and had the opportunity to work for Carbon Dynamic and COCIS. At COCIS, I met Robert Hairstans who is head of the centre and was the one who established the beX programme. Robert taught me the importance of sustainable construction and the impact it has on the planet. After my internship, I went to work with Carbon Dynamic whilst doing my BEng in Civil Engineering course. From there, I came back to COCIS and I continue to help the centre with research and projects relating to offsite construction and timber engineering. So, clearly I have an affinity with beX.
The perfect opportunity to enhance my career on a unique educational platform
BeX offers me the perfect opportunity to enhance my career within the built environment by teaching me and other beX scholars the importance of the right techniques for sustainable construction. Being a beX scholar means meeting talented and inspiring people, giving me the opportunity to work and contribute to the growth of a unique educational platform. In addition, it is the strong links the beX programme has with construction companies that really helps me get closer to the industry.
I gained a wide network of contacts
The beX programme already offered me so much, such as the knowledge and experience I was able to get with the employability opportunity. A highlight for me though, is the wide network that I gained through beX and everyone in the team is looking for the constant growth of the programme which is really good to see.