Geotechnical engineering students get ground-level look at industry
A group of geotechnical engineering students from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology recently visited the construction site of St Aloysius College’s new Senior Years Campus in North Melbourne.
Led by Professor Guillermo A Narsilio, from the Department of Infrastructure Engineering, and assisted by Dr Annie Gu, the visit offered students a rare opportunity to see early-stage works. This included pile foundations, retaining wall construction and freshly poured capping beams, visible from the street, as preparation for basement excavation.
Over 1.5 hours, the construction company Building Engineering’s team guided three student groups through the site, generously sharing their time and expertise.
The visit was part of the subject 'Geotechnical Engineering' (CVEN90050) and included students from Civil, Structural and Engineering Management degrees. It gave them the opportunity to observe how geostructure design principles covered in lectures and tutorials are applied in practice.
"Site visits like this are essential to bridge the gap between theory and practice," Professor Narsilio said.
"They give our students a tangible understanding of construction processes and the challenges professionals navigate daily on the ground.
“This collaboration was made possible through our strong industry networks. By rotating the consultants and contractors we partner with, we expose students to different approaches and give industry a chance to connect with future graduates.
“Visits like this are part of our wider commitment to real-world learning and long-term collaboration with the sector.”