NMITE recently announced the appointment of David Oloke as its new Chief Academic Officer and its inaugural Professor of Civil Engineering.
Oloke is set to assume his new role and spearhead NMITE’s academic mission starting in February 2024. This year marks a notable milestone for NMITE, as it anticipates celebrating its first cohort of graduates who commenced their accelerated Master’s Degree in Engineering in September 2021.
Oloke’s appointment is a strategic move for NMITE, aligning with its dedication to the sustainable built environment, a central focus of its academic agenda. He transitions to NMITE from the University of Brighton, where he held the position of Head of Technical Education and Apprenticeships. Prior to this, Oloke was part of the faculty at the University of Wolverhampton in the School of Architecture and Built Environment and has experience in the engineering sector. His blend of innovative higher education and real-world practice, combined with a substantial portfolio of published works, resonates with NMITE’s values.
Oloke’s background in leading Higher Technical Education, particularly in areas of programme planning, development, and delivery, as well as his involvement in creating various engineering and built environment programmes, courses, transnational education, and post-graduate research degrees, is expected to enhance NMITE’s academic prowess.
James Newby, President & Chief Executive at NMITE, commented: “David’s extensive experience in technical education and his work to incorporate skills and employability into an academic curriculum will be of great benefit to us. His experience and skills are closely aligned to NMITE’s strategic priorities. Recognising that there is always more that we can do for the organisation and our students, David will build on an impressive legacy as our new Chief Academic Officer and will lead the development of new programmes and partnerships which will enhance our impact.”
Oloke shared his thoughts on the new role: “For me this is a perfect opportunity to combine all my experience and interests in the one opportunity. I was incredibly impressed by the quality of NMITE’s leadership, and the academic team and I look forward to help shape the future for the organisation in line with its vision. My role will allow me to review the already robust systems across the organisation including governance and student feedback and bring my networks to enhance the work of, for example the Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (CATT) and the Centre for Automated Manufacturing (CAM).”
Oloke is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Construction Manager, holding fellowships at the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Chartered Institute of Building. His influence on the engineering education landscape is evident in his recent guest editorial on the resilience and responsiveness of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector, and another discussing the impact of the pandemic on the sustainable built environment. These works highlight the adaptable and resilient nature of the AEC sector from a global viewpoint and propose ways to improve the delivery of built environment degree apprenticeships during disruptive events.
