Revitalizing quantity surveying education: exploring BIM mastery with revit tools among students

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is acknowledged as an information technology innovation that enables integrated and collaborative work environments in construction projects worldwide. The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector has widely embraced BIM to improve efficiency and productivity. In Malaysia, however, Quantity Surveying students often have limited early exposure to BIM, creating a gap between industry demand for BIM-proficient professionals and the readiness of graduates. Strengthening BIM education at higher education institutions is therefore essential to align graduate competencies with industry needs. This study aims to assess students’ understanding, awareness, and perspectives on BIM competency and their preparedness to utilize BIM software for future employment. The research was conducted among 203 newly enrolled students undertaking the Computer-Aided Design and Drawing course in the Quantity Surveying degree at the Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam. Data were collected through a quantitative survey and analyzed using SPSS, including descriptive statistics, mean score analysis, and frequency distribution. Findings revealed that between 60% and 75% of students reported little to no prior knowledge of BIM and Revit, with many being unfamiliar with the concepts or their applications. Despite this limitation, students demonstrated strong motivation and enthusiasm, with mean scores above 3.2 (on a 5-point scale), reflecting their recognition of BIM/Revit’s career value. Students also expressed confidence that incorporating BIM and Revit into the syllabus would enhance their learning, improve digital competencies, and strengthen career readiness. Overall, the study highlights that early exposure to BIM is crucial in shaping future-ready Quantity Surveyors and advancing Malaysia’s broader BIM adoption agenda. While this study captures pre-exposure perceptions, future studies could investigate students’ skills and challenges after hands-on application to deepen understanding of BIM’s role in higher education.