Chinedu Onweh

Role

In his role at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), Chinedu Onweh specialises in teaching and mentoring apprenticeship students within the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment.

Courses Taught

Chinedu delivers a blend of undergraduate modules and industry-focused short courses, particularly tailored for apprenticeships:

• Level 4 Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Level 4 Construction Technology
• Level 4 Tender and Procurement

Additionally, he runs the following professional development short courses suitable for both traditional and apprenticeship routes:

• BIM for the Construction Professional
• AutoCAD 2D for Construction Professionals (Ten Weeks)
• Excel for Construction Professionals (Ten Weeks)

These offerings help apprentices bridge academic learning with real-world practice, emphasising essential digital construction tools and industry standards.

• CIVE20201: Integration of Engineering Applications (for Year 2)
• DESN22057: Engineering Skills (for Year 2)
• DESN10037: Civil Engineering Design (for Year 1)

Career overview

Hourly paid lecturer
Nottingham, England, UK | Oct 2024 – Present

• Deliver engaging lectures and interactive seminars at the undergraduate level.
• Design curriculum content that fosters a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.
• Lead classroom sessions, assess student performance using a variety of assessment methods, and provide constructive feedback to scaffold student development.
• Specialise in Building Information Modelling (BIM), Construction Technology, and Tender & Procurement, with tailored teaching for apprentices and traditional students alike.
• Develop and deliver short courses for professionals, such as “BIM for the Construction Professional", “AutoCAD 2D for Construction Professional”, and “Excel for Construction Professionals”.
• Support the integration of digital tools and industry standards (AutoCAD, BIM) within the curriculum.

Research Assistant (Contract)
Feb 2025 – Apr 2025

• Key role in research centred on Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence for Carbon Footprint Assessment in Construction.
• Contributed technical expertise on sustainable construction and smart building solutions.

Academic Background and Skills

• Robust background in civil engineering, with degrees including BEng in Agricultural & Bioresources Engineering and a Master’s in Civil Engineering.
• Experience teaching and supervising at both undergraduate and apprenticeship pathways, focusing on real-world applications and digital construction technologies (AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel, BIM).
• Recognised skills in curriculum development, seminar facilitation, and student mentoring.
• Member of professional engineering bodies, contributing to both technical proficiency and sector relevance.

Research Interests

• Pursuing a PhD at Nottingham Trent University with research focusing on the challenges of retrofitting the UK’s aging building stock for a Net Zero future, as well as practical assessment of carbon footprints within construction projects.

For additional details on responsibilities, specialisations, and professional affiliations, visit LinkedIn.

External activity

As part of his PhD research at Nottingham Trent University, Chinedu played an integral role in a multidisciplinary project focused on retrofitting buildings for improved energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing.

His contributions specifically included the following:

Research Activities and Project Involvement

• Sensor Installation:
  Responsible for installing temperature and humidity sensors within insulation materials during the retrofitting process. These sensors provided real-time data on the thermal performance and moisture behaviour of the upgraded building fabric.
• Resident Experience Study:
  Designed and conducted a structured survey with residents of the retrofitted buildings to document their:
  • Experiences during the retrofitting works, including the impact of any disruption.
  • Comfort perceptions and satisfaction after retrofitting was completed.
  • Feedback on specific aspects of building performance, such as indoor temperature consistency, humidity levels, and noise.

Research Impact and Outcomes

• The monitoring data helped inform best practices for insulation and moisture management solutions in building upgrades.
• Resident feedback provided valuable qualitative insights that complemented sensor readings, ensuring occupant needs and comfort were central to evaluating retrofit success.
• This research supported ongoing efforts to achieve Net Zero and improve the sustainability of the UK’s existing building stock, aligning with institutional and national priorities.

Recognition and Dissemination

• The broader project, which included Chinedu's contributions, received press coverage in The Telegraph for its innovation in the built environment and application of smart monitoring solutions.
• Results have been disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations, highlighting the interdisciplinary collaboration between engineering, data analytics, and user experience research.
• The project was supported by Nottingham Trent University

This activity demonstrates Chinedu's engagement in externally recognised research, practical application of sensor technology, and inclusive methodology involving building occupants, a reflection of his commitment to both technological innovation and community impact.