The department was established as part of the Technical Institute Kaduna in 1956, which later came to be known as "Department of Building, Civil Engineering and Irrigation".

It became autonomous in 1977 and was transfered from the College of Science and Technology to the College of Environmental Studies, where Architecture was carved out of it to become a separate department.

Quantity Surveying was introduced in October, 1977. In 1995 the name of the department was changed from Department of Building to the Department of Building and Quantity Surveying.

PRIDE AND ACHIEVEMENTS
The Department currently runs 13 different programmes ranging from Certificate courses, National Diplomas, Higher National Diplomas, as well as Post Graduate Diploma in Building and Quantity Surveying. It can boast of contributing about 6000 trained personnel to the construction industry in particular. All the National and Higher National Diploma programmes in the department are fully accredited by NBTE.

It is also on record that the Department is the only one offering a Post Graduate Diploma in Building in Nigeria. It is currently finalizing plans to pioneer a Post HND (Professional Diploma) in Quantity Surveying.

The Department of Building and Quantity Surveying has been very active in research programmes, mostly on individual capacities which appear as Journal papers, Conference/Seminars/Workshop papers etc. Areas covered include:
1. Construction Management
2. Direct Labour Projects
3. Building Regulations/Bye Laws
4. Construction Technology/Materials e.g. Housing
5. Building Maintenance
6. Marketing
7. Building Services
8. Construction Plants and Equipment Quality Control

The department has organised national seminars and conferences on a number of occassions. Some of the themes covered include:
1. Simple Management Techniques for the Building Contractor
2. Management Resources and Maintenance of Existing Building Facilities and Infrastructure.
3. Practical steps in Maintenance of Buildings and Infrastructure; Causes and Remedies of Building Failures

PARTNERSHIPS
The department is linked with the following federal organisations in the capacity indicated;
1. Member, Technical Advisory Committee on Building and Road Research in Nigeria (MTAC-NABRRI)
2. Member, Technical Advisory Committee on Clay Products; Standard Organisation of Nigeria (MTAC-SON)

Academic staff and students of the department have also participated very actively in various professional bodies. Some of them are State Chapter Secretaries of NIOB, NIQS and QCSON. At one time or the other these chapters have hosted national conferences at which very important themes were considered.

VALUES INFUSED INTO THE COMMUNITY
Over the years the Department has participated in a number of consultancy and direct labour jobs either for outsiders or for the Kaduna Polytechnic. These jobs were carried out using the well-equipped workshop and expert human resources available to the department. Some of the jobs executed by the department are:

1. Architectural services for Nigeria Army officers Mess Project Jaji, in collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering including Construction Supervision (1980).
2. Measurement and Costing of office block constructed for the National Teachers Institute, Kaduna (1980).
3. A research project on "Towards a Comprehensive Housing Policy in Kaduna", jointly completed with the Department of Civil Engineering and Urban and Regional Planning (1980).
4. Professional advice to the Ministry of Works, Kaduna with regards to the prefabricated building units purchased from a firm overseas (1980).
5. Designed and produced Audio and Video cabinets at the Department of Mass Communication in the College of Administrative and Business Studies (CABS) (1991).
6. Renovation of Drawing Tables for Department of Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning (1997).
7. Repairs of tables and chairs for students of College of Environmental Studies on a continuous basis.
8. Construction of academic staff tables and chairs (2000).
9. Construction of secondary school desks and chairs (2000).

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
The department of Building and Quantity Surveying, Kaduna Polytechnic operates like a family. It operates a Social Welfare Scheme that renders financial assistance to those who are sick or may have suffered any kind of loss or bereavement. It also renders financial assistance to those getting married, having new born babies or retiring from service.

MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT
The mission of the department is to produce EXPERT building and quantity surveying technicians and technologists for the construction industry.
Finally, the Department's VISION is to ensure continuity in the production of qualified professionals that will satisfy the building demands of Nigeria in particular and the world at large.

CES - College of Environmental Studies