Three from Curtin Malaysia at the helm of The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) Miri Branch

Miri – 19 March 2018 – The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Miri Branch has elected three Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) academics, who are also qualified professional engineers, to its executive committee for 2018-2019.

Ir. Professor Lau Hieng Ho, Dean of Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science and formerly Vice-Chairman I, takes the helm as the new chairman, while Ir. Lim Chye Ing and Ir. Meheron Selowara Joo have assumed the positions of Vice-Chairman II and Honorary Secretary, respectively.

Ir. Professor Lau has been with Curtin Malaysia since 2003 and is no stranger to the community of professional engineers in Sarawak, having served The IEM Miri Branch in various capacities for the last 15 years.

Ir. Lim is a senior lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, while Ir. Meheron is lecturer in the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering. Ir. Lim was previously the The IEM Miri Branch’s Honorary Secretary and Ir. Meheron an executive committee member for 2017-2018.

This is the first time the chairmanship of The IEM Miri Branch is being held by a Curtin Malaysia staff member, and having three representatives in the executive committee is a milestone in the involvement of the university in The IEM Miri Branch, as well a testament to their standing as academics and professional engineers.

“Curtin Malaysia has always been well-represented in The IEM Miri Branch ever since our campus was established in 1999, and our staff members have always been very active in its activities,” remarked Ir. Professor Lau.

He added that a good number of Curtin Malaysia’s students and graduates are also actively involved through The IEM’s Young Engineers Section (YES) and Curtin-IEM Student Chapter.

Also on the executive committee for 2018-2019 are Ir. Paul Chiew Lik Ing (Immediate Past Chairman), Ir. Tian Foon Howe (Vice Chairman I), Ir. Sean Wong Siong Ung (Honorary Treasurer) and committee members Ir. Chong Boon Hui, Ir. William Chien Hui Liang, Ir. Lucas Loh Ted Sun and Ir. Lau Chuang Bing.

The IEM Miri Branch, formed in 1998, is an institution that promotes engineering professions, and supports professional development and networking among its members in Miri. It currently has over 400 members from various engineering backgrounds and industries.

Ir. Professor Lau said that he is excited and honoured to be able to play a major role in transforming The IEM Miri Branch and taking it in new directions after 20 years of establishment.

“The branch is already very focused. However, I believe I can bring different perspectives by encouraging the executive committee to provide increased support to future engineers in tertiary institutions to help them build their competencies, as well as to helping our existing members achieve their career goals,” he said.

He added that he hopes to enhance the partnership between The IEM Miri Branch and Curtin Malaysia, leveraging the strengths of its Faculty of Engineering and Science and research hubs with the wealth of engineering expertise and networks within The IEM to meet the developmental goals of Malaysia and Sarawak.

The IEM Miri Branch 2018-2019 executive committee (seated from right) Ir. Sean Wong,Siong Ung, Ir. Lim Chye Ing, Ir. Professor Lau Hieng Ho, Ir. Paul Chiew Lik Ing, Ir. Tian Foon Howe, Ir. Meheron Selowara Joo, (standing from right) Ir. Chong Boon Hui, Ir. William Chien Hui Liang, Ir. Lau Chuang Bing, Ir. Lucas Loh Ted Sun.