Curtin academics win top honours at 2026 Built Environment Awards

Miri, Sarawak – 4 August 2026 – Curtin University’s global strength in built environment education has been recognised with a double triumph at the 2026 Built Environment Awards, where academics from Curtin’s Perth and Malaysia campuses received two of the profession’s highest honours.

Presented by the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) during its Built Environment Awards gala dinner in Melbourne on 30 May, the awards recognise outstanding leadership, advocacy and professional excellence within the quantity surveying industry.

The dual recognition underscores Curtin’s distinctive model of integrating academic excellence with industry practice across its international campuses, reinforcing its reputation as a leading institution for quantity surveying education in the Indo-Pacific region.

Associate Professor Jeremy Wu, Associate Head of the School of Design and the Built Environment at Curtin University in Perth, received the PCMG Quantity Surveying Advocacy Award for his outstanding leadership in advancing the profession across industry, academia and government.

Through his leadership at Curtin University and the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, including receiving the AIQS WA Chapter President’s Award in 2024, Associate Professor Wu has championed stronger integration of quantity surveying services within procurement models, expanded professional development opportunities, and elevated recognition of the profession’s strategic contribution to project delivery, commercial governance and risk management.

In a fitting reflection of the close ties between Curtin’s Perth and Malaysia campuses, the award was accepted on his behalf by Jessica Ling Tan Fong, Senior Lecturer in Construction Management at Curtin Malaysia. Jessica worked alongside Associate Professor Wu at Curtin Perth for more than seven years before joining Curtin Malaysia in February 2026.

Jessica said it had been a privilege to witness Associate Professor Wu’s unwavering commitment to students, industry engagement and the advancement of the profession.

“His leadership, mentorship and dedication to professional excellence have inspired colleagues, graduates and industry practitioners across both campuses,” she said.

The evening brought further success for Curtin when Jessica herself was named recipient of the RIB Individual Excellence in Quantity Surveying Award, recognising exceptional contributions to the profession through technical excellence, leadership, education and service.

The judges acknowledged Jessica’s unique contribution as both an Associate Director at Wilde and Woollard, a leading Australian group of quantity survey practices, and a dedicated academic, highlighting her commitment to mentoring future professionals, modernising quantity surveying education and strengthening links between industry and higher education. Since joining Curtin Malaysia as a full-time Senior Lecturer, she has continued to maintain active professional practice through her consulting work.

Accepting the award, Jessica described the recognition as a significant milestone in a career spanning two decades in professional practice and more than seven years in higher education.

“I am deeply grateful to the Directors of Wilde and Woollard for their unwavering support, guidance and encouragement throughout my professional and academic journey. Their belief in me has played an important role in helping me reach this milestone,” she said.

The achievements of Associate Professor Wu and Jessica highlight the depth of expertise shared across Curtin’s global network and demonstrate the University’s commitment to producing graduates who benefit from teaching informed by current professional practice, international collaboration and strong industry partnerships.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

The 2026 Built Environment Awards trophies, where Associate Professor Jeremy Wu received the PCMG Quantity Surveying Advocacy Award and Jessica was honoured with the RIB Individual Excellence in Quantity Surveying Award.

Jessica accepts the PCMG Quantity Surveying Advocacy Award on behalf of Associate Professor Jeremy Wu.

Jessica celebrates receiving the RIB Individual Excellence in Quantity Surveying Award.