Curtin civil and construction and environmental engineering students visit MCSTP

Miri – 26 March 2024 – The Chemical and Energy Engineering and Civil and Construction Engineering departments of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently conducted a site visit to the Miri Centralised Sewage Treatment Plant (MCSTP) for 21 third- and final-year civil and construction engineering and environmental engineering students. The students were accompanied by 10 staff members from the two departments.

The visit was significant as it provided the students and staff with valuable practical insights into real-world water treatment processes and enhanced their understanding of sewage treatment plants. It was especially relevant to their current study of units on Wastewater Treatment Processes, Fluid and Particle Processes, and Social-Economic Impacts in Engineering.

During the visit, Mark Owen Baring, a mechanical engineer of the Sewerage Services Department Sarawak (SSD), gave a briefing on the MCSTP before taking the group on a tour of the plant, where Mark and his colleagues also gave an on-site briefing on the workings of the facilities and equipment.

One of the students, Diya Merlin Varghese, said witnessing first-hand the aeration tank in operation was very beneficial, giving her a better grasp of the complex sewage treatment processes.

“This immersive experience really enhanced my comprehension of sewage treatment technologies and emphasised the significance of collaboration and knowledge exchange within engineering. It broadened my knowledge and instilled a greater appreciation for the complexities in ensuring effective wastewater management,” she remarked.

Another student, New Wei Xuen, opined that the site visit offered them the chance to understand Miri City’s plans for wastewater treatment. “The technologies employed at the treatment plant aligned with what we’ve learned in class. Overall, the site visit was beneficial,” he added.

The Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Curtin Malaysia provides well-balanced, innovative and engaging curricula to prepare students for successful and rewarding future careers. The department delivers Curtin’s Bachelor of Engineering degrees in Civil and Construction Engineering and Environmental Engineering, both of which are honours courses accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC), and Engineers Australia (EA).

The Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering, meanwhile, aims to bridge chemical engineering and energy engineering sciences with industrial practice. It delivers Curtin’s Bachelor of Engineering degrees in Chemical Engineering and Energy Engineering, which are also four-year honours degrees and are also accredited by the MQA, EAC and EA. The Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering (Honours) is further accredited by The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) of the United Kingdom.

For more information on undergraduate courses at Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my/study/undergraduate/.

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.

(L-R, front row) Assoc Prof John Lau, Ir Jenney Ngu and SSD staff Siti Rabiah, Mark Owen and Chung Chen Tat with the students

Group photo of students and lecturers with SSD staff at MCSTP’s Extended Aeration Tank