Curtin Malaysia and PCSS Consultancy to collaborate in academic development, student and staff advancement and research

Miri – 2 November 2020 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently with PCSS Consultancy Sdn. Bhd., a Sarawak-based project management solutions provider, for collaboration in academic development, student and staff advancement and project management-related research.

Signing for Curtin Malaysia was Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Beena Giridharan on behalf of Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Professor Simon Leunig, who participated via live link from Perth; while Professional Services Director Andy Tiong Meng Jun signed for PCSS Consultancy.

Also present was PCSS Consultancy’s Senior Sales & Operation Support Afreda Aleng, Principal Solutions Architect Mohamad Khairun Ishak and Sales Consultant Watson Brandah.

Others representing Curtin Malaysia were Chief Operating Officer Ir. Pieter Willem Pottas, Dean of Faculty of Engineering & Science Professor Tuong Thuy Vu, Senior Lecturer in Civil and Construction Engineering Dr. Wong Kwong Soon, Civil and Construction Engineering Programme Coordinator Ir. Meheron Selowara Joo and Marketing and Communications Manager Nicholas Leong.

In his opening speech, Professor Leunig remarked that as Curtin University’s largest global campus committed to excellence and innovation in teaching and research, Curtin Malaysia is pleased to enter into long-term collaboration with a leading project management solutions provider such as PCSS Consultancy.

Professor Leunig outlined that the MoU facilitates partnership and collaboration in seven key areas that will be beneficial to both parties: student placements and internships, staff development, alumni engagement, joint research and development, student sponsorship, project management course development, and student development.

“This MoU will facilitate significant collaboration that will be of great benefit to our organisations, allow us to explore further long-term opportunities, share experiences and create a knowledge exchange path between us, and most importantly, provide opportunities and career pathways for our students,” he said.

On the joint development of training or developmental programmes for PCSS Consultancy staff, including the undertaking of postgraduate programmes at Curtin Malaysia, Professor Leunig said that with its strengths in education, using modern technology-rich facilities and applying the latest learning and teaching pedagogies, Curtin Malaysia is well placed to support such an endeavour.

Similarly, its strengths in research and development (R&D), its excellent research facilities, including new ones being developed, will put it in good stead when it comes to proposed joint efforts in R&D.

In his speech, Tiong said PCSS Consultancy helps organisations realise greater profits through the implementation of project management best practice solutions. He said that as a Sarawak-based company, PCSS Consultancy is keen to partner with others in Sarawak to advance the state’s manpower development and digital economy.

It is with this in mind that the company is entering into a collaboration with Curtin Malaysia, which includes providing internship opportunities for its students, training of students and staff on use of PCSS Consultancy’s Primavera and Synchro 4D BIM software, as well as the development of project management courses for construction management and civil engineering, and support towards research projects related to project management.

In addition, he said PCSS Consultancy and Curtin Malaysia will jointly promote the use of modern digital tools and software for digitalisation in the construction industry in Sarawak.

“As a Sarawakian, I believe it is a good initiative to bring such technology back to Sarawak and I am glad Curtin Malaysia shares our vision to advance the construction industry in Sarawak,” Tiong remarked.

He said that is one reason he returned to Sarawak to introduce the project management integration system in the state 15 years ago. According to him, the construction industry in Sarawak had been lagging behind in the use of new technology for many years, despite huge technological advances globally, but that has now changed.

“In some ways, the current global pandemic is a blessing in disguise. It has made a lot of people realise the benefits of technology, including digital technology for the construction industry. I really look forward to our close collaboration over the next couple of years, to build a better construction industry in Sarawak,” he said.

Tiong added that, in addition to advancing knowledge and skills in digitalisation in the construction industry, especially in terms of project management, PCSS Consultancy is now extending its expertise to higher education institutions like Curtin Malaysia for teaching and research.

Meanwhile, Dr. Wong, who initiated the collaboration, suggested the collaboration could include PCSS Consultancy working closely with the Curtin Highway Infrastructure Research and Innovation (CHIRI) research hub and the Department Civil and Construction Engineering at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science to advance knowledge and skills for digitalisation in the construction industry, especially in relation to project management.

Tiong signs MoU as Prof. Giridharan and Afreda (standing) look on.

Tiong and Prof. Giridharan exchange documents, flanked by Afreda and Prof. Vu.

Tiong signs plaque to commemorate the signing.