Curtin Malaysia construction management students gain firsthand experience at Greenville Phase 8 site

Miri, Sarawak – 24 October 2024 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently provided its construction management students with an invaluable opportunity to experience the realities of residential construction through an immersive site visit to the prestigious Greenville Phase 8 development in Senadin.

Organised by the Department of Built Environment at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, the visit gave students a firsthand look at the complexities of modern construction practices in a real-world setting.

Greenville Phase 8, developed by Shin Yang Construction Sdn. Bhd., is a gated and guarded community featuring approximately 50 double-storey semi-detached houses. The visit offered the students a behind-the-scenes glimpse into various construction stages, from the initial groundwork to the final touches.

Led by project manager Jong Foh Kiong, students began with a tour of a show unit, which served as the model for the entire development. This was followed by detailed observations of ongoing construction activities, such as masonry brickworks, roof covering installations, and screeding of reinforced concrete floor slabs. They also witnessed the bending of reinforcement bars and the pouring of ready-mix concrete into structural frames, offering them valuable practical insights that extend far beyond the classroom.

Jong took the opportunity to highlight innovative construction techniques, including the use of PVC corner beads – a cost-effective solution for ensuring precise 90-degree corners while protecting walls from potential damage. Such industry-specific knowledge undoubtedly enhanced the students’ understanding of modern construction methods and quality control measures.

The visit also included a demonstration of essential construction equipment in action, such as mobile cranes and ready-mix concrete trucks, which are crucial in streamlining large-scale projects.

Head of the Department of Built Environment, Sr. Dr. Low Wai Wah, remarked on the importance of such site visits in providing students with a holistic learning experience. “This visit has given our students a deeper appreciation of the intricacies involved in residential construction, helping bridge the gap between theory and practice,” she said.

As Curtin Malaysia continues to prioritise hands-on learning experiences, site visits like this serve as key educational tools that prepare students for successful careers in construction management.

Curtin Malaysia offers Curtin’s Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, a four-year honours course that focuses on two major disciplines – construction management and quantity surveying. Aligned with evolving industry demands of the IR4.0 and Sustainable development Goals (SDG) era, the course incorporates digitalisation and sustainability elements to ensure graduates remain at the forefront throughout their professional careers.

The course involves studying subjects relating to construction technology, quantity measurement and cost estimating, project planning and management, strategy and financial management, contract administration, building and construction law, cost planning and estimating, cost management, and Information technology (IT) in construction, including Building Information Modelling (BIM).

For more information on the Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, and other engineering and science courses at Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my/study/, or connect with Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Jong (front row, 3rd left), civil engineer Emmery Dayang Dirk (back row, 4th right), with students and lecturers including Sr Dr. Low Wai Wah (front row, 3rd right) and associate Lecturer Praveena Muniandy (front row, 2nd right).