Curtin Malaysia engages secondary school students with digital showcases

Miri, Sarawak – 26 April 2024 – The Department of Civil and Construction Engineering and Domestic Student Recruitment Department of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), recently organised a digital showcase event in collaboration with PCSS Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. as part of the university’s flagship Inspired By University (IBU) schools outreach programme. The event aimed to pique the students’ interest in digital technologies and other Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Over 155 students from two secondary schools here, namely SMK Pujut and SMK Merbau, participated in the event at the Distributed Learning Room of Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science. The students included a number of SPM leavers who seized the opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding of digitalisation in construction, demonstrating their eagerness to embrace emerging technologies.

Central to the event was a talk on digitalisation in construction by Ir. Ts. Shazwan Ehsan from PCSS Consultancy Sdn. Bhd., where Shazwan explained how digital technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM) and 3D Reality Modelling are revolutionising the construction industry. He demonstrated this by showing a 3D reality model of Kuching City and an example of VR used in a construction project, providing the students with a clear understanding of virtual models in construction.

This was followed by interactive competitions designed to challenge and inspire the students. Activities included drone simulations and games utilising virtual reality (VR) technology, providing a hands-on experience of cutting-edge digital tools used in the construction industry.

Associate Professor Dr. Wong Kwong Soon, Head of the Department for Civil and Construction Engineering, who was on hand to welcome the students, expressed his delight at the overwhelming response from the students. “It’s inspiring to see young minds eager to explore the possibilities of digitalisation in construction. Events like these not only enrich their learning experience but also inspire them to pursue careers in this dynamic field,” he remarked.

He added that the collaboration between Curtin Malaysia and PCSS Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. exemplifies the commitment to fostering industry-academia partnerships that drive innovation and excellence. Through such initiatives, both organisations aim to equip the next generation of construction professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly digitalised world.

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

Curtin Malaysia is the largest international campus of Curtin University, Australia, located in Miri, Sarawak. It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various disciplines, providing students with a global education experience in a vibrant and multicultural environment.

PCSS Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. is a leading consultancy firm specialising in construction project management and digitalisation solutions. With a focus on innovation and excellence, PCSS Consultancy collaborates with industry partners and academic institutions to drive advancements in the construction sector.

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.

Dr. Wong (left) and the event organising team pose for group photo with the students

The students taking notes while listening to the talk on digitalisation in construction

Ir Ts Shazwan sharing his extensive knowledge of digitalisation in construction, including BIM and 3D Reality Modelling