Curtin Malaysia engineering students get hands-on experience at on-campus borehole drilling site

Miri, Sarawak – 30 August 2025 – Civil engineering students at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently swapped lecture halls for hard hats during a rare educational opportunity to observe live borehole drilling – right on their own campus.

The hands-on site visit gave students a view of real-world geotechnical engineering in action, as they explored soil sampling, advanced drilling techniques, and subsurface data collection – key components in the design and safety of infrastructure projects.

Organised by the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, the visit was embedded into the geotechnical engineering curriculum and led by a team of academic and technical experts, namely Dr. Yong Leong Kong, Dr. Timothy Ting Zhi Hong, and Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Wong Kwong Soon, Head of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering.

“This is a unique chance for students to witness active site investigations – not in a textbook, not in a video, but in real life, just steps away from their classrooms,” said Dr. Yong. “Experiences like this turn theory into practice and equip students with the confidence and insight needed to tackle real engineering challenges.”

Before entering the site, students were given a safety briefing from Pou Wai Yee, Assistant Manager of Health and Safety, ensuring the visit adhered to strict safety protocols. Meanwhile, Curtin Malaysia’s Facility Manager, Voon Lee See, provided a technical overview of the borehole drilling process, explaining its critical role in foundation design and site investigation.

Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Wong highlighted the broader purpose of the visit, stating, “This is part of our commitment to learning by doing. Field engagement builds not just technical know-how, but the critical thinking and adaptability essential in today’s engineering landscape.”

The visit forms part of Curtin Malaysia’s larger strategic push to bridge academic learning with industry-relevant experience, preparing graduates who are both job-ready and future-focused.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Students observe borehole drilling techniques during the site visit.

Dr. Yong (6th from right) with students and Facility Manager Voon Lee See.

Academics (front row, from right) Voon Lee See, Dr. Timothy Ting, Dr. Wong Kwong Soon, and Dr. Yong Leong Kong with students.