Curtin Malaysia helps deliver positive outcomes from Pustaka Negeri Sarawak’s HAMeeD Programme Series

Miri – 3 October 2023 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) was represented by senior academic Dr. Tan Yee Yong at the recent High Aptitude Meeting and Discourse (HAMeeD) Programme Series hosted by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak in Miri, helping to deliver positive outcomes that will benefit both the state library and various community stakeholders.

This includes expanding and widening the reach of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak’s information literacy programmes and keeping decision makers and industry players abreast with current and pertinent issues affecting society in Sarawak.

HAMeeD aimed to foster meaningful discussions on current local issues by providing a platform for prominent figures to express their views and offer suggestions. Thus, it featured a public forum where three panelists from government and academia, including Dr, Tan, shared their insights, which were then captured and transcribed into informative documents. These documents were subsequently distributed to heads of government agencies, corporate leaders, industry players, and other community stakeholders.

According to Dr. Tan, who is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, the key objective of the HAMeeD Programme Series was to create a bridge between community stakeholders and Pustaka Negeri Sarawak.

“By facilitating open dialogue and disseminating valuable information, the program aimed to contribute to the advancement of Sarawak’s society and empower individuals with knowledge,” he said.

He added that through the HAMeeD Programme Series, Curtin Malaysia showcased its commitment to promoting intellectual discourse, encouraging collaboration, and fostering informed decision-making within the local community. The programme’s success highlights Curtin Malaysia’s dedication to leveraging partnerships between academia, government agencies, and industry leaders to drive positive change.

During the forum session, the panel comprising Dr. Tan; Ir. Hiew Si Tien, Divisional Engineer with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Miri; and Tc. Danel Cheng, Assistant Engineer in the Engineering Department of Miri City Council, discussed flash floods in Miri City and its housing areas. The session was moderated by Hajah Salina Haji Zawawi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Services) of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, and the audience included staff of various government agencies and members of the public.

It was highlighted that Miri has experienced a high number of flash flood cases through the years. Although the city’s smart drainage system has been implemented in phases to control the situation, immediate action should nevertheless be provided by relevant agencies to mitigate the floods.

Dr. Tan gave an overview of the impact of climate change on flooding in Miri City and highlighted the importance of water-sensitive urban design in preventing and withstanding floods. He explained that sustainable stormwater management should be adopted to minimise the negative impact of urban development on the water cycle, including the implementation of permeable pavements, rain gardens and infiltration systems.

He concluded that water-sensitive urban design can not only prevent flash floods, but also promote the reuse and recycling of stormwater, and can be integrated with water supply and sewage management to ensure that Miri City is more resilient to climate change.

In addition to supporting the HAMeeD Programme Series, Curtin Malaysia continues to lead in offering quality education and research initiatives. With its state-of-the-art facilities, internationally renowned faculty, and diverse student body, the university remains steadfast in its mission to provide a comprehensive learning environment that nurtures future leaders who will make significant contributions to society.

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

Dr Tan Yee Yong talking about climate change and its effects of flooding in Miri City

The forum in session with panelists (L-R) Tc Danel Cheng, Dr Tan Yee Yong and Ir Hiew Si Ten.

All the attendees, facilitors and panelists of the HAMeeD Programme series pose for group photo