Curtin Malaysia hosts landmark 7th Civil and Environmental Engineering Research Conference

Miri, Sarawak – 26 July 2024 – Curtin University Malaysia’s Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, in collaboration with the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) Miri Branch, hosted the 7th Civil and Environmental Engineering Research Conference, setting a new benchmark for academic and professional engagement, recently.

According to the head of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Associate Professor Ir. Wong Kwong Soon, the conference offered final-year students a unique platform to present their projects in a professional setting, nurturing the next generation of engineering leaders. The comprehensive programme included parallel sessions for student presentations, three thought-provoking guest lectures, and an insightful site visit to a Pan Borneo Highway construction site.

The lecture series, focused on the Pan Borneo Highway project, began with Ir. Siaw Ming Chian from the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, who provided an in-depth overview of the stringent requirements and specifications for the highway. His lecture set the stage for understanding the complexities of such a massive infrastructure project.

Next, Ir. Hii Hwang from Konsortium Bumi Consultants and Services Sdn. Bhd., shared the innovative design solutions for the viaduct bridge at the Lambir Section, detailing the engineering triumphs that overcame significant challenges in the project in December 2018.

The series concluded with engineer Ir. Yii Hock Wong from Pekerjaan Konkerit Piasau Sdn. Bhd., who offered an engaging discussion on the construction of bored piles for the highway, highlighting the technical expertise and precision required for this critical component.

The diverse audience, comprising final-year project students, a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student, lecturers, a campus engineer, and 14 industry engineers, were deeply engaged by the lectures, which sparked lively discussions. The enthusiastic exchange of ideas underscored the importance of such academic-industry interactions.

Following the lectures, the participants embarked on an educational site visit to the Pan Borneo Highway construction site, where an expert in pile testing guided them through the intricacies of the bidirectional load testing method used for bored piles. The hands-on experience and detailed explanations provided valuable insights into the practical aspects of the project, with the participants actively engaging in discussions and seeking clarifications.

More information on Curtin Malaysia can be found at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.

Assoc Prof Ir Wong Kwong Soon (2nd left) and others during parallel sessions for final-year students

Ir Siaw (front) sharing insights on implementing the Pan Borneo Highway

Expert explaining the Bi-Directional Static Load Testing to students and engineers

Assoc Prof Ir Wong (front row, left) and others posing for a group photo during site visit to Pan Borneo Highway