Curtin Malaysia sparks dialogue on sustainable engineering and climate-resilient cities

Miri, Sarawak – 12 November 2025 – In a strong show of commitment to sustainable urban development, Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently hosted a Sustainable Engineering Sharing Session, bringing together industry leaders, academics, and aspiring engineers to explore smarter ways to manage Sarawak’s stormwater challenges in a changing climate.

Organised by Dr. Lai Wai Yan and Dr. Yong Leong Kong with support from the Curtin Malaysia Teaching Support (CMTS) Fund, the event attracted students, academics, and members of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Young Engineers Section, Miri Branch. It also marked the launch of Curtin Malaysia’s new environmental engineering unit – Sustainable Urban Planning and Management.

The sharing session featured two prominent speakers, namely Eric Yong Pik Kwong from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak, and Ts. Dr. Samuel Law Lik Ging from P.L. Consultants, who offered real-world insights into stormwater management and erosion control – two of the most pressing issues for sustainable infrastructure in Sarawak.

Yong’s presentation on the Sarawak Urban Stormwater Management (SUStoM) initiative revealed how state-led efforts in introducing strategies for better stormwater management and reducing potential flood risk through “control-at-source” approaches such detention ponds and On-site Detention (OSD) tanks. His talk illustrated how SUStoM is already being enforced by Sarawak Government throughout Sarawak to enhance urban resilience against potential flood risk.

Meanwhile, Ts. Dr. Law, in his online presentation titled ‘Beyond the Design: Applying the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP) to Real-World Engineering Challenges’, bridged the gap between theory and practice. Drawing from extensive field experience, he highlighted how proper Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (ESCP), including the use of silt traps, silt fences, and sedimentation ponds, can prevent costly environmental damage during construction while meeting regulatory and sustainability standards.

Reflecting on the event’s success, Dr. Yong emphasised the urgency of equipping young engineers with future-ready skills. “Stormwater management and erosion control are fundamental to sustainable urban development. By exposing our students to real-world applications, we ensure they graduate with the knowledge and practical insight needed to design climate-adaptive cities that align with ESG principles and green building practices,” he said.

The event not only strengthened the bridge between academia and industry but also reinforced Curtin Malaysia’s role as a hub for sustainable innovation, knowledge sharing, and technical collaboration, supporting Sarawak’s broader environmental and resilience goals through education, research, and community engagement.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and TikTok.

(Front row, left) Dr. Yong Leong Kong and Eric Yong Pik Kwong with students and academics.

Ts. Dr. Samuel Law (top right) sharing insights on Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (ESCP) during a virtual presentation.

Dr. Yong (left) presenting a token of appreciation to Eric Yong Pik Kwong for his insightful talk on the SUStoM initiative.