Curtin Malaysia students gain added knowledge from guest lectures

Miri – 12 December 2022 – Construction management students of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) were recently given guest lectures in virtual mode by two experts in value management practice and civil engineering measurement methods, respectively.

Associate Professor Sr. Dr. Saipol Bari Bin Abdul Karim from University of Malaya, who is an expert in risk and value management and a Consultant Quantity Surveyor (CQS) registered with the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM), gave a lecture on value management practice in Malaysia to 25 students studying Curtin’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction Management.

The aim of the lecture was to prepare them for their BLDG3012 Cost Management and BLDG4010 Integrated Construction Project unit and also aid them in their future assessments and their future careers in the construction industry.

In his lecture, Sr. Saipol highlighted some Malaysian construction projects that implemented value management. He also shared with the students some of the job opportunities in value management available to graduates, as well as tips on improving their value management assessments.

Another guest lecture on the Malaysian Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (MyCESMM) was given to 14 construction management students and academic staff by Sr. Wong Chii Nguong, a senior lecturer from the School of Built Environment at University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) and a director in ELP Quantity Surveyors (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd. Dr. Wong is also a CQS registered with the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia.

Sr. Wong’s lecture was organised for students taking the BLDG3008 Engineering Measurement unit of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction Management. Apart from learning about CESMM4 (the Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement, Fourth Edition), practised in Malaysia, the students learned about the Malaysian standard method of measurement for piling work.

Head of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, Associate Professor Wong Kwong Soon, said guest lecturers by industry experts and academics from Curtin University’s main campus in Perth and partner universities are an integral part of student learning at Curtin Malaysia.

He said guest speakers are fundamental in breaking down the barriers of the classroom walls to deepen learning. The experience gives students the opportunity to connect with professionals and other experts and create meaningful learning connections.

“They provide our students with alternative perspectives, opinions, and personal experiences that can reinforce the teachings of their lecturers. Furthermore, guest lectures are always highly anticipated by our students as a supplement to their normal course lectures,” said Assoc. Prof. Wong.

Curtin’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction Management is a 4-year honours course available at both its Perth and Malaysia campuses. This degree programme focuses on two disciplines, namely construction management and quantity surveying. The course entails study of construction technology, quantity measurement and cost estimating, project planning and management, strategy and financial management, contract administration, building law, cost planning and management, implementation of information technology in construction, professional communication and interpersonal skills.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in supervised visits to construction sites and international study trips. In addition to their studies, they are encouraged to undertake work experience within the industry prior to graduating.

Graduates of the course can look forward to careers as quantity surveyors, building technicians, building surveyors, building contractors, project managers, construction managers, contracts administrators, estimators, facilities managers, and property developers.

For more information on the course, visit courses.curtin.edu.my.

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at www.curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Assoc Prof Sr Dr Saipol Bari Bin Abdul Karim from University of Malaya

Sr Wong Chii Nguong from University of Technology Sarawak and ELP Quantity Surveyors