Curtin Malaysia’s Leonardo Bridge Building Competition showcases exceptional talent of students from Miri schools

Miri – 6 October 2023 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently hosted its much anticipated Leonardo Bridge Building Competition featuring student teams from various schools in Miri.

Organised by its Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences in collaboration with the Curtin Malaysia Library, the competition was a showcase of innovation, engineering expertise, and teamwork among young creative minds.

The participating teams and their bridge designs were put through very rigorous evaluation by a panel of judges comprising Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences lecturer Nur Yusrina Binti Mohammad Hasmi and associate lecturer Josfirin Uding Anak Rangga. The teams were required to build a Leonardo Bridge using waste and recyclable materials that can withstand heavy loads. The best design could be replicated for emergency use in isolated areas in the interior of Sarawak.

Three teams emerged the finalists at the end of the judging – SMK Riam, SMK Pujut, and Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang. According to the judges, all three teams’ designs demonstrated outstanding structural integrity and aesthetics, and their members displayed outstanding engineering acumen and creativity in crafting intricate bridges.

SMK Riam eventually emerged the champion for their bridge design which the judges described as exemplifying exceptional engineering principles and embodying perfectly the innovative spirit of the competition.

The teams received their awards from Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor and Interim Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, Professor Vincent Lee Chieng Chen, and Dean of Learning and Teaching, Professor Tang Fu Ee.

Lecturer in the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences and organiser of the competition, Terry Justin Dit, said the Leonardo Bridge Building Competition offered both a platform for students to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical applications and cultivate a spirit of friendly competition and collaboration.

“Participants not only gained invaluable experience in engineering and design but also acquired valuable lessons in teamwork, creativity, and effective problem-solving,” he said.

“The event was an unequivocal success, shining a spotlight on the outstanding talent and promising potential of young minds in the fields of engineering and design. Curtin Malaysia extends its heartfelt congratulations to SMK Riam for their exceptional achievement, and commends all the participating students for their remarkable dedication and hard work,” he said.

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.

Team SMK Pujut putting finishing touches to their bridge

Team Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang testing the strength of their bridge

Team SMK Riam building their bridge

The competition champions SMK Riam

Second-placed team SMK Pujut

Third-placed team Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang

Bridge undergoing rigorous testing by judge