Curtin Sarawak and EcoSteel seal research agreement

Miri – 20 September 2012 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently signed a research agreement with EcoSteel Sdn. Bhd. for a 2-year research project Curtin Sarawak’s researchers will conduct for the company.

EcoSteel Sdn. Bhd. provides premium steel solutions to the engineering and construction industries in Malaysia while Curtin Sarawak is the largest offshore campus of Western Australia’s Curtin University.

Signing on behalf of Curtin Sarawak was Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Ian Kerr, while Managing Director Mei Chee Chiang signed for EcoSteel.

Present to witness the signing were Assistant Minister of Communications and Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is also the chairman of Curtin Sarawak’s management board; Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Alistair Inglis; Director of Curtin Sarawak Research Institute Professor Aaron Goh; Dean of School of Engineering and Science Professor Yudi Samyudia; project leader Ir. Associate Professor Dr. Lau Hieng Ho and other representatives of the university.

The research project entitled ‘A Study on the Performance of Cold-Formed Steel Built-Up I Sections’ will be conducted by a team of researchers from Curtin Sarawak’s Department of Civil and Construction Engineering comprising Ir. Dr. Lau Hieng Ho, Dr. Muhammad Ekhlasur Rahman and Dr. Leblouba Moussa.

The team will study the performance of cold-formed steel (CFS) built-up I sections for CFS structures and create a finite element model of CFS built-up I-sections.

EcoSteel committed a total of RM137,000 to cover allowances, materials and miscellaneous items for this research while Curtin Sarawak will contribute RM150,000 towards tuition fees, infrastructure, utilities and staff salaries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Datuk Lee commended EcoSteel’s pursuit of superior steel products and advancement in steel design knowledge. EcoSteel is built on a strong technical foundation that provides solutions for steel buildings including roof trusses. He also said he looked forward to seeing more collaboration between the relevant industries.

“More and more industries are in need of experts to carry out research into improving their products and services. I believe partnerships between Curtin Sarawak and various business entities will benefit both parties as it creates a synergy where they can learn from each other,” remarked Datuk Lee.

Meanwhile, Professor Kerr commented that such collaborations ensure the university’s academic staff continue to advance in the field of R&D and create job opportunities for its graduates.

Mei Chee Chiang (3rd left) exchanging the research agreement document with Professor Ian Kerr (3rd right) while Datuk Lee Kim Shin and others look on.