UTAR is reigning champ of civil engineering design competition

A team of UTAR Civil Engineering students made the university proud when they emerged champion of the Nehemiah Design Competition 2011 that was held in University of Malaya on 24 November 2011. 

Organised by the Department of Civil Engineering of University of Malaya and Nehemiah Reinforced Soil Sdn. Bhd, a company specialising in the design and construction of reinforced soil retaining walls, the competition aimed at encouraging civil engineering students to creatively solve challenging engineering problems based on a real-life scenario in Ulu Klang, which had seen a number of landslides over the years. In the competition, the students had to imagine themselves as designers working with the JKR Slope Division to solve major erosion and landslide problems in the designated area.

UTAR's team comprised Ng Kim Yeong, Ang Lip Hong, Huan Han Cheong, Hew Yi Wen, Ngio Hua Jian, Ooi Zhong Yi, Sim Jiun Leong, Sim Teong Piao and Tan Soon Haw. They took home a cash prize of RM 5000 and a plaque after beating another eleven teams from local public and private universities.

By winning this year's competition UTAR has secured its position as the reigning champion of this competition for the second consecutive year.  Last year's UTAR team, made up of final-year Civil Engineering students Lee Kok Sheng, Lee Lian Wei, Chiew Yi Zhong, Cheong Wei Hao, Richard Chai Chen Foon and Peter Soo Chin Yee emerged as champion and clinched the top prize of RM5,000 cash and a plaque at the inaugural Nehemiah Design Competition 2010.

"The hard work of team members paid off and they deserve the handsome victory," said Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Low Kaw Sai who is the advisor of the team. "Apart from good idea, the sheer determination to win and the exceptional team spirit and cohesion existed and prevailed in the team are the real driving forces propelled for the current success," he added.

Members of the UTAR winning team with their prize