National Eco Construction Competition

A team of UTAR students who participated in the National Eco-Construction Competition 2017 (NECO) on 29 November 2017, won the first-runner up with RM7,000 cash prize.

From left: Phang, Yong, Tan, Chew, Ong, and Ang with their awards and winning project

The team was comprised of seven students from Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES), which included Architecture student Tan Ying Kuan, Chew Cher Kien, Yong Song Zhe, and Ang Kwang Ken, Mechanical Engineering student Ong Jing Yuan, Electrical and Electronic Engineering student Phang Kam Ping, as well as Quantity Surveying student Yap Jea Hui.

Aimed to develop the innovative thinking skills among youth and to foster sustainable construction, the competition was designed to encourage undergraduate and postgraduate students who were majoring in Architecture, Civil, Mechanical and Electrical from local universities or colleges in presenting their design projects by applying innovative sustainable construction approach while balancing the element of sustainable in greening the construction field.

Phang said, “It was an astonishing experience to represent the UTAR LKC FES in competing with other universities in the national level for a greener future. Being the electrical engineer in my team, I have implemented innovative ideas for our sustainable design while maintaining the maximum welfare in the electrical services. Also, this competition has given me the exposure to various disciplines and expertise in the engineering field and I have definitely blossomed with the knowledge that I have acquired and the industrial leaders that I have encountered. And yes, we are very proud to carry the name of UTAR and emerge as the first runner-up in this competition.”

Sharing the similar thought, Ang and Ong added that the competition has provided them with a golden opportunity to gain more valuable knowledge in sustainable design and has also further broadened their knowledge in the field. Meanwhile, Yong indicated that winning the competition was no longer an individual academic accomplishment because it carried the reputation of the entire team, faculty and even the university. “So I must propel further than the usual and perform extraordinarily to continuously be a blessing for the others,” he said.

On the other hand, Tan said, “I do not regret making the decision to participate in this competition with my team. I do admit that it is not easy to establish an effective coordination between all the members, especially if you are from different backgrounds. However, with this platform, we were given the chance to work together in sleepless night for the common goal and achieve this accomplishment together!”

Tan (left) presenting the idea to the judge

The competition was jointly organised by Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) with its newly established Sustainable Construction Excellence Centre (MAMPAN), along with Centre for Advanced Construction Technology and Innovation (CACTI), Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).