UTAR researchers win Emerald-CIC2025 Special Award on Digital Transformation

Dr Yow (second from left) with representatives from UMPSA, Emerald Publishing, and the EPPM Association

A team of researchers from the Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) achieved notable recognition at the joint conference of the 2nd Construction Industry Congress and the 15th International Conference on Engineering, Project and Production Management (CIC–EPPM 2025). The conference, organised by the Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM) and Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) was held from 28 to 30 October 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in conjunction with CIDB’s International Construction Week and the 2nd Digital Construction event.

Sr Dr Yow Li Ping, Sr Dr Wong Phui Fung, Ir Dr Lew Yoke Lian, and Ir Dr Felicia Yong Yan Yan were honoured with the Emerald-CIC2025 Special Award on Digital Transformation for their research paper titled Cost data management in Malaysian contractor firms: Current approach and digital adoption. The project was funded by the UTAR Research Fund (UTARRF).

The award recognises outstanding papers presented under the “Digital Transformation” track, highlighting research that contributes meaningfully to advancing digital adoption in the construction industry. The team’s study examines how Malaysian contractor firms manage cost data, including how cost information is collected, processed, stored, reviewed, and shared internally. By comparing practices across firms of different CIDB grades, the research provides meaningful benchmarking insights into the current level of digitalisation within the sector.

The researchers expressed their appreciation for the recognition, saying, “We are honoured to receive this recognition. This award serves as an important validation of our research direction and its potential impact on the industry. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to UTAR for supporting this research.”

Certificate awarded to the team