UTAR Establishing Chair in Construction Management

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) is establishing an endowed chair in construction management with the contribution of RM2 million from SHL (Sin Heap Lee) Consolidated Berhad through its subsidiary. The collaboration was sealed at a signing ceremony and the presentation of a mock cheque held on 8 December 2009 at UTAR Petaling Jaya Campus.

The agreement was signed by UTAR President Ir. Professor Dato' Dr. Chuah Hean Teik, SHL Executive Directors Dato' Yap Teiong Choon and Dato' Ir. Yap Chong Lee. Witnesses for the agreement were UTAR Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Ir. Chan Cheong Loong and SHL Solicitor Mr. Norendra Ponniah.

Present to grace the momentous occasion was SHL Chairman Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Abdul Samad Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah as the Guest of Honour. UTAR Council Chairman Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik was also present for the occasion.

The Chair, named "SHL Professor of Construction Management" and to be set up at the Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology in the Perak Campus, involves the appointment of a Professor to hold the chair to conduct and oversee research and development activities in the construction management field.

The establishment of the Chair serves the primary objective of developing and achieving excellence in the research, development, education and training in the field of construction management. Through the Chair, UTAR endeavours to promote exchange of technical expertise and to facilitate and organise a wide range of activities in advancing construction management industry in Malaysia .

In addition, the Chair aims to establish and complement a stronger pool of expertise consisting of both academia and industrial representatives in the field of Construction Management to provide consultancy.

In his speech at the signing ceremony, Prof. Chuah said, "Construction management is an important contributor towards the physical development of our country. It is also a field with a huge potential and much new knowledge to be acquired for continuous improvement in tandem with the rapid advancement of modern technologies."

He added that UTAR as a teaching and research-focused institution was committed to the advancement of knowledge in all fields including construction management through synergistic partnerships and collaborations with other research or educational institutions and partners from the industry.

He expressed his deep appreciation to SHL for placing their faith and trust in UTAR to work together in further developing and advancing knowledge in construction management and extended his gratitude to Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Abdul Samad Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah for taking the time to attend the signing ceremony.

SHL Consolidated Berhad is a leading property developer and a public listed company with over 40 years of experience in property development in various parts of the country.