Learning beyond the classroom walls

Group photo of the students and lecturers at the Convention

A group of UTAR students along with their lecturers attended the “Novus Youth Arena Convention 2017” on 27 and 28 October 2017 at the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Convention Centre, Jalan Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. The aim of the convention was to allow students related to construction programme, from various universities, to network with each other and the industry stakeholders. Held annually, the event was jointly organised by the Chartered Institute of Building Malaysia (CIOBM) and CIDB which gathered some participants from eight different institutions of higher learning, consisting both the public and private sector.

UTAR was represented by a busload of 42 students from the Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) under the Construction Management programme and two academic staff, namely Head of Construction Management Department Dr Olanrewaju Abdullateef Ashola and FEGT lecturer Ar Tan Seong Yeow.

Upon their arrival, they were warmly welcomed by Chairman of NOVUS Malaysia Rave Chua. The event began with an ice-breaking session for the participants to get to know one another followed by a game session called “Team Building Event Treasure Hunt” in the afternoon. In addition to the lined-up activities, the event also featured “NOVUS Night 2017 Talent Time” which saw boisterous and engaging performances from all the members of the participating universities. Various dishes were prepared, and many entertaining events were stacked for the night.

On the following day, they were once again welcomed by President of CIOBM Malaysia Sr Ong Bok Siong to hear a keynote address delivered by Chief Executive Officer of CIDB Dato’ Ir Ahmad ‘Asri bin Abdul Hamid and a series of informative talk. Among the talks that were covered during the event were “The way forward on Quality” by CIDB Construction Quality and Safety Division Manager Chuang Kuang Hong, “The way forward on safety and health” by MMC- Gamuda KVMRT Safety, Health and Environment Director Steven Gary Walton, “The way forward on Internationalisation” by International Federation of Asia & Western Pacific Contractor’s Associations President Datuk Matthew Tee Kai Woon, “The way forward on Environmental Sustainability” by Malaysia Green Building Confederation (MGBC )President Ir Ahmad Izdihar Supaat, “The way forward on Professionalism” by CIOBM Dr Yeow Yoon Foo, “The way forward on Productivity” by Sunway Construction Groups Director Datuk Kwan Foh Kwai, and “Update on the Construction Industry Transformation Program, 2016- 2020” by CIDB Senior Manager Siti Aminah Abdul Manaf. 

 Dr Olanrewaju (right) presenting the souvenir to Yong Tai Sdn Bhd Resident Engineer Wui Kai Shen (far left) as Pang looks on.

A trip was also made to Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre, a research centre under the stewardship of the National University of Singapore, located at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Herrem Street), Melaka on 29 October 2017 to expose the students to the heritage conservation works as well as the unique construction sites on reclaimed land. The project was a good example of joint venture cooperation between Malaysian and China companies in development and construction. The tour began with a briefing session delivered by Shaaru Saod Abdullah, the contractor responsible for the building conservation. He spoke about the process and duration of the conservation works. He particularly stressed on the purpose of leaving the brickworks bare in order to race the building historic evolution as well as to identify the nature of building defects. The students were impressed and captivated when they were led on a tour to view the building, the historic culture and its material significance.

The itinerary on the last day of the trip was to the construction site of the Impressions Theatre, which was the National Key Economic Area (NKEA) tourism project undertaken by Yong Thai Sdn Bhd and helmed by Datuk Wira Boo Kuang Loon. The project construction was headed by the China State Construction Company (CSCC) and the group was later joined by the engineers from the local Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) chapter. After the audience settled down, they were briefed by Yang Dipertua Majlis Perbandaran Hang Tuah Jaya Tuan Hj Mansor bin Sudinon the conservation policies of Melaka.

Thereafter Senior Project Manager Phang Bak Chua enlightened the audience by giving a visual presentation of the project which was basically a cultural performance theatre franchise from China, directed by the internationally acclaimed and award-winning Director Zhang Yimou who was responsible for the creative choreography of the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony 2008.

Before the trip adjourned, the group was given an opportunity to witness a heavy lift by a 12,000 ton crawler crane with its lifting jib that was responsible to lift 3,500 ton metal roof truss of the building.  

 A group photo of the students at the construction site