Enriching students’ experience through RISM Symposium 2019

Front row, from left: Sr Richard Ooi, Sr Eric Khoo, Sr Dainna, Prof Goi, Dr Felicia Yong, TPr. Rene Fu and LAr. Dr Rohayah with the participants

The RISM Intellectual Development Economic Appraisal (iDEA) Symposium 2019 was held on 16 November 2019 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. The event was organised by the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) Quantity Surveying Division and co-hosted by Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science’s (LKC FES) Department of Surveying and UTAR Built Environment Society.

Present at the event were LKC FES Dean Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, RISM Quantity Surveying Division Secretary Sr Richard Ooi Hoo Ong, Symposium Organising Chairman-cum-RISM Quantity Surveying Division Representative Sr Eric Khoo, RISM Hon. Secretary General-cum-Judging Panel Sr Dainna Baharuddin, LKC FES Head of Department of Surveying Dr Felicia Yong Yan Yan, Judging Panel TPr. Rene Fu Swee Yun, Judging Panel LAr. Dr Rohayah Che Amat, participants and staff.

Prof Goi delivering his welcome remark

At the opening ceremony, Prof Goi said, “The Intellectual Development Economic Appraisal (iDEA) Symposium 2019 will be a day of intellectual inquiry and exchange for various local university students to network, discuss and share their inventions and innovative ideas. This symposium will showcase the diverse learning opportunities among students from different disciplines, and their ability in applying classroom knowledge on professional practice, from inception to completion, in a Live Project Scenario. I certainly hope that this event will provide fresh impetus for advancement in education and human resources. I am confident too, that strong connections and bonds will be established between all of us who share the common goal of nurturing the young talents.”

About 315 participants from ten universities, namely UTAR, Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL), SEGI College, UCSI University, Taylor’s University, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak, University of Reading Malaysia, INTI International University, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak, and Linton University College participated in this symposium.

The symposium aimed to provide undergraduates with the unique opportunity to exhibit their knowledge, invention and innovation on Professional Practice. Undergraduates also had the chance to exhibit their knowledge on Professional Practice through poster and oral presentations to fellow Built Environment undergraduates from various universities. Aside from that, the symposium provided a holistic understanding of the services provided by Built Environment professions besides enabling students to further develop and improve skills in communication, technology, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and build teamwork for their future career.

The symposium required a team of ten undergraduates with each representing a profession such as Architecture, Quantity Surveyor, Civil Engineer as well as MEP Engineer and one lecturer as the advisor to take part in the poster and oral presentation. Participants were given a “Live Project Scenario”, and they had to work together to apply classroom knowledge on professional practice from inception to completion of the project. In the symposium, participants were involved in three components where the panels gave marks based on the submitted written report, poster presentation and oral presentation. Hence, the symposium provided an academically enriching experience for presenters and participants.

Sr Dainna delivering her speech during the opening ceremony

Sr Dainna (left) and Prof Goi exchanging token of appreciation

UTAR participants, from left: Khor Jen Feng, Sau Yung Kang, Khoo Khai Yuan, Soh Yu Xuan, Dr Wong Phui Fung, Dr Felicia Yong, Prof Goi, Ng See Jie, Low Boon Yung, Tan Jia Yi, Lau Chi Ying, Lim Chen Hee and Ng Shu Chee