KUCHING – Officers from Sarawak’s State Implementation Monitoring Unit (SIMU) now have a better understanding of civil engineering and construction after attending an introductory workshop at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, recently.
The 22 SIMU staff from various offices in Sarawak took part in the one-day “Civil engineering and construction knowledge 101” workshop put together and facilitated by senior academics of the Australian university branch campus.
The topics, tailored for the mostly non-engineering participants were on road and building/structural projects, construction management, including how technology is reshaping the construction industry.
Parked under the Office of the Premier of Sarawak, SIMU monitors and evaluates the implementation of all approved state funded development projects.
“Swinburne Sarawak prepared a comprehensive and yet simple to digest information on civil engineering,” said SIMU Director Tuan Haji Azmi bin Haji Bujang who took part in the workshop.
Haji Azmi added that he will be looking to have more workshops on topics such as mechanical and electrical engineering, and quantity surveying in the future to equip SIMU staff with the knowledge to carry out their duties more effectively.
Swinburne Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor and CEO Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho, who presented the participants with certificates of completion, said that as a result of climate change society has to adapt.
“A lot has to change because we cannot avoid climate change but instead learn how to mitigate it. Corrosion, for example, is another factor to consider as it will affect the reinforcement of buildings. During construction, you have to determine how rebars are stored and look at the implementation on-site,” Professor Lau said.
“So, the impact of climate change has to be taken in consideration. This is not only looked into by engineers but also by non-engineers like yourself who are monitoring projects,” he said, adding that he hoped the participants found the workshop beneficial.
Professor Lau, said the facilitators were experts in their field with many industry consultancy projects under their belt.
The workshop was facilitated by Swinburne Sarawak’s Ir Dr Angelia Liew San Chuin, Dr Daniel Looi Ting Wee, Dr Choo Chung Siung, Dr Elizabeth Chong, and Ts Dr Chai Chang Saar from the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science.