3 Curtin academicians in IEM exco
MIRI: The Institution of Engineers Malaysia ( IEM), Miri Branch has elected three Curtin University Malaysia ( Curtin Malaysia) academics, who are also qualified professional engineers, to its executive committee for 20182019.
This is the first time the chairmanship of IEM Miri Branch is being held by a Curtin Malaysia academic and having three representatives in the executive committee is a milestone in the involvement of the university in IEM Miri Branch and testament to their standing as academics and professional engineers.
Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho, Dean of Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science and formerly vice-chairman I, takes the helm as the new chairman, while Ir Lim Chye Ing and Ir Meheron Selowara Joo assumed the positions of vice-chairman II and honorary secretary, respectively.
Lau has been with Curtin Malaysia since 2003 and is no stranger to the community of professional engineers in Sarawak, having served IEM Miri Branch in various capacities for the last 15 years.
Lim is a senior lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, while Meheron is lecturer in the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering. Lim was previously the IEM Miri Branch’s honorary secretary and Meheron an executive committee member for 2017-2018.
Also on the executive committee for 2018-2019 are Ir Paul Chiew Lik Ing (immediate past chairman), Ir Tian Foon Howe (vice chairman I), Ir Sean Wong Siong Ung (honorary treasurer) and committee members Ir Chong Boon Hui, Ir William Chien Hui Liang, Ir Lucas Loh Ted Sun and Ir Lau Chuang Bing.
Curtin Malaysia has always been well-represented in the IEM Miri Branch ever the campus was established in 1999 and many students and graduates are also actively involved through IEM’s Young Engineers Section ( YES) and Curtin-IEM Student Chapter.
The IEM Miri Branch, formed in 1998, is an institution that promotes engineering profession and supports professional development and networking among its members in Miri. It currently has over 400 members from various engineering backgrounds and industries.
Lau said that he is excited and honoured to be able to play a major role in transforming IEM Miri Branch and taking it in new directions after 20 years of establishment.
“The branch is already very focused. However, I believe I can bring different perspectives by encouraging the executive committee to provide increased support to future engineers in tertiary institutions to help them build their competencies, as well as to helping our existing members achieve their career goals,” he said.
He added that he hoped to enhance the partnership between IEM Miri Branch and Curtin Malaysia, leveraging the strengths of its Faculty of Engineering and Science and research hubs with the wealth of engineering expertise and networks within the IEM to meet the developmental goals of Malaysia and Sarawak.