Practical learning just a stone’s throw away
CIVIL and construction engineering students of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) need only step out of their classrooms for a practical learning experience with ongoing construction for two new campus buildings – a two-storey Engineering Research Laboratory and single-storey cafeteria just across the road from the Faculty of Engineering and Science building.
The idea to involve the students came from Curtin Malaysia chief operating officer, Pieter Willem Pottas, who held the view that these reasonably large projects presented a perfect opportunity for practical experience right on the campus.
Sharing his views was Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Civil and Construction Engineering head, Assoc Prof Muhammad Ekhlasur Rahman, who said such experiences complement the students’ theoretical studies in class, adding that his department regularly organises study tours and site visits both in East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia.
Pottas said the buildings being built on campus, including an almost completed Curtin Trading Room facility, are designed to be iconic campus landmarks and built using some new and innovative construction techniques.
At the sites, the students were briefed on the survey works and shown the markings indicating pile points according to the structural drawings. They were also shown typical pre-cast reinforced concrete piles and learned the correct methods of handling and stockpiling the piles on site.
For a more hands-on experience, they performed an overall check of the piles to ensure soundness before piling began and continued to record piling data on actual piling record sheets. They also observed how extensions for pre-cast reinforced concrete piles are installed.
Further campus expansion projects at Curtin Malaysia include a Centre for Digital Centre for Excellence, four-storey student accommodation block and new rugby pitch.
Its RM63mil Pilot Plant Facility, owned and developed by the Sarawak State Government and operated by Curtin Malaysia, is due to be officially opened later this year.
Curtin’s Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Construction Engineering is a comprehensive combination of civil and construction engineering and offers a good balance of theoretical background and practical experience.
The course has extensive support and collaboration from industry players. Teaching staff come from reputable universities all over the world with specialised knowledge.
Students are equipped with the practical skills to begin working effectively as graduate engineers immediately after graduation – many have found work all over the world.
The course at Curtin Malaysia is identical to Curtin’s main campus in Perth and other Curtin international campuses.
Due to its excellent quality, it is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Council of the Board of Engineers Malaysia as well as Engineers Australia and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.
Curtin University is currently ranked in the top 100 of universities for Civil and Structural Engineering in the 2019 QS University Rankings by Subject. Curtin Malaysia is rated Tier 5: Excellent for its engineering programmes under Malaysia’s D-Setara discipline-based rating system.