MIRI: The Chemical and Energy Engineering and Civil and Construction Engineering departments of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently conducted a site visit to the Miri Centralised Sewage Treatment Plant (MCSTP) for 21 third- and final-year civil and construction engineering and environmental engineering students.
The students were accompanied by 10 staff members from the two departments.
The visit provided the students and staff with valuable practical insights into real-world water treatment processes and enhanced their understanding of sewage treatment plants.
It was especially relevant to their current study of units on wastewater treatment processes, fluid and particle processes, and social-economic impacts in engineering.
During the visit, Mark Owen Baring, a mechanical engineer of the Sewerage Services Department Sarawak (SSD), gave a briefing on the MCSTP before taking the group on a tour of the plant, where Mark and his colleagues gave an on-site briefing on the workings of the facilities and equipment.
One of the students, Diya Merlin Varghese, said witnessing first-hand the aeration tank in operation was very beneficial, giving her a better grasp of the complex sewage treatment processes.
“This immersive experience really enhanced my comprehension of sewage treatment technologies and emphasised the significance of collaboration and knowledge exchange within engineering.
“It broadened my knowledge and instilled a greater appreciation for the complexities in ensuring effective wastewater management,” she said.
Another student, New Wei Xuen, felt the site visit offered them the chance to understand the city’s plans for wastewater treatment.
“The technologies employed at the treatment plant aligned with what we’ve learned in class. Overall, the site visit was beneficial,” he added.
For information on undergraduate courses at Curtin Malaysia, visit https://curtin.edu.my/study/undergraduate/.
