MIRI: The Faculty of Engineering and Science at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently collaborated with the Young Engineers Section of The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM-YES) Miri Branch to host the CIVITOUR programme at the university.
The CIVITOUR programme is an important initiative by IEM-YES, aiming to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of engineering in society.
In this programme at Curtin Malaysia, 48 civil engineering students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and their advisor, Sr Ts Dr Asmawan Mohd Sarman was joined by Curtin Malaysia academics including Associate Professor Ir Wong Kwong Soon, Associate Professor Bridgid Chin Lai Fui, Ir Meheron Selowara Joo, and Jameson Malang. Also present were IEM Miri Branch chair lady Ir Chong Boon Hui and IEM-YES Miri Branch chairman Ts. Francis Liaw Zhen.
The main objective of the event was to expose UMS students to engineering ethics and strengthen the ties between IEM-YES and UMS.
Associate Professor Chin from Curtin Malaysia’s Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering conducted an Engineering Ethics workshop. She emphasized the importance of integrating ethics into engineering practice and highlighted the role of engineers in promoting public welfare and environmental sustainability.
During the workshop, the students reflected on their Engineering Ethics lectures and explored the practical application of the principles in real-world settings. They also discussed the practical implications of ethical principles in professional engineering endeavours, including transparency, accountability, and considering the long-term consequences of engineering decisions.
Furthermore, the workshop provided an opportunity for the students to discuss lessons learned from past engineering disasters, particularly the Fukushima nuclear accident in Ōkuma, Fukushima, Japan. They analyzed the failures in safety practices, infrastructure resilience, and risk management strategies that contributed to the catastrophe. By examining these shortcomings, they identified key areas for improvement in safety practices, infrastructure design, and regulatory frameworks.
The event concluded with closing remarks from UMS’s Sr. Ts. Dr Asmawan Mohd. Sarman, affirms the importance of collaborative efforts in nurturing ethical engineers for the future. A lunch was provided, allowing participants to network and engage in informal interactions.
Following the event, the students were given a guided tour of Curtin Malaysia’s new Engineering Research Laboratories and Curtin Aquaculture Research Laboratories. This provided them with a glimpse of the cutting-edge research being conducted at Curtin Malaysia and its practical applications in engineering.
IEM-YES Miri Branch chairman Francis Liaw Zhen Zhen expressed enthusiasm about facilitating enriching experiences for engineering students. He emphasized the importance of understanding the ethical considerations in engineering practice, comprehending the regulatory frameworks governing engineering projects, and appreciating the pivotal role played by the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) ineffective infrastructure management.
For more information about Curtin Malaysia, please visit their website at www.curtin.edu.my or find Curtin Malaysia on various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
