KUCHING: Over 100 participants across three sessions have registered to attend the GBI Facilitator Course, a training programme that covers all aspects of the GBI certification process for buildings, including its tools and application procedures.
Although the GBIF Course is not new to the industry, these sessions arranged by Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (SHEDA), mark the first time that the programme is fully funded by the Sarawak government, through the SBF Recovery BizFund.
Speaking to participants of the first session today, Anne Kung Soo Ching, who is SBF deputy treasurer and SBF Recovery BizFund co-chair, noted that the encouraging uptake demonstrated that industry players were taking proactive steps to adopt sustainability principles and practices in the built environment.
In a statement by SHEDA recently highlighted that participation from university faculty shows the potential of the industry-relevant programme syllabus to be expanded through the education sector.
“During the three-day course, it is expected that participants will be equipped with knowledge to integrate green building methodology during design and construction, identify ways to embed buildings with components and operational systems that will contribute to net zero energy usage, and reduce the risk of failure of green building construction in Sarawak.
“The main objectives of the programme are to expand the technical knowledge and capability of property developers, enable industry players to identify ways to embed buildings with components and/or operational systems that will contribute to net zero energy usage.
“Develop Sarawak-centric methodology for sustainable management and construction practices to overcome constraints and challenges in green building construction,” the press statement read.
The statement disclosed that of the 1,154 GBI facilitators currently registered in Malaysia, only 45 facilitators – or 3.8 per cent – are from Sarawak.
Another aim of the programme therefore is to increase the number of green building accredited professionals in Sarawak.
Also in attendance during Kung’s opening remarks were Augustine C.H. Wong, SHEDA president, Steve Tan Chen Hang, SHEDA treasurer general, Ar. Chan Seong Aun, GBI Accreditation Panel chair and Andrew Kong, general manager of Green Building Index Sdn Bhd.
