By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, March 15: Civil and structural engineering students of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) had the opportunity to learn more about centralised sewerage systems through a guest lecture on the Miri Centralised Sewerage System under development and site visits to a number of the project’s construction sites recently.
The lecture and site visits were organised by Curtin Highway Infrastructure Research and Innovation Hub (CHIRI) at Curtin Malaysia and Curtin Civil Society, the university’s society for civil and construction engineering students.
CHIRI is a research hub established in 2017 that collaborates with related industries in research and provision of technical services and innovative solutions to support the ongoing development of the Pan Borneo Highway and other civil infrastructure projects.
Giving the lecture was design engineer Edmund Kiu of Jurutera Minsar Consult Sdn Bhd, consultants for the ongoing Miri Centralised Sewerage System project.
Kiu highlighted the importance for urban centres like Miri to have centralised sewerage systems that allow the proper treatment of wastewater from residential and commercial buildings. He said untreated or partially treated wastewater will result in pollution when discharged into drains, streams and rivers.
According to Kiu, works on Phase 1 of the sewer pipes network and centralised wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 100,000 PE are in progress. Property connections to the sewer network will also be done. Phase 1 is expected to be completed in a few years and work is progressing on schedule.
In thanking Kiu for his contribution to student learning at Curtin Malaysia, Assoc Prof Muhammad Ekhlasur Rahman, Head of the Department of Civil and Construction engineering at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, said engagement with industry is invaluable to both the university and students.
“Guest lectures provide first-hand insights and allow interaction between students and staff with industry experts. They help our students develop the necessary knowledge and skills to be job-ready, and thus increase their marketability, upon graduation,” Muhammad Ekhlasur remarked.
In addition to the lecture, Kiu hosted the students on visits to three Miri Centralised Sewerage System construction sites: (1) at the construction sites along Jalan Bulan Sabit, (2) the Intermediate Pumping Station (IPS) site, and (3) the main wastewater treatment plant site.
Curtin Malaysia offers Curtin University’s world-ranked, four-year Bachelor of Engineering honours course in Civil and Construction Engineering, which is highly prized by graduates and respected by professional engineers worldwide. — DayakDaily
