Faculty of Civil Engineering, University Technology Malaysia has introduced the Tunnel Engineering course for the Master Engineering student and it is the first faculty in Malaysia that offers such a course (team teaching concept collaboration with industrial partner) in tunnel engineering. On the 26th March 2017, Tunnel Engineering Teaching Team, Dr. Siti Norafida Jusoh, Dr. Rini Asnida Abdullah, Tunnel Engineering class members (MKAJ 1113) and two tunnel experts from the Tunnel and Underground Space Technical Division (Institute Engineers Malaysia); Ir. Syed Rajah Hussain bin Mohd.Haniff (the Chairman of TUSTD) and Mr. Ilanchelvan Polanippan (TUSTD Technical Committee) successfully conducted a workshop on Tunnel Engineering.
Workshop of Tunnel Engineering was scheduled into two parts. This first part was held on 26th March 2017 at PBL 1, M46, Faculty of Civil Engineering attended by 55 participants, consisting of undergraduate to post-graduate students, lecturers from UTM, Universiti Tun Hussien Onn (UTHM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
The talk began at 9.00 am with the welcoming speech by the Dean of Faculty of Civil Engineering, Prof Khairul Anuar bin Kasim and followed with introduction to the TUSTD by the TUSTD Chairman. Six different modules were delivered which covered the introduction on the tunnel engineering, latest technology in the tunnel construction and case study of tunnelling work in MRT and also in U.K. The first three sessions were presented by Ir Syed Rajah on the Underground Survey, Tunneling in Soft Ground and Tunneling in Hard Rock. In the afternoon session, Mr Ilanchelvan talked on the Mechanized Tunnelling and Tunnel Lining, Instrumentation and Monitoring. Finally, the last session, Ir Syed Rajah covered on the Health, Safety and Environment Consideration.
Indeed, it was an interesting experienced-sharing session. New points of view on tunnelling and underground space development were adopted by the listeners. Experience-sharing by two speakers was a very good exposure to the audience. The talk ended at 2.30 pm with the presentation of memento of appreciation from Faculty of Civil Engineering to TUSTD. InshaAllah, the second part of the workshop will be held in April. For those who interested in tunnel, come and join us in second workshop. See you soon.
Reported by: Dr. Siti Norafida Jusoh (Coordinator of Tunnel Engineering MKAJ1113)
She is currently a Lecturer at the Department of Geotechnics and Transportation, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.