JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 28 – The Construction Material Research Group (CMRG), in collaboration with UTM Construction Research Centre (UTM-CRC), successfully organized a short course titled “Design for Strength and Durable Concrete” at the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FKA), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The course, tailored for industry professionals and postgraduate students, was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohd. Sam, an expert in construction materials from FKA UTM.

The one-day program combined theoretical and practical sessions, with hands-on activities held in UTM’s Concrete Laboratory. Dr. Abdul Rahman shared his extensive knowledge on concrete design, focusing on different strength classifications and optimal material selection to ensure long-term durability.

This course aimed to highlight the expertise of CMRG and UTM-CRC to industry participants and foster future collaborations. It also served as a platform for exchanging knowledge on the latest advancements in concrete design, supporting Malaysia’s push for stronger academia-industry partnerships.

With around 30 participants, the event attracted representatives from leading companies like JCEC Concrete Sdn. Bhd., Chaqura Holdings Sdn. Bhd., Aurum Precast Sdn. Bhd., IPS Precast Sdn. Bhd., alongside academic institutions such as UTM and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor Campus, Pasir Gudang. The presence of local authorities, including the Dungun Municipal Council (MPD), further highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration in driving innovation within Malaysia’s construction industry.

Looking ahead, CMRG and UTM-CRC are committed to offering more specialized short courses designed to meet the evolving needs of the civil engineering sector.