HANOI, Oct 8 – A delegation from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) took part in the international seminar titled “Promoting Sustainable Development in the Construction Industry through Advanced Construction Methods and Industrial Revolution 4.0,” held at Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE). The event, organized in collaboration with the University of Salford, United Kingdom, University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar, Pakistan, and UTM, brought together leading experts and industry professionals from Vietnam, Malaysia, Pakistan, Korea, and other nations. This seminar is part of a broader international project funded by the British Council through the UK-China-BRI Countries Partnership Research Funding Program. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Toan from HUCE opened the seminar by stressing the importance of adopting advanced technologies to overcome Vietnam’s challenges related to urbanization and environmental sustainability. He called for closer international collaboration to ensure the construction industry keeps pace with global technological advancements.
UTM Representation and Key Contributions
Associate Professor Dr. Mohamad Syazli Fathi, representing UTM, delivered a presentation titled “Digital Industrialized Building Systems (IBS) – The Malaysian State of the Art,” where he highlighted the advancements in Malaysia’s construction sector through the integration of digital technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), automation, and modular construction. His insights emphasized how these innovations enhance efficiency, sustainability, and safety in large-scale construction projects.
Notable Speakers and Industry Leaders
The seminar featured a wide array of experts, both from academia and the construction industry, offering diverse perspectives on modern construction methods and sustainability initiatives. This event provided a platform for sharing innovative ideas and practical solutions to address the pressing challenges in the construction sector today.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Quan Nguyen from HUCE presented a comprehensive case study on “Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in Vietnam”. He focused on how prefabrication and modular construction can meet the country’s housing needs while promoting sustainable development. Meanwhile, Dr. Adeel Arshad from UET Peshawar spoke on the “Belt and Road Initiative Project and Applicability of MMC within Pakistan’s Construction Industry”. He highlighted how advanced construction methods could enhance efficiency and quality in infrastructure project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework.
Director and Chief Architect at XM Co., Ltd. in Vietnam, MSc. Nguyen Xuan Man shared his experiences in modular housing design, particularly focusing on automation technologies for building homes in flood-prone regions. His innovative project illustrated how digital design and robotic assembly could revolutionize the way Vietnam addresses climate-resilient housing, providing solutions that adapt to the country’s unique environmental challenges.
Head of the Research and Development Department at CJSC Construction Technology Transfer and Application Joint Stock Company in Vietnam, Nguyen Van Thinh provided insights on “Prefabricated Concrete in Vietnam: Potential and Opportunities”. He discussed how prefabrication techniques could significantly improve construction timelines and quality in Vietnamese infrastructure projects.
Lastly, Dr. Hando Kim, Technical Director at Koryo Software Company in Korea, shared Korea’s experience in utilizing BIM and intelligent data platforms for managing large-scale construction projects. His presentation, “BIM Information Platform: Smart Construction Systems in Korea”, highlighted the potential of integrating BIM with artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to achieve greater precision and efficiency in building design, construction, and management.
Seminar Themes and Key Takeaways
The seminar focused on how Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and Industry 4.0 technologies can address long-standing issues in the construction sector such as low productivity, safety concerns, and environmental impacts. The discussions outlined how digital construction methods can help countries like Vietnam and Malaysia meet their net-zero carbon emission targets while fostering sustainable development.
Key topics discussed during the seminar included Digital Construction and MMC by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Syazli Fathi from UTM. He highlighted the crucial role of digital tools like BIM and IBS in modernizing Malaysia’s construction industry.
Another significant topic was Sustainability and Net-Zero Targets presented by Prof. Dr. Zeeshan Aziz from University of Salford, focusing on how automation, 3D printing and modular construction can reduce carbon footprints and improve energy efficiency.
The seminar also explored Vietnam’s Construction Industry, with various Vietnamese Industry leaders, including Nguyen Van Thinh and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Quan Nguyen, discussing how MMC and digitalization can transform Vietnam’s construction landscape. They particularly addressed housing and infrastructure challenges, highlighting the potential for modern construction methods to provide innovative solutions. Additionally, experts from Pakistan, Korea and Malaysia shared international perspectives on adopting MMC and digital innovations, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge exchange and future partnerships.
Conclusion
The seminar served as a platform for experts, industry leaders, government officials, and researchers to share innovative solutions and strategies for modernizing the construction sector. UTM’s active participation underscored its commitment to leveraging digital construction technologies and advancing sustainable practices on a global scale.