The UTM Construction Research Alliance has launched a new initiative called the “Young Researchers Programme”. This will focus on developing and improving the research performance of new and inexperienced staff and will aim to increase the production of high impact publications and international collaborative research projects. The first meeting of the new programme was held in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and included a presentation on postdoctoral stategies by the coordinator of the programme, Professor Dr Chris Preece of the RAZAK School of Engineering and Advanced Technology. For further details of the programme please see http://chrispreece.com/?page_id=164 or contact Prof Chris at chrispreece@utm.my