KUALA LUMPUR: A group of Construction Contract Management (CCM) students from the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU) of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) visited the Asian International Arbitration Center (AIAC) in Bangunan Sulaiman, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Kuala Lumpur. This visit aimed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by giving students first-hand exposure to arbitration and adjudication professionals.
AIAC representatives Mr. Bryan Richard, Head of Business Development, and Ms. Ng Chu Yin, Head of Legal, extended a warm welcome to the UTM delegation. Interestingly, Ms. Ng’s presence had a special significance. It turned out that she was one of the first graduates of the CCM Master’s program at FABU, furthering the connection between the institution and the industry leader.
The visit began with a presentation by Mr. Brian who touched on the rich history of AIAC and the fascinating development of arbitration in Malaysia. The AIAC was established in 1978 under the auspices of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) and operates as a non-profit, non-governmental organization. Mr. Brian highlighted the benefits and legal protection that AIAC enjoys due to its classification as an international organization. The presentation also explained AIAC’s multifaceted role. It acts both as a service provider for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service provider and a public-serving institution. As such, AIAC focuses on education, comprehensive conflict management strategies and capacity building initiatives for stakeholders across the Asia-Africa region.
After Mr. Brian’s presentation, Ms. Ng Chu Yin took the stage. She explained in detail the main forms of jurisprudence, capturing the attention of the students. The informative event concluded with a Q&A session where the students engaged in conversation with Ms. Ng and gained valuable insights into the practical application of arbitration and adjudication procedures.
The visit culminated in a tour of the AIAC’s function rooms. The students were taken to the Arbitrators’ Lounge, where the arbitrators normally spend time before and after hearings. Then it was on to the library, a treasure trove of legal resources, including the best books, journals and case studies meticulously compiled for future reference. The tour finally ended in the well-appointed hearing rooms, which were designed in various sizes to accommodate the different needs of the parties involved in arbitration proceedings. These rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to facilitate virtual proceedings, demonstrating AIAC’s commitment to adapting to the evolving landscape of dispute resolution.
Overall, the AIAC visit proved to be a valuable learning experience for the FABU CCM students. It provided them with a deeper understanding of the intricacies of arbitration and adjudication while fostering connections with industry professionals.
Written by: Zuhaili Mohamad Ramly, Muzani Mustapha and Fadhil Akbar Siregar