Inaugural Lecture on Built Environment Excellence in Digital Era

aimisara@utm.my

SKUDAI – On July 29, 2024, the Department of Quantity Surveying at the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU) hosted the Adjunct Professor’s Inaugural Lecture by Dato’ Sr Mohd Zaid bin Zakaria, the Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia. The lecture was titled “Beyond Boundaries: Built Environment Excellence in the Digital Era” and took place at Dewan Senat Ainuddin Wahid, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The event brought together students, faculty members, fellow academics, and industry professionals to engage with the insights shared by the invited speaker on the challenges and opportunities within the built environment, aimed at achieving greater distinction in the current era of digitalization. Dato’ Sr Mohd Zaid was accompanied by two delegates from CIDB – Mr. Mohd Zaidi Rahmat, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Construction Academy (ABM) Southern Region and Mr. Mohd Zainal Abidin Che Mat, Manager of CIDB Johor Branch.

The event began with a welcoming speech by Prof. Sr Dr. Kherun Nita bte Ali, Dean of FABU at 10:55 am. Following the welcome speech, Dato’ Sr Mohd Zaid delved into the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital era in the built environment sector. He emphasized the importance of transcending traditional boundaries to achieve excellence, mainly through the integration of digital technologies in design, construction, and project management. Dato’ Sr Mohd Zaid also addressed significant challenges associated with implementing emerging technologies, including the skills gap and regulatory compliance. He recommended investing in training programs, collaborating with educational institutions, and fostering a culture of continuous learning to bridge the skills gap. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of staying updated on evolving regulations, engaging with policymakers, and advocating for adaptable regulatory frameworks to ensure both innovation and safety.

The audience had the opportunity to interact with the distinguished speaker during the Q&A session, which focused on several key areas of interest. UTM academicians inquired about the potential for sharing CIDB data with students for research purposes, exploring collaboration between the Construction programme and ABM in areas such as Industrialised Building Systems (IBS), and integrating CIDB’s professional competency certificates into the curriculum. There were also discussions about partnering with CIDB on Green Building Star Rating studies and smart city planning initiatives. Additionally, questions were raised regarding CIDB’s strategies for addressing rising construction material and machinery costs, as well as managing supply chain challenges linked to increased diesel prices.

The lecture concluded with a token-giving ceremony to Dato’ Sr Mohd Zaid for his willingness to share his insights as the Chief Executive of CIDB Malaysia and his vast experience as an industry professional. The Adjunct Professor Inaugural Lecture provided a platform for meaningful dialogue on the future of the built environment in the digital age. It successfully brought together stakeholders from different segments of the industry, fostering a shared vision of excellence and innovation. The event was a resounding success, leaving participants with valuable insights and a renewed commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the built environment.