JOHOR BAHRU, Dec 10 – The RISM Career Talk 2024, aimed at promoting surveying professions, was organized collaboratively by the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) Johor Branch and the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). This annual program specifically targeted first-year students in the surveying programs of Geomatics & Land Surveying (GLS), Quantity Surveying (QS), and Property Surveying (PS). The event aimed to provide these young surveyors with valuable insights into the industry, potential career opportunities, and the professional journeys of licensed practitioners.
The event was officiated by Sr. Tan Pei Ling, the Chair of the RISM Johor Branch for 2024/2025. With support from four student associations from the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (FABU-UTM) — including the UTM Real Estate Management and Valuation Association (PEHARTA), the UTM Land Surveying Student Association (PEMETA), the UTM Geoinformatics Club (GEOINFO), and the UTM Quantity Surveying and Construction Association (QS-Bina) — the event attracted over 300 students from fields such as Geomatics Engineering, Geoinformatics, Quantity Surveying, and Real Estate.
Attendees included students from FABU-UTM, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), the University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM), and Southern College University (Southern UC) in Johor. In her opening remarks, Sr. Tan Pei Ling expressed gratitude to the lecturers and students from the four universities for their participation. She encouraged students to engage actively with the event, which took place in Dewan Sri Meranti at Kolej Rahman Putra, UTM. The event served as a platform for students to interact with experienced practitioners and gain insights into various opportunities within the field of surveying.
The program featured a series of presentations from three licensed industry experts: Prof. Sr. Dr. Mohd Razali Mahmud from GLS, Sr. Alice Tay Lee Yong from QS, and Sr. Lee Kun Thye from PS. The speakers shared their passion for their career paths, bridging the gap between theory and practice in surveying. They provided real-life examples and experiences that gave students a tangible connection to what is taught in the classroom.
After the presentations, attendees engaged with the speakers in an interactive question-and-answer (Q&A) session. The questions covered career advice, industry trends, and specific technical queries. The esteemed speakers provided invaluable insights and practical tips, fostering an informative and lively discussion that inspired, guided, and motivated students aspiring to excel in the noble field of surveying.
Before the session concluded, Sr. Dr. Kelvin Tang Kang Wee, a Senior Lecturer at FABU and Treasurer of the RISM Johor Branch, addressed the audience with an informative briefing on the significant benefits of RISM membership and the RISM Scholarship & Education Fund. He detailed the wide range of opportunities and resources available to student members. He emphasised that RISM membership provides a platform for professional growth and development through access to a vast network of industry professionals, continuous learning programs, and exclusive events.
Sr. Dr. Kelvin also highlighted that membership in RISM is more than just joining a formal association; it is a commitment to a community that fosters professional excellence and ethical standards. He elaborated on the numerous advantages of joining RISM, such as eligibility for various scholarships and educational funds specifically designed to support the academic and career aspirations of surveying students. These financial aids are intended to ease the burden of educational expenses, allowing students to focus more on their studies and professional development.
The UTM FABU-RISM Career Talk 2024 provided young surveyors with a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, gain important insights into the industry, and network with peers from across the southern region. This three-and-a-half-hour program was a great success, and positive feedback was received from all attendees.
We would like to extend special thanks to the FABU lecturers, course coordinators, student association advisors, and committee members from PEMETA, GEOINFO, PEHARTA, and QS-Bina for their exceptional cooperation and support in making this event possible.
We look forward to seeing you next year and wish all our young surveyors the best in their future endeavors!