MIRI: The Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently organised a visit to Best Quality Batching Sdn. Bhd, a precast yard and batching plant in Kuala Baram for 30 of its second and third-year students and their lecturers.
In a statement today, the university said the visit was aimed at educating the students on the different types of concrete used in civil engineering, as well as the process of concrete making, from the mixing of different raw materials in a process known as concrete batching, to the production of precast panels. It was also intended to help them understand the importance of meeting industry standards to ensure the performance and structural integrity of concrete.
The plant’s managing director Paul Pui provided the students a comprehensive understanding of the technicalities involved in concrete making. They demonstrated the various stages of concrete production, and briefed the students on the process of casting reinforced concrete piles and concrete culverts, and the production of cement bricks. They also highlighted how it was more advantageous to use cement bricks over clay bricks.
Apart from that, the students had the opportunity to observe the plant’s batching equipment in operation, including an aggregate batcher that stores and batches sand and aggregates, and a twin-shaft concrete mixer.
They also visited the plant’s control room which employs a computer-aided control system to enable fast and accurate measurement of ingredients, in addition to observing the plant’s quality control measures; including testing and verification measures to ensure that the concrete produced conform to standards.
The students were excited to see the use of advanced technology and equipment at the plant. They said that by witnessing the operations of the plant, they could better understand the technology behind the mass production of concrete, and apply concepts and theories they have learned in their classes to real-life applications.
“Such activities complement our theoretical skills learned in the classroom. It was a great educational experience for us to visit the plant and see the practical aspects of the civil engineering profession,” said student Melvin Chua.
Head of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Associate Professor Wong Kwong Soon, who accompanied the students on the visit, said the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering has been continuously developing learning opportunities designed to enhance students’ understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of the civil and construction engineering profession.
He said that site visits, guest lectures and other opportunities for engagement with industry experts, including Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities and internships, provide Curtin Malaysia’s civil and construction engineering students with a well-rounded education. By learning from both academic and practical sources, these students are set to become industry-ready graduates.
Curtin Malaysia offers Curtin’s Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Construction Engineering, which equips students with the knowledge and skills to apply scientific and technological principles to the design and construction of various types of infrastructure. It is a four-year honours course double-accredited by Engineers Australia (EA) and the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM).
For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit www.curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or Tik-Tok.
