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The construction sector is anticipated to rebound by 13.9% in 2021 due to the revival of major infrastructure projects, along with affordable housing projects, according to the Ministry of Finance, Malaysia
As we move past the COVID-19 pandemic, the built industry would need high-skilled talent equipped with the right capabilities and capacities to steer the nation and industry through the intricacies and complexities of making the shift towards greater technology adoption.
As one of the leading UK universities known for its world-class teaching and practical, leading-edge research, Heriot-Watt University has had a long-standing history of shaping tomorrow’s talent in the fields leading to the built industry, to cater for a society that increasingly demands a sustainable, eco-friendly, and safe built environment.
In response to this, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) is pleased to announce the establishment of two bursaries under ‘The Datuk Seri Dr Michael Yam – CIOB Bursary’, to nurture the deserving bright young minds at the University’s Malaysia campus, who would be joining this industry in the upcoming September intake. There are two types of student bursaries:
- Bursary 1, valued at a total of RM40,000, will support up to four new commencing students for their first year of their undergraduate degree in Construction Project Management and Quantity Surveying as well as Postgraduate MSc degree in Construction Project Management, who would be starting their studies in the September 2021 intake.
- Bursary 2, valued at RM20,000, will support two current students undergoing their undergraduate degree in Construction Project Management and Quantity Surveying, whose financial standing may have been impacted by the pandemic situation.
Provost and Chief Executive Officer of HWUM, Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, says: “We are deeply grateful to Datuk Seri Dr Michael Yam, for this generous contribution towards supporting the future of our bright talents of this industry. We are now able to extend this valuable opportunity to deserving students with the ability and ambition to succeed and we look forward to harnessing their competitive spirit and nurturing excellence in them.”
Chartered Institute of Building Senior Vice President and Bursary Donor, YBhg Datuk Seri Dr Michael Yam, says: “I believe we all have a collective responsibility in nurturing our future generations. I sincerely hope that with our contributions, some students will have the opportunity to pursue education and realise their ambitions. I also hope someday they will pay it forward for others in the future.”
Yam is the current Senior Vice President of the UK headquartered CIOB, which is the world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership. The professional body was founded in 1834 and has a global membership of 45,000 members. When he becomes the 119th President of the CIOB in 2022, he will be the first Malaysian and the second Asian to be elected to this position in the chartered institute’s 188-year history.
Heriot-Watt University was pleased to confer an Honorary Doctor of University (DUniv) degree upon Yam earlier this year, in recognition of his contributions in the field of construction, project management, and real estate development spanning more than 35 years.