KUALA LUMPUR, OCTOBER 23-24, 2024 — Construction management students from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam marked a significant achievement with their participation in the BuildXpo and CIDB-CIOB Youth Arena Convention Malaysia (YACM) 2024. This impactful two-day event, hosted at MITEC Kuala Lumpur and organized in collaboration with TAR UMT, CIDB, and CIOB, provided UiTM students with a unique platform to engage directly with industry leaders, gain hands-on experience with emerging construction technologies, and enhance their understanding of the industry’s evolving landscape.
For UiTM, the students’ successful participation underscores the university’s ongoing commitment to embedding real-world, industry-relevant experiences in its curriculum. Through interactive exhibitions and expert-led forums, the students encountered the latest in construction innovations and received valuable insights on technological advancements poised to reshape the field. Distinguished speakers, including YB Dato' Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, the Minister of Works, and YBhg. Dato' Sr Mohd Zaid Zakaria, CEO of CIDB, emphasized the importance of technological adoption, aligning with UiTM’s mission to prepare students who are agile and ready to contribute to national development. The highlight of the second day was the CIDB-CIOB Youth Arena, where UiTM students joined peers from other leading institutions to explore the theme, “AI-Driven Innovation: Revolutionising the Construction Industry.” This focus on artificial intelligence in construction directly complements UiTM’s academic programs, which emphasize technological integration and industry-relevant skills. UiTM representative Ts. Nurul Asra
Abd Rahman, Head of Studies, led the university’s delegation and played a key role in the symbolic inauguration, reinforcing UiTM’s reputation as a pivotal player in fostering industry-academic collaboration.
The forum provided a significant learning opportunity, with panels featuring industry experts from PAM, TAM, IEM, mGBC, RISM, Innovacia Sdn Bhd, and Autodesk Malaysia. Discussions on AI’s role in streamlining construction processes equipped UiTM students with insights on how AI-driven tools can enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability in construction projects—knowledge that will be invaluable as they transition into their careers. For UiTM, these experiences help ensure that its graduates are not only academically qualified but also equipped with practical understanding and skills that reflect current industry demands.
Beyond technical learning, the event also cultivated critical soft skills among the students. Through ice-breaking sessions, team-based puzzles, and collaborative tasks, they honed their
problem-solving, communication, and teamwork abilities. The closing ceremony celebrated these accomplishments, with several UiTM students recognized for their outstanding participation, underscoring the university’s success in nurturing young professionals ready to lead and innovate.
The impact of YACM 2024 on UiTM students was profound, as they returned with a broadened perspective, stronger networks, and a deeper commitment to their future roles in the construction industry. For UiTM, this engagement represents a key success in its strategy to support Malaysia’s construction sector by fostering highly skilled, forward-thinking graduates who are ready to tackle the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities.