The ‘On-Site Learning’ activity was conducted by a group of 61 second-year Civil Engineering students, from the Faculty of Engineering (FKJ) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) took place at Sandakan, recently.
FKJ lecturer Sr. Ts. Br. Dr. Asmawan Bin Mohd Sarman, who guided the students in successfully organizing the program, stated, “This visit to the construction project of the Children’s Education Park and Training Complex for the Disabled serves academic purposes, introducing students to the ‘3D’ elements of construction: Difficult, Dirty and Dangerous. This exposure allows them to experience the real project execution environment and prepare for future career challenges,”.
The program director, Atalarick Firman Syach Bin Suhaini, highlighted the added value of this activity through interaction with professional engineers. “We received great cooperation from JKR Sandakan, and I am grateful for the knowledge gained and the questions raised by classmates. Everyone enjoyed the experience while learning something new. For me, as the program director, this is a success,” he shared.
The program was conducted as part of the KA21102 Contract and Estimation course in collaboration with JKR Bandaraya Sandakan Sabah, Babankong Sdn Bhd and Rigi Development Sdn Bhd. During the site visit, participants were accompanied by lecturer , Sr. Ts. Br. Dr. Asmawan Bin Mohd Sarman and site engineers who provided detailed explanations about the construction processes of the projects.
Additionally, the program served as a reunion of alumni. Alumni such as Ms. Nur Elfira Afifa Binti Mansor, an officer and engineer at JKR Bandaraya Sandakan Sabah, and Mr Azamawi as the engineer, symbolize the importance of early exposure in building a civil engineering career. Their achievements showcase how UMS alumni can excel and demonstrate competence in the engineering industry , inspiring students to achieve similar success.
Ms. Nur Elfira noted that this program , held for two consecutive years at JKR Bandaraya Sandakan Sabah, offers valuable exposure to construction site conditions. “My advice is for students to gain as much knowledge as possible by working on-site with suppliers or contractors to understand what needs to be known for future use,” she stated.
Mr. Azamawi, the engineer and UMS alumni, also remarked, “This program is excellent for gaining hands-on site experience, where students can ask questions to enhance their knowledge.”
Through the ‘On-Site Learning’ program, students were able to strengthen their bonds and enhance their enthusiasm for exploring new knowledge. It is hoped that this experience will help students directly understand the practical applications of their studies and better prepare them to face challenges in the real construction industry.