(Miri, 6th) Nearly 100 secondary and university students participated in the annual civil engineering competition held last week at Curtin University Malaysia, showcasing their engineering talents through innovation and problem-solving skills.
The event, organized by the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering in conjunction with the university's Learning and Teaching Office and local student recruitment department, featured two main competition categories: Road Safety Awareness Digital Poster Contest and the popular Spaghetti Bridge Building Challenge.
Students from seven local secondary schools, including SMK Chung Hua Miri, SMK Riam, SMK Dato Permaisuri, SMK Baru, SMK Taman Tunku, SMK Pujut, and SMK Lutong, participated alongside Curtin University undergraduates. They applied classroom theories to real-world scenarios, focusing on design, safety, and durability.
"The scale of traffic accidents in Malaysia is alarming and requires serious attention," commented senior lecturer Meheron Selowara Joo when judging the digital poster competition.
"By inspiring the imagination of young people now, we are investing in a safer future," he added.
This digital competition encouraged students to propose innovative and research-based road safety solutions, addressing one of Malaysia's most pressing public health issues.
Meanwhile, in the Spaghetti Bridge Building Challenge, teams were required to construct the strongest bridge using dry spaghetti and glue.
The highlight of the competition was the dramatic 'build and destroy' finale, where each structure was stress-tested until collapse.
"When structures fail, lives are at risk. Whether it’s a bridge, a stage, or a scaffold, good design can save lives," stated competition supervisor Dr. Lee Yeong Huei.
For many students, the experience was eye-opening.
"An exciting experience melding creativity and physics," one participant remarked, "Watching our bridge collapse was heartbreaking, but it perfectly highlighted our shortcomings, which is the best way to learn."
At the closing ceremony of the event, Professor Tuong-Thuy Vu, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, encouraged participants to carry forward the lessons they learned into the future.
"Problem-solving does not end with the competition; it is the foundation of innovation," he said, "Apply this mindset to everything you pursue."
Professor Tang Fu Ee, Dean of the Learning and Teaching Office, also emphasized the university's commitment to connecting knowledge with community needs.
"Through initiatives like 'Community Engaged Learning (CEL)', we empower students to become agents of change in the community," he said.
The event, organized by the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering in conjunction with the university's Learning and Teaching Office and local student recruitment department, featured two main competition categories: Road Safety Awareness Digital Poster Contest and the popular Spaghetti Bridge Building Challenge.
Students from seven local secondary schools, including SMK Chung Hua Miri, SMK Riam, SMK Dato Permaisuri, SMK Baru, SMK Taman Tunku, SMK Pujut, and SMK Lutong, participated alongside Curtin University undergraduates. They applied classroom theories to real-world scenarios, focusing on design, safety, and durability.
"The scale of traffic accidents in Malaysia is alarming and requires serious attention," commented senior lecturer Meheron Selowara Joo when judging the digital poster competition.
"By inspiring the imagination of young people now, we are investing in a safer future," he added.
This digital competition encouraged students to propose innovative and research-based road safety solutions, addressing one of Malaysia's most pressing public health issues.
Meanwhile, in the Spaghetti Bridge Building Challenge, teams were required to construct the strongest bridge using dry spaghetti and glue.
The highlight of the competition was the dramatic 'build and destroy' finale, where each structure was stress-tested until collapse.
"When structures fail, lives are at risk. Whether it’s a bridge, a stage, or a scaffold, good design can save lives," stated competition supervisor Dr. Lee Yeong Huei.
For many students, the experience was eye-opening.
"An exciting experience melding creativity and physics," one participant remarked, "Watching our bridge collapse was heartbreaking, but it perfectly highlighted our shortcomings, which is the best way to learn."
At the closing ceremony of the event, Professor Tuong-Thuy Vu, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, encouraged participants to carry forward the lessons they learned into the future.
"Problem-solving does not end with the competition; it is the foundation of innovation," he said, "Apply this mindset to everything you pursue."
Professor Tang Fu Ee, Dean of the Learning and Teaching Office, also emphasized the university's commitment to connecting knowledge with community needs.
"Through initiatives like 'Community Engaged Learning (CEL)', we empower students to become agents of change in the community," he said.