KUCHING: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, in collaboration with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), has launched the first building information modelling (BIM) satellite centre in Sarawak.

The ‘myBIM’ was unveiled yesterday by Swinburne Sarawak student engagement registrar and director Hussain Taiban, in the presence of CIDB Malaysia deputy chairman Datuk Elias Ismail.

According to Elias, the BIM would allow all parties involved in a project to visualise, coordinate and analyse all physical aspects and functions of each element before the start of construction.

“You can virtually build before you physically build,” he said in his speech.

The myBIM, led by Swinburne Sarawak director of research, consultancy and future projects Assoc Prof Wallace Wong, would provide facilities for practitioners to accommodate BIM training programmes.

It currently consists of a computer laboratory well equipped with the latest software for BIM implementation.

It would also form the base to the current industry-driven BIM research team in the university, consisting of Dr Angelia Liew San Chuin, Dr Victor Bong Nee Shin, as well as PhD candidates Ghazaleh Khoshdelnezamiha and Siti Nurfarahin.

This centre aims to promote better implementation of BlM in the construction industry, in line with the target for broad adoption of BIM in Malaysia by 2020.

As the most recent technology used in construction industry, BIM would not only assist construction players in digitalising the representation of building, but also to facilitate better collaboration and efficient information exchange between construction parties.

In conjunction with the launch, Swinburne Sarawak – represented by Hussain – entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ClDB, through its subsidiary CIDB E-Construct Services Sdn Bhd, to provide BIM training programmes at the university.

Under the MoU, the university would be hosting various BlM training programmes for construction practitioners in Sarawak, scheduled to commence on the last week of August this year.

Elias signed for CIDB, witnessed by Wong and CIDB E-Construct Services Sdn Bhd chief executive Rofizlan Ahmad.

For more information about Swinburne Sarawak, go to www.swinburne.edu.my, or reach out to the university via Facebook and Instagram (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter (@Swinburne_Swk) and Youtube (Swinburne Sarawak).

– Borneo Post Online