Shazwan encourages students to take full advantage of Swinburne’s resources, embrace new advancements in technology, and familiarise themselves with the tools needed to advance in their career choices.
In Sarawak’s journey towards a thriving digital economy, leaders in digital construction are playing a pivotal role in transforming the future of infrastructure. Among them is Ir Ts Shazwan Ehsan Jamaludin, a Civil Engineering graduate from Swinburne Sarawak and a BIM Coordinator at PCSS Consultancy.
Ir Ts Shazwan Ehsan Jamaludin is a Swinburne Sarawak Civil Engineering graduate who is now a Building Information Modelling (BIM) coordinator.
With over seven years of expertise in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Highway Information Modelling (HIM), Shazwan made significant contributions to infrastructure projects across Sarawak, most notably the Pan Borneo Highway Project, an initiative to connect Malaysia’s two largest states – Sarawak and Sabah.
Shazwan traces his interest in BIM back to his time at Swinburne Sarawak.
The university’s emphasis on practical skills and exposure to industry-standard tools laid the groundwork for his career. “Swinburne’s Civil Engineering courses exposed me to technologies like AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and other design software,” he shares.
“These tools sparked my interest in engineering technologies and paved the way for my career in BIM.”
Shazwan’s work on the Pan Borneo (Northern) Highway exemplifies his efforts in advancing the implementation of digital construction practices in Sarawak.
The Swinburne Sarawak alum served on the Pan Borneo (Northern) Highway Information Modelling team as a HIM engineer. His work on the highway project exemplifies his efforts in advancing the implementation of digital construction practices in the state.
“The BIM team worked long hours to push through deadlines, shaping and optimizing BIM workflows for the infrastructure,” Shazwan shares.
“It is an honour to be one of the pioneers in Sarawak’s most ambitious implementation of digitalisation in infrastructure.”
Beyond the Pan Borneo Highway project, Shazwan has contributed his expertise to the digitalisation of Miri City in Sarawak, in collaboration with Curtin University Malaysia, paving the way for smarter urban solutions. “I’m involved in efforts to create a digital twin of the city,” he explains. “This virtual model can support city planning, traffic management, and flood analysis.”
Shazwan presenting the digital twin of Kuching City at the Digital Construction Showcase 2024 in Miri.
Reflecting on his education, Shazwan credits Swinburne Sarawak with building the foundation for his successful career.
“As a Civil Engineering graduate from Swinburne Sarawak, I obtained a strong foundation in key areas like structural design, infrastructure design and construction methods,” he shares. “The university’s commitment to innovation and technology put me at the forefront of education by integrating the latest engineering trends into its curriculum.”
“It also helps that Swinburne is known for producing excellent graduates, which boosted my marketability,” he adds.
Having benefitted from a solid education himself, Shazwan understands the importance of knowledge. Through collaboration with the education sector, he frequently conducts talk sessions at institutions such as Swinburne Sarawak and Kolej Komuniti Kuching. “My talks aim to provide students with exposure to the latest engineering and construction technologies,” Shazwan shares.
As a Professional Technologist, Shazwan also contributes to the Malaysian Board of Technologists’ TUNE program, giving “Campus Tech Talks” on BIM implementation in construction.
Through these sessions, he hopes to help students understand the role of technology in the construction and engineering industry.
To students and recent graduates aspiring to enter the civil engineering and BIM fields, Shazwan offers invaluable advice: “Master the fundamentals of Civil Engineering before diving into BIM. BIM enhances these principles, not replace them,” he advises.
“Stay ahead of the technological curve,” he adds, “by embracing new advancements like Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Artificial Intelligence.” He also encourages students to take full advantage of Swinburne’s resources and get hands-on and familiarise themselves with BIM tools early.
This is part of our inspirational series where our alumni share stories of overcoming challenges, setting up pioneering projects and how they bring about positive change in the community.