Choose to Study Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Civil Engineering Degree at the Best Universities in Malaysia
Civil engineering is one of the oldest types of engineering. It is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment. Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of infrastructure.
Some examples of these infrastructures are:
- The paths and roads we travel are civil engineering projects.
- The construction of the dams and power stations that provide the electricity we use every day requires civil engineers.
- The water and sewage treatment plants that provide us with safe water supplies require the expertise of civil engineers.
In fact most structures, large and small, require the help of a civil engineer whether in the designing, planning or managing of the project. Civil engineers work as part of a team with a wide range of backgrounds and often use theory and models to predict how a design will perform. They generally test ideas in the field using scale mockups, so they can prove new design theories without endangering lives or jeopardizing project budgets.
Which are the Top Private Universities in Malaysia for Civil Engineering?
- Monash University Malaysia
- Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
- University of Nottingham Malaysia
- Curtin University Malaysia
- Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP)
- UNITEN
- MAHSA University
- INTI International University
- UCSI University
- SEGi University
Civil Engineering at Top Private Universities
Civil engineers design things. These might be roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, or water supply and sewage systems. They must consider many factors in their designs, from the costs to making sure the structure will stay intact during bad weather.
Many civil engineers manage people and projects. A civil engineer may oversee a construction site or be a city engineer. Others may work in design, construction, research, and teaching. There are many specialties within civil engineering, such as structural, construction, environment, and transportation.
Civil engineers usually work in areas where there is lots of manufacturing and businesses. Often they work at construction sites. Sometimes they work in places that are far away from cities. Some are required to travel.
Civil engineering is arguably the oldest engineering discipline. It deals with the built environment and can be dated to the first time someone placed a roof over his or her head or laid a tree trunk across a river to make it easier to get across.
The built environment encompasses much of what defines modern civilization. Buildings and bridges are often the first constructions that come to mind, as they are the most conspicuous creations of structural engineering, one of civil engineering’s major sub-disciplines.
Roads, railroads, subway systems, and airports are designed by transportation engineers, another category of civil engineering.
The diversity within civil engineering creates a wide choice of careers for its graduates. Most civil engineers work for consulting firms, manufacturers or government agencies. Many civil engineers manage people and projects. A civil engineer may oversee a construction site or be a city engineer. Others may work in design, construction, research, and teaching. There are many specialties within civil engineering, such as:
- structural
- construction
- environment
- transportation
Who should study Civil Engineering?
What does it take to be a civil engineer? In general, engineers need to enjoy the challenge of solving problems. Engineers should be creative, curious, analytical, and detail-oriented. They have to possess an aptitude for math and science.
Civil engineers usually work as part of a team from a wide range of fields. Therefore, apart from having good technical knowledge and aptitude, people skills are important. A good civil engineer have to demonstrate the ability to work with other people, good communication leadership skills. Civil engineers need a wide range of expertise. So if you’re interested in becoming a civil engineer, you should try to get good skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM subjects).
Most civil engineering projects need to be able to stand up to natural forces (like wind and water), and man-made forces (like vehicles, equipment and people). For example, civil engineers:
- Design roads so they don’t sink into the ground when heavy lorries drive along them
- Build flats so they don’t fall over when the wind blows
- Construct tunnels so they don’t flood when it rains
You need to be able to understand and measure forces and movement, and to calculate the strength of the structures you’re designing. What you learn in maths and science – especially physics – will help you do this.
The structures that civil engineers design and build are mainly on the ground and have to be supported by the soil and rocks underneath them. The strength of the ground varies from place to place, and different rocks and soil have different properties (e.g. how quickly water drains through them). If you don’t want your structure to sink into the mud, you have to know about the various types of ground and design the right kind of foundations for the site. For this reason, studying geography or geology is also good idea.
As designers and innovators, civil engineers create things that didn’t exist before and do things in ways that haven’t been done before. They try to make our environment as attractive as possible by designing things that are interesting and pleasant to look at. They also make sure that these things blend in well with their surroundings. So if you’re creative and enjoy art and design and technology, these would be good subjects to study too.
Civil engineers usually work in teams and are often involved in projects in many parts of the world. This means that languages, teamwork and communication skills will also come in useful.
Study at the Best Universities in Malaysia for Civil Engineering
Demand for qualified civil engineers in Malaysia is increasing. In order to succeed in the engineering field, students must choose the best university in Malaysia that has the experience and facilities to equip them. Engineering may not be the easiest course to study, but it continues to be in demand in Malaysia and globally. You’re also more likely to find employment quickly and work your way up the career ladder with an engineering degree from a top private university in Malaysia. The key benefits of studying engineering are both financial and prospect based. Financially, the starting salaries are among the best across all industry sectors. The demand for well-qualified, skilled engineering graduates outstrips supply, and companies are struggling to find recruits for vacancies locally and globally. Therefore, graduates have the opportunity to work overseas.
To work as a Professional Engineer in Malaysia, one needs to graduate from a degree at a top private university that’s accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM). This is a very important criteria that students should keep in mind when choosing a university.
In addition, soft skills such as an English speaking environment, leadership skills, communication skills and internship programs will help the graduate stand out and be very successful. Research has shown that graduates with a good command of English has a 25% higher salary than those who don’t. In addition, choose universities where the engineering degrees are accredited by MQA and the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM).
Students after SPM or O-Levels can enter into a Foundation in Science or Foundation in Engineering at the best private universities in Malaysia for 1 year before continuing on to the 4-year BEM Accredited Civil Engineering degree. Pre-University graduates in Malaysia from programmes such as UEC, STPM, A-Levels, SAM, CPU, AUSMAT and others may enter directly into the Civil Engineering degree providing they meet the minimum entry requirements.
What is Civil Engineering?
Civil engineering is the oldest branch of the engineering profession. They are involved with infrastructure and environmental projects. It involves the planning, design, supervising, construction and maintaining of facilities for both the public and private sectors.
Civil Engineering involves the design and construction of buildings, transportation facilities and engineering structures like bridges, dams, roads, airports, tunnels, bridges, water supply and sewage systems, waste treatment, harbours, railways, highways and other public utilities.
Civil engineers may specialise in particular areas of major works such as structural engineering, water resources, construction, environmental, transportation, and geotechnical engineering.
They must consider many factors in the design process, from the construction costs and expected lifetime of a project to government regulations and potential environmental hazards such as landslides, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes.
Creativity and innovation are needed to solve problems such as the SMART Tunnel which solves transportation and flood problems or the Mass Rapid Transportation (MRT) currently being built in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. The job prospects are good for Civil Engineers in Malaysia as the country is still growing and major companies also have projects in developing countries.
Professional Recognition of the Civil Engineering Degree by Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) registers graduates and professional engineers under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2002). The requirement for registration as a graduate engineer is a degree in engineering recognised by the Board.
A professional engineer (Ir or PEng) is a person who is licensed to practice to practice engineering in Malaysia after meeting all requirements of
the (e.g. pass PI Examination).
Only an Ir/P.Eng. can sign and seal engineering documents that are engineering documents that are submitted to a public authority or for public and private clients. This is very important especially for Civil Engineers who needs to become a Professional Engineer in order to sign the blueprints.
If you study at a university that is not accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), you cannot practice as a Civil Engineer.
What is the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)?
Chee Yuan, Chemical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) registers graduates and professional engineers under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2002). The requirement for registration as a graduate engineer is a degree in engineering recognised by the Board. Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) is the only body certifying Professional Engineers in Malaysia.
This regulatory body for engineering practices in Malaysia was set-up by the Malaysian government under the Registration of Engineers Act (1967) to administer and to enforce the Engineering Act and its provisions to protect public interest.
Only Graduate Engineers and Professional Engineers registered with the Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM) are entitled to practice engineering in Malaysia. All engineering practitioner MUST register with BEM within 6-months of practice.
A professional engineer (Ir or PEng) is a person who is licensed to practice to practice engineering in Malaysia after meeting all requirements of the (e.g. pass PI Examination).
The Education Pathway to be a Professional Engineer in Malaysia after completing a 4-Year Engineering Degree that’s Accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia
The recognized academic qualification for registration as a Graduate Engineer with BEM includes the as a Graduate Graduate Engineer Engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) includes includes the following:
- An engineering degree accredited/recognized by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) available in an approved list maintained by BEM
- A pass in Part I & part II of the Engineering Council Examination of United Kingdom or Part I & Part II of the IEM/BEM Graduate Examination in any particular branch for qualifications that is not branch for qualifications qualifications that is not accredited/recognized by BEM/IEM.
- An engineer who has just graduated with a recognised qualification must register with the Board of Engineers Malaysia. He/she can then start to obtain the necessary training and experience, normally four years, before he/she can attempt to sit for the Professional Interview, an exam to qualify Graduate Members of IEM to be transferred to Corporate Members. Corporate Members of Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) can then apply to upgrade their status to P.Eng. with the Board of Engineers Malaysia.
After graduation, an engineer needs to register with Board of Engineers Malaysia to be a graduate engineer. After a few years of practical experience (supervised by a professional engineer), the graduate engineer can apply to sit for Professional Interview (with IEM). If he/she passes the Interview, he/she can apply to Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) to be a Professional Engineer that entitles him/her to use the title Ir.
- Engineers Act 1967 requires every engineer to be registered with the Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM).
- Graduates from recognised degree programmes shall be registered as Graduate Engineer to work as an engineer.
- Practical training of more than 3 years is required for application to sit for Professional Interview (PI).
- A PI candidate will be required to show that he can apply theory in engineering projects, and has acquired the skills of investigation, planning, and design.
- Upon passing the PI, the candidate can then apply to BEM for registration as a Professional Engineer.
Why become a professional engineer in Malaysia?
Chee Yuan, Chemical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
- If you ever want or need to become a consulting, engineer, you must be licensed as an Ir or P.Eng.
- Only a Ir/P.Eng. can sign and seal engineering documents that are engineering documents that are submitted to a public authority or for public and private clients.
- Many companies encourage licensure and some even pay a bonus for becoming a P.Eng.
- In education, more universities are requiring a Ir/P.Eng. license to lecture in the engineering faculty or for holding certain positions.
- In some industries such as utilities, and government positions, a P.Eng. is required for specified jobs or positions.
- With the engineering profession now operating in an international environment, licensing may be required to work in or for other countries. You will be prepared in the event your career moves in this direction (e.g. APEC Engineers, EMF Int. Engineer Register, Washington Accord)
What is the the Washington Accord?
The Washington Accord is a multinational agreement signed in 1989, which recognises the substantial equivalency of engineering degree programmes accredited by the responsible bodies in each of the signatory countries such as the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM).
Washington Accord is an agreement among the engineering quality assurance organisations of several nations that recognises the substantial equivalency of programs accredited by those organisations.
The agreement paves the way for mutual recognition of accredited programmes, establishing the notion that graduates have met the academic requirements for entry to the practice of engineering in any signatory country.
Signatories have full rights of participation in the Accord; qualifications accredited or recognised by other signatories are recognised by each signatory as being substantially equivalent to accredited or recognised qualifications within its own jurisdiction.
Admission to the Accord is more importantly an endorsement that the engineering education system of the member nation has demonstrated a strong, longterm commitment to quality assurance in producing engineers ready for industry practice in the international scene.
As a Washington Accord signatory, Malaysia’s degrees that have been accredited by Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) will be accepted by other Washington Accord signatories.
This means that students who study in universities with engineering degrees that are accredited by MQA and Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) may find work in other countries that have signed the Washington Accord.
Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) uses as a guide the list for Professional/Chartered Engineer by the accreditation organisations of the country where the degree is issued.
Candidates are advised to check with the relevant Engineering Accreditation bodies’ web site for the list recognised degrees of professional chartered level.
However, Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) reserves the right to review the list at any time without notice.
Accredited Professional Engineers in Malaysia can work globally because of the Washington Accord
In 2007, Malaysia became a member of The Washington Accord, which recognises experienced professional engineers represented by responsible bodies. The Washington Accord is a small group of signatories that have agreed to mutually recognise accredited engineering programmes.
Members of The Washington Accord are Hong Kong, South Africa, Japan, Singapore, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, UK, Ireland, Taipei, Korea, Malaysia and Turkey.
The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM) develop and use the EMF Register as a secure benchmark that allows a professional engineer to be recognised or exempted from licensing or registration in other countries (other than that in which they first gained recognition).
Eligibility for admission to EMF International Register of Professional Engineers Register is limited only to engineers who have completed an accredited or recognised engineering programme, registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and is a corporate member of the IEM who is capable of independent practice.
To qualify for admission to EMF International Register of Professional Engineers Register, a candidate must be:
- A Professional Engineer registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and/or a Corporate Member with the Institution of Engineers Malaysia;
- Seven years experience after graduation in a recognised engineering discipline;
- Two years experience in responsible charge of significant work (may be obtained within the seven years experience)
- Maintained their continuing professional development at a satisfactory level.
