The Kuala Lumpur Engineering Forum 2024 (KLEF 2024) made its debut today, bringing together some of the brightest minds in the engineering field to discuss the most critical issues faced by the industry.
Themed “Re-Engineering a Sustainable Future”, the forum highlighted the acute talent shortage in the industry, and the integration of ESG practices and standards. Divided into four key sessions to drive focused conversations on the industry’s challenges, experts from both private and government sectors were unanimous on the need to raise pay scale, especially among fresh graduates.
“It’s 10 times more to study an engineering degree today than it was 30 years ago, but the salaries have not grown as fast. This makes engineering less attractive to new talent,” said Ir. Anthony Teoh, Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) Contracts and Practices Committee Council Member and Chairman, who is also Managing Director of WCT Berhad.
According to The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) President Ir. Prof. Dr. Jeffrey Chiang Choong Luin, the institution will be instrumental in championing a better salary for new engineers.
“We will play a more central role in advocating for better compensation for engineers, given their importance in nation building,” he informed.
Dato’ P’ng Soo Hong, MSIA/EEPN’s Sustainability Committee Chairman opined that close collaboration between the education system and the MNCs that bring the technology into Malaysia, could stimulate interest and act as a motivating factor for budding engineering students.
“To encourage more young minds to embrace engineering, students and teachers throughout all levels of education should be exposed to the latest technological advancements in the field,” P’ng, who is also Chairman of MSIA TVET Committee and Chairman of Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, suggested.
Attendees were also treated to a rare close look into the ‘engineering magic’ that went into the design and construction of the Merdeka 118 tower. The design mindfully weaves aspects of the Malaysian identity with sustainability and structural innovation, creating an engineering masterpiece that places Malaysia at the forefront of sustainable building design.
The half-day forum, jointly organised by IEM and C.I.S, served as a precursor to KLEF 2025, which will be held on a larger scale.