Speaking at BEM Convention 2023: Promoting Quality Management in Construction
Updated: Jun 29
One of the highlights of my professional journey in 2023 was receiving an invitation from the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) to speak at BEM Convention 2023.
The invitation came in July 2023, and it was particularly meaningful to me because it reflected BEM's recognition of my involvement and contributions to quality management within the construction industry. Through my active participation in quality-related initiatives and my association with the Construction Inspector-of-Work Association Malaysia (COWAM), I have always been passionate about promoting the importance of quality management among construction professionals.
A Prestigious Industry Event
The convention was held from 22 to 24 August 2023 and was officiated by YB Dato' Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister of Works.
The event brought together engineering professionals, industry practitioners, and stakeholders from various sectors of the construction and engineering industry. It served as an important platform for the exchange of knowledge, professional development, and discussion of current engineering challenges and opportunities.
My Presentation Topic
For the convention, I was assigned the topic: -
"Quality Management System for Construction Site Personnel"
The objective of the presentation was to introduce participants to the fundamental principles of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and highlight the opportunities available for construction personnel to contribute towards improving quality performance on projects. The session covered topics such as:
The importance of quality in construction
Basic principles of Quality Management Systems
ISO 9001 concepts and applications
Roles and responsibilities of construction site personnel
Practical implementation of quality management at project level
Opportunities for career development within the quality profession
My intention was not only to explain the requirements of quality management systems but also to demonstrate how quality contributes directly to project success, stakeholder confidence, and continuous improvement.\
A Personal Milestone
Although quality management is closely related to engineering practice, opportunities to speak at a national professional event such as the BEM Convention are not something that comes every day.
For me, this engagement represented an important milestone. It provided an opportunity to share practical experiences accumulated over many years working with contractors, consultants, and developers, while also helping to increase awareness of quality management among engineering professionals.
More importantly, it reinforced the growing recognition of quality management as a specialised discipline within the Malaysian construction industry.
Looking Back
As trainers and practitioners, we often spend years sharing knowledge through classrooms, workshops, audits, and project work without realizing how far that journey has taken us. Being invited to speak at BEM Convention 2023 reminded me that every project experience, quality issue resolved, training session conducted, and lesson learned contributes towards professional growth.
Quality management is no longer just about compliance. It is about creating confidence, improving performance, and delivering sustainable value throughout the project lifecycle.
I am grateful to BEM for providing the opportunity to contribute to this prestigious event and look forward to continuing my efforts in promoting quality excellence within the Malaysian construction industry.
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