In January 2003, the IEM G&S played host to the annual IEM/IES meet. The IEM/IES meet is traditionally hosted by the Graduate and Student Sections (G&S) of the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) and the Graduate & Student Section (G&S) of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) on an alternate basis. Its main objective is to promote information exchange, and foster goodwill and social interaction among members of both institutions.

For this year’s meet, the IEM G&S were thrilled when the G&S Section of the IIEM, Penang Branch, agreed to co-host the meet in Penang. Anticipation was high; as this was the first time the IEM/IES meet would be held outside of the Klang Valley. The event was held from January 3-4, 2003. The IES delegation consisted of 23 Graduate and Student members, while IEM HQ sent 7 graduate members and the IEM Penang Branch, 10 graduate members.

The participants of the IEM/IES taking a group photo at the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Siamese Temple

Both delegations were first introduced to each other at the Butterworth railway station, Seberang Perai. The itinerary for that day was technical visits to the Universiti Sains Malaysia Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal, and the water reservoir at Teluk Bahang, Penang Island.

At our first stop, Universiti Sains Malaysia Engineering Campus, we were warmly welcomed by the Vice Chancellor of Engineering Campus, Dean of the Engineering School, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Eric Goh and staffs from the Engineering Campus. The director briefed us on the history and recent developments concerning USM Engineering Campus, followed by several presentations by the staff of the faculty. After the welcome function, we were divided into 2 groups and given a guided tour of the School of Civil Engineering and School of Electrical Engineering.

Briefing in USM

After a pleasant lunch, we then headed to Teluk Bahang Dam, Penang Island. Our guide for that visit was Mr Jeyabalan from the Water Supply Authority (PBA), who gave us a description on the characteristics and construction of the dam.

After checking into our hostel at Penang Island, the G&S IEM Penang Branch brought us to Gurney Drive, famous for its variety of delicious Penang food.  Both delegations enjoyed themselves by tucking into such delicacies as Pasembor, Char Koay Teow, Hokkien Mee, Asam Laksa, Rojak, Lok-Lok, Mua Chi, etc.

The focus for the second day’s activities was sightseeing activities. In the morning, we visited Fort Cornwallis, had a brief George Town City Tour before visiting Dharmikarama Burmese Temple and Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Siamese Temple at Lorong Burma. Next on the itinerary was Kek Lok Si Temple, the beautiful hillside Chinese temple located at Air Itam. After lunch, we made a short stop at the Botanical Gardens beforprocess at this factory.

However, the highlight of the second day was the sports activities, with the IEM/IES Challenge Trophy at stake. The IEM G&S team was determined to avenge the defeat suffered at the previous IEM/IES Meet in Singapore when the IES G&S won by a narrow margin. Both teams agreed on the game of captain ball, which coincidentally was the game played at the previous IEM/IES meet. Each team was allowed seven players, with a
minimum of two girls on each team. 

The IES team consisted of students from the National
University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technology
University (NTU), while IEM’s team consisted of graduate
members from both IEM HQ and IEM Penang Branch.

The match was truly nail-biting indeed. IEM was losing by 0-5 at the end of the first half, but managed to rally back in the second half to equalise at 5-5. As the match ended in a draw, both teams agreed that whichever team to score the first goal would win the game and ultimately, the IEM/IES Challenge Trophy.

There were many exciting exchanges for the ball.  IEM managed to wrestle the ball from the younger and fitter IES team and then our team scored! Hurrah! The final score showed the IEM team had won over IES with a score of 6-5. We had successfully managed to reclaim the IEM/IES Challenge Trophy. 

After such an exciting and tiring day, all the IEM/IES participants were treated to a sumptuous dinner, given by IEM HQ. During this time, it could be seen that all the participants were taking the opportunity to exchange news and ideas and interact with members from both institutions

After the official dinner, we adjourned to the IEM Penang branch office at
Northam Venture Building for the IEM/IES G&S Board Meeting. Issues
discussed included the “post-mortem” for the IEM/IES Meet 2002/2003.
It concluded with IES G&S agreeing to become the next host and both
parties agreeing that the venue for the event could either be in Malaysia or
Singapore. Both institutions also agreed that for the next event, IEM G&S
Penang Branch and Southern Branch would be invited to join the event.
The meeting concluded at 10 p.m.

  Conclusion

Both institutions were happy that the objectives of the Meet had been achieved. Overall, participants from both sides were happy to have the opportunity to experience new things and to make new friends. A more important milestone was the fact that for the first time, the event induced mingling and co-operation amongst IEM members, specifically between IEM Headquarters and the IEM Penang. Thus, the G&S would like to thank all participants and parties who had contributed to the success of the meet and we specially thank our co-organiser, IEM G&S Penang Branch for their hospitality and co-operation in organising the event.

{back to top}