Terence Wong Tze Eng
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Construction Management
March 2007

Interviewer = I Terence = T

I: Could you share with us some background knowledge about yourself?

T: Upon completion of my diploma in TARC, I knew my next step to be successful in my profession was to get a Bachelor Degree in UTAR. That was how I got myself into Construction Management in FES and graduated in 2007. Then, I joined Gamuda Berhad as a Quantity Surveyor. Having been away from home (Kuching) to study in KL for four years, I now adjust easily to living in different places. Hence, when my company assigned me for their project overseas, I didn't hesitate much to take the offer.

I: I understand that you are currently working in Vietnam. What brought you there? Are you on a temporary company assignment?

T: I was first stationed at Laos for 16 months for their hydropower project. It was this project that had attracted me to join the company as it was a rare opportunity. Then, I was transferred to Vietnam as they urgently needed more manpower for the project in Hanoi city. That's how I got there.

I: What is your job scope at Vietnam?

T: As a graduate of construction management, one actually has quite a wide range of job opportunities: Quantity Surveyor is one example. Besides having to do contracts, measurement, costing etc, a site Quantity Surveyor also needs to go to the site frequently. I like to be outdoors, so for me this is the fun part of the job because I get to oversee the progress of the work from beginning till the end.

I: Is there any interesting experience at Vietnam that you could share with us?

T: Well, although I don't have much free time to tour Vietnam due to my long working hours, hanging out with more than 20 Malaysian colleagues here to search for Malaysian food like nasi lemak, curry noodle or 'Hokkien Mee' at weekends is quite an interesting experience too. On special occasions, we will even gather to have dinner together.

I: Were you active in extracurricular activities at UTAR when you were an undergraduate? If yes, what kind of society or activity were you involved in?

T: I was in the Built-Environment Society during my years in UTAR.

I: What are some of the memorable moments you had while studying at UTAR?

T: Of course it would be my friends and lecturers back in UTAR- I miss them all. We used to go site visiting and joined certain activities together. We even hanged out with our funky lecturers. The sweetest memory of all was the night when we held our graduation dinner in December 2006. It may be the end of our chapters in UTAR, but not the end of the friendships we have fostered throughout the years.

I. Is there any particular training or skills you obtained from UTAR that you found to be extremely useful for your career now?

T. Yes, particularly skills and knowledge that I gained from subjects like Contracts, Procurement and Construction Law are really essential for my job now. I'd also like to remind UTAR students that it is a MUST to master their computer skills especially in Microsoft programs for the sake of their future.

No matter what, I believe that getting the practical exposure from the field is more important than just learning it by text, especially for construction industry.

I: Why did you choose UTAR in the first place? Was the program appealing to you?

T: The fees were affordable and I was interested in courses in Project Management and Construction Management offered by UTAR. Moreover, I believe in the good quality that UTAR would offer to its students.

I: What do you think are the important skills or attitudes that a fresh graduate should possess to succeed in their career?

T: Fresh graduates must be knowledgeable in choosing the career path that they like. They should also be determined in achieving their goals and be humble in learning new things and experiences that come along the way.

I: Any advice for your juniors at UTAR?

T: UTAR is a great place to study. So, have fun and enjoy your every moment as a UTARian. Be optimistic and always look forward to reaching every goal that you set in your life.