Latest news with #BIM
New Straits Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Works Ministry eyes smarter roads, less foreign labour under 13MP
KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry will prioritise key infrastructure goals under the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), with a focus on strengthening the construction industry, accelerating digitalisation, and enhancing the quality of national roads and public assets. Its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said one of the ministry's core proposals was to secure funding to expand the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) — a digital system that enhances construction efficiency, reduces material wastage, and ultimately decreases the sector's dependency on foreign labour. "In the construction sector, BIM can help us work more efficiently and minimise wastage. More importantly, it can reduce our reliance on foreign workers. "Our industry remains heavily dependent on foreign labour, so any steps to reduce that reliance will have a major impact," he said during an interview on Berita Harian's podcast at Balai Berita today. Nanta said that the ministry also aimed at intensifying digitalisation efforts across infrastructure development and maintenance to ensure more streamlined, effective project execution. "In addition to BIM, we want to strengthen digitalisation across the board. We're proposing to secure funding that will allow us to expand the use of digital tools and technologies. "All of this supports our broader goal of delivering infrastructure projects more efficiently and improving the maintenance of national roads and assets," he said. He added that as the ministry responsible for road infrastructure, they were seeking allocations to construct and maintain roads using more robust and durable materials, while also upgrading ageing infrastructure to meet international standards. "Our ministry often requires significant funding to improve road quality — whether that's through constructing new roads with stronger materials or maintaining and upgrading existing ones. "There are now many improved materials available that allow us to build longer-lasting roads. That's something we're placing strong emphasis on," he said. Beyond physical infrastructure, Nanta stressed the importance of investing in human capital — particularly the upskilling of professionals in the construction and engineering fields, through exposure to international best practices. "We want to offer opportunities for our engineers and professionals to enhance their skills — both locally and overseas — so they can expand their knowledge, boost competencies, and adopt a global perspective. "We have many engineers and technical experts in this country, and we must support their professional development through relevant programmes. Overseas training, in particular, can help them learn from global benchmarks and bring valuable insights back to Malaysia." He said such efforts were critical to ensuring the country continues to meet and exceed international infrastructure standards. "Our roads, assets and buildings are already aligned with international standards, and we want to continue raising the bar through ongoing innovation and continuous learning." However, Nanta acknowledged that the ministry's proposals would be subject to broader national priorities, expressing hope that they would not be overlooked in the upcoming 13MP. "We hope our proposals will not be excluded; that is our hope. But we're also realistic and aware of the current economic conditions and the government's responsibility to balance the needs of all ministries and the rakyat as a whole," he said.
International Business Times
5 days ago
- Business
- International Business Times
Green Mark Certification and Energy Efficient Grant Applications with Scan to BIM
Sustainable building practices are becoming increasingly vital in Singapore as the nation advances its climate goals and strives to reduce carbon emissions. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) plays a key role in this movement through initiatives like the Green Mark Certification and the Energy Efficiency Grant. These programs encourage building owners and operators to adopt energy efficient technologies, retrofit aging infrastructure, and improve overall environmental performance. Digital technologies, particularly Scan to BIM (Building Information Modeling), are proving to be powerful tools in supporting these efforts, enabling accurate documentation, detailed analysis, and effective planning for sustainable upgrades. Scan to BIM is the process of using laser scanning or drone technology to capture the physical conditions of a building and converting that data into a digital 3D model. These models offer rich detail and accuracy, making them extremely useful for retrofit projects, facilities management, and even heritage conservation. Because they reflect the actual state of the building, Scan to BIM models form a reliable foundation for performance analysis, helping project teams understand how a building functions and where improvements can be made. The Green Mark Certification assesses buildings based on a set of sustainability criteria, including energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable management practices. It offers different tiers of recognition such as Certified, Gold, GoldPLUS, and Platinum based on the extent of green performance. To achieve these ratings, applicants must provide detailed documentation supported by performance simulations and baseline data. This is where Scan to BIM plays a critical role. Many older buildings lack accurate documentation and may have undergone numerous undocumented modifications over the years. As a result, facility owners and project teams are often left without a reliable and up-to-date record of the building's current condition. Scan to BIM offers a cost effective and highly precise solution (with deviations under 10mm) to quickly generate detailed as built models. These models not only serve as a digital twin of the structure but also form a solid foundation for downstream applications like energy simulations and daylight analysis, ensuring such analyses are grounded in the building's actual geometry and systems. Similarly, the Energy Efficiency Grant supports businesses especially in the manufacturing, food services, and retail sectors in implementing energy efficient upgrades. The grant requires applicants to submit audits, equipment specifications, and energy savings estimates. Accurate building documentation produced through Scan to BIM helps validate these applications by providing clear evidence of existing inefficiencies and projected improvements. It allows consultants and owners to demonstrate measurable gains in energy performance with confidence. Scan to BIM enables a data driven approach to green building upgrades. It helps create a digital baseline of the building's current condition, which is essential for running energy and daylight simulations. It also allows teams to identify inefficiencies in HVAC systems, lighting layouts, and building envelope performance. With this information, project stakeholders from engineers to consultants and building owners can collaborate more effectively, working from a shared digital model that facilitates better decision making and more efficient upgrades. In practice, a typical project begins with a laser scan or drone capture of the existing structure. The data is then processed into a BIM model using tools like Revit, with the option to export in formats such as IFC or COBie. This model is integrated with simulation platforms like OpenBuildings Energy Simulator, which serves both as a BIM modelling tool and provides comprehensive energy simulation capabilities. The final step involves generating reports and documentation for submission to BCA or relevant authorities as part of the Green Mark or grant application process. For example, a commercial retrofit project might use Scan to BIM to identify outdated HVAC units and poor lighting distribution. With a digital model in hand, the team simulates the expected energy savings after upgrades and submits this as part of an Energy Efficiency Grant application. The result is a faster approval timeline, measurable energy reductions, and access to financial support for sustainable improvements. Working with a Scan to BIM service provider offers multiple advantages beyond just modeling. The full Scan to BIM workflow typically involves coordination between several parties including a surveyor to capture the existing site conditions, a BIM service provider to process and model the data, and engineering consultants or energy efficiency auditors to interpret the outputs for certification or design purposes. A seasoned service provider plays a crucial role in orchestrating this collaboration, offering not only the technical expertise and software required but also ensuring seamless communication and data flow across stakeholders. This approach is often more cost effective than maintaining an in house modeling team and results in faster turnaround times and higher accuracy. Service providers also support flexibility in file formats, making it easier to integrate with tools and standards needed for certification or grant applications. Ultimately, Scan to BIM aligns perfectly with Singapore's green building goals. It bridges the gap between existing conditions and sustainable outcomes, helping building owners streamline certification efforts and unlock valuable funding through government programs. Investing in Scan to BIM is a smart step toward making buildings more energy efficient, cost effective, and environmentally responsible.
Barnama
7 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
BIM Annual Dinner 2025 Celebrates Professional Excellence and Nation-Building
PUTRAJAYA, July 24 (Bernama) -- Balai Ikhtisas Malaysia (BIM) hosted its highly anticipated Annual Dinner on 23 July 2025 at the Millennium Ballroom, Le Meridien Putrajaya, celebrating the spirit of professionalism and its vital role in Malaysia's progress under the theme 'Empowering Professionals, Advancing the Nation.' The event was graced by YB Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, Deputy Minister of Works, as the Guest of Honour, alongside Prof. ChM. Dr. Juan Joon Ching, President of BIM, and leaders of BIM's 23 professional member institutions.
Business Standard
21-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Knock The Builder is Transforming Indian Construction with Fully Virtual Project Management
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 21: In a country where building a home often involves months of stressful site visits, miscommunications, and endless back-and-forth on WhatsApp, one startup is reimagining the construction experience from the ground up. Knock The Builder, founded by Rizwan Shaikh, is a bold construction-tech platform that enables clients to monitor and manage their entire construction project -- virtually, from anywhere in the world. "Why should a schoolteacher in Kanpur or a business owner in Dubai fly back to inspect tiles or check progress?" asks Rizwan. "In 2025, you should be able to walk through your home, approve materials, and monitor progress -- all from your screen." Despite advances in architectural design, much of India's construction ecosystem still relies on outdated, paper-based processes. Clients often struggle to interpret technical drawings. Contractors work with inconsistent updates. Site issues remain undetected until costly delays or redesigns are necessary. The result? Frustration, budget overruns, and lost confidence. Knock The Builder tackles this long-standing problem with a platform that combines Virtual Reality (VR) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to provide a fully digital project experience. Before a single brick is laid, clients can take immersive walkthroughs of their homes or offices, preview material choices and lighting in real time, and raise concerns or approve changes -- all without stepping on-site. Every decision, update, and approval is logged and visible in one centralized, interactive dashboard. More than a visual aid, Knock The Builder serves as a digital command center for construction. Clients receive real-time updates synced with the project's BIM data, AI-assisted alerts for potential delays or design risks, and detailed communication logs to stay in control from day one to handover. As Rizwan explains, "We've worked with clients in over nine cities -- and many of them didn't visit their sites even once until the final handover. They had more confidence through the virtual walkthrough than they would have had with ten physical visits." What makes Knock The Builder even more unique is its commitment to enabling architects and contractors beyond big metros. The company is actively onboarding professionals from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and equipping them with the tools and training needed to present immersive walkthroughs, reduce costly revision cycles, and engage effectively with remote clients. This inclusive, grassroots approach makes the platform a rare example of cutting-edge technology serving India's broader construction community. Looking ahead, Knock The Builder is already testing new capabilities such as augmented reality (AR) inspections, cloud-based construction dashboards for seamless collaboration, and AI-powered 3D design suggestions to enhance efficiency and precision. As India's real estate and interior sectors become more digitally inclined, the company is positioning itself as the default interface for smart, modern construction. Ultimately, Knock The Builder represents a paradigm shift. It removes the need for clients to chase down contractors or spend weekends touring dusty sites. Instead, it offers a seamless, tech-driven construction experience where speed, quality, and transparency go hand in hand. Because when you can walk through your dream home before it's built and control every step without ever being there -- construction becomes an empowering experience, not a gamble.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Technology-based courses enter management studies in business schools
Leading educational institutions in Tiruchi have begun to integrate courses on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data and Analytics into management studies to cater to an evolving economic and employment scenario. According to an official press release, the Indian Institute of Management-Tiruchi (IIM-T) has introduced Text Analytics, AI for Managers and Advanced Machine Learning, among others, in the new curriculum, that reflect the growing importance of data-driven decision-making in different sectors. 'To ensure accessibility for students from all backgrounds, we have introduced no-code AI platforms such as KNIME and Orange. These platforms allow students with limited coding experience to apply AI techniques to solve business problems. Furthermore, AI tools and applications are now integrated within core functional-area courses to ensure broad exposure across marketing, finance, operations, and human resources,' said the release. An increase in demand for graduates who are already skilled in the new technologies has prompted many business schools to design customised study programmes, said academicians. 'The market is changing, and so are recruiters' demands. Students are using AI more now, compared to previous years. However, there should be a balance between using AI and them losing their identity. We have made AI usage in the classroom more application-based so that Management students can use their own thought processes also,' B. Janarthanan, assistant professor, Department of Management Studies, National Institute of Technology – Tiruchi, told The Hindu. He added that new technologies had also been embedded into the pedagogy at the NIT-T. New courses were introduced into the syllabus at Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM) over two years ago, with the aim of equipping students with future-ready technology adoption. 'Most companies are expected to become more technology-dependent in the next few years, and we are preparing our students to be ready at the mid- or top-level of the job market. Out of 120 students, 80-90 prefer courses related to technology and analytics,' said BIM professor R. Subramanian. Martech, Text mining and consumer sentiment analysis, Marketing Analytics; Fintech, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Derivative analytics in Finance are some of the new technology application-based courses being offered at BIM. Academicians said that the need to balance technological expertise with ethical parameters would assume greater importance in the near future.
