CIDB launches Malaysia’s first one-stop “myBIM CENTRE” to improve construction productivity

The Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) has launched the country’s first one-stop “myBIM Centre” to serve as a resource centre to promote and increase the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) system amongst construction industry players.

Established by CIDB Malaysia for the benefit of industry players with an initial investment of RM3 million, myBIM Centre was officially launched today by the Minister of Works, Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof. The Centre enables construction industry players to model and visualise building projects in a simulated environment by using BIM – a modelling technology to produce, communicate and analyse digital information models throughout the construction project life-cycle.

Recognised as an advanced information and communications technology (ICT), BIM allows users to design, visualise, simulate and analyse the key physical and functional characteristic of each element in a project virtually and even before construction begins. This makes it possible to identify and rectify potential issues in the early stages. Furthermore, its intelligent digital models that facilitate coordination, communication, analysis, project management, and even asset management are expected to bring multiple benefits to the industry.

The establishment of MyBIM Centre is timely as the construction industry needs to make major changes to improve its productivity levels.According to the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC), the construction industry experienced the lowest productivity level of RM40,018 per worker in 2016. This is in comparison to the agriculture sector at RM55,485 per worker, services sector at RM68,166 per worker, while manufacturing remained as the sector with the highest productivity level at RM106,647 per worker.

“The advantages of implementing BIM in building projects is manifold and extends throughout the entire construction value chain. By being able to virtually analyse key physical and functional characteristics of each element even before construction works commence, it helps improve the efficiency and quality, and most importantly, the productivity of the overall construction process,” said CIDB Malaysia Chief Executive Dato’ Ir. Ahmad ‘Asri Abdul Hamid.

The implementation of BIMis a part of the initiatives to more than double productivity in the industry, in line with the Productivity strategic thrust of the Construction Industry Transformation Programme 2016-2020 (CITP). Currently, adoption of BIM in Malaysia is at 17 per cent which is relatively lower when compared to more developed economies such as the United States at 71 per cent and United Kingdom at 54 per cent.

Notable projects in Malaysia that have been constructed through the use of BIM include the National Cancer Institute in Putrajaya, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Building in Shah Alam, the Educity Sports Complex in Nusajaya and the Ancasa Hotel in Pekan, Pahang.

With the launch of myBIM Centre, BIM software and proficiency training programmes will be offered, complementing the use of the National BIM Library portal. To date, 1,300 BIM personnel have been trained by CIDB.The Centre also features state-of-the-art facilities, including a studio which is available for rental to all BIM practitioners; a lab, seminar room and showcase area.

For more information, please visit: www.mybimcentre.com.my — Construction+ Online