Jointly Organised between Geotechnical Engineering Technical Division (GETD) &
Malaysian Geotechnical Society (MGS)


Introduction

The 2nd Malaysian Geotechnical Conference 2025 (MGC) is organised by The Institution of Engineers Malaysia Geotechnical Engineering Technical Division, in collaboration with Malaysia Geotechnical Society (MGS). The 1st MGC was held in year 2004. The objectives of the conference are to highlight various aspects of geotechnical engineering challenges faced by professionals, keeping abreast in latest technology as well as providing a networking platform. The conference will incorporate a session of memorial lectures for late Ir Dr Ooi Tek Aun and late Ir Dr Ting Wen Hui to commemorate their contribution to the engineering society. Both were part of the 1st MGC 2004 as organising committee and keynote lecturer. This conference also takes the opportunity to combine with IEM-CIE-HKIE Tripartite Seminar as 2025 is the year to be hosted by Malaysia IEM. The IEM-CIE-HKIE Tripartite Seminar is an annual seminar aimed to create a venue for interactive discussions and sharing of experience in multi-discipline engineering among The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM), Chinese Institute of Engineers (CIE, Taiwan) and Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE).  The Seminar is hosted in turn by each of the aforementioned three professional institutions.


PROGRAMME

Malaysian Geotechnical Conference 2025

“Innovative and Practical Geotechnical Solutions”

2025 will be held on the 3rd and 4th of December 2025. This prestigious event will bring together leading experts, researchers, and practitioners in the field of geotechnical engineering to share their latest research findings, innovative practices, and future trends.

Conference Themes: We invite submissions on a wide range of topics, including but not
limited to:

•  Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering
•  Slope Stability and Landslides
•  Ground Improvement Techniques
•  Geosynthetics applications in Geotechnical Engineering
•  Deep Excavations
•  Soil Investigation and Testing
•  Environmental Geotechnics
•  Pavement Foundation
•  Geotechnical Aspects of Sustainable Development
•  Case Histories and Practical Applications on Megaprojects


Submission Guidelines:

•  Abstracts should be no more than 300 words and not exceeding two (2) pages.
•  Full papers must be written in English and submitted in Microsoft Word and PDF file format.
•  All submissions must be original and not previously published or under consideration for publication elsewhere.
•  Papers will be peer-reviewed and accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings.


Outstanding Paper Award:

An Outstanding Paper Award will be presented to the best paper submitted to the conference. The award will recognize exceptional research, innovation, and contribution to the field of geotechnical engineering. The winning paper will be selected by a panel of experts and announced during the conference. The selected paper will also be considered to be published under an International indexed publications, subject to approval by the panel of experts.


SPEAKERS’ PROFILE

1. DR. VIVI ANGGRAINI

Dr. Vivi Anggraini is a Senior Lecturer in Geomechanics at Monash University Malaysia with 20 years of academic and professional experience. She holds a PhD in Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, with expertise in geomaterials, geosynthetics, ground improvement, and environmental geotechnics.

She has published over 50 research papers, a construction guideline on peat and organic soils, three book chapters, and a book on ground improvement. Her research has been supported by Monash University, industry partners, and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.

Dr. Anggraini is the current President of the Malaysian Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (MyIGS), which promotes the appropriate use of geosynthetics in engineering practice. She is also a registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng) with the Institution of Engineers Indonesia and a member of the Board of Engineers Malaysia and Engineers Australia. Her project experience spans Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia across both public and private sectors.


2. MR. CHRIS LAWSON

Chris Lawson is an engineering consultant based in Malaysia. Chris received his Engineering Degrees from The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. He has worked in the field of geosynthetics for 45 years in Australia, Europe, North America and Asia. During this period, he has worked on large scale geosynthetics projects in the field of reinforced embankments, other reinforced fill techniques, and coastal, hydraulic and environmental engineering structures in many countries. Chris has served on international organizations developing Standards and Codes of Practices for geosynthetics and geosynthetics structures. He is the author of over 50 technical papers on geosynthetics, geotechnical engineering, mining and hydraulic and coastal engineering. In 2006 he delivered the 3rd Giroud Lecture at the 6th International Conference on Geosynthetics at Yokohama, Japan


3. PROF. CHU JIAN

Prof CHU Jian is the President’s Chair in Civil Engineering, the Chair of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Director of the Centre for Urban Solutions at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. He also worked for Iowa State University, USA, from 2011 to 2014 as professor and James M. Hoover Chair in Geotechnical Engineering. Prof Chu is currently the Chair of Technical Committee TC217 on Land Reclamation and a Committee Member for TC211 on Ground Improvement under the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE). He is an Editor of a high impact journal Acta Geotechnica, Editor-in-chief of Biogeotechnics, and Co-Editor for Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, ASCE. He has delivered over 70 keynote or invited lectures at international conferences. As a past President of the Geotechnical Society of Singapore, Prof Chu has worked as a consultant or advisor for a number of large-scale projects in Singapore and other countries. He received the R. M. Quigley Award from the Canadian Geotechnical Society in 2004 and the Outstanding Geotechnical Engineer Award from the Geotechnical Society of Singapore in 2018.


4. Ir. Dr OOI LEAN HOCK

Ir. Dr. Ooi is a member of The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia and Member of The Institution of Engineers Australia. He was the geotechnical head of Gamuda Engineering for the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) Projects and is now seconded to Gamuda Engineering Australia as the Geotechnical SME. He was involved in the delivery of the underground sections of the KVMRT Projects both Kajang and Putrajaya Lines. He is actively involved in the projects won and ongoing tenders of underground Metros and major infrastructural projects in Australia. He is also a registered professional Engineer in Malaysia. He has authored and co-authored more 20 technical papers in geotechnical engineering, underground space and tunnelling.


5. ALASTAIR CHARLES BELSON

Alastair Charles Belson is an experienced remote sensing specialist with over 17 years in the field of satellite-based InSAR technology. He currently serves as Director of Global Remote Sensing (SE Asia) and International Business Manager at TRE Altamira (Italy), focusing on monitoring ground movement, subsidence, and infrastructure stability across Europe and Southeast Asia.


6. Ir. Dr CHIN YAW MING

Ir. Dr Chin Yaw Ming is a geotechnical and foundation specialist with about 25 years of comprehensive technical knowledge on deep excavation & heavy foundation as well as hillsite development. He graduated from Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia with a Bachelor of Engineering, a Master of Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy. Currently, he is a principal of Cym Consult, a geotechnical consultancy firm. He is also an advisor to the Geotechnical Consultancy Unit of Penang Island City Council where he is regularly involved with the hillsite developments on Penang Island.


7. Dr NGO HUY DONG

Dr Ngo Huy Dong received his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering – Advanced Training Program from the University of Transport and Communication, Hanoi, Vietnam. Soon after graduating, he joined VECC Vietnam as a civil engineer, responsible for various geotechnical designs involving ground improvement and slope stability analysis. In 2020, he obtained his PhD in geotechnical engineering from Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand. His area of research includes geosynthetics testing, ground improvement, laboratory and in-situ soil testing, and finite element analysis. Currently, he is appointed as a design engineer in Tensar International Limited, involved in subgrade stabilisation and retaining wall design work.


8. Ir. KWANG KIM LUP

Ir. Kwang Kim Lup graduated and obtained his Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Malaysia in year 2012. Subsequently, he started his career in G&P Geotechnics Sdn. Bhd., a consulting firm specializing in Geotechnical Engineering field. Over his 8-year working experience, Kwang has been involved in projects related to foundation, slope strengthening works, soft ground treatment and deep excavation works. Currently, he holds the position of Geotechnical Manager in the firm. He is a registered Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineer (BEM), Malaysia and a member of the Institution of Engineers (IEM), Malaysia.


9. Mr. DENNIS GROSS

10. Ir. Syahmizzi Ifwat bin Azharnim

Syahmizzi is currently a professional engineer with more than 11 years' experience in geotechnical engineering (more than 9 years in an engineering consultancy firm and 2 years in an educational institution). Syahmizzi, a MSc. Geotechnical Engineering and BEng (HONS) Civil holder, currently working as Manager of Geotechnical & Underground Space Division in Minconsult Sdn Bhd (a Multidisciplinary International Engineering Consulting Firm) and Deputy Head of Research Centre, Minconsult Centre of Excellence (MiCOE). He is also actively involve in The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) through his contribution as Secretary/Treasurer of IEM - Tunnelling & Underground Space Technical Division (TUSTD) 2024/2025 and Committee Member 2023/2024.

He has wide experience in geotechnical engineering design and construction including soil investigation works, foundation (shallow and deep foundation), slope stabilisation and protection works, earthworks, earth retaining stabilizing structure (ERSS), deep excavation and its support system, underground space and tunnelling works, soft ground engineering and ground improvement works, geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring works, etc. He has been involved in mega projects such as KVLRT3, LRT Mutiara Line Pulau Pinang, High-Speed Rail KL-Singapore, KVMRT3 Feasibility Study, Local and International Power Plant Projects, Large-scale Infrastructure and Highway Projects, Residential Development, Jetty and Marine Projects, etc.

11. Ir. Dr ONG YIN HOE

Ir. Dr. Ong Yin Hoe (b. April 1979) is a seasoned geotechnical engineer and current Director at Dr Toh Associates Sdn. Bhd.. He holds a civil engineering degree from UTM, an M.Eng (Soil Engineering) from AIT, and a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from UTP. Over a nearly two-decade career, he has specialized in pile foundations, deep excavations, slope stability, and advanced numerical analyses of geotechnical structures. He has also contributed significantly to the field through his committee involvement (ISSMGE TC 107) and numerous publications in numerical methods and foundation engineering.


12. Mr. Philipp Schober

Dr.-Ing. Philipp Schober is a geotechnical engineer with over 15 years of experience, currently serving as Head of Soil Improvement and the International Department at BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH in the Asia-Pacific region. His expertise covers tendering, design, and execution of soil improvement projects worldwide. Previously, he conducted research and lectured at the University of the German Federal Armed Forces in Munich, and he actively shares his knowledge through technical talks and seminars.


13. Ms. NAZIHA NORDIN

Naziha Nordin is currently serving as Senior Technical Sales at Alpha Pinnacle Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian company specializing in geotechnical and environmental engineering solutions. With her role rooted in technical sales and client support, she works closely with engineers, contractors, and stakeholders to provide customized solutions for civil and infrastructure projects. Her expertise covers a range of geotechnical products and applications, including geosynthetics, erosion control systems, slope stabilization measures, debris flow barriers, and rockfall protection systems. Through her work, she plays a key part in delivering innovative and sustainable engineering products that address ground stability, slope safety, and environmental protection challenges. As part of Alpha Pinnacle’s technical team, Naziha contributes to both the technical advisory and business development sides of projects, ensuring that clients receive not only the right product but also the necessary technical guidance for effective application. She is actively involved in industry seminars and training programs, supporting knowledge-sharing on slope engineering and hazard mitigation.


14. Ir. Dr ONG YIN HOE

Ir. Dr. Ong Yin Hoe (b. April 1979) is a seasoned geotechnical engineer and current Director at Dr Toh Associates Sdn. Bhd.. He holds a civil engineering degree from UTM, an M.Eng (Soil Engineering) from AIT, and a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from UTP. Over a nearly two-decade career, he has specialized in pile foundations, deep excavations, slope stability, and advanced numerical analyses of geotechnical structures. He has also contributed significantly to the field through his committee involvement (ISSMGE TC 107) and numerous publications in numerical methods and foundation engineering.


15. Ir. DR TOH CHENG TEIK

Ir. Dr C.T Toh is currently a Director at Dr. Toh Associates Sdn Bhd. He has been practicing geotechnical engineering for 46 years. He graduated from Monash University in 1974 with the degree Bachelor of Civil Engineering and was subsequently awarded a Doctorate from the same university in 1979.

His experience covers foundations, soil treatment, slope stabilization, basement construction etc. in alluvial and marine deposits, peat, residual soils and rocks.


16. MR. MIKE DOBIE

Mike Dobie is a practicing geotechnical engineer, graduating in civil engineering from Bristol University (UK) and later obtaining a master’s degree in soil mechanics from Imperial College, London. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (UK).

Since graduating in 1973, he has worked in the field of geotechnical engineering for British consultant WS Atkins & Partners, the Delft Soil Mechanics Laboratory in the Netherlands and Singapore, and American specialist consultant Dames & Moore. More recently he has worked for Acer Consultants (now Hyder Consultants, previously Freeman Fox & Partners), being seconded to establish the Central Soils Laboratory (CSL) in Bangi, to provide high quality soil testing for the North-South Expressway. Mike joined Tensar International in 1991 and currently is the Regional Manager (Asia Pacific) based in Jakarta with responsibilities for the development of design methods and software for both reinforced soil structures and mechanical stabilisation techniques.


Note:
- Registration For Participants Only