INTRODUCTION   

Engineering consultancy plays a pivotal role in shaping infrastructure, optimizing systems, and driving innovation across industries. Yet for many, its scope and impact remain unclear. This guide unpacks the essentials—what engineering consultants do, how they add value, and why their expertise is critical in solving complex technical challenges. Whether you're a budding engineer, a business leader, or simply curious, understanding the consultancy landscape will empower smarter decisions and foster more effective collaborations.


BIODATA OF SPEAKERS

1) Ir. C. Kamalesen

Ir. C Kamalesen is currently a Technical Director at AECOM, and is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is a Civil Engineer with 25 years of experience in the areas of urban and transport infrastructure, water resources management, flood management and agriculture irrigation and drainage. Kamal is a Professional Engineer with Practicing Certificate in Malaysia, an ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer, a Fellow, ASEAN Engineer, APEC Engineer, Int. PE with the Institution of Engineers Malaysia, a Registered as Qualified Person with the National Water Services Commission of Malaysia and is a Certified Construction Project Manager with the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia. Kamal also completed his post graduate studies in Environmental Science (Integrated Water Resources Management).

At AECOM Kamal undertakes leadership roles as Project Director or Project Manager for the delivery of urban development, infrastructure, and transit projects. Some of the projects that Kamal has worked on includes the River of Life Kuala Lumpur, and the Upgrading of the Sawah Raja Water Treatment Plant, and Air Selangor Water Asset Rehabilitation works. He is also the AECOM Project Manager for Phase 4B of the Johor Bahru – Singapore Rapid Transit Link Project.


2) Ir. J. Kesavan

Ir. J Kesavan with over 24 years of experience in Project Management and MEP Engineering, Ir. J. Kesavan has led multidisciplinary teams across the Middle East, delivering high-impact developments in commercial, residential, hospitality, healthcare, industrial, data centres, and mixeduse sectors. His expertise spans the full project lifecycle—from feasibility studies (CAPEX/OPEX, life cycle cost analysis) and design coordination to construction management and technical advisory roles. He has successfully managed proposal and bid strategies, technical documentation, energy audits, peer reviews, and building due diligence surveys. His leadership in district energy and central plant systems has positioned him as a trusted advisor in both new builds and retrofit projects. Beyond engineering, he has contributed to business development, strategic planning, and implementation of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) protocols. He is also actively involved in stakeholder engagement, securing approvals from government and statutory bodies. A strong advocate for sustainability, he integrates LEED and Green Building principles into design and execution, working closely with sustainability teams. His commitment to knowledge sharing is reflected in his internal training initiatives and mentoring of junior engineers. His holistic approach blends technical precision with strategic foresight, making him a respected leader in the built environment.


3) Ir. Shah Izzni Talif

Ir. Shah Izzni Talif graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering with Honours from The University of Queensland, Australia in 2007. He began his professional career working as an Engineering Consultant in Australia specialising in the field of geotechnical engineering. In 2012, he returned to Malaysia where he was involved in large scale infrastructure projects such as paddy agricultural irrigation dan drainage, water resources and distribution planning, flood mitigation, as well as integrated river basin management. He had also provided specialist services such as contract claims assessment, geotechnical forensic works, design reviews and alternative remediation designs. He is currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer at RPM Engineers Sdn Bhd, and is growing his passion in the development of sustainable and carbon conscious paddy cultivation techniques linking together new technologies with traditional wisdoms. He is also serving as a Council Member in the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM). Ir. Shah is a trained humanitarian response technical specialist through RedR Malaysia and RedR Australia, a certified BEM PAE examiner, an active member of FIDIC, and keenly promotes the engineering profession.


4) Dr M. Dinesh

Mr. Dinesh Manoharan is a seasoned professional in sustainable energy and electrical infrastructure, with over a decade of experience driving innovation in energy-efficient design, commissioning, and smart grid technologies. Holding a Master’s in Engineering Management, he has successfully led and commissioned complex, high-value projects across the utilities and data centre sectors, ensuring seamless integration of design, testing, and operational readiness. A Certified Data Centre Specialist and TIA-942 Design Consultant, Dinesh brings hands-on expertise in mission-critical systems, automation, and digital transformation. His insights are further enriched by active involvement in technical committees under the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and FIDIC, where he contributes to shaping industry best practices on both national and global platforms.