Geotechnical Research Group

The International Symposium on Innovative Metro Development (CITURC 2025) was held from 17 to 19 October 2025 at the Wuzhou Guest House, Shenzhen, China. Organized by the CREC International Tunnelling and Underground Space Research Center (CITURC) in collaboration with the China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd., the event gathered engineers, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss the future of metro and underground space development.

Supported by the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), Tunnelling and Underground Construction Society Singapore (TUCSS), and the Japan Tunnelling Association, the symposium reflected strong regional commitment toward sustainable, intelligent, and well-integrated urban rail infrastructure. Participants hailed not only from China but also from Georgia, Bangladesh, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, sharing insights on metro design, construction, and digital innovations.

🚉Symposium Highlights🚉

The program began with technical presentations focusing on operation, maintenance, and underground space development. Key sessions included Sun Xinxian (Shenzhen Metro Group Co., Ltd.) on intelligent maintenance operations, and Ge Tiejun from the same organization on new models of metro overhaul.

Discussions were also led by Zhixin of Guangzhou Metro Group Co., Ltd., focusing on proactive maintenance for urban rail transit, and Ruan Ying from Guangzhou Metro Group, who shared case studies on integrated metro development in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. Presentations from Zhu Jiangang and Yang Yan (China Railway Academy Group Co., Ltd.) highlighted smart engineering maintenance, monitoring innovations, and structural defect treatments.

🗣️Main Symposium Sessions🗣️

The symposium continued with welcoming remarks by Helen Roth, Executive Director of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA), followed by distinguished speakers including:

Prof. Ir. Dr. Jeffrey Chiang Choong Luin, President of IEM

Mr. Albert Lauga, Vice President of HKIE

Mr. Xongyu Chuey, Vice President and Chief Engineer, China Railway Group Limited

Mr. Shaon Chunming, Vice President, China Civil Engineering Society

Keynote topics explored automation and digitalization, AI-driven predictive maintenance, geological risk management, and integrated metro ecosystems. Shenzhen’s own development trajectory stood out as a benchmark — currently operating 18 metro lines spanning 591.5 km, with 17 additional lines under construction.

🚧Technical Site Visits🚧

The final day featured visits to several advanced metro sites:

Shenzhen Metro Line 14: A 50.3 km operational line with 18 underground stations, developed under the city’s Phase IV blueprint. Impressively, 99% of tunnels were constructed using mechanized excavation, employing up to 51 TBM units concurrently.

Shenzhen Metro Line 22: A 34.8 km line under construction using dual-mode EPB/TBM technology, crossing urban corridors and complex geological conditions.

Wuhe Integrated Transport Hub: A state-of-the-art interchange for Lines 5 and 10, featuring AI-based fault prediction, digital twin asset management, and cloud-based control systems for predictive maintenance.

These visits offered valuable exposure to cutting-edge tunnelling methods — including cut-and-cover, pipe jacking, and prefabrication — aimed at enhancing efficiency and minimizing urban disruption.

🇲🇾 Malaysia’s delegation was led by IEM President Ir. Prof. Dr. Jeffrey Chiang Choong Luin, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Rini Asnida (Deputy Chairman, IEM Tunnelling and Underground Space Technical Division), Afikah Rahim , and Ts. Dr. from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

Their participation showed Malaysia’s growing engagement in tunnel and metro engineering. The team exchanged insights with regional and Chinese partners, exploring potential collaborations in research, technology transfer, and academic mobility, especially in line with UTM’s ongoing initiatives to expand expertise in tunnel engineering and urban infrastructure resilience.

Congratulations 🎊
The project titled “Real-Time Monitoring System for Landslide Failure Driven by Rainfall Threshold”, led by Prof. Ahmad Safuan and joined by some of the GRG members, Prof. Azman Kassim, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nor Zurairahetty Mohd Yunus, Dr. Afiqah Ismail, Dr. Radzuan Sa'ari, and Dr. Ahmad Razali Yusoff has won the Gold Award and Best Industry Award at INATEX 2025!

The awards were presented by UTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry bin Mohd Rahim, and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof. Dr. Rosli bin Md Illias.A proud moment for the team and a great step
towards innovation in slope safety!

🎉 Congratulations! 🎉 to the Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) for being awarded Best Laboratory during ICE Day 2025, held on 14 October 2025.

Your dedication, teamwork, and innovation continue to set an inspiring benchmark for excellence in laboratory management and engineering education. 👏💪
A great opening of a new semester of 2025/2026! 🙌

Introducing Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Rini Asnida Abdullah, the researcher breaking barriers underground, shaping the future of tunneling innovation, and driving infra for nation building.

From the challenges of the Meru-Menora Tunnel inspection to pioneering TuLIS (Tunnel Lining Inspection System), her work at UTM’s Faculty of Civil Engineering is making tunnels safer, smarter, and more sustainable.

For Dr. Rini, technology is only impactful when it serves people. That’s why every inspection, every system, and every collaboration she leads is driven by purpose, passion, and the belief that engineering is a team effort.

She’s not just engineering tunnels. She’s engineering change — inspiring the next generation to explore boldly, think creatively, and never underestimate their brilliance!

Faculty of Civil Engineering, UTM








Article is taken from :
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

🚨 CALL FOR PAPERS! 🚨
ICACHE 2025 - 11th International Conference on Architectural, Civil and Hydraulic Engineering
📍 Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru
📅 17–19 October 2025

🎯 Why You Should Join:
✅ Present your research in architectural, civil & hydraulic engineering
✅ Network with global experts & academics
✅ Indexed publication (Scopus & EI Compendex)
✅ Explore smart cities, structural design, water engineering & more!

📌 Important Dates:
📝 Paper Submission Deadline: 20 August 2025
✅ Final Registration: 9 October 2025
📢 Conference Date: 17–19 October 2025
🌐 https://icache.net/
🌟 https://civil.utm.my/2025-11th-international-conference-on-architectural-civil-and-hydraulic-engineering/

📩 For enquiries: [email protected]

Tag your colleagues, supervisors & research team. Let’s meet in Johor Bahru this October! 🏗️🌏

UTM introduces AI tech to monitor building cracks and landslide risks!

On 22 February 2025, through a community program, the Geotechnical Research Group (GRG), Faculty of Civil Engineering, UTM, in collaboration with SMK Pulai Perdana, Johor Bahru and local residents, organized a Community Service & Responsibility event. The initiative used AI and photogrammetry tools to detect early signs of structural damage. Activities such as Hunt The Crack and Q&A sessions were designed to make safety awareness engaging and impactful.

Read news at :
https://news.utm.my/ms/2025/02/utm-perkenal-teknologi-ai-pantau-rekahan-bangunan-dan-risiko-tanah-runtuh/

GTeC 2025
Geotechnical Engineering Colloquium in UTM.
UTM - UITM PG - UTHM 👌
Congratulations to all presenters & 3 best presenters 🎉🎊

Hands on Workshop on GEOSTUDIO with us today!
Thanks to all participants for being with us until the end physically & online!
Thanks to Prof Ir Dr Azman bin Kassim
Dr. Khairunnisa bin Md Said
Dr. Muhammad Farhan bin Zolkepli

Anchored by :
Dr Kasbi
Dr Muhammad Irfan
Assoc Prof Ir Dr Rini Asnida
Dr Afikah