91制片厂

When Lim Jing Ru walked across the stage to receive the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) Annual Gold Medal Award for Best Quantity Surveying Student 2026, she wasn't just collecting a trophy. She was proof that where you study—and how you study—matters.

For students currently weighing their options after SPM or STPM, Jing Ru's journey offers a practical blueprint of what to look for in a quantity surveying (QS) programme. And if TAR UMT's track record is anything to go by, it is worth a serious look.

What Winning a National Gold Medal Actually Requires

The RISM Gold Medal isn't a participation award. It is given to the single best quantity surveying student in the country each year. Jing Ru's win came down to three things that prospective students should actively seek in any university:

1. Faculty That Invests in Individual Potential

Jing Ru was quick to credit her lecturers for "seeing her potentials and helping her develop them well." This matters. In large, impersonal programmes, standout students often get lost. At TAR UMT, the faculty not only spotted her capabilities—they recommended her for national recognition. When you're choosing where to study, ask: Will my lecturers know my name, let alone my potential?

2. A Curriculum That Rewards Curiosity

One of Jing Ru's most telling habits? She deliberately attended multiple tutorial groups, coordinating with different tutors' schedules to absorb varied teaching approaches. A rigid, one-size-fits-all programme would have made that impossible. TAR UMT's structure gave her the flexibility to go deeper than the standard syllabus. For future students, this signals a programme that rewards initiative rather than punishing it.

3. Real-World Exposure, Not Just Classroom Theory

Jing Ru's visit to the TAR UMT Arena construction site wasn't a field trip for Instagram. It was where she connected classroom theories to actual project execution—construction technology, cost management, and on-site decision-making in real time. If you're comparing universities, ask specifically: Does this programme get me onto active construction sites, or just show me photos of them?

The Research Edge: Why Digital QS Skills Matter Now

Jing Ru's Final Year Project wasn't a generic literature review. She investigated how Building Information Modelling (BIM), artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital quantity surveying tools are reshaping the profession in Malaysia.

Her findings are directly relevant to anyone considering this career path:

• The role is evolving. Quantity surveyors are moving beyond traditional measurement and cost preparation into strategic advisory positions across entire project lifecycles.
• The industry is catching up. While most professionals recognise the value of digital tools, actual adoption is still developing. Translation? There is a genuine skills gap waiting to be filled by graduates who enter the workforce digitally fluent.
• Lifelong learning is non-negotiable. The gap between awareness and implementation means the QS professionals who thrive will be those who continuously upskill.

In other words, if you enrol in a QS programme today, make sure it is teaching you the technologies you'll need in 2030—not just 2020.

From Internship to Employment: A Smooth Transition

Jing Ru's internship in the Contract Department of a property developer didn't end with a certificate and a handshake. After completing her internship on a mixed-use development in Seri Kembangan, she stayed on—transitioning into the Sales Administration team and learning the full cycle from project completion to purchaser handover.

This is the kind of industry integration that separates a degree from a career launchpad. When evaluating programmes, look for:

• Internship partnerships with active developers and consultancies
• Exposure to both contract administration and commercial operations
• Pathways that convert internships into actual job offers

Faculty Excellence Runs Both Ways

Jing Ru wasn't the only one recognised by RISM in 2026. Professor PMgr Sr Ts Dr Ting Kien Hwa from TAR UMT's Department of Real Estate received the RISM Excellence Award for Outstanding Writer in Property and Construction for his article, "Building Adaptation – The Way Forward."

What this means for students: you're learning from academics who aren't just teaching from textbooks—they're actively shaping industry conversations at the national level.

The Bottom Line for Prospective Students

If you're considering quantity surveying in Malaysia, Jing Ru's story illustrates what to prioritise:

TAR UMT's Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Hons) checks each of these boxes—with a national Gold Medal and faculty Excellence Award to back the claim.

Ready to explore your options? Start by comparing QS programmes that prioritise real-world exposure and digital readiness. Your future employer will notice the difference.

Programme: Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Hons)
Institution: TAR University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT)
Scholarship: TAR UMT Merit Scholarship available for eligible students

Reference

1. TAR UMT Graduate Wins RISM Gold Medal as Best Quantity Surveying Student: