By Elizabeth Neliana Anak Nelson
Quantity surveyors play a vital role in shaping smart cities by ensuring construction projects are financially sound, sustainable, and impactful.
Have you ever played SimCity™? That classic game where you design a city from scratch? You place roads, schools, and power plants, then keep the budget in balance. It is fun when it is just a game, but in real life, the challenge is much greater. This is where quantity surveyors step in: the professionals who make sure our cities and communities can be built on time, and within budget.
What Quantity Surveyors Actually Do
So, who are these quantity surveyors (QS)? In simple terms, they are the “financial guardians” of construction projects. While architects design and engineers calculate structures, QS professionals ensure everything is affordable and sustainable. From advising on material choices to preparing contracts and monitoring costs, they are the ones who keep projects financially sound.
Look at Kuching’s Darul Hana Golden Bridge, completed for RM35 million, or the restoration of St. Peter’s Church at RM38 million. Behind both projects were QS professionals making sure the numbers added up and resources were well managed. Without them, such landmarks might never have been completed.
Why Quantity Surveyors Matter in Smart City Construction
Quantity surveyors are the quiet force turning city-building dreams into reality. In construction, money matters as much as design. A creative blueprint is meaningless if costs spiral out of control. QS professionals manage budgets, monitor risks, and provide advice at every stage of a project from feasibility studies and tendering to progress payments and final accounts.
They also help clients make informed decisions, such as whether to use more sustainable materials or expand project scope. By balancing creativity with financial discipline, QS professionals ensure communities get safe, functional, and lasting developments.
A Future Proof Career
For students thinking about their future, Quantity Surveying offers both stability and variety. The profession is in demand across Malaysia and internationally, with opportunities in construction, project management, infrastructure, and even green technologies.
Parents sometimes ask: Is it too difficult? The course requires logical thinking, some maths, and curiosity but it is manageable with the right mindset. Entry pathways are flexible, starting from SPM, STPM, UEC, or foundation studies leading to diploma and degree programs. Scholarships are also available for students with merit or financial need.
Upon graduation, career progression is broad. Many become professional QSs, while others branch into roles such as project manager, contract advisor, or Building Information Modelling (BIM) specialist. It is a career that grows with you, offering both professional recognition and personal fulfilment.
Why Study Quantity Surveying at Swinburne Sarawak
At Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, the QS program blends theory with practice. Students learn in modern facilities, engage with industry through placements, and participate in interactive activities that sharpen real-world budgeting skills.
The program is recognised by professional boards both in Malaysia and globally, giving graduates the flexibility to work across borders. With experienced lecturers and strong graduate employability, Swinburne Sarawak prepares students not just to join the workforce but to lead in shaping the future of construction.
Building Tomorrow’s Cities with Quantity Surveyors
As Malaysia and the world move towards smarter, more sustainable cities, the role of QS professionals becomes even more critical. They are the ones ensuring that bold ideas whether high-tech infrastructure or community-focused developments which are affordable and achievable.
So, the next time you imagine building your dream city, whether in SimCity or in real life, remember the people behind the numbers. Quantity surveyors are the quiet but vital players turning visions into reality by balancing costs, contracts, and creativity to shape the skylines of tomorrow.