Dr Hamza Momade FCIOB reflects on how his 13 years of CIOB membership has supported his career as he moved around the world.

My journey began as a Novus (now Tomorrow’s Leaders) student member when I was invited to attend a two-day conference at the Zon Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on October 24–25, 2013. It was a very well-organized event that provided excellent opportunities to connect with students pursuing similar programs at leading universities and colleges across the country.

The conference included site visits, presentations from leading construction CEOs and industry managers, and collaborative critical thinking sessions. What stood out to me most was that senior industry leaders genuinely listened to our ideas and perspectives. At the time, I was in the final year of my undergraduate program and actively searching for an internship to begin my career in the construction industry. The conference offered an invaluable platform to learn about different career paths and to understand what other students were planning to do after graduation.

Every CIOB member I met during the conference demonstrated qualities that left a lasting impression on me: knowledge, ethics, competence, commitment, leadership, and dedication to the construction industry. They were also approachable and supportive, which made the experience even more meaningful.

Early career support 

After graduation, I faced several challenges securing my first opportunity in the industry due to language barriers, limited experience, and work permit constraints. During this time, I shared my resume with Audrey Chan, a staff member at CIOB Malaysia, who kindly connected me with the Novus Chair, Dr. Kong Weng Keong. Within hours, I secured my first interview and soon relocated to Johor Bahru to begin my internship.

Dr. Kong became a transformative mentor in my career. He encouraged me to enroll in the CIOB structured training program in Telford with the goal of becoming a Chartered Member. At the same time, I pursued my Master’s and PhD studies at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. 

Over the next five years, I had the privilege of working on several landmark projects, including luxury villas, a printing factory, and commercial office developments. During this time, I gained a deep appreciation for local cultures and learned to speak Bahasa Melayu and some Mandarin. Working on turnkey design-and-build projects allowed me to gain exposure to all phases of project delivery and significantly strengthened my technical and managerial capabilities.

The structured training program fundamentally shaped the way I approach decision-making and professional practice. The program was organized around key competencies required of a construction manager, including quality management, contracts, health and safety, risk management, technology, communication, tendering, financial management, and documentation. The program required detailed written submissions demonstrating practical experience across three progressive levels of competency. This experiential learning approach significantly enhanced my professional knowledge, built confidence, and enabled me to deliver high-quality and efficient outcomes in my work.

Becoming a Chartered Member

In 2018, I successfully completed the program and achieved Chartered Member status. It was an incredibly proud moment that reinforced the strong professional foundation I had developed through CIOB. The institution provides a global network of highly dedicated professionals who are committed to advancing the construction industry while creating meaningful social impact.

Shortly after achieving Chartered status, I migrated to Canada to begin a new chapter in my career. During my first week in the country, I met several CIOB members, including Andy Gordon, Ian Brako, and Duan Van Der Merwe. The insights and guidance I gained from those early conversations greatly facilitated my transition into the Canadian construction sector.

I later took on the role of Tomorrow’s Leaders representative within the Toronto Hub committee, where I organized several programs and events aimed at supporting both graduates and experienced professionals transitioning into the construction industry. 

Sharing and networking

Through the CIOB network, I also found opportunities to contribute to the development and modernization of construction management programs at local colleges. I organized student competitions and helped facilitate interviews with leading construction firms for competition winners.

Attending the Members’ Forum was another memorable experience. It allowed me to spend five days engaging with leading construction professionals from around the world, exchanging insights, learning from their experiences, and discussing landmark global projects. I also participated in site visits that showcased professionalism, leadership, sustainability, ethical practices, and a strong commitment to quality and equality within the industry.

Over the years, I have also contributed to podcasts discussing the challenges faced by graduates entering the construction sector and sharing perspectives on the Canadian infrastructure market from a contractor’s viewpoint. Mentorship has been particularly important to me, and I have worked to support and guide younger professionals as they develop their careers in construction. I have also participated in research initiatives focused on technology adoption and sustainable construction practices in collaboration with fellow CIOB members. My work and perspectives have been featured in Global Construction Review and Construction Management Magazine. Additionally, I have served on both the Member Engagement Committee and the Finance Committee, contributing the perspective of early-career professionals.

Becoming a Fellow of CIOB 

Earlier this year, I was honoured to be awarded the designation of Fellow. This recognition represents a significant milestone and reflects the contributions I have made to the profession over the years. I was particularly appreciative of the message shared by the review panel in their congratulatory note:

“The candidate demonstrated that he is a progressive, high achiever who demonstrates the traits of focus, determination, and drive. He is a changemaker who is not prepared to accept the status quo and seeks to bring about change for the betterment of the industry.”

Today, I continue to meet inspiring professionals through the CIOB network, and the journey has been a transformative influence on my career. I currently work as a Director of Special Infrastructure Projects for a contractor in Ontario, Canada, while also teaching construction management at the master’s level at a leading global institute. I have worked on high rise developments, residential subdivisions, data centers and the railway infrastructure improvements. The training and education through the CIOB academy made it very easy to transition within the sector. Not to forget, CIOB Assist was always there to help me during my early graduate career.

The built environment is both a demanding and rewarding field, with exciting opportunities emerging through innovations such as digital twins, BIM, robotics, drones, off-site manufacturing, and other technologies that will continue to improve productivity and efficiency across the industry.

Finally, on a personal note, my wife and I recently welcomed our first daughter. As my professional journey continues to evolve, I am grateful for the support of my family and the CIOB community as we begin this new and exciting chapter together.