CEO Insights Magazine

In a world where cities grow taller and infrastructure must meet the demands of speed, sustainability, and complexity, leaders in the civil and structural engineering industry are the silent architects of progress. Did you know that over 60 percent of global infrastructure investment, expected to top $94 trillion by 2040, depends on the innovation and foresight of civil and structural engineers? Leading the charge in this era is Tzyy Wooi Teh, Owner of H&T Consulting Engineers.

Tzyy Wooi is a seasoned industry leader with over 25 years of experience in infrastructure development. Taking a unique and inspiring path, he pursued his PhD at the University of Malaya later in his career, completing it in January 2024 while already bringing nearly two decades of rich industry experience. His professional journey began with managing technically demanding infrastructure projects, particularly in complex urban environments.

Recognizing a market need and driven by a clear vision, he founded H&T Consulting Engineers 17 years ago. Under his leadership, the firm has grown from a modest startup into a dynamic team of over 70 professionals, known for its expertise in infrastructure design and execution, with a strong emphasis on technical excellence, innovation, and delivering tailored solutions to meet client needs.

Embarking in an engaging interaction with CEO Insights Asia magazine, Tzyy shares his strategies, future roadmap, and much more. Let’s delve into it.

How have your experiences and lessons helped you to emerge as a leader and what drives you today?

I began my career managing technically demanding infrastructure projects, such as bridges and urban developments, where I quickly realized the growing complexity of site constraints in dense city environments. These challenges pushed me to think innovatively and strategically. Around 17 years ago, I took a bold step and founded my own company, starting small but with a clear focus on infrastructure solutions. Building this company taught me critical leadership values, listening, resilience, and inspiring others through action. I learned the importance of nurturing a capable team and constantly investing in both people and technology to stay competitive.

What drives me today is the responsibility to provide clients with tailored, value-driven solutions that meet and exceed their expectations. My leadership is rooted in experience, but it's also focused on adaptability, continuous improvement, and staying relevant in a rapidly evolving industry. These lessons have not only helped me grow as a leader but also shaped the vision and direction of the organization I lead.

What were the most transformative learning experiences you had during your time at the University of Malaya?

I believe that would be navigating my PhD journey through the pandemic. Though the lockdown posed communication challenges, it also pushed me to adapt quickly to virtual platforms like Google Meet to engage with my supervisor. This period enhanced my independence and critical thinking, especially since my research, developing a novel, raw-based material product, was more industry-focused and had little precedent.

Working with natural materials brought unpredictable results, requiring deep analysis, patience, and collaboration with lab teams. Unlike the structured world of industry standards, this academic research taught me to embrace uncertainty, solve problems creatively, and grow technically and personally in ways I had never expected.

How did the university provide you with global exposure and opportunities to build diverse networks and meaningful partnerships?

During my PhD journey, I discovered that one of the most impactful forms of global exposure came through the process of publishing research. When I submitted my paper to international journals, I received feedback from reviewers based overseas, such as from the UK and Asia. These insights reflected global academic standards, and it was an eye-opening experience. The most meaningful exposure, however, came after publication. Researchers from other countries reached out to discuss my work and exchange ideas. Since my research is product-based with potential for industry application, this opened doors for future collaborations. These connections gave me insight into the interests and directions of international researchers and helped me grow beyond the local context. Before starting my PhD, I viewed these academic professors as distant experts, but now, I feel more confident in engaging with them as peers. This experience has been invaluable, not only in building a diverse research network but also in understanding how my work fits into the broader global landscape. It has helped me build meaningful partnerships and see my research as part of something much larger than a university requirement.

How have you made use of the alumni network while you were a student or after graduating?

During my time as a student and after graduating, my interactions with the alumni network were mostly with younger peers, many of whom pursued their PhDs right after their bachelor’s degrees. While they were still early in their careers, I saw it as a great opportunity to share my industry experience and support them in their academic journey. I look forward to connecting with more senior alumni and building meaningful relationships that can lead to collaboration, learning, and continued growth.

What is the next chapter you are looking forward to in your professional journey?

The next chapter in my professional journey focuses on embracing digital transformation and integrating emerging technologies like AI to revolutionize engineering practices. I aim to move beyond conventional methods, adopting AI-driven analysis and BIM to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and project delivery speed, reducing processes that once took a week to just a couple of days.

With the growing emphasis on ESG, I also aspire to contribute to the development of smart, sustainable city infrastructure. In addition, I am passionate about building a one-stop solution center that offers end-to-end services, from design to construction, ta ilored to modern industry needs. It is equally important to nurture the next generation of engineers. I look forward to driving innovation while mentoring young engineers to thrive in a fast-paced, digital- first world.

Based on your strong professional experience, what advice would you give to aspiring industry leaders?

My advice to aspiring industry leaders is to first build a strong technical foundation. At the same time, stay aware of how rapidly the industry and technology landscape is evolving. Leadership today is about trust, accountability, and empowering others, especially young talents. Give them space to grow and contribute meaningfully. Also, don’t fear the risk, because every risk presents an opportunity. It’s all about how you approach it. Learn to manage risk wisely while looking for the potential it holds.

Tzyy Wooi Teh, Owner, H&T Consulting Engineers

Tzyy Wooi TEH, Owner of H&T Consulting Engineers is a seasoned civil and structural engineer and founder of H&T Consulting Engineers, with over 25 years of experience in delivering complex infrastructure projects. He earned his PhD from the University of Malaya in 2024 and continues to champion innovation, technical leadership, and mentorship within the engineering community.

• Hobbies: Sightseeing, playing badminton, exploring innovative structural designs, and mentoring young engineers as a form of social responsibility (CSR).

• Favorite Cuisine: Malaysian and Japanese

• Favorite Book: Blue Ocean Strategy and The Art of War by Sun Tzu

• Favorite Travel Destination: Osaka, Japan