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Asher Lum- Alumni Spotlight

Mr Asher Lum

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), Class of 2003

CEng (Infrastructure)

Assistant Project Director at Expand Construction Pte Ltd

Career History

He graduated from NUS Civil Engineering in 2003 and has spent over 20 years in the construction industry as a Builder, primarily in marine and complex urban projects.

He started his career on-site as a Construction Manager and grew through roles as Project Manager and Senior Project Manager, eventually taking on leadership roles as Operations Manager and Project Director.

Today, he serves as Assistant Project Director at Expand Construction, leading the NS Square project at Marina Bay, a nationally significant development involving complex marine works, structural engineering, and multi-stakeholder coordination.

  • Career Highlights

    Jubilee Bridge @ Marina Bay

    A meaningful national project completed on time through strong coordination across stakeholders. It was affectionately referred to during construction as the “Lee Kuan Yew Bridge”, as it was initiated by our nation’s founding Prime Minister during one of his walks around Marina Bay.

    Apple Store @ Marina Bay Sands

    Delivered a high-precision architectural project integrating marine and structural works under demanding conditions. One of its kind in the Bay - APPLE’s Flagship Store in Singapore.

    NS Square (Current)

    Leading a flagship national project with high public visibility, integrating engineering, sustainability, and digital construction practices. It will serve as the future permanent venue for Singapore’s National Day Parade.

Advice to prospective & graduating students or young professionals

  • Build strong fundamentals, but don’t stop at theory. Learn how things are built on-site
  • Develop resilience. Projects are complex, pressure is constant, and challenges are inevitable
  • Stay humble and keep learning. Every project will teach you something new
  • Your mindset is your limit. Growth comes when you are willing to stretch beyond comfort

Career Inspiration

Hover to see Asher's answer.

Asher's Career Inspiration

His inspiration comes from seeing projects come to life and knowing that what we build shapes the nation and impacts people’s daily lives.

More importantly, he is driven by developing people. In this phase of his career, he hopes to see younger engineers grow, take ownership, and eventually lead.

What is a myth about civil/environmental engineering that he wants to bust?

Myth
Truth

We are "Phua Chu Kang".

A Typical Day

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Asher's Typical Day

•  Early coordination with site teams to align on priorities and resolve issues

•  Meetings with clients, consultants, and stakeholders to unblock design or implementation challenges

•  Reviewing risks, programme, and technical interfaces

•  Mentoring engineers and guiding decision-making on-site

At its core, his role is about bringing clarity amidst complexity and aligning people towards a common goal.

Reflections on the Built Environment Industry

The built environment is not just about structures. It is about shaping lives, enabling communities, and building a legacy that outlasts us.

Last Updated: April 2026