StarSpecial

THE STAR Tuesday 18 March 2014

COURSE FOCUS:
ENGINEERING

Building the world

Life in the fast lane > 7 Holistic development of students > 9

2 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

Becoming a professional engineer

W
ITH great power comes great responsibility, said Uncle Ben to Spiderman. This mantra runs true with our modern day superheroes the professional engineers who meet the worlds ever-growing needs and solve its problems. These professionals are highly revered because they have achieved the highest form of engineering. They are authority gures that can prepare, sign, seal and submit engineering plans to government and business organisations. As mighty as these professional engineers seem, the process of gaining the Ir before their names is no easy feat. It is a timeconsuming endeavour, but in the long-run this investment will mean greater job opportunities and wider professional scope when it comes to doing the job. Here, we show you the journey that engineering majors undergo to become a professional engineer and the rewards that await them.

Academic Requirements

Graduate Registration

Training Requirements

Professional Registration

Accredited engineering degree (normal route)

IEM BEM Graduate Engineer Min 3 years relevant work experiences Log Book Scheme Professional interview

IEM Graduate Member

IEM Corporate Member

Unrecognised engineering degree

Recognised masters in engineering

Completed 60 hours of PDP

Competency examination

BEM

Who is in charge?
These professional bodies are in charge of the engineering profession: l Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) l Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) l Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM)

Continuing professional development

Professional Engineer

Choosing wisely
Competition among entrylevel engineers is erce, and the key to becoming employable is internships. Internship experience that aligns with career goals can help a graduate gain advantage for future employment. When considering an engineering programme, it is important to nd out whether engineering internships are being offered, says Prof Dr Ir Ramesh Singh, head of University of Malayas Department of Mechanical Engineering. He believes that students must be given relevant work opportunities to validate their career plans while keeping them engaged in their engineering degree programmes. While pursuing their degree, students can sign up for programmes and workshops at IEM to gain more training and experience. Ir Abdul Azim Abdul Razak, an IEM member, suggests that students get early exposure to the engineering industry so that they can start developing and selling ideas. A student member of IEM can network with practising

engineers, attend technical talks, courses and visits, enrol in a mentorship programme with a senior engineer especially for nal year project and get potential industry training programme attachments. It is also important to note that students must choose quality engineering programmes that are accredited. The EAC has accredited 190 engineering programmes at 26 institutions of higher learning nationwide.

undergone core electrical subjects such as elds (electromagnetics) and circuits, power electronics (drives) and machines and drives, electrical power systems and high voltage technology. Once registered, a graduate engineer must obtain three years practical experience to qualify as a corporate member of IEM and to sit for the Professional Assessment Examination (PAE) conducted by BEM. BEM evaluates the graduate engineers practical experience, which must show a level of competency in any of the following criteria: l In the planning, design, execution or management of engineering works l In engineering research; or l In the teaching of engineering A graduate engineer who has worked overseas must have his foreign experience certied by a professional engineer of the respective country and countersigned by a local employer. They Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) Facilitates the registration of engineers and regulates the professional conduct and practice of registered engineers in order to safeguard the safety and interest of the public.

must also have gained at least one year working experience in Malaysia. Last year, BEM reported a total register of 52,000 graduate and professional engineers. The majority of its members are graduate engineers.

Opportunities abound
Once a candidate has passed the PAE, he can proceed to apply for professional engineer status. Applicants must submit reports of their training and work experiences that exhibit a sound understanding of engineering knowledge and capacity to accept professional responsibilities. A professional engineer who is registered with BEM can be recognised and exempted from licensing in other countries, says Ir Ashari Mohd Yakub, BEMs executive director. He adds that those qualied can advance higher in their careers, can become consultant engineers and nd employment in other countries. Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) Recognises and accredits engineering degree programmes offered in Malaysia. Its members include BEM, IEM, Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and Public Service Department (PSD).

Taking baby steps

An engineering graduate must be registered as a Graduate Engineer with BEM within six months of entering engineering practice. BEM recognises the experience gained by an engineering graduate only after he has registered as a graduate engineer. In order to qualify as a graduate engineer, the applicant must comply with one of these academic qualications: l Applicant is a graduate of an engineering programme recognised by BEM and the EAC. l Applicants who have nished a three-year engineering programme not recognised by EAC must top up with a masters degree from an accredited university. l Applicants who have completed an electrical engineering degree must have
IDS

Furthermore, professional engineers tend to earn more than their non-licensed counterparts. The International Professional Engineers Agreement (IPEA) makes mobility among professional engineers possible. Professional engineers who have seven years experience and registered with BEM and/or a corporate member with IEM can join the IPEA. Members can provide their services to other member countries. With the increasing commercialisation of education and a wide choice of engineering programmes, students who wish to become successful need to make informed decisions as to where they should invest their time, effort and money. In this case, a professional engineering license pays dividends as it marks an engineer as someone capable of understanding and dealing with engineering changes with a global perspective. Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) A learned institution for practising engineers in Malaysia. It facilitates networking, technical learning among different groups. Most of its members are graduate and student members.

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StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

COURSE FOCUS 3

IUKL provides students with a solid foundation to pursue a higher qualification in architecture.

Architects in the making

A
S a student pursuing architectural studies, you should aim to graduate not only with the knowledge and skills required to be a professional architect, but also with a qualication that is recognised by the Board of Architects Malaysia (BAM), a legal professional body that grants recognition to architectural programmes and registers professional architects. Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) offers the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, which is fully recognised by BAM and is equivalent to the Part I examination for the Professional Architect Qualication. Architecture is the art of building, which includes both aesthetics and construction skills. It has been described as an artful science that has long been an important part of human civilisation. Architects are tasked at creating spaces that are safe, sustainable and able to satisfy economic needs. Taking all these into consideration, IUKL has unique ways of preparing professionals who are qualied to design and advise on built objects. IUKL graduates are equipped with solid architectural, engineering and problem-solving skills. They are trained to be versatile, to think on their feet and be ready to take on responsibilities. The curriculum is unique because it allows students to have hands-on approach on a full-scale project instead of just a theoretical approach. Students have a better understanding of fundamental construction. I want them to understand every detail of building a full-scale model. I want them to experience building it with their own hands, understand the joints of the models and the use of its materials, says Prof Dr Zulkii Hana, dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment.

Prof Dr Zulkifli Hanafi: I want students to understand every detail of building a full-scale model. a higher qualication in architecture. This programme aims to equip students with a solid foundation, relevant skills and architectural knowledge to meet the requirements of BAMs Part 1 qualication. In addition, the programme exposes students to various elds in architecture available for the next level of studies.

Professional pathway
Upon completion of their rst degree, graduates are qualied to pursue the Part II examination, which is equivalent to a professional degree. Graduate architects can proceed to pursue the Part III professional examination after acquiring two years of practical experience. This will be the nal step for all who aspire to be professional architects. Upon passing the examination, the graduate can register as a Professional Architect with BAM and embark on a career as a principle architect, principle designer or assistant architect. IUKLs Info days will be held on March 22 and 23.

Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies

Through the Bachelor of Science in Architecture Studies, IUKL provides students a solid foundation to pursue

n For more information, call

1800 88 STUDY (78839) or visit www.IUKL.edu.my

4 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

Set to soar in aviation industry

M
Y father loves working on cars. It is his passion. He even gured out how to change the engine of the familys off-roader, says Marcus Thian Lak Tuong, who is a nal year Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering student at Nilai University (Nilai U). I have often helped him when he is working on his cars and I suppose thats how I developed my passion for mechanics. Thian says he had initially wanted to pursue an automotive engineering degree. However, his father coaxed him to pursue an aircraft maintenance engineering programme instead. He believes that hybrid and electric engines are the future and wanted me to do something related to that area such as electrical and electronic engineering or even mechatronics. It was then that I brought up the idea of pursuing a qualication in the aviation industry as planes and helicopters still depend largely on fuel-powered engines, explains the 22-year-old.

Finding the right university

Thian says his parents came across Nilai U. Upon conducting a detailed online research, Thian discovered that Nilai Us programme prepared students for the all-important European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) B1-1 licence, which is readily accepted in most parts of the world. This licence allows a person to certify an aircraft as airworthy and students who complete the EASA exams will have ve years to gain the necessary eld experience, allowing them to be fully licensed aircraft maintenance engineers. Thian says the EASA factor was crucial in him choosing Nilai U over other institutions offering similar programmes. My mother had wanted me to go to Australia but the prohibitive cost and lessthan-favourable exchange rate made it unappealing, he says.

Having two planes on campus is an advantage. This allows us to put into practice what we learn in the classrooms. It also allows us to gain hands-on experience before embarking on our practical training.
Marcus Thian

Impressive facilities
Thian and his father were impressed by the facilities offered at Nilai U. The university has a purpose-built hangar with two aircrafts, audio-visual rooms as well as workshops with comprehensive tooling. Having two planes on campus is an advantage. This allows us to put into practice what we learn in the classrooms. It also allows us to gain hands-on experience before embarking on our practical training, says Thian, referring to the six-month industrial placement that is built into the syllabus of the two-and-a-half year programme. His father also liked the fact that there was accommodation on campus and the tranquil campus environment. I am very thankful that my father selected the singleoccupant room. I am very comfortable here as the campus is very peaceful and there are no distractions. The round-the-clock security also makes me feel secure, says Thian. Currently on course for a distinction, Thian says that he may pursue a

qualication in avionics in the future. He is also thinking about furthering his studies into Nilai Us Advanced Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme, which offers students who successfully complete this one-year topup programme a BSc (Hons) in Aircraft Engineering from Kingston University in the United Kingdom. Although there is a healthy demand for aircraft maintenance engineers worldwide, I want to be suitably qualied to be able to climb the career ladder, he says. Kingston University, UK, recognises that Nilai Us Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programmes as being equivalent to their BSc (Hons) in Aircraft Engineering. The Advanced Diploma also acts as a pathway to the Masters in Aircraft Engineering at Kingston University.

n For more information,

call 06-850 2308 or visit www.nilai. edu.my

Marcus Thian enjoys the study facilities and security at Nilai U.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

COURSE FOCUS 5

Beyond limits
The Channel Tunnel. The Beijing South Railway Station.

The Millau Viaduct.

OR a long time, mankind has been looking for ways to make life easier. Whether it is a bridge to connect lands separated by sea or dams to generate electricity, we have continued to take giant leaps in the world of engineering with the advancement of technology and machinery.

links Folkestone, in the United Kingdom, with Coquelles, in Northern France. At one point during construction, 15,000 people were employed, which meant daily expenditures rose to 3mil (RM16.4mil).

Millau Viaduct
The Millau Viaduct was designed by Michel Virlogeux, a French structural engineer, and Norman Foster, a British architect. It is a cable-stayed bridge that extends past the valley of the River Tarn in southern France. Completed in 2004, the bridge is

the tallest in the world with one of its masts summits measuring 343m above the base of the bridge. The Millau Viaduct was awarded the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) Outstanding Structure Award in 2006.

houses a number of luxury hotels, resorts and villas. Construction of the islands started in 2001 and completed in 2006. All the materials used in the making of The Palm Islands are said to be enough to build a wall around the Earth three times.

and two million construction workers to nish the bridge, which was ready for use in 1998.

Beijing South Railway Station

Located in Chinas Fengtai District and with an investment of US$959mil (RM3.1bil), the South Railway Station is the second largest in Beijing. Construction on the South Railway Station started in June 2006, covering 499,000sq m. There are now plans for the station to become a highspeed rail terminal for trains on the Beijing-Shanghai route.

The Palm Islands

Situated in Dubai, the Palm Islands are articial islands that have been constructed from sand dug up from the bottom of the Persian Gulf. Built in the shape of a palm, it has increased Dubais coastline by 520km and now

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge, is located in Japan. The bridge links the city of Kobe to Iwaya on Awaji Island. The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge has the longest central span in the world at 1,991m. It took 10 years

Channel Tunnel
The tunnel is 51km in its total length, 38km of which is in the sea. No other tunnel in the world has an undersea portion of that length. The Channel Tunnel

Changing the world

Willis Haviland Carrier
IN 1902, only a year after his graduation with a masters in engineering from Cornell University, Willis Haviland Carrier's rst air-conditioner was manufactured for a Brooklyn printing plant. Before the plant used airconditioning, the changes in temperature were causing the machines to misalign the coloured inks. Cooling for the comfort of people, however, only began in 1924. Businesses such as department stores and movie theatres that advertised added comfort of cooling saw a great increase in customers. Four years later in 1928, Carrier developed air-conditioning for domestic use, which has since been used and developed until today. He is famous for inventing a bag-less vacuum cleaner that never loses its suction. Dysons inventions have become recognisable household products and can even be found in some public toilets in the form of an electronic hand dryer. Besides the electronic hand dryer, called the Airblade, Dyson also launched the Air Multiplier, a desktop or oor-standing fan.

Bill Moggridge
Bill Moggridge was awarded a lifetime achievement accolade during the National Design Awards in 2009 for designing the worlds rst laptop computer, the GRiD Compass. Released in 1981 and priced at US$8,000 (RM26,253), the GRiD Compass was utilised by the US Special Forces and by NASA on the Discovery shuttle in 1985. Besides that, Moggridge invented the clamshell case, which is a practical solution to both space saving and screen and keyboard protection. This concept is currently widely used in laptops and mobile phones.

Meghan Shea

Eighteen-year-old Meghan Shea from Pennsylvania, in the United States, came up with a cheap and economical water lter that eliminated nearly 99% of E.coli bacteria through moringa seeds. This is an Mary Anderson invention that can possibly save the lives of people who While on a trip to New do not have access to clean York in the winter of 1903, Mary drinking water. Meghan Shea. Anderson saw how a driver left Shea learned about the his front window open to clear properties of moringa seeds falling snow from the windshield. during a summer science fellowship at Anderson decided to do something about Texas Tech University in 2012. Moringa it and in 1903, she was granted a patent seeds can be found in a common tropical for the invention of the windshield wiper tree and when the seeds are crushed they blade. cause the pollutants in water to clump up. Although her patent expired in 1920, the rapid development of the automobile industry meant that car manufacturers Sir James Dyson began to use Andersons design of the wiper as standard equipment in their Sir James Dyson is a British inventor cars. and founder of the Dyson company.

6 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

Engage in hovercraft designs

T
HE University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) will be organising anInternational Autonomous Hovercraft Design and Make Competitionon March 29 in conjunction with UNMCs Open Day. Organised by the School of Engineering together with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) UNMC student chapter, the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) UNMC student branch, the UNMC Robotics Society and Engineers without Borders Malaysia, the competition is sponsored by Motorola Solutions Sdn Bhd, Autoliv, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Malaysia Sparkle Lite Marketing Sdn Bhdand UNMC Digital Arts Guild. workshop on working principles and coding techniques conducted by a student technical team and will end with the grand race on a designated track at UNMCs Great Hall, where the closing ceremony and award presentations will be held.

Open to university students

The competition is open to students from other universities in Malaysia and The University of Nottingham Ningbo Campus (UNNC). The grand prize is RM1,500 while the rstrunner-up and secondrunner-up will receive RM1,000 and RM500, respectively. Three awards of RM100 each will be presented to the most creative designs. This inaugural competition aspires to be an annual initiative to continuously challenge engineering students to engage in creative and innovative design challenges. We also hope that the competition will introduce new ideas and concepts to the participants, says Dr Chan.

An aim to inspire
The competition aims to inspire young engineers to create innovative designs in an environment that mirrors a reallife situation faced by professional engineers, where time and limited resources affect design processes. It also serves as a great opportunity for participants to apply their critical-thinking, communications and teamwork skills and to give participants the experience of using industrial The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus offers quality British education. tools and methods, says Tzer Maan Choo, head of the organising committee and a second year engineering student. This project is a student-led initiative by the student chapter of Institute of Mechanical Engineers, student branch of the Institution of Electrical Engineers and the Robotics society of UNMC. The team of advisors from the School of Engineering are dean Prof Ian Harrison, associate dean Prof Law Chung Lim and associate professor Dr Chan Kuan Yoong. Fifty undergraduate and PhD students from the mechanical, electrical and mechatronics department have been involved in organising this competition since last October and we are condent that it is going to be popular among students, says Alireza Parpaei, president of the IMechE Student Chapter at UNMC. This one-day competition will begin at 8am with an introductory

n For more details about this

competition and the online registration please e-mail hovercraft.competition2014@ nottingham.edu.my or visit unmc.ieeemy.org/hovercraft/

Experiential learning
ENGINEERING students from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus in Kuching made headlines when they emerged as the Malaysian champion in the Freescale Cup Challenge and went on to represent the country at the international stage of the competition last year in Harbin, China. What made bigger news was that they beat university teams from Brazil, China, India, Japan, Slovakia and the United States to take second place in the intelligent car cup challenge. The competition required the teams to build, programme and race a model car embedded with Freescales 32-bit microcontrollers, around a track. The fastest car to complete the track without derailing was declared the winner. Over the years, students from the Australian branch campus have won numerous accolades. Assoc Prof Dennis Wong, dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, attributes these successes to the way the courses at the university, which have been accredited by the Institution of Engineers Australia and the Board of Engineers, Malaysia, have been designed. A distinct feature of our engineering programmes is the emphasis on experiential or hands-on learning where students apply the theories they learnt at workshops or labs. We focus strongly on practical work. In some subjects this comprises about 60%, says Assoc Prof Wong. Each student must complete 12 weeks of an industry-related experience module called the Professional Experience in Engineering to qualify for graduation. It involves practical experience in an engineering environment outside the teaching establishment, classes and activities on professional ethics and conduct, industry visits and inspections, industry-based projects, industry research for feasibility studies, and study of industry policies, processes, practices and benchmarks. This helps them to gain the relevant practical experience in their discipline. However, its main objective is to improve awareness of a range of issues associated with professional practice and to ensure that their perception of engineering in degree studies does not develop in isolation from the realities of practice, adds Assoc Prof Wong.

n For more information, visit

www.swinburne.edu.my

Swinburne Sarawak offers majors in civil, chemical, mechanical, electrical and electronics, robotics and mechatronics, and telecommunications and network engineering.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

COURSE FOCUS 7

Life in the fast lane

O
NE of University of Southamptons most successful and famous alumnus, Adrian Newey, is the chief technical ocer of Ininiti Red Bull Racings Formula One team. Newey obtained a rst class honours degree in astronautics and aeronautics in 1980. Here, he speaks about his experience at Southampton and his passion for his job.

At the university
At six years old, I knew that I wanted to be a motor racing engineer. I loved the practical elements of the degree course. Southampton had good laboratories and the experiments were fascinating to me. My rst year was dicult because I struggled with maths; around Christmas I had contemplated quitting. A lecturer in my department, Ken Bergin, encouraged me to stay. He was an inspiration throughout my degree and as I progressed through the course, I enjoyed it more and more. In third year, students carry out design projects, but the university only allowed one motor-oriented project at the time. Bergin made sure I got that project, which really helped to cement my desire to work in motor sports.

down, be logical and slowly work through it because there is no magic. It's science and it means you have made a mistake somewhere. We are constantly trying to marry fresh, creative ideas that will stand the test of physics. In previous positions, I have worked with more mature teams and provided the designbased expertise. At Red Bull we work to build the infrastructure and the research-oriented side of the engineering from the ground up to create the tools to design a car.

consistently produce better CVs, handle interview well and bring the right skills to the table.

Some advice
This is a dicult time to be a graduate and it is also a tough job market. If you are not fortunate enough to get your dream job, then accept a position that is close and will put you in the job market and keep striving towards your goal. I am not a big fan of endless gap years I think you need to get out and get on with it to decide what your next step is going to be.

The best and worst bits

I love the immediacy of the eld. In the job, what we are working on now we will see ideas realised within a matter of months or hours, whether that is good or bad, or for all the world to see. In other elds it could take years to see your work come to fruition. The opportunity to focus on designing the car is a motivating factor for me. I delegate as much as I can so that 50% of my time can be spent at my drawing board sketching and developing ideas.

Adrian Newey is the chief technical officer of Inifiniti Red Bull Racings Formula One team and a proud University of Southampton alumnus.

My happiest moment at work

I am most proud of the Formula One championships we have won at Red Bull. It has always been a dream to win, but often our dreams are not fullled. To be able to win with Red Bull has been fantastic.

My background
Throughout my career, I have worked in Formula One and IndyCar racing as a race engineer, aerodynamicist, designer and technical director. After my graduation from Southampton, I started my career with the Fittipaldi Formula One team before joining the March team in 1981. After a while working as a race engineer in European Formula 2, I began designing race cars and had success with the March GTP. I also worked for Williams F1 and McLaren before moving to Red Bull in 2006.

Getting the job

My degree from Southampton gave me a competitive edge. It also lled a critical skills gap because I had just done a nal project on ground-effect aerodynamics on racing cars, in which not many people in F1 had had training at that time. At the time, motor racing was not a recognised industry and job opportunities were scarce. F1 teams only employed a handful of engineers. I applied to all the teams and just when I thought I would have to consider other options, I was offered a job.

My company and job

At a day-to-day basis, what I love about my job with Red Bull is its variety, which I nd tremendously stimulating and enjoyable. Each day, Im usually standing at the drawing board trying to come up with ideas and solutions for what we are looking at (I'm probably the only dinosaur left in the industry who still uses a drawing board) and working with my colleagues, my fellow engineers at Red Bull. And then, of course, there is working with the drivers and the rest of the team at the track. If a car is not performing well and you do not fully understand why, then that is frustrating because it means that we are missing something. But you have to calm yourself

Postgraduate or professional qualifications

I chose Southampton because I realised a degree in aeronautical engineering would give me the skills I needed to learn about racing cars and I was aware that Southampton had a long aliation and direct contact with racing teams.

Preparation
I have been impressed by Southamptons sensible and structured growth over the years. I am proud that it is seen as a top UK university. Many of the graduates we recruit to Red Bull are from Southampton. This is not because of any loyalty on my part, but because Southampton graduates

8 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

Exposure to employer projects enables INTIs students to enhance their problem-solving, collaboration and vital skills.

Hands-on learning opportunities

S
INCE 2011, INTIs students have successfully engaged in and completed a total of 180 innovative projects with 125 employers from various industries. These assignments were formulated to help develop in-demand skills such as problem-solving, collaboration and effective communication. By providing a teaching and learning environment that is career-focused, INTI empowers its students to be self-directed, motivated and independent learners. in leading organisations, says Tan.

Theoretical and practical programmes

INTI offers the Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering. The diploma programme helps students develop broad-based mechanical engineering skills coupled with automotive product knowledge both theoretical and practical. The degree programme prepares students for careers in energy transfer and analysis, machine and electro-mechanical design, manufacturing and production, ergonomics and man-machine symbiosis, environmental design and analysis as well as in new technologies such as robotics and numerical control machining.

A chance to learn
An employer project strengthened Tan Zhi Mings communication and criticalthinking skills and strengthened his profound interest in engineering. As a mechanical engineering student at INTI, Tan participated in a project with APM Plastics Sdn Bhd and gained valuable insight into the process of auto parts manufacturing. Tan, a recipient of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Golden Jubilee Award, and his classmates were required to conduct research on the companys production process, come up with a proposal to improve production eciency and present their ndings to the general manager of APM Plastics. The opportunity to work on a real-life project is priceless as it brings to life the lessons that we learn in the classroom. The exposure has given us a good understanding of the industry as well as employer expectations and requirements. My aspiration is to become a professional engineer and to establish my own engineering rm. This experience has also given me a business perspective on how things are run

Excellent facilities
INTI has more than 33 well-equipped engineering laboratories and workshops that provide hands-on learning opportunities to master skills in computer numerical control machining, rapid prototyping and other areas of technology. Students also develop business, interpersonal and managerial skills to progress quickly into positions in the mechanical or automotive industries upon graduation. Other areas of engineering studies at INTI include civil engineering, electrical and electronic engineering and quantity surveying.

n For more information on INTIs

engineering programmes call 03-5623 2800 or visit www.newinti.edu.my

StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

COURSE FOCUS 9

Holistic development of students

A
T Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), learning is much more than books and lectures. This is evident in the participation of its students in various sports competitions and community service projects. At the Sukan Institusi Pengajian Tinggi (SUKIPT) 2014, accounting student Loh Chooi Fern became the rst athlete to win the rst gold medal at the 5,000m (women) category of the 2014 sports event. The medal tally increased when electrical and electronics engineering student Chew Wei Yan and civil engineering student Tum Choo Yoong won the taekwondo poomsae and kyorugibantam men individual categories respectively. Computer science student Sylvester Shang Jeun Tyng contributed a bronze medal in the karate do kumite below 64kg men category. UTAR students also clinched the 2013 championships in the Inter-Varsity Table Tennis Competition and the Datuk Pek Kok Sam Cup table tennis tournament and secured two golds, one silver and one bronze at the Kejohanan Taekwondo Masiswa & IPT Jemputan 2013. Equally inspiring was the success of 11 UTAR students who won the top prize in The Master of Rev Up competition, organised by Revive Isotonic. The team comprising nalyear public relations students Kueh Vi Vien, Chai You Hong, Foong Xye Mun, Chew Yi Lin, Chin Terk Wah, Daphne Lee Wan Yu, Joel Fam Weng Soon, Low Fang Ying and Moo Hong Yuen, psychology student Kang Mei Xuan and advertising student Oon Wei Teng won for their creativity and innovation in planning and executing a public relations campaign. The campaign included raising funds for the restoration work of the Kampar old town basketball court. It was a meaningful act to support the community by helping to maintain its facilities.

Nurturing development
Such feats exemplied UTARs mission in nurturing the holistic development of students to become well-rounded students with a sense of accomplishment, adaptability while appreciating the importance of friendship, teamwork and leadership. Students are encouraged to develop their soft skills while pursuing their academic studies. UTAR introduced the UTAR Soft Skills Development Certicate (USSDC) in January 2009, a certication system to recognise students efforts at improving themselves in the areas of communication, strategic thinking, creativity and commitment to integrity. It involves experiential learning in training and interaction sessions such as the Community at Heart: We-Care-We-Act (WCWA)

Civil engineering student Tum Choo Yoong won the kyorugi-bantam men individual category at the recent SUKIPT 2014.

New Village community Project for students. Such value-based education outside the classroom nurtures the students understanding of community service and encourages them to care and help others who are less fortunate and deprived. In conjunction with its May intake, UTAR will host an open day at its four campuses. Details are as follow: l March 22 and 23 (9.30am to 5.30pm) at UTAR in Petaling Jaya l March 29 and 30 (9.30am to 5.30pm) at UTAR in Sungai Long l April 5 and 6 (9.30am to 5.30pm) at UTAR in Kampar l April 12 and 13 (9.30am to 5.30pm) at UTAR in Setapak

n For more information,

call 03-7958 2628 or visit www.utar.edu.my

10 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

Gain practical skills

O
NE of the fastest-growing courses at Curtin Sarawak is its Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Petroleum Engineering. Though having been introduced only in 2011, it currently has an enrolment of more than 60 students and the number is increasing with each new semester. The highly specialised four-year course is equivalent to the one offered at Curtins main campus in Perth and was developed in collaboration with global players such as Chevron, Woodside, Shell, BHP Biliton and BP, which continue to support Curtins petroleum engineering programme and provide graduates with employment opportunities during and beyond their studies. At Curtin Sarawak, the course has been further rened to meet the technical needs of the oil and gas industry in Malaysia with the involvement of industry players like Petronas, Shell, Nippon Oil, Murphy Oil, Schlumberger and Talisman, all of which operate extensively in Sabah and Sarawak. Contrary to popular belief, all four years of the course can be completed at Curtin Sarawak without having to transfer to the main campus at any stage. Sarawak is located at the right place to offer the course.

Adistinct advantage
Being located within the hub of the oil and gas industry in Sarawak offers distinct advantages to our petroleum engineering students. Due to the practical and applied nature of the course and our strong links with industry players, students have ample opportunity to develop practical skills and gain valuable work experience from interacting with industry professionals. Curtin Sarawaks March intake is currently in progress and applications are now open.

Assured quality
The petroleum engineering course at Curtin Sarawak adopts the same course structure as that of Curtins main campus in Australia. Students are assured of the quality of the petroleum engineering curriculum delivered at Curtin Sarawak. Dean of Curtin Sarawaks School of Engineering and Science Professor Michael Cloke says Curtin

n For more information

call 085-443 939 or visit www.curtin.edu.my

StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

COURSE FOCUS 11

The chromatographic purification process done at Monash University Malaysia focuses on purifying virus-like particles.

Change through chemical engineering

I
N a world that is coping with a growing population, there is a burgeoning need to develop and manage systems, products and processes that increase productivity with minimal environmental impact. What goes into the design of a product or process is an intimate knowledge of how the chemical, biochemical or physical state of a substance works. This is where the skills of chemical engineers come into play. Chemical engineering is all about turning raw materials into useful products you use every day in a safe and costeffective way. For example, using fossil oil to make petrol, plastic and synthetic bres and using palm oil to make toiletries, food, pharmaceuticals and so on, says Prof Tey Beng Ti from the School of Engineering at Monash University Malaysia. A chartered member of Institute of Chemical Engineers (IchemE) UK and the current head of IChemEs Biochemical Engineering Special Interest Group [BESIG] in Malaysia, Prof Tey has published more than 90 papers in leading scientic journals and more than 120 papers in scientic proceedings. His published papers have garnered more than 600 citations with a h-Index of 12. Chemical engineers understand how to alter the chemical, biochemical or physical state of a substance to create everything from face creams to fuels, he says. The ability to dissect raw materials and convert them into useful and ecient products spurred Prof Tey to embark on a research project eight years ago. This resulted in a discovery on how to simplify the production process of therapeutic protein such as virus-like particles (VLP). The current u vaccine is produced in fertilised chicken eggs but it has its limitations. Firstly, there is a very low yield of the virus. To obtain 300mil doses of vaccine, we require 900mil eggs. This is obviously a problem as the supply of eggs can be affected by the avian u pandemic and other factors. Also, people who are allergic to eggs cannot take vaccines that are produced from chicken eggs, Prof Tey says. Prof Tey tried to use a chromatographic purication process to purify VLPs that were produced from different expressing systems. The new process achieved a product yield that was up to 17 times higher and involved a shorter processing time (six to 10 times faster) compared to the conventional purication method. We have so far led nine patents in Malaysia and the Patent Cooperation Treaty and published more than 50 articles in leading international scientic journals from the outcomes of this research. The research, however, is never-ending and we are researching ways to continue improving the VLP production and purication process. At Monash University Malaysia, chemical engineering students can choose to either specialise in biotechnology or sustainable processing. Biotechnology involves the use of biological processes for commercial and industrial applications. Applications include the use of recombinant DNA, the development of micro-organisms and new bio-processing techniques. Sustainable processing involves the application of principles of sustainability and life cycle assessment for environmental benet, says Prof Tey. Prof Tey adds that the work of a chemical engineer can be extremely diverse but will always be relevant. Whether you focus on developing future energy solutions, controlling pollution or protecting our environment, your future as a chemical engineer is bright.

n For more information, visit

www.monash.edu.my

12 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

Graduates that meet global market demands

M
AHSA University is now diversifying its portfolio in new and imaginative ways to offer a dynamic range of programmes in the eld of engineering, recognised by both international and professional bodies. All engineering programmes at MAHSA meet the requirements set by the Engineering Accreditation Council of the Board of Engineers Malaysia. The programmes are also quality assured by the universitys UK partner Anglia Ruskin University at Cambridge and Chelmsford. Through this quality assurance, engineering students at MAHSA will also receive an award from the Anglia Ruskin University, in addition to the MAHSA University degree. The Board of Engineers Malaysia is a signatory to the Washington Accord, which is an international accreditation agreement for professionalengineeringacademic degrees involving at least 15 countries around the globe. This means that upon full accreditation of the programmes by the Engineering Accreditation Council, successful graduates will All engineering programmes at MAHSA meet the requirements set by the Engineering Accreditation Council of the Board of Engineers Malaysia. MAHSA has developed engineering programmes in fields that meet local and global market demands and employability. to decide on their intended specialisation of the programme, which will begin in Year 2. Apart from incorporating soft skills and communication skills to further enhance employability upon graduation, MAHSA students are required to undergo an internship programme, which is also part of the curriculum. Students will spend a couple of months in the industry at the end of Year 3 of their study, where they are exposed to the real-life practice of engineers. This will also enable them to come up with high-quality industry-relevant nal year projects. It follows an outcome-based learning and has been designed in such a way that students are taught the cognitive and analytical skills together with the relevant subject knowledge in their area of study. In this fast-paced and evolving landscape, industry-ready engineering professionals are a necessity to many nations. The next intake for engineering programmes will be in April, just after MAHSAs open day on April 5 and 6 at the Jalan University Campus.

be able to embark on their career in a number of international organisations. MAHSA has developed engineering programmes in elds that meet local and global market demands and employability. The programmes are also specialised in cutting-edge technological and scientic areas. Four-year degree programmes offered at MAHSA University are: l B.Eng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

l B.Eng (Hons) in Electronics and Communication Engineering l B.Eng (Hons) in Mechatronic Engineering l B.Eng (Hons) in Electronics Engineering (Automotive) l B.Eng (Hons) in Medical Electronics Engineering The engineering programmes at MAHSA is designed to have a common Year 1 curriculum that provides students with the exibility and comfort of time

n For more information, call

1800 880 300 or visit www.mahsa.edu.my

The Autonomous Mission Flying Robot is an unmanned aerial vehicle and has been specially designed with four propellers.

Smart machine can detect illegal logging

AT the German-Malaysian Institute, innovation is relevant and universally impactful. One example is in the students nal year projects. Every year, the institute witnesses innovations at various levels by its students and their supervisors. One such innovation is the Autonomous Mission Flying Robot (AMFBot). The AMFBot is a smart machine that was reconstructed from models previously used in research and surveillance on illegal logging from the air. AMFBot is an unmanned aerial vehicle and has been specially designed with four propellers. The technology used in AMFBot is also widely used for research and rescue, construction inspections and many other signicant applications. The AMFBot can be controlled both automatically and manually. For better performance during ight, its proportional integral derivative controller must rst be set. The AMFBot can y within the range of 1.5km and for approximately 17 minutes. It will then be manoeuvred to return to its home position for its batteries to be recharged. Within the required time frame, the AMFBot will y through several waypoints and carry out live videography. The accuracy of the AMFBot is exhibited through several waypoints, depending on the specications of the GPS (Global Positioning System) and digital compass. For example, as the AMFBot takes ight to observe the occurrence of illegal logging, it will process the image captured to determine the total percentage of area that exceeds the percentage of colour soil that has been set. If it is found to have exceeded 50%, the area is identied as illegal logging. If it is less than 50%, the AMFBot will ignore it. After the AMFBot completes the mission, it will land on the provided area to enable automatic battery recharging using solar energy. After charging the battery for 40 minutes, it will continue to make the same programmed ight.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

COURSE FOCUS 13

UCSI students Prabu Gunasagaran (left) and Satyaraj Muniandy during the Schlumberger Ocean Plug-in Competition 2013.

Winning pair Satyaraj Muniandy (left) and Prabu Gunasagaran.

Teamwork pays off for duo

A
MERICAN industrialist Henry Ford once said, Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. This quote holds true for students of UCSI Universitys Faculty of Engineering, Technology and Built Environment a place where teamwork is of utmost importance.

Two is better than one

A good example is the faculty's win in the Schlumberger Ocean Plug-in Competition last year

where a two-man team from the faculty bagged the grand prize of RM15,000. Beating 30 other teams from Malaysia and Singapore, team Nonit comprising Satyaraj Muniandy and Prabu Gunasagaran, who are studying chemical engineering and mechanical engineering, respectively, successfully designed a well testing plug-in using Schlumbergers petrel software and ocean framework. The plug-in TesWell 2013: Well Testing and Production Analysis does not only evaluate well conditions but also predicts

uid behaviour in a reservoir and estimates its parameters. While the software codes, design, algorithms as well as other technical features were done by Satyaraj, the 70-page user manual and other essential documentation were managed by Prabu. Juggling their co-op placements, assignments and the project at the same time, the duo were determined to make time for their project despite being based in different states. We discussed the project over several weekends, only communicating through phone or e-mails on most days. With so

little time on our hands, ecient and effective communication was important, says Prabu. His role in the project was mainly developing the help manual a self-directing software that is seamlessly integrated into TesWell. To create the manual, it was vital for me to really understand Satyas work to translate it from technical terms to layman terms. And in order for me to do so, he had to explain it to me comprehensively, Prabu explains. According to Prabu, exposure to different software during classes and in the labs helped him adjust fairly quickly to the petrel

software. Satyaraj says he has gained better time management skills since enrolling at UCSI and this has helped him tremendously with designing the plug-in. And although we couldnt directly apply what we studied to this project, the university has denitely equipped me with the ability to learn quickly and turn ideas into reality.

n To nd out more about

UCSIs Faculty of Engineering, Technology and Built Environment, call 03-9101 8882 or visit www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/ onlineenquiry

14 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

NIVERSITI Kebangsaan Malaysias (UKM) new deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Prof Datuk Dr Mazlin Mokhtar is a man who has his work cut out for him as the nation goes into challenging economic times. His mission is to assist the university in raising its innovative prole at a time when technological competition, especially from abroad, is becoming more intense. Prof Mazlin says that all universities, not just UKM, are facing budgetary constraints. He is, however, determined to retain some of the universitys successful programmes. Prof Mazlin who was previously the head of the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI) says UKMs projects on the sustainability of the environment have been widely acclaimed. We hope to run more of such programmes after their success in Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu, he explains. He adds that the sustainability of an environment needs innovation and more research, as there is increasing pressure on our living spaces in recent times. Looking at sustainable development, the challenge of today is not just to address the economic, social, environmental and governance issues. People nowadays are also interested in the nexus between water, energy, food security and climate change so we have to ensure that they are provided with relevant infomation, he stresses. He believes that under the

Leading sustainable development

People nowadays are also interested in the nexus between water, energy, food security and climate change so we have to ensure that they are provided with relevant infomation.
leadership of vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Noor Azlan Ghazali, UKM will nd ways of seeking supplementary funding through interaction with other universities and the increased participation of the private sector. Prof Mazlin is a professor of environmental chemistry and he has been with the Faculty of Science and Technology since 1997. He received his BSc in Chemistry from the University of Tasmania, Australia, in 1994 and his PhD in analytical and environmental chemistry from the University of Queensland in 1988. He is also a member of the UKM Senate, Fellow of the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry, Life Member and former executive sponsorship of the Ministry of Higher Education was recognised as the best under the category of social sciences and humanities at the national level. He was also awarded various international fellowships and invitations as a visiting professor at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Monaco, the University of Riau in Indonesia and the Kyoto University and United Nations University in Japan. Currently, he is a member of the advisory committee of the Environmental Health Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health and National Steering Committee for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Small Grants Programme. Prof Mazlin has published more than 130 articles in environmental chemistry and other related areas. He is the founding chairman of the Malaysian Network for Integrated Management of Chemicals and Hazardous Substances for Environment and Development (MyNICHE) and also chaired the Working Group Partnership on biodiversity and environmental management.

Prof Datuk Dr Mazlin Mokhtar

committee member (2005-2009) Malaysian Water Partnership (MyWP) that is linked to the Global Water Partnership (GWP). Prof Mazlins research group project on chemical management systems for Malaysia under the

Opportunities and challenges

By PROF DATUK SABARUDIN MOHD
TRADITIONALLY, most engineering graduates lack practical experience. During their three to four years at the university, only 20% of their time is spent on practical lessons. Although students are required to carry out industrial training as part of their graduation requirement, eight to 10 weeks of training is not enough to teach them all they need to know. Engineering technologists study the same subjects but spend 50% to 60% of their time in the laboratory and on site to gain practical experience. The work of engineering technologists focuses on the applied and practical application of engineering principles, whereas the work of engineers emphasises the theoretical aspects of mathematical, scientic and engineering principles. Generally speaking, an engineer focuses on the theoretical aspect while an engineering technologist focuses on methods and applications. Manufacturing services and infrastructure engineering are the key areas to support the countrys mission of becoming a developed industrialised nation. These are important elements to realise the countrys aim to modernise and industrialise agriculture, plantation and sheries. Higher learning providers such as University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) constantly initiate new academic programmes that focus on these key engineering areas. We should aim to produce graduates who are ready for work. The curriculum should emphasise competencies rather than just academics.

It is important for the curriculum to emphasise on competencies rather than just academics. The teaching and learning methodology must stress on the practical aspect and the application of engineering principles. In Germany for example, students spend between 50% and 70% of their time in practical training at licensed companies. Eleven key industries have been identied for development: tourism, oil, aluminium, metals, glass, shing, aquaculture, livestock, forestry, ship building and palm oil. UCTS and industries within Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy could form a collaboration to develop the apprenticeship programmes. Students will be exposed to the real working environment and to strengthen their practical competency, students should attend their industrial training during the nal semester. l Prof Datuk Sabarudin Mohd is the dean of the School of Engineering and Technology at UCTS.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 18 March 2014

COURSE FOCUS 15

Bright prospect in actuarial science

H
ERIOT-WATT Universitys second international campus in Putrajaya offers a range of degree programmes such as actuarial science, construction project management, quantity surveying, petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, business and nance. The university plans to increase the number of programmes for its September intake. A degree in actuarial science is one of the most worthwhile degrees to pursue in todays job market. Ranked as one of the highest paying jobs according to online recruitment agency JobStreet. com, an actuarial career offers a strong combination of a high salary and job security in an appealing package of a desirable work environment and promising career advancement. labour sectors. Heriot-Watt Universitys undergraduate programmes are closely linked to the industries it specialises in to ensure it provides career-applicable skills sets and fosters an environment for future industry leaders. All undergraduate students will be awarded an inaugural scholarship of RM3,000 provided they meet the basic entry requirements. High achievers can apply for scholarships that will give them a 30% discount for the rst years tuition fees. Scholarship and nonscholarship holders who maintain 70% average in their undergraduate studies will be awarded a 35% Academic Excellence scholarship in the following year. Currently operating from a temporary campus at Menara PjH in Putrajaya, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia opened its doors to students early last year with the global MBA programme from the Edinburgh Business School, followed by a range ofindustry-relevant postgraduate programmes Visit the university during its upcoming Foundation & Undergraduate Information Day March 29 and 30. call 03-8881 0918 or visit www.hwu.edu.my

Heriot-Watt University in Putrajaya is the universitys second international campus. l Actuaries solve high-level business and industry problems, directly and indirectly lending a hand to the economical, psychological and physical wellbeing of society. l You love mathematics and cannot imagine your life without it. l An actuary can choose to work in almost any industry. l You want to work in a dynamic and challenging environment where you are consistently learning while earning. l You want to be in control of your career advancement. You decide where you want to go next. l There is no such thing as a typical day for an actuary. Prepare for an interesting and thoughtprovoking career path. l It is a highly respectable job. what exactly a risk is. Every day, in every possible way, everyone and every organisation faces risks. An actuary tells organisations how much risk their business will face, for example, determining how insurance companies plan out their insurance products or mapping out long-term retirement plans for companies. Though an actuary is traditionally linked to insurance companies, there are other avenues particularly in the nancial, transportation, energy and environment industries. Even government institutions hire actuaries in the health care and

Top 10 reasons to pursue a degree in actuarial science

l You want to earn a competitive salary that starts high and doubles within the rst ve years. l Even in an uncertain economy, actuaries are always in demand. The job comes with high job security. l As complicated as the job description sounds, actuaries actually maintain a healthy worklife balance.

What does an actuary do?

An actuary manages risk. The future is full of risks and chances of an undesirable event occuring in any circumstance. An actuary calculates the possibilities of these events using numbers and thinks of ways to reduce such an occurrence. To understand what an actuary does, one must know

n For more information,

16 StarSpecial

Tuesday 18 March 2014