StarSpecial

THE STAR Tuesday 19 August 2014

Exploring opportunities > 5 Setting higher standards > 8
COURSE FOCUS:
ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE
Turning the cogs
of development
2 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 19 August 2014
Engineering
development
By NG VEAN TAT
E
NGINEERING is the
application of mathematics
and science to solve problems
by creating new technological
solutions. Engineering has
improved the quality of life of
humankind for centuries.
Engineers are people who
innovate and shape the modern
world by creating quicker,
easier and cheaper solutions to
problems.
Malaysia is a developing
country striving to become a
developed nation by 2020.
The Vision 2020 ideal,
introduced by former Prime
Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad
in 1991, calls for a self-sucient
and industrialised Malaysia by
2020.
To achieve Vision 2020, the
country needs more young and
talented engineers to bring new
and innovative ideas to the table.
Types of engineering
The needs of Malaysian and
that of the world is changing.
To stay ahead and contribute
signicantly, Malaysia needs
engineers that will not only help
the country achieve developed
nations status but those that are
experts in the following areas.
l Sustainable and green
engineering With the pressing
issue of global warming, great
effort is being made to reduce the
usage of natural resources such
as wood and oil. One example of
these efforts is the introduction of
hybrid cars that consume less fuel
and run mainly on electricity.
l Sustainable engineering
This scope of engineering aims
to integrate ecology, science and
engineering to design industrial
systems that use less energy and
resources.
Examples of systems that
sustainable engineering can
be incorporated into include
public transportation systems,
waste management systems and
industrial manufacturing systems.
A good example of sustainable
engineering is the invention of
the photovoltaic SUDI shade.
It is a mobile station in France
that provides electrical energy
to electric vehicles using solar
energy.
The station is small and
compact so it does not use much
space and runs on renewable solar
energy.
Integrating elements of
sustainable engineering in our
buildings and our transportation
systems can help Malaysia create
eco-friendly systems such as
the SUDI shade, which will play
an integral part in reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
l Green engineering Similar
to sustainable engineering, green
engineering integrates science and
engineering to design and create
eco-friendly products that reduce
the usage of energy and resources.
An example of green
engineering is exemplied in the
Voltaic Solar Backpack. A solar
panel is attached to the front of
the backpack and you can charge
your mobile devices using the
wire channels in the backpack.
This reduces energy usage
because devices are charged with
solar energy.
l Geosystems engineering
Geosystems engineers use their
engineering expertise to monitor
the development and usage of
engineering approaches in the
management of water, oil and gas
resources.
They are also involved in the
environmental restoration of
contaminated sites.
A contaminated site is an area
where the soil and underlying
groundwater is polluted with a
high concentration of toxic and
hazardous substances. These
areas are usually located within
industrial zones.
Geosystems engineers
have to mitigate the effects of
hydrocarbon (petroleum in
liquid form) generated at these
sites by the oil and gas industry.
Geosystems engineers design
and develop more eco-friendly
methods of extracting resources
like water and oil.
l Computer engineering
Computer engineering is
a sub-discipline of electrical
engineering. Computer engineers
develop computer hardware
and software for computers and
applications.
As daily life become more
inuenced by technology, the
need for computer engineers has
grown exponentially.
Here are some tasks of a
computer engineer:
Design and implement hardware
for the next generation of
computing systems (for maximum
performance and to reduce energy
consumption)
Design and analyse computer
architectures (an assembly
language system that connects
various hardware into one
functioning computing system)
Design and implement software
for applications (coding that make
an application run)
Design man-machine interface
systems for factory automation,
automation and control.
By producing more computer
engineers locally, we can
develop hardware and software
and integrate them into local
computing systems.
Future and prospects
of a career in engineering
Working as an engineer is
rewarding and engineers have a
bright future. Engineering is also
a portable career that enables you
to nd employment in any part of
the world.
Depending on what type of
engineer you choose to become,
you could earn an average of
RM7,000. As long as there are
still problems to be solved,
the demand for engineers will
continue. Some examples of
solutions we need to address
include:
making solar energy more
economical
providing access to clean water
in third-world countries
engineering better medicine
making virtual reality a reality
improving on robotics, including
industrial robots in manufacturing
lines and medical surgical robots.
developing computing software
and hardware that run on
maximum performance and
minimal energy.
For bookings and further information, contact your advertising agency or the following:
M
O
TO
R
IN
G
S
t
a
r
S
p
e
c
ia
l
Y
o
u
r
f
i
r
s
t
c
a
r
g
u
i
d
e
We lay down the options for your first set of wheels.
ds collide > 6-7
POSTGRADUATE
S
t
a
r
S
p
e
c
ia
l
THE STAR Tuesday 21 January 2014
your own PACE > 8
Engineering your future > 10
B
e
t
h
e
c
h
o
s
e
n
o
n
e
The right MBA
will help to
boost your career.
StarSpecial
THE STAR Tuesday 4 February 2014
r body weight status > 3
Quality, affordable international education > 5
Unlocking
your potential
BRIGHT KIDS
Buying newor used? > 8
Lifestyle options > 10
MOTORING
StarSpecial
THE STAR Sunday 12 January 2014
Chinese NewYear
motoring guide
The best offers in town and the hottest cars available this year.
SOUTHERN
PROPERTY StarSpecial
THE STAR Thursday 30 January 2014
Rise of
the south
Supplement Team Email: supp@thestar.com.my
03-7966 8237
jychia@thestar.com.my
03-7966 8227
kamariah@thestar.com.my

StarSpecial, Tuesday 19 August 2014 COURSE FOCUS 3
Making experiences count
S
TUDENTS of engineering and
architecture obtain the foundational
knowledge and practice of these elds.
What does this mean in terms of their
options for the workforce and how do their
studies relate to their professional life?
Many assume that graduating with a
degree in a particular eld limits you to a
future in that industry.
What it equips you with, however, are
skills that are transferable to a variety of job
positions.
Here are what some professionals have
to say.
Having the right foundation
Aileen Chew graduated from Taylors
University with a BSc (Hons) in Architecture
with LAM Part 1 by Lembaga Arkitek
Malaysia, fully expectant that the course
would be a rough ride.
That did not mean that burning the
midnight oil was easy to accept but Chew
believed the course suited her artistic and
nerdy personality.
She saw it as a opportunity to design
big and beautiful buildings incorporating
intelligent designs.
Having worked as an assistant architect
for just under a year, Chews job entails
liasing with clients, consultants and
suppliers and doing production work that
involves revising drawings, designing and
presenting layouts.
Chew believes her degree has equipped
her with the knowledge and skills needed
to grow in the industry.
Although the more practical subjects
came later, she believes that having started
out with a focus on the design process and
science gave her the design acumen she
needed.
Design acumen takes time to acquire
and perfect, so it makes sense to introduce
that very early on. It provides a good
foundation for reading and evaluating your
consultants data, she says.
Chew sees the market as being a good
stage for fresh graduates as once an
interview is carried out, employers are keen
to get them started as the turnover for fresh
graduates is quite high.
Courses usually include an internship
period that can last between two and six
months depending on the institution.
Aileen Chew.
Lee Sheng Yi.
Matthias Yap.
Branching out
Before graduating with a Bachelor
of Engineering (Hons) Material and
Manufacturing Engineering degree from
University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Matthias
Yap expected his engineering course to be
textbook-oriented and involves studies of
many technical aspects of materials and its
manufacturing process.
He used to believe that it was a
specialised and niche area of study but
it turned out to involve many aspects of
other engineering elds such as chemical
engineering and mechanical engineering.
In addition, Yap and his coursemates
thought that the future of engineers lay in
laboratories and involved a large amount of
research.
However, since starting work, Yap has
gained different perspectives on what an
engineering degree can offer him.
One of the skills he found transferable
was its analytical and problem-solving skills
that he picked up during the course.
As such, Yap believes there is always
a chance to branch out into different
industries such as nance, banking, sales,
oil and gas service engineering and civil
engineering.
Yap now works in the sales department
of a construction company, drawing on
his knowledge from his course and also
learning new skills on the job.
Yap believes that continuous professional
development is important for engineers.
Continuous professional development
in this eld is important because
advancements in construction, new
mindsets and methods of operation as well
as knowledge of new products are essential
to continue being the forerunner in the
industry, he says.
Gaining perspective
Lee Sheng Yi graduated with a Bachelor
of Environments, majoring in architecture,
and has recently obtained a Master of
Architecture from The University of
Melbourne.
Lee expected her undergraduate degree
to give her specic direction for her career
but found it in her masters programme
instead. She believed that architects were
just people who designed buildings, but in
fact learned that they can see the future in
many forms and design systems and create
stories.
Additionally, she has also been inspired
by people who have branched out into areas
such as hospitality and art and seeks to
explore options in other elds for her future
as well.
Lee says that to become a registered
architect, one requires a degree and
masters qualication as your educational
qualication is a reection of your
capabilities. She adds that continuous
professional development is also important
for the eld.
Architects need to continuously be
aware of their surroundings. This includes
people, culture, technology and changes to
the environment as we are designing for the
world and to advance in our eld, she says.
4 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 19 August 2014
Aeronautics and astronautics
to launch your career
B
EGINNING September
next year, the University
of Southampton Malaysia
Campus will expand its range
of programmes in Malaysia by
offering an undergraduate degree
in aeronautics and astronautics.
It offers the students a unique
Southampton experience of
receiving one degree in two
countries two years in the
Malaysia campus and two years at
the Southampton campus in the
United Kingdom.
Students at the Malaysia
campus benet from the same
teaching modules as those
taught in the rst two years in
Southampton at an overall cost
that is 40% less than the same
degree in the UK.
Supported by Southamptons
unrivalled reputation and long
successful history for education,
research and enterprise, these
degree programmes are designed
to pave the career paths of
aspiring engineers in Malaysia and
around the world.
The aeronautics and
astronautics programmes at
Southampton are highly regarded
in the industry for their blend of
analytical, computational and
experimental work.
These courses are ranked
No.1 in the UK by the Guardian
University Guide 2013 for the
following reasons:
Course structure
l The rst two years of the
courses provide a solid, focused
foundation for the design and
operation of air vehicles and
spacecraft. You will follow a core
set of modules before specialising
in your chosen area in the third
and fourth years.
l In Year 3, you will have the
opportunity to specialise by
selecting a theme. You will also
undertake an individual project,
as well as a group aircraft (or
spacecraft) design exercise.
l In Year 4, you take modules
relevant to your chosen theme
and participate in a group design
project (GDP).
How will you learn?
Southampton offers a dynamic
mix of lectures and seminars
led by experts who are at the
forefront of their elds, practical
laboratory sessions in its world-
class facilities, industry site visits
and project work.
The universitys lecture
programmes include guest
speakers from the industry and
other institutions from around the
world.
In addition to lectures, in
Year 1 and Year 2, you will have
tutorials and laboratory classes
that are held in small groups and
individual supervision for your
projects in Years 3 and 4.
The university helps its
students develop key skills,
including written and oral
presentation skills using a wide
variety of learning methods.
Group work
Practical experience is essential
for todays employment market.
Southamptons group projects
provide the perfect opportunity
for you to enhance your practical
and team-working skills.
All undergraduates complete
an individual research or design
project in their third year as well
as a group aircraft or spacecraft
design exercise. In the past,
students have designed an A320-
type replacement airliner, a
microlight aircraft and a moon
orbiter.
The Year 4 GDPs are often
linked to current research
activities or topics that have
practical relevance to industry.
Some examples include
unmanned air vehicles, spacecraft
instrumentation, electric
propulsion devices and racing car
components.
Field trips
Students are often taken on an
exciting one-week practical course
in ight testing at Southampton
International Airport. At the
airport, experiments are
performed onboard a Jetstream
ying laboratory aircraft.
The university has connections
with key players across the
aerospace and automotive
industries and organises a number
of visits to industry partners and
research establishments.
In the past, students have
visited industry giants such as
Agusta Westland, Airbus UK,
Rolls-Royce and Qinetiq.
E-learning
Most staff use Blackboard as an
electronic medium to disseminate
printed notes, exercises and
other teaching material. In some
cases, tests are carried out via
Blackboard. Besides being part
of the assessment, such tests are
designed to provide you with rapid
feedback on your understanding
of the taught material.
Student support
service for learning
The students are each assigned
a personal tutor, whose role is
to monitor and supervise their
overall progress on their degree.
The personal tutor also provides
pastoral care, support and advice
where appropriate for any non-
academic problems faced during
their time at the university.
Southamptons employability
coordinator can point them in the
right direction to help them obtain
the relevant skills and experience
they need to further their career.
They have good relations with
local and international employers
as well as the university careers
advisory service. The university
also has a Staff-Student Liaison
Committee in place to give
students the opportunity to voice
any issues and help improve the
student experience.
The University of Southampton
Malaysia Campuss Open Day will
be held on Sept 13.
n For more information,
call 07-560 2560, e-mail
Malaysia@southampton.ac.uk or
visit www.southampton.edu.my
Students are able to test pilot their
designs in the universitys flight simulator.
The Rolls Royce University
Technology Centre in Computational
Engineering Design and the Airbus
Noise Technology Centre are based at
the university.
StarSpecial, Tuesday 19 August 2014 COURSE FOCUS 5
Exploring
opportunities
E
NGINEERS have a rich and important
history dating back to ancient times
when humans invented life-changing
items such as the wheel, pulley and lever.
Over decades, engineering marvels have
changed the way we live.
There are many different engineering
disciplines that intertwine to create the
world as we see it today.
Car, overhead pedestrian bridges or
aircraft would not be possible without
engineering.
Furthermore, many everyday products
such as toothpaste, cooking oil, pesticide,
petrol and detergents exist because of
engineering.
Heriot-Watt University, recognised
internationally as a centre for high-calibre
research in engineering, science and
business, now offers students the chance
to excel in engineering studies at its new
campus in Putrajaya.
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia offers
a wide range of bachelors and masters
programmes in various engineering elds.
Applications for undergraduate
programmes in chemical engineering,
petroleum engineering and mechanical
engineering are now open for the
universitys September intake.
Applications are also open for its
postgraduate programmes in petroleum
engineering and renewable energy
engineering.
Postgraduate classes in renewable
energy engineering, energy, petroleum
engineering, construction project
management, business psychology and
international business management with
marketing are already underway at the
university, with upcoming intakes next
month.
Other postgraduate programmes
available at the university include the
Master of Business Administration and
Quantity Surveying, with more courses to
be included in the coming years.
Chemical engineers can work in any
industry that involves scientic, industrial
and manufacturing processes.
They are not conned to manufacturing
or processing that only involves chemicals.
Chemical engineers are employed by
palm oil reneries, toy manufacturers,
cosmetics producers, pharmaceutical
companies, semi-conductor manufacturing
companies and more.
A career in chemical engineering
requires you to have a strong knowledge
of chemistry, physics and mathematics for
complex problem-solving and to streamline
manufacturing processes.
Those who choose to pursue petroleum
engineering will learn that petroleum
engineers do not have a set daily routine.
They can gain employment anywhere in
the world and on various types of terrain
from mountains to the ocean oor.
Petroleum engineers do not necessarily
need to work offshore throughout their
career but it is highly recommended that
they do in the early stages of their career.
Mechanical engineers have a wide
choice of industries to work in, including
energy, aerospace, transportation, chemical,
manufacturing and even entertainment.
In Asias export-led economy, top
mechanical engineers are perpetually in
demand.
Mechanical engineering is one of the
broadest and oldest engineering disciplines
and it can be applied to various jobs
involving any product or machinery that is
motorised.
By carrying out extensive research on
the various engineering elds, you can
discover which best suits you.
Students who register for undergraduate
programmes during Heriot-Watt University
Malaysias September intake will be
awarded a scholarship of RM3,000.
Scholarship packages for students with
nancial diculties and high achiever
scholarships for undergraduate studies are
also available.
In addition, all students who maintain a
70% average in their undergraduate studies
will be awarded a 35% scholarship in the
following year.
Additional scholarships from foundation
to postgraduate studies are also available
from the universitys corporate and
industry partners such as YTL Corporation
Berhad, Great Eastern Life Malaysia, MNRB
Holdings Berhad and Loh & Loh Corporation
Berhad.
n For more information, call 03-8881 0918,
e-mail hwum@hw.ac.uk or visit www.hwu.
edu.my
Heriot-Watt University
Malaysia offers a wide
range of programmes in
various engineering fields.
6 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 19 August 2014
Keeping pace
with technology
T
HE latest programme to be offered
by University College of Technology
Sarawak (UCTS) is mechanical
engineering, which leads to a degree in
Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering (Hons).
The Mechanical Engineering Programme
offered in UCTS is a four-year degree
programme.
The programme is developed with a
balance in theoretical and technical skills.
With recent modern advancements in
technology, courses are developed and
designed to incorporate
these latest
innovations.
For instance,
in design courses,
students will
model and create
a prototype using
machines such as a
3D-modeller. Students
will also be introduced
to subjects that
World-class programme awaits
Assoc Prof Ir
Dr Mohammad
Shahril Osman.
Assoc Prof Dr Salfarina Abdul
Gapor.
utilise specic software.
The use of analytical and modelling
software will be incorporated into
subjects. Theoretical aspects coupled with
a learning-by-doing concept will teach
students to identify the difference between
theoretical design and actual ones.
In the nal year, students will be
engaged in a nal year project. These
projects vary in design, experimentation,
fabrication, manufacturing, eld work and
survey.
In addition, technical electives are
offered to prepare students for the
workforce. Subjects such as noise and
vibration, nite element analysis, advance
material, non destructive test and others
will also be offered.
All in all, the mechanical engineering
programme in UCTS will have the
fundamental elements that mechanical
engineers require.
In UCTS, soft skills such as good English
and communication will also be instilled
and students will also get to participate in
sports and club and societies activities.
By Assoc Prof Ir Dr Mohammad Shahril
Osman
THE Bachelor of Science in Architecture
(BSA) is aimed at fullling the mission
and vision of UCTS as a global technical
university founded on science and
technology.
The mission is to provide world-class
architectural programmes and a learning
environment that nurtures creative and
entrepreneurial leaders.
In terms of professional recognition, the
BSA is a three-year programme designed to
meet the accreditation requirements of the
Board of Architects Malaysia - Part 1.
The department is staffed by qualied
and experienced academicians and
professional architects with broad academic
skills, professional international experience
and vast networking in the industry.
The programme complements
UCTS philosophy and representation
of sustainability in addition to the
dynamic socio-economic hub of
Sibu and its rich multicultural and
ethnicities.
Architectural training is not
only limited to conventional
classical Western architectural
philosophy but also highlights
local values and heritage
such as tropical
architecture and green
design using latest
scientic technology,
meeting the needs of the
people, state and nation.
Students will be taught
rst-hand experience and skills using
studio-based learning methods.
In addition, students will also be exposed
to the theories, history and principles of
architecture.
Environmental science and construction
technology are also highlighted as well
as acts and regulations pertaining to the
construction industry.
Students will go through a six-month
internship that will boost their condence
level and expose them to the workforce.
They will enjoy the outstanding modern
facilities and learning environment of
UCTS that provides easy access to local and
international market as Sibu is a logistic
hub. BSA graduates are expected to excel
and serve in all sectors, including private
and public.
Graduates from this programme will
be equipped with architectural and
communication skills, strong theoretical
understanding, outstanding design
creativity with humanity values and
professionalism to work in multi-
disciplinary practices, which will
enable them to not only compete
but stand out in the market with
condence. By Assoc Prof
Dr Salfarina Abdul Gapor
n For more information, visit
www.ucts.edu.my
Career tracks in architecture
ARCHITECTURE is the process of planning,
designing and constructing of structures
and buildings.
Architects are responsible for planning
and constructing safe and sturdy structures
for people to occupy.
Architects must be innovative and have
good problem-solving skills.
They must also be able to clearly
visualise the concept or design of a
structure and communicate their
instructions to their team and workers
effectively for the building process to go
on without a hitch.
There are a few careers that you can
pursue in the eld of architecture. Here are
some of the more common types.
Residential architect
Residential architects focus on designing
and constructing houses for homeowners.
Houses in residential areas often look the
same because they have the same designs.
However, a residential architect must
also be able to construct a custom-designed
house that satises the request of the
homeowner.
Landscape architect
Landscape architects usually focus on
designing and constructing public outdoor
spaces such as parks, gardens, town squares
and even golf courses.
As a landscape architect, you will be
working a lot with natural elements such
as plants, trees and rocks. A well-designed
landscape needs to include plants and trees
so that it is aesthetically pleasing.
As more and more people now want to
live in areas that are lush and surrounded
by nature, the demand for landscape
architects is on the rise.

Project manager
A project manager oversees the
construction stage of a construction project.
He makes decisions regarding the
changes that are to be made during the
construction, manages contractors and
ensures that the construction is completed
on time and within the allocated budget.
In order to be a project manager, you
would typically need 10 years of working
experience as a professional architect.
UCTS practises a
learning-by-doing
concept in its courses.
StarSpecial, Tuesday 19 August 2014 COURSE FOCUS 7
Engineering programmes at SEGi University are delivered using applied
methodologies and well-equipped laboratories.
Fields to pursue
T
HE word engineer
conjures various images.
This is because engineering
encompasses a wide range of
elds and offers a bright future
with various opportunities. Here
is a list of the different elds one
can pursue in engineering.
l Civil engineering Be
involved in all stages of
development of the physically
and naturally built infrastructure
in the modern world as a
civil engineer. Civil engineers
are involved in the planning,
establishment and maintenance
of transportation systems, tall
structures and in ensuring
constant supply of clean water for
consumption.
Working in a team to ensure
that the infrastructure used by
everyone is running effectively
is essential and civil engineers
need to constantly adapt to meet
challenges such as population
growth, climate change and
natural disasters.
l Chemical engineering It
is closely related to mechanical
engineering, which is a
combination of technology and
engineering.
The eld involves developing
the industry that manufactures
chemicals, operate reneries
and chemical plants. Chemical
engineers need to know about
materials, reactor designs, and
mass and heat transfer operations.
l Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering involves
the designing and manufacturing
of parts and systems that make
up a range of machinery and
equipment. These engineers
design the tools and processes
necessary to create all types
of devises or machinery, from
conceiving an idea to producing
the nished product.
l Electronic and electrical
engineering Electronic and
electrical engineers are involved
in manufacturing electrical
equipment from start to nish.
With rapid transformation
occurring across industries and
a greater emphasis on green
technologies, electronic and
electrical engineers are set to play
a vital role in building our future
society.
l Automotive Engineering
Automotive engineers work
on the development of vehicles.
Automotive engineers activities
largely involve design in new
products or revising existing ones,
research and development to nd
solutions to engineering problems
or production, which involve the
planning and designing of new
production processes of vehicles.

The SEGi engineering edge
The SEGi School of Engineering
focuses on a student-centred
environment, where students
interact with dedicated and highly
trained teaching staff.
SEGi University has one of the
most well-equipped and modern
engineering laboratories in the
Klang Valley, providing students
with the essential tools in the
development of engineering skills.
The programmes are delivered
using applied methodologies and
well-equipped laboratories for
each eld of engineering.
The degree programmes
offered are:
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering,
dual award by SEGi University and
University of Greenwich, UK
BEng (Hons) Chemical
Engineering, awarded by SEGi
University
BEng (Hons) Mechanical
Engineering, dual award by SEGi
University and University of
Sunderland, UK
BEng (Hons) Electronics &
Electrical Engineering, dual award
by SEGi University and University
of Sunderland, UK
BEngs (Hons) Automotive
Engineering, awarded by
University of Sunderland, UK
BEng (Hons) Mechanical
Engineering (3+0), awarded by
University of Sunderland, UK
BEng (Hons) Electronic and
Electrical Engineering (3+0),
awarded by University of
Sunderland, UK
n For more information, call
03-6145 1777 or 1800 887 344 or
e-mail askme@segi.edu.my or visit
www.segi.edu.my
8 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 19 August 2014
Setting higher standards
M
AHSA University
is diversifying its
portfolio in new and
imaginative ways to offer a
dynamic and contemporary
range of programmes in the
eld of engineering that are
recognised by international and
professional bodies.
The engineering
programmes of MAHSA meet
the requirements set by the
Engineering Accreditation
Council of the Board of
Engineers Malaysia and are
quality assured by its United
Kingdom partners, Anglia
Ruskin University at Cambridge
and Chelmsford.
Through this quality
assurance, MAHSA engineering
students will also receive an
award from Anglia Ruskin
University in addition to the
MAHSA University degree in
engineering.
Additionally, upon
full accreditation of the
programmes by the
Engineering Accreditation
Council, successful graduates
will be able to embark on
their career in a number of
international organisations
as the Board of Engineers
Malaysia is a signatory of the
Washington Accord, which is
an international accreditation
between at least 15 countries
around the globe.
MAHSA has developed
engineering programmes in
elds that will meet local and
global market demands and
employability requirements.
The programmes
incorporate cutting-edge
technology and scientic
knowledge.
The four-year degree
programmes offered at
MAHSA University are:
l B.Eng (Hons) in Electrical &
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 are
designed to have a common
Year 1 curriculum, which
MAHSAs
engineering
programmes meet
local and global
market demands.
provides students with
the exibility and comfort
of time to decide on their
intended specialisation of the
programme, which will begin
in Year 2.
MAHSA students are
expected to incorporate soft
skills and communication skills
in the programme that will
enhance their employability
upon graduation.
They are also 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, where they will
be exposed to real-life practice
as engineers.
This will also enable
students to come up with high-
quality, industry-relevant nal
year projects.
It follows an outcome-
based learning approach
that has been designed to
enable students to be taught
the necessary cognitive and
analytical skills alongside
relevant subjects in their area
of study because in this fast-
paced ever-evolving landscape,
industry-ready engineering
professionals are becoming a
necessity to most nations.
n For more information, call
1800 880 300 or 03-7965 2555
or visit www.mahsa.edu.my
Students of the programme are taught the necessary cognitive and
analytical skills required for the field.
Successful
graduates would
be able to embark
on their career
in a number of
international
organisations
as the Board of
Engineers Malaysia
is a signatory of
the Washington
Accord.
StarSpecial, Tuesday 19 August 2014 COURSE FOCUS 9
Sunways ADTP students on an academic field trip at the Shell Refining Company.
An enriching
experience
S
UNWAY Universitys
American Degree
Transfer Programme
(ADTP) is the rst step
towards obtaining a
recognised American
degree. ADTP adopts the
United States education
system, which is unrivalled
worldwide in terms of the
choice and exibility it
offers.
Sunway University
offers a wide range of
disciplines in the ADTP
course, including business,
engineering, psychology,
science, aviation,
communication, liberal arts,
tourism and hospitality, and
computer science.
The programme offers
many opportunities for
students to explore and
experience new things
within and outside of the
classroom.
It is characterised by
accessibility, diversity and
autonomy as a gateway to
academic advancement.
At Sunway University,
a highly qualied and
experienced academic team
offers personal attention,
mentoring and high
teaching standards.
Students motivation,
leadership potential,
dedication, integrity, sports
and creative learning are
incorporated into the
learning process to meet
the challenges of a changing
world.
The ADTPs unique
approach to education
is aimed to ensure that
students realise their full
potential.
The holistic perspective
embedded into the
programme provides
opportunities for students
to study and perform in
an exclusive environment
that nurtures and builds
intellectual minds.
Field trips form an
integral part of the ADTPs
classroom learning.
Academic eld trips are
vital for creative and
enjoyable learning as they
contextualise and enrich
teaching through real-world
experience.
Earlier this year, as part
of Sunway Universitys ADTP
initiatives in enhancing
students learning and
industrial exposure, a group
of students visited the Shell
Rening Company in Port
Dickson.
The trip for the students
of the dynamics, statics
and thermodynamics of
engineering class required
them to come up with a
two-page report on selected
engineering equipment
related to their subject.
Field trips such as this
provide students with an
opportunity to learn better
by engaging with industry
players and of the various
career opportunities
available.
These students are
equipped with the skills
required to perform well
academically.
At Sunway University,
these students are exposed
to a exible and adaptable
education system, which
includes interactive and
creative learning through
forums, eld trips,
presentations and seminars.
Students also gain
community and industry
experiences through
their participation in
extracurricular activities.
The ADTP at Sunway
University is widely
recognised in the United
States and Canada.
n For more information
call 03-7491 8622 or e-mail
info@sunway.edu.my or log
on to sunway.edu.my
At Sunway
University,
a highly
qualified and
experienced
academic team
offers personal
attention,
mentoring and
high teaching
standards.
Students
motivation,
leadership
potential,
dedication,
integrity, sports
and creative
learning are
incorporated
into the
learning
process to meet
the challenges
of a changing
world.
10 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 19 August 2014
ENGINEER
A BRIGHT
FUTURE
with a leading name in
education excellence
Heriot-Watt University is one of the top universities in
the UK for Engineering. Now you can enjoy the best
of British education in Malaysia at our scenic, lakeside
Putrajaya campus.
Affordable Quality Education
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia offers a High Achiever
Scholarship which awards up to 30% off frst-year undergraduate
tuition fees, and 35% off the subsequent year for students who
maintain a 70% average in their studies.
GET IN TOUCH WITH US TODAY!
Open Monday - Saturday for consultation
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (KPT/JPS/DFT/US/W 18)
No. 1, Jalan Venna P5/2, Precinct 5, 62200 Putrajaya
+603-8894 3666 / +603-8881 0918 HWUM@hw.ac.uk
Pullman Putrajaya & Marina Putrajaya
+6014-513 7177 / 7277 hwumalaysia facebook.com/hwumalaysia
Creating future leaders
QUEST International University
Perak (QIUP) is focused on
developing graduates with a
strong conscience who respect
the environment and get
involved in society.
Nicholas Goh, chief operating
ocer of QUIP, says We do not
want to be just another degree.
We want our undergraduates to
not only excel in their studies,
but also to participate in various
conferences and educational
competitions during their study
here.
We were very proud when
one of our rst year medical
undergraduates was selected
to present a paper at the 3rd
International Public Health
Conference & 20th National
Public Health Colloquium,
which took place in Kuching,
Sarawak.
This paper was a project
by rst year medical
undergraduates and was titled
Prevalence of hypertension and
its risks factors in an Orang Asli
community in Perak, Malaysia.
Additionally, four
undergraduates of the
Bachelor of Computer Science
programme participated in
the IBM Mobilithon 2013
competition and were crowned
as champions.
The academic panel at
QIUP is also nothing short of
impressive. Vice-chancellor
Datuk Prof Hashim Yaacob
is an accomplished teacher,
researcher and academic
administrator who was
appointed as the chair professor
of University of Malaya for 21
years.
Dean of the Faculty of
Medicine, Prof Dr Alam Sher
Malik, is a frequent speaker,
organiser and facilitator for
conferences and seminars in
local and overseas universities.
Prof Dr Helen Nair, research
professor and dean of the
Faculty of Integrative Sciences
& Technology, is known for her
research and pioneering efforts
in plant biotechnology and
consults for various universities
and organisations.
Throughout their time at
QIUP, students will be exposed
to impactful research work
and work ethics delivered by a
passionate panel of staff.
There are three faculties and
one centre at QIUP, including
the Centre for Foundation
Studies, Faculty of Medicine,
Faculty of Integrative Sciences
& Technology and Faculty of
Business Management & Social
Sciences and offers programmes
at Foundation, diploma, degree
and postgraduate levels.
QIUPs interim campus is
located in Ipoh, away from
the distractions of city life and
offers a lower cost of living.
Registration for the
September 2014 intake is
on-going.
n For more information,
call 1800 887 487 or e-mail
enquiries@qiup.edu.my or visit
www.qiup.edu.my
Students bag top prize at competition
U
CSI University has an
impressive list of local and
international awards that
its engineering and architecture
students have won over the years.
In the past year, UCSI students
have bagged the grand prize in
the 2013 Schlumberger Ocean
Plug-in Competition, 13 major
prizes at the 17th MIID Interior
Design Competition, seven major
awards at the PAM Students
Architectural Workshop, three
gold medals and one silver at the
Fifth International Engineering
Invention and Innovation
Exhibition 2014 and second
place at the 2014 Schlumberger
Enhanced Oil Recovery Contest.
The universitys Faculty of
Engineering, Technology and Built
Environment dean Dr Jimmy Mok
says that the culture of excellence
is a result of the facultys emphasis
on industrial relevance.
By developing plug-ins to test
Satyaraj (left) and Prabu credit UCSI for providing them with the aptitude to
succeed in the Schlumberger Ocean Plug-in Competition.
Students of Quest International University Perak will be exposed to impactful
research work.
oil wells and seeking to improve
the way crude oil is extracted,
UCSI students are essentially
working on global solutions. We
encourage this as it accelerates
ones learning process and creates
an avenue for students to apply
their knowledge. As a result,
our students grow in condence
and most are work-ready before
they even graduate, he says. Dr
Mok adds that this arrangement
is possible thanks to UCSIs
close partnership with leading
engineering and architecture
rms. These tie-ups establish
healthy two-way channels of
communication, putting the
university at the forefront of
industrial development.
This is exemplied through
UCSI students Prabu Gunasagaran
and Satyaraj Muniandy, winners
of the RM15,000 grand prize in the
2013 Schlumberger Ocean Plug-in
Competition. Developing a plug-
in named TESWell to evaluate
oil well conditions, predict uid
behaviour and estimate reservoir
parameters, Prabu and Satyaraj
beat 30 teams from Australia,
Singapore and Malaysia to win the
competition. Crediting UCSI for
their success, Prabu says that the
exposure to the different types
of software helped them adjust
quickly to the Petrel software that
Schlumberger had provided to
develop the plug-in.
We are constantly introduced
to different types of software
in classes and lab sessions and
this enabled us to handle the
software better. Apart from the
smooth adapting process, effective
communication played a major
part in our win. It was vital for me
to understand Satyarajs work and
present the technical terms in a
way that is easy to understand.
In order for me to do so, he
had to give me comprehensive
explanations. Effective
communication was a big factor in
our success, explains Prabu.
Satyaraj says that he gained
better time management skills
at UCSI and this helped when he
began work on the plug-in. Prabu
and Satyaraj add that the engaging
learning environment at UCSI
helped them dig deeper when it
mattered most.
n For more information,
call 03-9101 8882 or visit
www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/
onlineenquiry
StarSpecial, Tuesday 19 August 2014 COURSE FOCUS 11
Students of UniKL get to enjoy the universitys facilities, including the current equipment used in the
chemical and bioengineering technology industry.
Pioneers in
biosystem
engineering
U
NIVERSITI Kuala
Lumpur Malaysian
Institute of Chemical
& Bioengineering
Technology (UniKL MICET)
offers the Bachelor of
Engineering Technology
(Hons) in Biosystem
under the Section of
Bioengineering Technology.
UniKL MICET is a higher
educational institution that
specialises in chemical and
bioengineering technology
education. It is located in
Taboh Naning, Alor Gajah,
which is approximately
35km from the Malacca
town centre.
Being Malaysias rst
technical university,
UniKL MICET has
the latest equipment
used in chemical and
bioengineering technology.
It is also one of the
private universities
ranked Tier 5 (Excellent) in
SETARA 2009 and SETARA
2011 by the Malaysian
Qualications Agency
(MQA).
Biosystem engineering
is a science-based
engineering discipline that
integrates engineering
science and design
with applied biological,
environmental and
agricultural sciences.
Biosystem engineers apply
engineering analysis and
design to solve problems
involving biological
organism and their natural
or controlled environments.
The advances in quality
of life and health made
possible by biosystems
engineering are potentially
enormous.
New technologies and
techniques are emerging,
which are made possible by
enhanced computational
power, new scientic
discoveries and advances in
fundamental sciences.
Biosystem engineering
technologists have the
ability to understand and
unite these concepts,
accelerate development
and the use of new
biotechnologies through
better education of the
public, governments and
other inuential bodies.
The bedrock of
advancement will involve
a radical increase in
interdisciplinary work
relations and mutual
understanding, which will
promote new bioprocess
technology and innovative
manufacturing applications.
Involving biosystem
engineering technologies
earlier in the development
cycle will enable companies
and institutions to increase
the speed and eciency of
their process development
and product manufacture.
Various employment
options
Graduates can apply
their expertise to various
jobs.
They can be involved
in pioneering a scientic
breakthrough in
biotechnology or in the
preservation and protection
of the Earths resources.
The systems they design
for the life support of plants
and animals may include
structures, machines,
processes, management
models, energy systems or
controlled environments.
Specic applications
include environmental
quality and monitoring,
bioreactor for bacterial/
pharmaceutical
applications, plant
tissue culture and
micropropagation,
irrigation, drainage
and environmental
control for agricultural
production, biological
waste processing and
management for minimal
environmental impact,
environmental regulatory
activities, remediation of
environmental damages,
and the production, storage
and handling of agricultural
products.
The Section of
Bioengineering Technology
in UniKL MICET also offers
two education programmes
that are structured towards
bioprocess engineering
Bachelor of Chemical
Engineering Technology
(Hons) in Bioprocess and
Diploma in Chemical
Engineering Technology in
Bioprocess.
n For more information, visit
www.unikl.edu.my
Testimonials:
I valued my time at
UniKL MICET because my
entrepreneurial skills were
successfully developed
and applied for my current
position. My colleagues and I
also managed to obtain good
industrial networking during
our industrial training.
Azrul Izwat
Shafiq
Executive
BioNexus
Engagement,
Biotech Corp
UniKL MICET has provided
me with essential education
in biosystem engineering
that suited the local industry
and provided numerous
opportunities for me to
develop my leadership and
technical skills that I have come
to appreciate.
Fakhrulrazi
Ismail
Senior
Biotechnologist,
MyEnzyme Sdn
Bhd
12 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 19 August 2014
Engineers create
amazing structures
S
INCE ancient times, mankind has taken engineering to soaring
heights with marvels such as The Pyramids, The Hanging Gardens
of Babylon and The Temple of Artemis. Over the decades, we have
seen the rise of more structures, which are symbols of pride in their
respective countries.
With todays technological advancements, mankind has given birth to
more breathtaking structures that are worthy of being called wonders.
Here are some of those engineering marvels.
The Burj Khalifa (Khalifa Tower) is the
tallest man-made structure in the world,
standing at 2,722ft with 160 storeys.
The construction of the tower took
approximately 22 million man-hours
and it was completed in 2010. The Burj
Khalifa now serves as the centrepiece of
downtown Dubai and was built as a multi-
purpose building.
The tower houses a hotel and also
office and residential spaces. It is
surrounded by a mix-usage development
area with 30,000 houses, the Dubai
Mall, the man-made Burj Khalifa Lake,
19 residential towers and a large park that
spans up to three hectares. With a few public
beaches nearby, as well as the Meydan
Racecourse just around the corner, the Burj
Khalifa is a must-visit destination for anyone
travelling to Dubai.
Stretching 24.51km, the Laerdal Tunnel is
the longest road tunnel in the world. The
tunnel connects the cities of Laerdal and
Aurland in Sogn Og Fjordane, a county in
the west of Norway. The construction of
the tunnel took about five years and it was
completed in 2000.
Besides breaking the record for being
the longest road tunnel in the world, the
Laerdal Tunnel is also the first tunnel
to have its own air treatment plant with
two large fans and an electrostatic and
carbon filter, which serve to remove dust
and nitrogen dioxide. The tunnel is split
into four sections by three large caverns,
which are six kilometres apart. It takes the
average driver 20 minutes to drive to the
end of the tunnel. To prevent drivers from
falling asleep, each cavern is equipped
with blue lighting, which makes it glow
magnificently.
Burj Khalifa Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Palm Islands Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Laerdal Tunnel Sogn Og Fjordane, Norway
The Palm Islands consists of two man-made islands, the Palm Jumeirah and
the Palm Jebel Ali set in the Persian Gulf. The designs for the islands are in the
shape of palm trees, hence the name Palm Islands. The islands were built to
attract tourists and to sustain the economy in Dubai through luxury tourism as
its oil reserves were running out. The islands serve as residential areas for both
locals and expatriates and boasts a number of world-class hotels.
The islands were built completely out of sand and rocks in accordance with
the order of Dubais crown prince who wanted to make the island as natural as
possible.
The sand used in the construction were dredged from the bottom of the
Persian Gulf using a process called rainbowing due to the arch created when
sand is sprayed. The sand was sprayed using dredging ships, which were
guided by Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to accurately place the sand on the
required area to form the island.
At only 39ft, the Rolling
Bridge is famous not
because of its length but for
its innovative design. The
Rolling Bridge is a curling
moveable bridge, which was
built for pedestrians in 2005.
The bridge is a part of the
Grand Union Canal office and
development project at the
Paddington Basin in London.
When a boat sails through
the canal, the bridge curls
back into a ball of steel and
when the boat has passed,
the bridge uncurls itself to
allow pedestrians to cross.
The Rolling Bridge
London, England