The Star, tuesday 11 august 2015

special

course focus
Engineering and architecture

Get involved
in innovation

THE STAR, TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2015

2 course focus

Engineering paths
less trodden
YOU cannot be wrong if you stay
on the mainstream, says Prof Ir Dr
Ramesh Singh, head of Department
of Mechanical Engineering in
University Malaya, who advises
undergraduates to go for the
traditional or mainstream courses
mechanical, electrical and
electronic, civil, and chemical
engineering.
Furthermore, he believes that
passion is the most important
element required to succeed in this
field.
Once you have the passion for
engineering, the sky is the limit,
he adds.
Malaysia is evolving into a
developed country where there is a
need to build more structures and
buildings. Due to this, there is an
increased demand for engineers in
the job market.
However, Ir Ashari Mohd Yakub,
executive director of the Board
of Engineers Malaysia (BEM),
encourages engineers to be wellrounded individuals to cater to the
increase of job opportunities for
engineers.
Listed below are a few unusual
engineering courses that you can
consider:
l Environmental engineering
If you are concerned with
protecting the environment from
harmful human activities,
environmental engineering is the
right choice for you.
Becoming an environmental
engineer allows you to be equipped
with an understanding of civil and
chemical engineering. You will also
have the ability to design suitable
methods to protect and manage
natural resources.
The course teaches you modern
engineering practices so that, upon
graduating, you will have the
potential to contribute to various
fields such as water treatment and
waste management planning for
domestic and industrial activities.
Malaysia is in the midst of
becoming a highly industrialised
country. Therefore, there is a high
demand for environmental
engineers to fill various job
positions such as environmental
enforcement officer, public health
engineer and environmental
entrepreneur.
If you wish to pursue
environmental engineering, Curtin
University Sarawak and Universiti
Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) offer
this course.

l Biomedical engineering
Having evolved into a vibrant
field in Malaysia, biomedical
engineering is often associated
with clinical engineering or
the maintenance of medical
equipment.
If you have a strong interest
in engineering and medicine,
biomedical engineering should
be given consideration.
Working closely with healthcare
professionals, engineers in this
field use advanced technologies

Architecture helpers
NOWADAYS, we rely so heavily
on our mobile devices that we
download all necessary
applications into them for our
personal convenience.
Here are a few applications
that may be helpful to
architecture students:

Pinterest
Developed as a popular site to
discover various ideas, Pinterest
allows you to get your thoughts in
order and share them with other
people.
I use Pinterest because I can
find a variety of pictures, which is
helpful when I am looking for
inspiration while working on my
designs. Besides, this application
provides information from all
around the world, including
presentation board layouts and
unique materials or construction
methods, says Tan Chiew Nee,
22, a first-year bachelor of science
in architecture student at Taylors
University.

Compass

Aspiring engineers can choose from various specialisations to zero in on

their interests.

to come up with solutions to

improve healthcare.
Biomedical engineers also
train medical professionals to use
advanced medical technologies
properly and efficiently.
The Malaysian Government
aims to make the country a
regional contract manufacturing
hub for medical devices and
pharmaceuticals.
There is, therefore, a significant
demand for biomedical engineers
in Malaysia for careers such
as biomedical engineer and
biomedical equipment technician.
Two prominent local
institutions that offer this course
are Universiti Malaya and
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

l Mechatronics
Nowadays, most daily
appliances are products of
mechatronics, which is a
combination of mechanical
moving parts and electronics.
To pursue this course, it is
necessary for you to show strong
interest in the fundamentals of
integrating mechanical, electrical,
electronics, computer science and
control theory. You will also be
exposed to designing automated
machines.
This course is available for
interested undergraduates at
Monash University Malaysia, Asia
Pacific University, UCSI University,
MAHSA University, Tunku Abdul
Rahman University College and
The University of Nottingham
Malaysia Campus.
People with this qualification
will be able to find jobs in almost
all engineering-related industries,
including manufacturing, medical,

automation and more, says

Assoc Prof Edwin Tan, discipline
head (mechatronics) of Monash
University Malaysia.
If you are interested in robotics
as well as mechatronics,
Swinburne University of
Technology Sarawak Campus
offers Bachelor of Engineering
(Robotics & Mechatronics)/
Bachelor of Computer Science.
This is a double degree and
graduates obtain two certificates
upon course completion Bachelor
of Engineering (Robotics &
Mechatronics) and Bachelor of
Computer Science.
Having a background in
mechatronics as well as computer
science may well give you an
advantage in the job market.

Who still carries a traditional

compass in their palm to find
direction?
As a simple and highly
responsive application for those
who are always on the go,
Compass has the ability to display
longitude and latitude to its users.
In addition, it allows you to get
your job done at the touch of a
finger, especially when you are
outdoors.
We use Compass when were
doing site analysis to identify the
direction of the sun and wind,
says Liew Hui En, 21, a final-year
bachelor of science in
architecture student at Taylors
University.

dB Sound Meter/Sound
Detector
It is impossible to measure
the loudness of a sound with
our human ears.

Thus, this application is useful

for measuring the surroundings
sound and volume in the form of
decibels (dB).
For me, this application is
useful for site analysis where I
can measure the sound level of
the site easily. The sound data
collected will be used for acoustic
control in the design, says Liew.

Autodesk AutoCAD
Stunning designs and
documentation work can be
produced with the use of
productivity tools in this
software.
In addition, this user-friendly
application can be accessed via
desktop (Windows and Mac) and
mobile device to enable its users
to get their work done.
Autodesk AutoCAD is the most
fundamental tool to produce 2D
drawings for every architect,
says Muhammad Hamidullah
Musa, 23, who graduated from
International Islamic University
Malaysia with a bachelor of
science in architectural
studies and has secured a
position as an assistant
architect in an architectural
firm in Kuala Lumpur.

Back to basics
However, Ng Zer Hann,
23, a final-year bachelor of
architectural studies student at
the University of Auckland, is
not keen on downloading any
application onto his mobile phone
due to their limitations compared
to using applications on a
desktop.
I prefer to use the applications
on the computer as it has a better
processor for rendering images
and to load big files. Phones just
cant do that, he says.
Despite being tech-savvy,
there are times when architects
are required to go back to
the traditional method of
pen and paper to get their
work done efficiently.

The Compass app.

l Aerospace engineering
The primary field of engineering
that focuses on the development of
aircraft and spacecraft, aerospace
engineering is separated into two
distinct branches: aeronautics
engineering and astronautics
engineering.
Formerly known as aeronautical
engineering, aerospace engineering
is closely linked with
aerodynamics, aerospace material
and aircraft stability.
Astronautics engineering is the
study and application of orbit
mechanics, space environment and
rocket propulsion. This field is
frequently, though incorrectly,
referred to as rocket science.
Effective this year, University
of Southampton is offering a
twinning programme for this
course. Students are advised to
study the first two years in
Malaysia before studying in its

United Kingdom campus for

the subsequent two years.
If you are on a tight budget, local
institutions such as Universiti Sains
Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia
and International Islamic
University Malaysia also offer the

same course.
It is important for you to pursue
engineering courses that are
accredited by BEM. The list of
accredited engineering
programmes can be found at
www.bem.org.my

THE STAR, TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2015

course focus 3

The quest
for knowledge
TO quantify the quality of human life in a
country, the United Nations Development
Program calculates the human development
index (HDI) annually.
The HDI is a composite index measuring
average achievement in three basic
dimensions of human development a long
and healthy life, knowledge and a decent
standard of living.
With an HDI of 0.769, Malaysia is placed
64th and among countries of high human
development, according to the UN report
for 2013.
The topper in this list is Norway, which is
a country of very high human development
with an HDI of 0.955.
Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) is
committed to contributing to Malaysias
aspiration to be among countries of very
high human development through the
creation and dissemination of knowledge,
which is one of the key components of HDI.
Securing intellectual properties is equal to
creating them. Since its inception in 2002,
UMP has undergone phenomenal growth in
knowledge security for the country.
Data from the Malaysian Intellectual
Property Office verifies this claim; UMP is
among the top 10 patent filers in Malaysia
and one of only four technological
universities in the country.
UMP academicians and leadership carry
out science, technology and engineering
research with a purpose to create an
impact in their areas of research through
meaningful presentations and publications.
The impact of research is measured by
how a research publication has contributed
to the works of other researchers and how
frequently the research paper has been
cited.
Popular research databases, such
as Scopus and ISI Web of Knowledge,
have reported that the number of
published research papers from UMP
and the frequency of their citations are

continuously increasing.
Every year, more publications, citations
and patents are produced than in the
previous year. These databases reported
that UMP has more citations per paper
compared to other technological universities
in the country.
In several key areas such as nanofibre
fabrication by electrospinning and dyesensitised solar cells, UMPs research
publications emerged as the most cited
among all universities in Malaysia.
UMP academics are involved in a diverse
range of research and development activities
covering the areas of science, technology and
engineering.
They are equally active in presenting their
work at conferences, publishing impactful
journal papers and securing their intellectual
properties.
A 2014 Unesco report titled Higher
Education in Asia: Expanding Out, Expanding
Up placed UMP top on the list of top 15 Asian
universities with high publication growth
rate in engineering. It also ranked UMP 13th
in the list of top 15 Asian universities with
high growth rate in multidisciplinary fields.
This is a very encouraging sign for UMPs
research and publication prospects.
UMP management strives hard to
maintain a vibrant campus life and is
committed to pushing for a paradigm shift in
higher education methodology from being
teacher-centred to student-centred.
World-class facilities set up at the campus
are aimed at developing knowledge and
skills in students as well as enabling them to
develop futuristic technologies.
UMP has appointed world-class
researchers from abroad and connects with
world-class institutes in its continued search
for excellence. By Prof Datuk Dr Daing
Nasir Ibrahim, UMP vice-chancellor

n For more information about the university,

visit www.ump.edu.my

Prof Datuk
Dr Daing Nasir
Ibrahim, UMP
vice-chancellor.

Environmental
science
6.7%

Other
25.3%

Multidisciplinary
7.2%

Computer
science
22.3%

Mathematics
7.8%

Articles
57.2%
Others
0.8%

Energy
8.1%
Chemistry
9.5%

Conference
paper
42%

Engineering
46.4%

Physics and
astronomy
9.5%

Chemical
engineering
10.5%

Materials
science
13.4%

Left: Major
areas of
research at
UMP.
(Source:
Scopus)
Right:
Academic
activities of
UMP at a
glance.

4 course focus

THE STAR, TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2015

Explore
both
worlds

ENGINEERING and architecture are different

disciplines that may perform parallel
functions. Understanding their differences
will help determine which discipline you
should take up.

Engineering
Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur
(IUKL), through its Faculty of Engineering
and Technology Infrastructure, offers a
range of engineering programmes in various
fields under two major categories
engineering and technology.
Engineering studies comprise civil
engineering, mechanical engineering,
electrical and electronic engineering.
Technology studies consist of automotive,
construction management, water and
wastewater technology.

l Civil engineering Students are

equipped with a solid grounding in the
design, construction and management of
civil engineering works as well as the
technical knowledge, communication skills
and ability required of a civil engineer.
l Mechanical engineering This
programme provides students with essential
knowledge of mechanical engineering
such as design studies, system analysis,
thermodynamics and the principles of fluid
mechanics, engineering materials and
manufacturing technology.
l Electrical and electronic engineering
The course involves studying the
production and distribution of power
required for the lighting, heating and
ventilation of buildings. Other areas include
contributing to the advancements of medical
technology, e-commerce, mobile telephones,
wireless communications, renewable energy,
the Internet and the efficiency and safety of
transportation systems.
l Automotive engineering This
specialised branch of mechanical
engineering covers automotive engines,
transmission, suspension, braking systems,
electrical and electronics, comfort and safety,
automotive workshop technology and
management.
l Construction management This
programme covers the science and art of
procuring and directing human and physical
resources for the successful and prudent
realisation of a construction project to
ensure that the enterprise meets the desires
of the client, requirements of the budget and
quality of the specification.
l Water and wastewater technology
This programme provides students with the
knowledge and foundation in the field of
water and wastewater infrastructure by
promoting a sound understanding of the
field.

Architecture
If you wish to pursue architectural studies,
you should aim to gain not only the skills
and knowledge required to be a professional
architect but also a qualification recognised

It is important to understand the difference

between engineering and architecture before
embarking on either field of study.

by the Board of Architects Malaysia (BAM),

a Malaysian professional body that grants
recognition to architectural programmes
and registers professional architects.
IUKL offers the Bachelor of Science in
Architectural Studies, which is fully
recognised by BAM and equivalent to the
Part I Examination for the Professional
Architect Qualification.
Architects are tasked to create spaces
that are safe and sustainable that can
satisfy economic needs. IUKL graduates
are equipped with solid architectural,
engineering and problem-solving skills.
They are trained to be versatile, able to
think on their feet and ready to take up
responsibilities.
Through the Bachelor of Science in
Architecture Studies, IUKL provides a
solid foundation for students to pursue a
higher qualification in architecture as well
as the relevant key skills and architectural
knowledge required to meet the
requirements of BAM Part I qualification.
Students are exposed to the real working
environment, which includes exploration
of materials and investigations of site and
context.
Upon completion of their first degree,
graduates are qualified to pursue a Part II
equivalent of the professional degree.
Graduate architects can proceed to pursue
the Part III professional examination after
acquiring two years of practical experience
prescribed by BAM.
This will be the final step for all who
aspire to be professional architects. Upon
passing the examination, a graduate can
register as a professional architect with BAM
and embark on a career as a principle
architect, principle designer or assistant
architect.

Speak to us
IUKL is committed to provide the best and
most affordable education to its students.
IUKL fees are reasonable and its tuition
fee waiver scheme offers up to 60% off the
tuition fee to top achievers.
In addition, various study loans, including
PTPTN, Mara and Yayasan Negeri, are also
available to students who qualify.
The September/October intake is in
progress.

n For more information, call 1800 88 STUDY

(78839) or visit www.IUKL.edu.my

THE STAR, TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2015

course focus 5

High-level
engineering
PURSUING an advanced-level
education can improve ones
position in life, be it in career or
personal development.
The College of Graduate
Studies at Universiti Tenaga
Nasional (Uniten) offers
opportunities for one to get
advanced engineering
education in the core fields of
electrical, mechanical and civil
engineering.
Unitens graduates have been
proven to be creative, resilient
and skilled at problem-solving
and delivering results.
This is made possible by
having a committed group of
senior engineering faculty
members and through the
universitys ongoing quest for
excellence in engineering.
The graduate school is also
industry-focused and receives
strong support from Tenaga
Nasional Berhad, the
universitys parent company.
To support various industries
worldwide, the graduate
schools research focus scales
the full range of engineering
disciplines, including power
systems, renewable energy, civil
structures, electronics, control
mechanisms, nano materials
and engineering management.
Unitens engineering faculty,
which is one of the treasured
assets of the university,
provides excellent academic

Programmes

and research leadership in

the field.
The list of engineering
programmes conducted at
Unitens main Putrajaya campus
comprises:
l PhD in Engineering
l PhD in Industrial Science
l Master of Electrical
Engineering (Structure A/B)
l Master of Mechanical
Engineering (Structure A/B)
l Master of Civil Engineering
(Structure A/B)
l Master of Industrial
Science (Structure A/B)
l Master of Engineering
Management (Structure C)
l Master of Communication
Systems Engineering
(Structure C)
l Master of Electronics
Systems Engineering
(Structure C)
Programmes in Structure A
are full research programmes.
Structure B programmes are
a combination of seven
coursework modules (21 credit
hours) and a research project
(19 credit hours). Structure C
programmes are a combination
of 10 coursework modules
(30 credit hours) and a project
(10 credit hours).

n For more information, e-mail

postgrad@uniten.edu.my or visit
cogs.uniten.edu.my/portal/

Entry requirements

PhD in Engineering
PhD in Industrial
Science

Masters in the relevant domain, or

Masters in a related domain with two years experience in
the domain (including at least two publications in the
domain)
Note:
Uniten also offers industry-based PhD mode.
Students will carry out their research project in an industry (may be
their workplace) with a co-supervisor from the industry itself. The
industry-based PhD is recognised by the Education Ministry as
MyPhDIndustry under the MyBrain programme.

Master of Electrical
Engineering
Master of Mechanical
Engineering
Master of Civil
Engineering

Bachelors in the relevant domain with second class upper with

honours or CGPA 2.75 (65%) and above, or
Bachelors in the relevant domain with second class lower with
honours or CGPA 2.50 (60% to 64%),and one years experience in
the domain and at least one publication in the domain, or two years
professional experience in the domain
Bachelors in the relevant domain with CGPA below 2.50 (60%), and
five years experience in the domain
Bachelors in a related domain with second class upper with honours
or CGPA 2.75 (65%) and above, and one years experience in the
domain (including at least one publication in the domain)

Master of Electronics
and Systems
Engineering
Master of
Communication
System Engineering

Bachelors in the relevant domain with second class lower with

honours or CGPA 2.50 (60%) and above, or
Bachelors in the relevant domain with CGPA below 2.50 (60%) and
five years experience in the domain
Bachelors in a related domain with second class lower with honours
or CGPA 2.50 (60%) and above, and one years experience in the
domain (including at least one publication in the domain)

Master in Engineering
Management

Bachelors in the relevant or a related domain with second class

lower with honours or CGPA 2.50 (60%) and above
Applicants with minimum two years experience are preferred
CGPA below 2.50 (60%) with five years of professional experience

Entry requirements for Unitens postgraduate programmes.

To encourage creativity in research, the university organises events such as Uniten Research Exposition, which showcases
the innovative ideas of postgraduate students.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2015

6 course focus

Pursue passion
SHAUN Kwan Ka Junn (pic), a student
of the Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance
Engineering at Nilai University (Nilai U),
has been training in squash with his two
brothers since he was five. Not only did
Kwan represent Malaysia in squash, his
talents qualified him to receive the ExtraCurricular Excellence Award from Nilai U,
which covered 100% of his tuition and
accommodation fees.
My passion is in aviation and the award
gave me the opportunity to pursue a course
that I was deeply interested in, says Kwan.
Having founded the squash club at Nilai U,
he says, I want more people to take up this
sport. I conduct training sessions and
represent Nilai U in squash and look forward
to the World University Games.
He believes that the past years of
rigorous training has helped him become
more focused in his studies and disciplined
with his time management.
He points out that having highly
experienced lecturers from military and
aviation backgrounds help the students
cope with the demanding syllabus, which
prepares them for the all-important
European Aviation Safety Agency B1
examinations.

It is these internationally recognised

examinations that equip and prepare
students to eventually become certified
aircraft maintenance engineers who can
determine the airworthiness of an aircraft.
Apart from the top-class facilities and
experienced lecturers, students in this
programme can earn a UK degree with
just an additional years study.
Students who successfully complete
the Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance
Engineering can then complete the one-year
top-up programme, which leads to the
prestigious BSc (Hons) in Aircraft
Engineering from Kingston University, UK.
In this three-and-a-half-year course,
students can gain a Nilai U diploma,
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
certification, a degree from Kingston
University as well as have six months of
on-the-job-training with an industry partner.
Nilai U awards scholarships to people
who are heavily involved in sports. They
also have a great aviation maintenance
engineering course, which I would
recommend, says Kwan.

n For more information, call 06-850 2308

or 07-226 2336 or visit www.nilai.edu.my

Flexibility in
the industry
IF you are looking for an engineering degree
that gives you great flexibility within the
industry, a major in robotics and
mechatronics (R&M) may just be the
qualification you need.
R&M is the convergence of three
disciplines robotics, and mechanical and
electronics engineering.
Robotics involves the design and operation
of these devices and their integration with
other systems in the workplace.
Mechatronics is the integration of three
traditional engineering disciplines
mechanical, electronics and software.
Mechatronic engineers design and build
systems for a range of industries. Examples
of mechatronic systems include aircraft,
automobiles and automated plants and
robots.
R&M graduates can use their
multidisciplinary skills to meet the growing
demand of an industry that is pushing the
limits of technology by exploiting the
growing convergence of these fields.
A good example of this convergence is
the car industry. While manufactured on a
purely mechanical platform in the past,
vehicles are now fitted with electronic
displays, computer-aided systems and
GPS, says Dr Almon Chai, robotics and
mechatronics course coordinator at
Swinburne University of Technology
Sarawak Campus in Kuching.
R&M graduates can pursue careers in
many industries such as robotics, airlines,

Robotics and mechatronics graduates will

meet the needs of a growing industry.

chemical and automotive.

Swinburne Sarawaks R&M degree
programme involves a lot of practical work.
Sixty percent of the content of our
engineering programmes involves practical
work in the workshop, laboratory or field,
says Chai.
The success of the universitys hands-on
approach is reflected in the achievements
of its students, who have performed
exceptionally well in various competitions,
including the Freescale Cup intelligent car
competition, Microsofts Imagine Cup and
Innovate Malaysia Design Competition 2014
(Dreamcatcher).
Swinburne Sarawak graduates are
awarded the same internationally
recognised parchment as their counterparts
in the Australian campus.
The R&M programme is accredited by the
Engineering Accreditation Council Malaysia
and Engineers Australia.
Its graduates are eligible to apply for
membership of Engineers Australia as well
as the Graduate Membership of Board of
Engineers Malaysia.

n For more information, visit

www.swinburne.edu.my

THE STAR, TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2015

course focus 7

they have volunteered to do.

You can stick a duty roster on
the living room wall to help
everyone remember what they
are expected to do for the month.
If you are someone who
regularly forgets to perform your
duties, at the very least avoid
creating messes so that others do
not have to clean up after you.

ONE of the most exciting things

about going to college or university
is having a first taste of adult
independence by living away from
home.
However, as fun as it may seem
to be away from the watchful
eyes of parents, conflicts with a
housemate can potentially
transform your stay at a campus
apartment into a bitter experience.
Civility goes a long way in
making you a pleasant housemate,
which in turn makes others around
you more likely to be nice.
Here are a few things you can
keep in mind when sharing a
house or apartment with others.

Communicate to avoid
conflict
Coming from different
households and cultural
backgrounds, all students have
certain quirks and habits that are
bound to annoy when they begin
to live with people who are not
their family members.
Noisy night owls soon become a
nuisance to those who like to go to
bed early, while the neat freaks
end up in constant arguments
with messy individuals over the
appropriate standard of
cleanliness.
To make sure you are off to
a good start with your new
housemates and maintain a good
relationship with them down the
road, it is crucial to communicate
your pet peeves before there is a
chance for strife to take form in

Practise generosity

Living with others

the house.
For example, if you are
sensitive to noise during sleep,
you can politely request that your
housemates keep the volume
down after midnight.
If seeing dirty dishes left in the
kitchen sink irritates you, attempt
to form a mutual understanding
that everyone should wash their
own plates and cutlery after
meals.
Setting ground rules that are
agreed to by all residents of the
house from the beginning will
help to minimise any future
misunderstanding.

Ask before taking

If you think you can help

yourself to a little bit of someone
elses breakfast cereal every
morning without being found out,
you are wrong.
A person sharing living quarters
with you is under no obligation to
share all personal properties.
Using a housemates hair dryer
or laundry detergent without his or
her prior permission is one of the
easiest ways to get in the bad books
of not just the offended housemate,
but everyone else living in the
apartment.

Unless you have been told that

you can use something anytime
you want, always ask before
borrowing something, even if it
is an item that you borrow from
your roommate on a regular basis.
And once you have borrowed
something, do not forget to return
it to the rightful owner.

Do your part
Keeping the house clean is not
the job of one person. Everyone
living in it plays a part in keeping
the place clean by doing chores
that have been assigned to them or

While living with housemates

does not mean having to share
with them everything that you
own, generous gestures are an
effective way of building a good
rapport with your housemates.
If you return from a holiday
with a delicious bag of cookies,
feel free to share the joy with
your housemates.
If your housemate is struggling
to cope with his or her
assignment deadlines, you can
offer to do his or her housework
for the week without expecting
anything in return.
Your housemates will
appreciate your generosity and be
more inclined to return your
kindness by extending the
attitude of giving within the
household.
With a little respect and
consideration for others, living
harmoniously with your
housemates is an achievable goal.
So be civilised and make your
experience of living under the
same roof with others a pleasant
one.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2015

8 course focus

Excellent
learning
experience
The University of
Nottingham
Malaysia Campus
provides excellent
teaching, learning
and research
facilities, including
a mixing laboratory
for engineering
students.

THE University of Nottingham

Malaysia Campus (UNMC) will
host an Information Day on
Aug 15 from 9.30am to 3.30pm
at the universitys campus in
Semenyih.
Academic staff and
programme counsellors will be
on hand to speak with potential
students and their parents.
The Information Day will
also feature campus tours,
academic talks and laboratory
demonstrations.
Students who meet the
academic requirements for
any UNMC foundation,
undergraduate or postgraduate
programme are encouraged to
apply during the Information
Day itself.

Groomed for the

industry
The University of Nottingham
is one of the top choices for
graduate recruitment among UK
employers, a new report by
High Fliers Research has shown.
Nottingham came second in
the reports list of universities
targeted by top employers in
2014-2015.
The report is based on
research conducted last
December with the UKs 100
leading graduate employers,
including BP, EDF Energy, the
civil service, IBM, Goldman
Sachs, PwC, Google and HSBC.
The University of Nottingham
encourages and supports
students to ensure they have a
well-rounded study experience,
which includes participating in
work placements.
The university offers the
Nottingham Advantage Award,
which is won by taking up
extracurricular modules
alongside their academic
studies.
These modules build students
skills and experience in areas
such as public relations, finance
and career planning through
activities with the universitys
Careers and Employability
Service, Widening Participation
team and Students Union.
By obtaining the award,
students demonstrate to
potential employers that they
have gained valuable practical
knowledge and skills at
university.

A global touch
As an increasing number
of Nottingham students are
participating in the universitys
inter-campus exchange
programmes, the Malaysian
campus plays a special role
within Nottinghams global
vision.

The University
of Nottingham
encourages
and supports
students to
ensure they
have a wellrounded study
experience.
The university offers an
exciting range of summer school
programmes, all of which have
an international element.
Some of these programmes
are language classes and courses
with a special focus on Asian
travel, business or culture.
UNMC was established in
September 2000 and became the
first British university to set up a
campus both outside of the UK
and in Malaysia, earning The
University of Nottingham the
Queens Award for Enterprise
2001 and the Queens Award for
Industry (International Trade)
2006.
In September 2005, UNMC
moved to its own site in
Semenyih, 30km south of
Kuala Lumpur.
This year, UNMC celebrates
its 15th anniversary and has
produced close to 5,000
graduates since 2002.

Quality programmes
The campus offers students
a range of study opportunities,
from foundation level courses
to doctoral degrees.
A variety of undergraduate
and postgraduate programmes
are offered by the Faculty
ofArts, Faculty of Social
Sciences,Faculty of Engineering
andFaculty of Science.
UNMC boasts a community
of more than 5,000 students
from more than 70 countries.
These students work with and
receive a world-class higher
education experience from
leading academics and experts
in their field.
UNMC provides excellent
teaching, learning and research
facilities for its students.
At the campus, they can enjoy
using the universitys wellequipped library, dedicated
study areas as well as computer,
language, science and
engineering laboratories.

n For more information and to

register to attend Information
Day 2015, e-mail study@
nottingham.edu.my or visit
www.nottingham.edu.my

THE STAR, TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2015

course focus 9

Dr Chong Meng Nan, senior lecturer at Monash University Malaysias School of Engineering,
specialises in the study of effective rainwater harvesting use and other alternative water systems.

Harvesting
rainwater for
conservation
HAVING experienced a prolonged water
rationing exercise last year, water
conservation, rainwater collection and
greywater recycling have become keen
interests of many Malaysians.
At Monash University Malaysias School
of Engineering, senior lecturer Dr Chong
Meng Nan is researching the effective use of
rainwater harvesting and other alternative
water systems in urban areas for residential,
commercial and industrial developments.
A rainwater harvesting system collects
roof water for non-potable purposes,
including toilet flushing, washing machine,
irrigation and other general cleaning uses.
With proper treatment, rainwater can also
be extended for potable purposes.
Dr Chong, whose research interest is in
green technology, says his role is to look at
whether the system is safe, economical and
feasible to be sustained over a certain period
of time.
We also look at the amount of water that
can be saved and how to implement such a
system in different climatic conditions,
which is a challenge of our research, he
says.
Dr Chong, who was a research engineer
and project leader at the Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research
Organisation (Csiro) in Australia, says his
motivation to carry out research on
rainwater harvesting system comes from his
exposure to urban water research at the
institute.
He says that even though Australia has
implemented rainwater collection for years,
a similar system would not be suitable for
Malaysia, where rainfall is more intense
and the amount much greater.
The average rainfall in Adelaide is
700mm per year and 1,300mm in Brisbane.
If we use the same system in Malaysia,
where the average rainfall is 3,000mm per

year, it could pontentially cause floods,

he says.
Apart from looking at the system,
Dr Chong and his research team members
also monitor rainwater quality samples from
different areas in the Klang Valley.
We want to see how dirty the rainwater is
and what treatment system we would need
to implement to ensure cleanliness and
safety even if one accidentally consumed
raw rainwater that has not been properly
treated, he says.
He says undesirable materials such as
heavy metals and bird droppings will get
into the rainwater collected and may cause
diseases when the rainwater is used.
A proper disinfection method will have
to be incorporated into the system to
prevent microbiological contamination,
says Dr Chong.
While it is easy to install rainwater
harvesting systems for residential,
commercial and industrial properties,
Dr Chong says maintenance and
sustainability are still barriers to
implementing such a technology.
While there have been initiatives to adopt
green technology, there are still a lot of gaps
that need to be bridged.
There are companies that build the
system but then abandon it without proper
maintenance due to lack of competent
workers to do the job or companies that
offer such a service, he says.
Dr Chong says financial incentives are
needed to encourage members of the public
to install and maintain the system so that
they can conserve water and preserve the
environment.

n For more information on programmes

offered at Monash University
Malaysias School of Engineering,
visit www.eng.monash.edu.my

THE STAR, TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2015

10 course focus

Career options aplenty

ENGINEERING encompasses a wide range of
fields and offers a bright future and various
career opportunities. It is important to know
about each field of engineering before
choosing to specialise in one of them.

l Chemical engineering
Chemical engineers use a combination of
technology and engineering and should be
well versed in materials, reactor designs and
mass and heat transfer operations.

Building for
greater good

l Mechanical engineering
This field involves the design and
manufacture of parts and systems that make
up a range of machinery and equipment.
These engineers have the skills to design
suitable moving devices and discern the best
way they can be manufactured.

l Electronic and electrical engineering

Electronic and electrical engineers are
involved in the manufacturing of electrical
equipment, from conception to production.
They work in various industries such as
electronics, information technology,
manufacturing, transport and construction.

l Quantity surveying
Quantity surveyors are responsible for
estimating the cost of a project, starting from
the issuance of the project brief to the
design, planning, construction, completion,
occupation and maintenance of the facilities.

l Automotive engineering
Automotive engineers work on the
development of vehicles, from research and
development to production stages.

Engineering programmes at SEGi University

are delivered using applied methodologies.

This programme is for those who are

technically inclined and interested in
automobiles.

l Environmental engineering
Environmental engineers are involved in
pollution control, waste disposal and public
health issues. Many environmental
engineers work as consultants to help clients
comply with regulations and conduct
research on the environmental impact of
proposed construction projects.
SEGi University School of Engineering
provides a student-centred environment,
where students interact with dedicated
teaching staff from Malaysia and partner
universities worldwide.

n For more information call 1800 887 344

or e-mail to askme@segi.edu.my or visit
www.segi.edu.my

Students gain a different learning experience from being on-site and serving the locals.

ARCHITECTURE can transform living spaces

and the way an entire community functions.
A group of 50 architectural students from
UCSI University (UCSI) and Chung Yuan
Christian University (CYCU), Taiwan, have
risen to the challenge.
The students are part of a project that
involves transforming an abandoned shop
lot in the unassuming fishing village of Kuala
Sepetang, Perak, into a communal centre of
learning for the community and visiting
scientists.
The project is named The Corner and
students are redesigning it into a childrens
library with a play centre on the lower floor.
The upper floor is set to become a
homestay centre a facility that will
accommodate the numerous scientists and
academics who often visit the fishing village
and nearby mangrove swamp for research
purposes.
The collaboration between CYCU and UCSI
involves 30 students from the Taiwanese
university and 20 from UCSI who are
currently on site working hard to make
their sketches a reality.
This community project is guided by two
of UCSIs visiting professors, Prof Huang
Sheng-Yuan and Dr Chen Xuang-Cheng. Both
are renowned architects from Taiwan.
The entire project is something that
UCSIs School of Architecture and Built
Environment is passionate about as it
exemplifies the universitys praxis approach.
The approach emphasises hands-on
learning, bringing the industry and
fieldwork into the classroom.
UCSI Universitys School of Architecture
and Built Environment believes in holistic
education that focuses on character building
on top of skills training.
UCSI lecturer Teoh Chee Keong says that
the school organised 18 curricular and
research activities last year.
Among these was an activity where
students built huts in a fishing village. The
experience taught them to understand the
connection between nature, buildings and
people as well as understand the lives of the
fishermen.
The university supports activities that
teach students how to fully utilise precious
natural resources, says Teoh.
This outdoors approach is supported by

UCSI University and Chung Yuan Christian

University architecture students working
together to build a communal centre.

the dean of the Faculty of Engineering and

Built Environment, Assoc Prof Ir Dr Jimmy
Mok.
He says that the hands-on experience gives
students an invaluable practical experience
that can shape their character and make
them better leaders for the future.
Assistant Prof Ar Chia Lin Lin, head of
programme for the BSc (Hons) Architecture,
says that the current global problem of a
widening social gap can be attributed to
failure in the education system.
This can be addressed by introducing
students to various strata of society while
preparing them for their careers.
Through outdoor classroom learning, we
wish to encourage a sense of responsibility
in our students so that they remain humble
and caring, says Prof Chia.
The initiative and communal approach
implemented by UCSI has been praised by
Kuala Sepetang state assemblywoman Chua
Yee Ling.
She says that The Corner will provide
children of the area an ideal and safe space
to read and complete their homework and
hopes that it will become a platform to
encourage researchers to visit the area as
well as promote the ecology, culture and
community development of the area.
UCSI is hosting its Open Day on Aug 15
and 16 at its Kuala Lumpur campus.

n For more information, call 03-9101 8882

or e-mail www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/
onlineenquiry

THE STAR, TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2015

course focus 11

The new engineering programmes at University of Southampton provide a solid foundation for the design and operation
of air vehicles and spacecraft.

Explore aeronautics
and astronautics
BEGINNING next month, the
University of Southampton Malaysia
Campus will expand its range of
programmes in Malaysia by offering
an undergraduate degree in
aeronautics and astronautics MEng
Aeronautics & Astronautics.
The programme allows students to
study in two campuses two years
at the Malaysia Campus and two
years at the Southampton Campus.
Students of the Malaysia Campus
benefit from the same teaching
modules as those taught in the
Southampton Campus at an
overall cost of 40% less than the
cost it requires to study in the
United Kingdom.
Supported by the universitys
unrivalled reputation and successful
history for education, research and
enterprise, this degree programme is
designed to help pave the career of
aspiring engineers in Malaysia and
around the world.
Aeronautics and astronautics
courses at the University of
Southampton are highly regarded
in the industry for their blend of
analytical, computational and
experimental work.
The courses are ranked among the
top five in the UK by the Guardian
University Guide 2016 and are taught
by world-leading academics who are
at the forefront of their fields.

Course structure
The first two years of the
programme provide a solid and
focused foundation for the design
and operation of air vehicles and
spacecraft.
Students complete core modules
before specialising in their chosen
area in their third and fourth years.
Students have the opportunity
to choose their specialisation
from several areas of study
aerodynamics, air vehicle systems
design, computational engineering
design, materials and structures,
engineering management and

spacecraft engineering.
As the university is among the top
1% in the world, students benefit
from its world-class facilities and
partnerships with those in the
industry, including the Rolls-Royce
University Technology Centre and
Airbus Noise Technology Centre.

World-class education
University of Southampton
programmes offer a dynamic mix
of lectures, practical laboratory
sessions in world-class facilities,
industry site visits and projects.
The lecture programmes include
guest speakers from the industry
and institutions around the world.
In addition to lectures, students
have tutorials and laboratory
classes in their first and second
years, which are held in small
groups.
They also receive individual
supervision of their projects in
their third and fourth years.

Group work
Practical experience is essential in
todays employment market. Hence,
the group projects provide the
perfect opportunity for students to
enhance their practical and
communication skills.
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, microlight aircraft and
moon orbiter.
Fourth year group design projects
are often linked to current research
activities or topics that have
practical relevance to the industry.
This includes interesting subjects
such as unmanned air vehicles,
spacecraft instrumentation, electric
propulsion devices and racing car
components.

Field trips

Students have the opportunity to

go on an exciting one-week practical
course on flight testing at the
Southampton Airport when they
go to the UK for their studies. While
there, they conduct experiments
onboard a jetstream-flying
laboratory aircraft.
The University of Southampton
has connections with key
players across the aerospace
and automotive industries and
organises visits to industry partners
and research establishments.
In the past, students have visited
AgustaWestland, Airbus UK, RollsRoyce and QinetiQ.

Career opportunities
The University of Southamptons
aeronautics and astronautics degree
programmes open up a wide range
of exciting career opportunities.
Graduate jobs include aerospace
engineer, pilot, information
technology and management
consultant, race car designer,
software and systems engineer as
well as roles in academia such as in
research and postgraduate study.
Among University of
Southamptons many successful
aeronautics and astronautics
graduates is Adrian Newey, who
has worked as a Formula 1 designer
for Williams and McLaren, and is
now the chief technical officer of
Red Bull F1 racing team.
Top motor racing teams will
eventually look to the university to
produce the best aerodynamics
talents for the future.
The first step towards a career in
engineering can start at University
of Southampton Malaysia Campus.
The university is hosting its Open
Day on Aug 22.

n For more information, call

07-560 2560 or e-mail marketing.
malaysia@southampton.ac.uk or
visit www.southampton.edu.my

THE STAR, TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2015

12 course focus

ENGINEERING has long been a

popular choice of study because
of the various job prospects
it offers.
To date, the Board of Engineers
Malaysia (BEM) reports that
there are approximately 80,000
engineers in the country.
With an array of specialisations
such as electrical and electronic,
mechanical, petroleum, chemical
and civil engineering, engineering
students have the luxury of
selecting a specialisation that suits
their passion and strengths.
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia,
which recently opened a state-ofthe-art campus in Precinct 5,
Putrajaya, offers a wide range
of engineering programmes with
specialities that include civil
engineering, mechanical
engineering, petroleum
engineering and chemical
engineering at undergraduate and
postgraduate levels.
Assoc Prof Dr Noor Yusmiza
Yusoff, associate head of the School
of Engineering & Physical Sciences
at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia,
reveals that the universitys
approach to these programmes is
slightly different.
Students are taught to work
independently and cohesively as a
team to accomplish tasks under the
given deadlines, he says.
This is what he believes to be
the Heriot-Watt advantage as
students are not only equipped
with necessary academic skills
but also undergo personal

Top-notch education

Heriot-Watt University
Malaysias campus in Putrajaya.

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia provides state-of-the-art learning facilities.

development within a professional

setting.
This is accomplished through
the universitys mixed mode of
teaching, which incorporates
lectures, tutorials, group projects
and discussions, resulting in a
more hands-on academic
experience.
This has proven to be a winning
formula for the university, which

has a close to 95% employability

rate within six months of
graduation.
Heriot-Watt University has been
around since the 1800s and its
legacy of excellence has been
proven in fields that encompass
engineering, built environment
and business.
It is this excellence that has
earned the university its

impressive accolades, including

being ranked 47th in the world,
third in the United Kingdom
and first in Scotland by the QS
University Ranking Top 50 under
50 in 2014, as well as top in the UK
and Scotland for civil engineering,
and top in Scotland for chemical
engineering by the Guardian
University Guide 2015.
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
provides students from Malaysia
and around the world with the
opportunity to experience this
top-notch British education.
At present, the university has
three campuses in the UK and
another in Dubai, which provides
students with campus transfer

opportunities during the course

of their undergraduate studies,
reflecting its commitment to share
knowledge across the globe while
allowing students and members to
grow their network.
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
will be hosting its Open Day and
Application Day on Aug 22 and 23
for students to seek more
information and register for the
September intake.

n For more information on

programmes and scholarships
offered at Heriot-Watt University
Malaysia, call 03-8894 3888 or
e-mail hwum@hw.ac.uk or visit
www.hw.edu.my