First-class achievers
IT was a proud moment for 11 First Class Honours Engineering students from HELP College of Arts and Technology (HELP CAT) when their names were read out at their convocation on April 22 last year.
Having completed their two-year Diploma in Engineering at HELP CAT, the students were accepted into University of Hertfordshire, the United Kingdom, as part of HELP CAT’s 3+0 programme with Hertfordshire University. The Hertfordshire Degree programme at HELP CAT takes another two years before the 11 graduate with honours.
The Diploma in both the Electronic & Electrical Engineering as well as Mechanical Engineering was initiated in 2003 and then in 2009, the Hertfordshire pathway was created, whereby those who completed the two-year HELP CAT Diploma Engineering programme could go on to complete their Engineering degree also at HELP CAT.
HELP CAT Diploma in Engineering Studies coordinator Alireza Zourmand says the curriculum was designed based on industry’s needs and incorporates the latest technology, increasing the marketability of students upon graduation.
As part of the HELP CAT Diploma programme, students are required to complete an industrial-based final-year project and also work for three months, otherwise known as industrial placement. This is to ensure that engineering students are capable of meeting the needs of their workplace.
HELP CAT has eight well-equipped electrical, mechanical, electronic and megatronic laboratories to cater to the needs of the students pursuing the Diploma and Degree programmes. Among the faculty staff, Cambridge-qualified Chemical Engineer Professor Dr KK Tan is involved in teaching and research at HELP CAT.
Alireza says that apart from industrial training, students are encouraged to organise activities such as industrial talks. Recently, visiting Manchester Metropolitan University Professor in Electronics Engineering Dr Michael Fernando, spoke on “Electromagnetic Medical Imaging System”.
Students were also taken on a trip to Agensi Nuklear Malaysia in Bangi to understand the mechanics of a nuclear reactor for power generation.
Alireza says students need to learn about Malaysia’s sources of power.
In the near future, the Department of Engineering hopes to develop degree programmes to cater to Malaysia’s need for wellqualified electrical, electronics and mechanical engineers.
To do this, industrial advisory panels and academic advisory panels need to be formed where they can be consulted on the curriculum development to suit industry needs, which are constantly changing.
The Diploma in Electronic & Electrical Engineering is a field of engineering associated with the learning and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. Electrical Engineering is generally known to deal with the problems related to large-scale electrical systems such as motor control and power transmission, whereas electronic engineering deals with the study of small-scale electronic systems, including computers and integrated circuits.
Mechanical Engineering is a domain of engineering that uses the theories of physics and materials science for design, analysis, manufacturing and maintenance of mechanical systems.
It is the division of engineering that entails the production and handling of heat and mechanical power for the design, production and operation of tools and machines.
HELP CAT has provided the facilities at its campus with eight laboratories for students to carry out their practical work and learning during the course of the Diploma.
For more information on HELP CAT’s programmes and for the next intake in April, call 03-2788 2000 or e-mail enquiry@helpcat.edu. my or visit http://www.helpcat.edu.my