A future in engineering
cHEMICAL engineers work at the leading edge of industrial development and are among some of the best paid engineers.
They can find work in most engineering fields such as energy, environmental, agricultural, oil and gas, biomedical, materials, food and beverage, plastic and industrial engineering.
To help churn out the manpower needed for this particular engineering field, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus in Kuching, Sarawak, offers the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Chemical Engineering.
Intake for the four-year course which is approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, is on Feb 24, 2014.
The curriculum includes the study of engineering mathematics, engineering materials, chemistry, heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, engineering sustainability, fluid mechanics and process plant design.
Students consolidate technical and problem-solving skills they acquired over the four-year course through a research project in their final year.
“Chemical engineering is a broadbased discipline, utilising chemistry, mathematics, physics, biology and engineering principles in the design, development, construction and operation of industrial processes for the production of a diverse range of products, as well as commodity and specialty chemicals,” said Swinburne Sarawak course coordinator Dr Ngu Lock Hei.
Swinburne Sarawak is the only international branch campus of Swinburne University, Melbourne.
“Chemical engineers are in great demand with 80% of jobs found in chemical indutries.”
Career opportunities include industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, plastics, agricultural process, pharmaceuticals, metal processing, food and dairies, energy, water treatment and consumer products sectors.
Graduates may be employed as designers and advisors for engineering projects in engineering consultancies, environmental agencies and government departments. Some chemical engineers design and invent new processes while others build instruments and facilities.
“The programme equips future chemical engineers with the knowledge and training they need for professional practices,” said Dr Ngu.
“It cultivates and helps graduates to attain soft skills and attributes to aid the introduction of graduates into the workforce.
“Skills such as the ability to use engineering methods to solve problems and design solutions, project management, ethical and professional conduct, resource manage- ment, leadership, communication and teamwork are desirable in the workplace,” she added.
Chemical engineering graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Board of Engineering Malaysia and graduate membership of Engineers Australia.
As today’s industries require more specialists with a chemical engineering background, graduates of the discipline have a diverse and exciting range of careers to choose from, whether it is in the field of science or engineering.
Enquiries may be directed to Swinburne Sarawak Regional Office at 8, 2nd Floor, Jalan SS15/8, Subang Jaya, Selangor.
For details, call 03-5637 2202 or visit swinburne.edu.my.