Possessing the green edge
SUSTAINABILITY is the latest buzzword for developed and industrialised economies, especially as governments seek new energy sources and ways to optimise efficiency.
Monash University Malaysia’s Master of Advanced Engineering ( Energy and Sustainability), which commenced in February, incorporates aspects of energy use, conservation, sustainability, management and processing in areas such as water and lighting.
“Traditional undergraduate engineering programmes only gloss over these subjects,” says Dr Kenny Tan Boon Thong, senior lecturer and course coordinator ( mechanical) in the School of Engineering.
“But these days, a strong emphasis is placed by governments on corporations to clean up their act. As such, there is a need for more engineers who specialise in these areas.”
Dr Tan believes that engineering graduates and professional engineers who wish to have a change in career should leverage on the master’s programme to capitalise on the emerging trends of green energy and sustainable living.
He adds that as many companies begin incorporating sustainability into their practices, more job opportunities are created in processing and energy sectors as well as consulting.
Malaysia has acknowledged the importance of such issues by establishing the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water in 2009 and the Renewable Energy Act 2011 to encourage organisations to produce electricity from renewable sources, reduce carbon emissions and drive advancement in green technologies.
The master’s programme accepts students with a bachelor’s degree in any engineering discipline as it incorporates elements of electrical, chemical and mechanical engineering.
According to Dr Tan, this gives graduates an advantage.
“Graduates will have fundamental knowledge of broad areas related to energy and sustainability instead of starting from ‘ ground zero’ when joining a consultancy,” he says.
The course also features some unique subjects, including intelligent lighting and engineering entrepreneurship, where students are taught how to commercialise an idea or innovation.
The master’s programme can be completed full time or part time for the duration of one year or two years respectively. Classes are taught from 6pm to 9pm.
For more information about the Master of Advanced Engineering ( Energy and Sustainability), visit www. monash. edu. my.