Versatility creates employability
THE mechatronics engineering course at Monash University Malaysia trains students to be versatile and industry relevant to give them an edge in the job market.
Assoc Prof Dr Edwin Tan Chee Pin, head of the mechatronics engineering discipline at the School of Engineering, says that in the course, students are trained to design engineering systems that function automatically and intelligently, which requires strong knowledge from various engineering disciplines.
“Students learn how to combine knowledge from different fields of engineering to produce a mechatronics system, which is controlled by automation to help people work more efficiently and increase the quality of life.
“Mechatronics systems are perfect for handling 3D (dirty, dull, dangerous) jobs.
They help a company improve productivity, reduce risk to humans and ultimately enhance profits,” he says.
The versatility of mechatronics graduates has made them highly employable, especially by big multinational corporations.
The School of Engineering actively carries out projects initiated by the industry. These projects often involve students working not only with their peers and academic supervisor but also with an industry representative.
“In today’s fast-changing world, it is important to remain relevant to the needs of the industry,” says Assoc Prof Tan.
“At the School of Engineering, strong efforts are made by the academic staff to engage with industries so that students are given the opportunity to work on projects by various companies, which involve real-world problems.
“We meet regularly with industry representatives to update them about the progress of these projects. Subsequently, they provide input, ensuring that we are on the right track.”
Such interactions allow students to form relationships with the industry early on, which provides them with a head start in their career even before they graduate.
“There are instances where students who performed well during these projects get offered a job before they graduate,” he adds.
With most of the School of Engineering’s academic staff being actively involved in research, Assoc Prof Tan says students from the school also get to gain research experience by working closely with their lecturers.
As for career options, there are numerous available to mechatronics engineering graduates.
Graduates who specialise in automation are mostly employed in the manufacturing sector while others have gone into specific electrical and mechanical engineering fields as well as information technology.
With the wide range of subjects taught within the degree, graduates are equipped with the necessary skills to fit into the many fields of engineering.
For more information, visit www.eng.monash.edu.my.