Engineering towards a sustainable future
POSTGRADUATE engineering programmes offered at UTAR are dedicated to equipping students with intellectual background and research skills which are valuable for the advancement of knowledge and the development of new ideas.
Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) deputy dean for R&D and postgraduate programmes Ir Dr Ling Lloyd comments, “Many would think that engineering is somewhat intimidating and rigid but in truth, professional engineers with an industrial background often engage in multidisciplinary projects. This allows for experience sharing and knowledge transfer, which greatly benefits students because they learn something beyond the limits of textbooks.
“Every postgraduate programme from LKC FES is preparing future graduates to face the ever-changing future. Elective courses from other programmes are also available to offer the multidisciplinary learning needs of our graduates. Our postgraduate programmes are mostly taught by chartered engineers or registered professional engineers (Ir) in Malaysia. Many of our staff come from an industrial background.”
On sustainability, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) deputy dean for R&D and postgraduate programmes Dr Lo Po Kim explains, “The postgraduate course and research programmes have contributed to sustainable development based on different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).
“For instance, the Master of Environmental Technology programme syllabi are developed based on different environmental technologies and methods to address environmental issues; and to further achieve specific SDGS, such as SDG 6: Clean water and Sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life below Water, and SDG 15: Life on Land. The latest course revision (2021) integrated the element related to the environment, social and governance (ESG). This helps expose the students to the latest industry trend – ESG reporting.”
She adds, “The Master of Sustainable Construction Management’s syllabi are developed in a way that allows students to have the opportunity to learn the skill of construction management within the context of sustainability, for example, green procurement, green technology application in building and construction and health and safety control.”
Dr Lo also emphasises, “Our programmes provide training in a general discipline and some specialised education in a focus area. A postgraduate degree offers an advanced curriculum with a deep focus on individual subjects, providing engineers the opportunity to become experts within their chosen area of study.
“It helps to fill the demand for indispensable engineers who can play a major role in developing new solutions and advancing technologies, hence expanding old industries and creating new ones.
By choosing to go to graduate school, engineers get the opportunity to focus on a particular area of engineering with soughtafter skills and individually climb the ladder at a faster pace with good salary raise.”
LKC FES currently offers Master of Engineering (Electrical), Master of Engineering (Mechanical), Master of Engineering (Civil), Master of Information Systems, Master in Data Management and Analytics, Postgraduate Diploma in Data Management and Analytics, Master of Engineering Science, Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy (Science). FEGT currently offers Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), Master of Engineering Science, Master of Environmental Technology, Master of Sustainable Construction Management and Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems).
UTAR offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in areas including Accountancy, Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics, Arts, Chinese Studies, Business and Economics, Biotechnology, Engineering and Build Environment, Information and Communication Technology, Life and Physical Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, Media and Journalism, Education and General Studies, and Agriculture and Food Science.
The university also engages in the provision and conduct of research, consultation, management and leadership training and other related educational services.
For more information, call 05-468 8888 (Kampar Campus), 03-9086 0288 (Sungai Long Campus) or visit www.utar.edu.my.