Engineers advance the net-zero carbon ambitions
WHAT is ‘Net Zero’? To have ‘Net Zero’ emissions, the amount of greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere must be equal to the amount of greenhouse gases taken out of the atmosphere.
Simply put, to get to net zero by the year 2050, we must get rid of all our emissions from the past, the present, and the future, as well as cut the amount of pollution we put into the air.
Underpinned by the sustainability agenda, more nations today are vowing to make positive changes, not just to ride the energy transition, but also to be a part of a fundamental shift that is necessary for a world seeking a path to a more sustainable future.
As a community, we can also do our share to cut carbon emissions in our everyday lives.
For example, using cars and equipment that are powered by electricity instead of fossil fuels or installing solar panels at home to reduce electricity consumption, which is generated primarily from fossil fuels.
The transformation begins with us and is led by purpose-driven leadership. This is also why Heriot-Watt University (HWU) is leading the change to be an example of sustainability for the rest of society.
Since its foundation in 1821, Heriot-Watt University has been an outward-looking pioneer in the field of education, in pursuit of knowledge to benefit society and the world.
In view of this, HeriotWatt University (HWU) is leading the change to be an example of sustainability for the rest of society. The university has ambitious Research, Development and Commercialisation plans to help address Net Zero.
As leaders in ideas and solutions, the university’s global campuses act as test beds for low carbon energy technologies.
For instance, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) campus in Putrajaya is the first purpose-built green campus that is Green Building Index (GBI) certified.
HWUM is also setting up a global research institute (GRI) in Net Zero with its global campuses in the United Kingdom and Dubai. Given Malaysia’s floodprone history, the GRI attempts to maximise available resources in Malaysia to combat climate change.
In addition, as part of HWUM’s unique positive education approach, students are nurtured to become purposedriven leaders who will positively impact their communities.
As purpose-driven leaders, they are empowered to be part of the solution to the world’s issues, including climate change.
Hence, the university plays an important role in instilling knowledge of climate change by incorporating lessons and discussions on the topic into its academic curricular and by imposing environmental criteria on internal grants that are given out.
The university is proud of the work its academic faculty and students have conducted in a few research areas, such as circular economics for sustainable production and consumption, solar energy generation, and sustainable building.
The annual James Watt PhD Scholarships (JWS) programme has invited submissions to study the following three research themes: Net Zero, Positive Education, and Digital Transformation.
The programme combines the research capabilities of all three Heriot-Watt University campuses to leverage opportunities that exist in each country, while synergising strengths across Engineering, Business, Social Science, Psychology, Statistics, Computing Science, and Building.
Students in this interdisciplinary research programme are expected to develop new innovations to address pressing global problems.
The university is also working with government organisations to advance sustainable research, development, and commercialisation.
For instance, a group from HWUM’s School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) collaborated with institutions in Singapore, Scotland, and England to assess the ability of Asean nations to recover from natural catastrophes.
The report appeared in the UK-Singapore COP26 Asean Climate Policy Report Series in 2021; it was commissioned by the British Council.
HWUM’s EPS is also working with the Penang Institute, a public policy think tank funded by the Penang state government; De La Salle University Manila, a leading university in the Philippines; and the University of Nottingham Malaysia to develop an economic model that presents the interaction between different sectors in Penang, with the aim of developing strategies for enhancing economic growth in the state amid the impact of Covid-19 and the threat of climate change.
A green economy would require the introduction of green technologies that would promote a sustainable future.
In addition, significant green commitment and investment are needed from major economic sectors.
As we progress toward a future with net zero carbon emissions, we will need a large pool of highly trained professionals, such as engineers, who can fill the high-paying positions that will be created to facilitate the development of these green technologies.
Therefore, while we introduce high technology to spur the development of industries, our education system must also be able to produce highly skilled individuals who are able to utilise these technologies, and they must also be capable of inventing new technologies.
In view of this, HWUM fosters closer relationships with industry players to ensure industry-relevant curricula and pedagogy is tailored towards nurturing talent for the future.
The university also collaborates with industry players that offer industrial projects to prepare students for the real world.
The world-class accredited programmes at the university were made in response to the current business environment.
This ensures that students get a career-relevant education in an environment that encourages the growth of graduates with future skills who will continue to make a positive impact on the communities where they live.
HWUM offers undergraduate programmes in Engineering such as Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering and, Mechanical Engineering.
The university’s engineering programmes are accredited internationally by the Joint Board of Moderators (which includes The Institution of Civil Engineers), IChemE, IMechE, and IET. This enables engineering graduates to be registered as Chartered Engineers with the Engineering Council, United Kingdom (UK).
The programmes in Malaysia are also accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM).
For more information on Heriot-Watt’s world class engineering programmes, kindly visit https://intake.hw.edu.my/engineering/
Visit us on our Open Day on Aug 20 and 21, 2022 and speak to our Education Consultants at our Putrajaya Campus. Register for our Open Day here: https://bit.ly/HWUMODAug22to find out more.
Speak to any of HWUM’s Education Consultants online via https://bit.ly/ChatwUsHWUMto find out more.
Alternatively, apply or make a physical appointment with the University today, call 03-8894 3888 or email hwum@hw.ac.uk
For more information on HWUM and its world-class programmes, visit https://www.hw.ac.uk/malaysia/