UTAR nurtures petrochemical engineers
UTAR Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Petrochemical Engineering programme is an interdisciplinary programme covering the fundamentals of chemical engineering and specialisation in petrochemical downstream processes.
The programme, which is parked under the Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT), aims to produce graduates who will utilise state-of-the-art knowledge and techniques in synthesis, design, maintenance, service, sales and marketing of petrochemical engineering-related systems and products.
The programme provides varieties of research fields, guided by experts in the research area of oil and gas-related processes and products, polymeric processing and products, nano composites and advanced material development and manufacturing, microbial fuel cell and bioreactor design, metabolic modelling, system biology, fertiliser development, CO2 gas adsorption, wastewater treatment, rare earth studies, air quality management, environmental impacts assessment, renewable energy development, etc. It also provides strong training in research and development for the advancement of knowledge and cutting-edge technology.
This course emphasises on instilling technical, managerial and ethical leadership roles with commanding oral and written skills into the students.
In addition, students are also exposed to basic elements of Industrial Revolution 4.0, Internet-of-Things (IoT), emerging advanced technologies and, smart manufacturing and automation which are expected to be dominant in the petrochemical industry in the near future.
When asked to explain the uniqueness of the programme, Head of Department of Petrochemical Engineering Dr M Mathialagan said, Petrochemical Engineering is the application of science, in particular chemistry, physics and mathematics, to the process of converting raw materials of petroleum or other hydrocarbon origins into more useful or valuable products.
“They are engaged in the development and production of a diverse range of products, commodities and specialty chemicals. These products include high-performance materials needed for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, electronic, military, and environmental and health applications,” he said.
He added, “Petrochemical engineers are very much at the forefront to improve the quality of life. There are extensive opportunities in the designing of process equipment/plants, identifying chemical and physical properties of substances, researching new products and ensuring equipment/plant operates optimally.
“They work in a wide range of fields such as the oil and gas industry, petrochemicals pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, food processing, healthcare, special chemicals, electronic and advanced materials, biotechnology, environmental health and safety industries.”
The curriculum of the UTAR Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Petrochemical Engineering programme was structured such that students are provided with fundamental knowledge and exposed to skills and handlings of petrochemical engineering-related equipment in fulfilling current industrial needs.
UTAR Petrochemical Engineering alumnus Yeong Wei Ming, who is currently working at Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd under the Upstream Process Safety Department, shared his experience working as a protégé GEES Apprentice in which he was involved in Process Hazards Analysis, Deep Dive Analysis and asset budgeting.
Yeong mentioned that the UTAR programme has helped build a strong foundation for him which has greatly assisted him in his current job.
“In this current job, I was able to apply what I was taught in my class. Some of the things that remained relevant from my studies are organic chemistry, polymer technology, occupational safety and health in petrochemical plant, plat design, petrochemical process and law for engineers. These lessons I learnt in my classes previously were very applicable,” said Yeong.
Nagarathanam Ramadas graduated from UTAR in the year 2018. Upon graduating, she joined Top Glove as a researcher in production.
Soon after, she furthered her studies in Master of Engineering Science under UTAR FEGT in the field of highperformance coating materials as the industrial-university collaboration research work.
Currently, Nagarathanam is working in UP Packing Sdn Bhd as an engineer in Research and Development.
For more information related to UTAR Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Petrochemical Engineering programme, please visit https://fegt.utar.edu.my/Overview_Petrochemical_Engineering.php or login to our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/UtarPetrochemicalEngineering/.
UTAR also 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 at its Sungai Long and Kampar campuses in Malaysia.
For more information, please visit www.utar.edu.my or call 05-468 8888 (Kampar Campus), 03-9086 0288 (Sungai Long Campus).
UTAR’s Open Day will be held on 20 and 21 August 2022 at its Sungai Long Campus in Bandar Sungai Long and Kampar Campus in Perak. UTAR is also having its Cyber Open Day starting August 18 and 19, 2022 from 9am – 5pm (MYT).