Engineering education par excellence
Assistant Professor Dr Jo-Han Ng (left) showing students how to swap around components for the air flow bench to perform different experiments. He believes that engineering is a field that would appeal to those who enjoy solving problems. THE University of Southampton Malaysia Campus (USMC) in EduCity is one of the best places in the country to gain a world-class engineering education with internationally-recognised qualifications.
Being a research-led founding member of the prestigious Russell Group, Southampton is ranked among the Top One Percent of universities worldwide and among the Top 10 institutions in the United Kingdom (UK) for engineering.
Students here are offered the same course content and teaching quality as their counterparts in the UK, but at around 65% of the cost of studying there.
One can take up integrated masters degree programmes (MEng) in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, each with many different specialisations.
These entail two years here, followed by another two years at the parent campus in Southampton, UK. Thanks to the university's excellent industry links, graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects thereafter.
Alternatively, school leavers can also do an engineering foundation year at the Malaysia Campus, which opened in 2012 and packed with comprehensive facilities which are accessible to students 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Everything an engineering student needs
The excellent array of facilities include the Thermal Fluids Lab that is equipped with a full-fledged refrigeration unit, heat engine unit, gas law apparatus, air flow benches, hydraulic benches and more.
Assistant Professor Dr Jo-Han Ng said it covers all the experiments first and second year students will need to perform. And due to its modular nature, equipment can be easily swapped around to suit a particular session's needs.
“It is really important to have hands-on experiences to enhance a student's learning process. Thus, all our theoretical sessions are consolidated with lab experiments.
“Engineering is one of the most secure career fields one can venture into. You're almost guaranteed a job upon graduation. If the industry is not your thing, you can always go into academia and vice versa,” said Dr Ng, whose main research interests cover the areas of renewable energy, particularly biodiesel and syngas.
He hopes this will ultimately help reverse deteriorating environmental conditions and also alleviate fossil fuel dependence and depletion.
“Engineering is definitely a field for someone who enjoys solving problems. Every day brings a new challenge and it is highly refreshing for the mind,” he opines.
At the two Electronics and Electrical Engineering (EEE) Labs, there are over 60 workbenches equipped with the latest power supply units, signal generators, oscilloscopes, electronic kits and soldering instruments.
EEE teaching fellow and laboratory manager Michail Sidorov said the course is very lab intensive with over 40 exercises, and takes up almost 50% of students' overall course time.
“Because of the calibre of our students, they can do internships at Intel after only their first year. Among our very first batch of EEE graduates, almost two-thirds have gone on to secure permanent positions at the tech giant.
“This is due to the intense, hands on experiences and exposure to the latest industry developments they get here. We have everything and more a student would need.
“It covers electronics, embedded programming, power electronics and optics. Everything in practice can be done here,” added the Lithuanian, who holds a MSc in Embedded Systems from the University of Southampton in the UK.
Though the workshop, with its milling machines, lathes, scroll saws, drills, sheet metal benders and cutters may seem traditional at first glance, it is rather high-tech with a 3D printer and laser cutter.
Unsurprisingly, it is one of the most popular spaces with students, according to Mechanical Engineering lecturer Dr Joseph J. Lifton, another University of Southampton alumni and PhD holder.
“In the first year our students get to design, build and test devices like a quadcopter frame. In the second year, they design and fabricate more complex engineering systems, such as autonomous robots and fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The laser cutter and 3D printer allows them to rapidly produce more complex structures and mechanisms needed for these.
“Our students are very keen on robotics, they join a lot of external competitions and win quite frequently, even when competing against students much older than themselves,” added Dr Lifton, whose research interests cover the use of microfocus X-ray computed tomography for dimensional metrology, and the measurement and characterisation of highly complex and structured surfaces.
Driven by research
The University of Southampton, established in 1952, takes pride in being a research-led university. And just like its campus in the UK, all lecturers here in Malaysia are experts in their respective fields.
With all the latest industry developments and highly-relevant topics covered, students learn from the best. And thanks to a high staff to student ratio, each student receives excellent guidance and attention from their mentors. EEE teaching fellow and laboratory manager Michail Sidorov (right) guiding students on how to solder components on a circuit board. He says the EEE course is very lab intensive, and comprises almost half of the students’ overall study time.
The variety of individual and group projects embedded in the syllabus ensure students develop teamwork and management skills that will be invaluable later in their careers.
And as Southampton has over 400 links with industry partners in 54 countries around the world, there are excellent employment and collaboration opportunities open to graduates. Many have gone on to be leaders in the automotive and aerospace industries.
The Malaysia Campus’ location in EduCity, which is close to Horizon Hills, East Ledang, Bukit Indah and Puteri Harbour, also gives students ample recreation options. Alternatively, they can head to Singapore with the Tuas exit less than 20 minutes away.
The university is having its next open day on Saturday, from 10am to 2pm. Visitors can find out more about its academic staff, get course previews, explore the laboratory facilities and see some of its previous students’ projects.
For more information, call 07-5602560, Whatsapp +60127172675 or log on to www. southampton.edu.my.