Advocating STEM learning
“I RECOGNISE that Heriot-Watt University’s philosophy of education is to ensure that all graduates are well prepared for the industry.
“Even with the onset of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, my degree prepares me with the knowledge to operate the latest designing software besides placing great emphasis on the basics of engineering,” shared Christopher Sim Teck Ching, a third-year BEng Civil Engineering student at HeriotWatt University Malaysia, who obtained a strong start with the university’s Foundation in Science programme.
Foundation in Science programme director Assistant Prof Tsung Kheng Yew characterises the Fourth Industrial Revolution as an increasing pace of changing technology and its continuous merging with human lives.
He explained, “The advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence and biotechnology will undoubtedly change the way we live and work.
“For instance, bio-mechatronic body parts for the disabled, driverless vehicles and smart homes have huge potential to improve the standard of living of society.
“In contrast, robotics and 3D printing in manufacturing can boost economic growth but will inevitably cause traditional jobs like manufacturing to be taken over by technology, creating demand for new skills in our future workforce.”
In preparation for this, youths need to be knowledgeable and competent in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) if they are to be relevant moving into the future.
Heriot-Watt University’s Foundation in Science programme actively inculcates STEM skills through numerous teaching and learning activities.
These include mathematics, chemistry, physics and science skills along with crucial soft skills to help students build a strong foundation for their undergraduate studies and career in STEM.
The physics investigation design assignment in the final semester of the Foundation in Science programme is an exemplary case in point. In this assignment, students are given the opportunity to work as a group and the freedom to devise an investigation of their own. They get to prepare a proposal and present it to their peers.
They also learn to source for materials, conduct their investigation and report on their results.
All these activities improve skills and foster competency in areas such as research, teamwork, leadership, planning, coordination, organisation, communication and problem solving.
Furthermore, the students are able to develop their cognitive skills in the areas of knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis and evaluation.
Asst Prof Tsung concluded, “The Foundation in Science programme at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia is an excellent opportunity for our youths to develop their STEM skills.
“In doing so, our students are better prepared to succeed and shine amidst a challenging and competitive environment in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
Full and 50% scholarships are available for all undergraduate programmes at the Malaysia campus under the Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay Global Scholarship, with the opportunity to apply to the UK campus after the first year at 50% of the tuition fees.
For more details on the scholarship, Foundation in Science programme as well as other programmes or scholarships offered, visit the campus in Putrajaya on its upcoming Scholarship Days on May 25 and 26, or during visitation hours from 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.
Also, log on to www.hw.edu.my or call 03-8894 3888 or email hwum@hw.ac.uk