Model of engineering success
CURTIN University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) Faculty of Engineering and Science acting dean Assoc Prof Vincent Lee Chieng Chen has been acknowledged as one of the best and brightest engineers aged under 35 by the United Kingdom-based Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
On its website, IMechE said Lee, 31, together with 19 other international rising stars from the United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland, are shaping the future of the engineering profession and the world.
“In our search for the most exciting young engineers, we discovered a rich seam of talent and drive running right through the profession. From aerospace to energy, they’re bringing fresh ideas to some of the world’s biggest companies or venturing out on their own. Their backgrounds and experiences vary widely but, together, they’re shaping the future of the profession, and the world,” it said.
According to IMechE, nominations were combined from readers and recommendations from its Young Members Board to find the brightest and best young engineers aged 35 or under.
Curtin Malaysia pro vice-chancellor, president and chief executive professor Jim Mienczakowski congratulates Lee on making Curtin Malaysia and the country immensely proud, being the first Malaysian to receive such recognition.
“The international recognition Lee has been given as a rising star in the field of engineering speaks volumes of the calibre of the academic staff we have at Curtin Malaysia. We are proud to have many young, innovative and inspiring academics that are helping bring the university forward in multiple fields, particularly in teaching and learning and research in their respective disciplines,” said Mienczakowski.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Nottingham in 2009 and 2013 respectively, Lee joined Daikin Research and Development Malaysia Sdn Bhd as a research engineer, before moving on to Curtin Malaysia in 2013.
Lee’s research interests include engineering education, non-linear mechanics, simultaneous microwave-ultrasound irradiation sports engineering and technologies. He is now looking at how microwave and ultrasound can be used to replace conventional heating techniques in engineering applications and was recently awarded a research grant worth RM92,800 by the Malaysian Ministry of Education for the project.
“These conventional techniques are not always environmentally friendly. The end goal is to come up with a cleaner energy source,” said Lee.
In total, Lee has received more than RM400,000 in research grants from the government over the years to develop his research, including a National Science Fellowship from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation from 2009 to 2012.
Lee is also a Chartered Engineer (CEng) registered with the Engineering Council (UK), Chartered Scientist (CSci) with the Science Council (UK), and a Project Management Professional (PMP). He is also a member of the Energy Institute and Project Management Institute and a professional member of the Institute of Materials Malaysia (IMM).
He previously won IMechE’s Young Member Award in the Developing Engineer of the Year category in 2018 and was also a recipient of the 2018 Anak Sarawak Appreciation Award awarded by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, along with four other staff of Curtin Malaysia.
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