KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM Sarawak) for future collaborative engagements in various areas.
Signing on behalf of Swinburne and ACEM Sarawak were Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Professor John Wilson and Chairman of ACEM Sarawak Ir. Clarence Chieng.
Present to witness the event were Deputy Chairman of ACEM Sarawak Ir. Lainus Lichok, Swinburne’s Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science Professor Su Hieng Tiong, and other representatives from both organisations.
Group photo of the representatives from Swinburne and ACEM Sarawak.
An MoU was initially signed in 2016 between the parties outlining the engagement with industrial network; joint partnership in organising more than 20 seminars; participation in the Course Advisory Panel for Swinburne’s civil, mechanical and electrical and electronic engineering undergraduate programmes and Master of Construction Management programme; support for short courses offered by Swinburne MyBIM (Building Information Modelling) Centre; as well as support for engineering academic staff to pursue industrial attachment for attainment of Professional Engineer status.
The current MoU will cover participation in the Course Advisory Panel with additional programmes included namely robotics and mechatronics, and chemical engineering, and continuation of good working relationship between Swinburne’s Sarawak campus and ACEM Sarawak.
In his welcoming remarks, Professor Wilson said in the next five years, the Sarawak campus plans to increase its student population to 5,000, boost its research and development portfolio, and broaden the programme offerings.
“The university is committed to provide courses that move in tandem with trends and will equip students with emerging skills. This is to ensure that our graduates are professionally competent and industry-ready, and that their skills are not obsolete,” said Professor Wilson.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Ir. Chieng remarked that with globalisation, consulting engineers can no longer apply a traditional mind-set in their practice and they must be able to utilise new tools to compete globally.
“Universities are expected to meet the needs of local industry by producing engineers who are forward looking. ACEM is committed to help build their competencies, as well as providing support to Swinburne academics for industrial attachment with members of ACEM,” said Ir. Chieng.
Meanwhile, ACEM Sarawak has been instrumental in supporting Swinburne to obtain approval from the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) to offer topping-up programme for electronic discipline to electrical discipline. Graduate members who have previously registered with BEM under the electronic branch are eligible to enrol in the topping-up programme that will be offered by the university in Semester 1, 2019.
Details on the topping-up programme can be obtained from Swinburne’s Deputy Head of School of Engineering Dr Chua Hong Siang by email to hschua@swinburne.edu.my.
Swinburne offers top-notch Australian education in foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. At the Sarawak campus, its professionally accredited and industry-applicable courses in engineering, business, design, computing and science are identical to those offered at the Melbourne campus. As a result, graduates are awarded the same Australian qualification that allows for broader recognition and better employment opportunities around the world.
At present, it is home to approximately 3,500 students from more than 45 countries. This makes for a culturally diverse and colourful campus community where students gain rich learning experience with an international flavour.
For more information about Swinburne, visit the university’s website (www.swinburne.edu.my), Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).