An Engineer Academician's Story

‘Life is Beautiful’, that is one of my favorite quotes which always remind me who I am and how beautiful life is if we just stop for one moment and recall what we have done in our life. Friends, students always asked me, “Sir, why you don’t want to work as engineer ler?“ or “Why you want to become lecturer ler?” (the usual Manglish). How should I answer these questions? For a start, being full time engineer academician requires a lot of patience, a lot of energy, a lot of passion not only in teaching but also in research and most important of all we must be ‘FAKE’.

A full time engineer academician must firstly be friendly, funny, fashionable (this is rather questionable at times), fun and full of energy. This is important as when we are lecturing, the student should not be too bored about the subject. Lecturer need to know when to crack jokes, when to be serious and most of all have a friendly gesture and smile. Additionally, lecturer also should look presentable in the class and always prepare beforehand. Secondly, engineer academician must be approachable, attentive and appreciative. We must have an approachable attitude so that students will not shy to ask and questions us. Additionally, we must be attentive especially when dealing with difficult students as we need to listen without being judgmental and we need to appreciate the constructive criticism that students and others tell us. Thirdly, as an engineer academician, we must be knowledgeable in the subject that we teach as well as being kind to others.

We must always improved our knowledge and keep up with the latest technology as students now a days are more advance than lecturers and they may know more than us if we don’t improve. Lastly, engineer academician must be someone that is enthusiastic, expert, emotionally stable, entertainer and most important must not forget to exercise.

As an engineer academician, we are like an artist or entertainer on stage as when we perform everyone will not look at us either with their bored faces or at awe. Just like an artist, being academician requires a lot of practice and it is up to us how we ‘entertain’ and maintain the momentum of the listener or ‘fans’. On the other hand, some people may argue teaching is an art or may say that anyone can be a lecturer or teacher. I beg to differ, yes its true anyone can teach but the question is how effective are our teaching? What are our goals or objectives when we teach? Are we in it for the money? Or are we in it because we love the job, the amount of pressure, the passion? At the end of the day, the satisfaction that we’ll get is to see all our students’ graduates with flying colors and secure a good job and that will be the proudest moment for any lecturer since we know we have done a good job and life goes on. To conclude, how many of us as student before thank our lecturer? A simple thank you will give joy to all of us lecturer.

So when student asked me those same questions, I would say I love being ‘FAKE’. Friendly, Approachable, Kind and Enthusiastic.

Engr. Ron Aldrino Chan @ Ron Buking
Civil Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

A Process Engineer's Story

“What is your ambition”, my form teacher asked me in front of my schoolmates during the first day of school when I was in Form 5. I firmly responded, “Teacher, I want to become an engineer”. It was a definite goal for me to achieve during that time. Back then, I was very interested in physics, mathematics, and living skill subjects which stirred my interest in electronic projects during my secondary school days. I used to buy electronic packages such as running LED which bundled with electronic circuit boards and components. During free time at home, I soldered the components onto the circuit boards and checked if the electronic items worked. The interest had become my hobby and eventually inspired me to become an electronic engineer.

After SPM, I was offered a degree in electrical and electronic engineering course at University Tun Hussein Onn. It was my happiest moment of life. Engineering study in university indeed was very tough. On the first day of the class, lecturer handed out the subject outline and started his lecturing topics. Initially, things went through negatively. Many students had to resit the paper or opt for diploma courses. Some of them even switched to other fields. The impact from the engineering study in university was the scariest part to be observed. As the period of study went on, the subjects were getting tougher. Fortunately, I managed to sail through thanks to my deep interest in the field. On the last day of my engineering study in the university, it was individual thesis presentation. The oral examination was strict and required a concrete demonstration from myself in the electronics application. The crucial moment in the defense of thesis after four years of hard works enhanced my confidence and successfully passed the test.

Today, the engineering jobs vacancies are increasing highly demand in the market. It was my fate to land my first job as a process engineer with Japanese manufacturing company. Neither was I expected for an electronic engineer job. Yet today, I am still a process engineer with different company. Many things which I encountered were not taught in school or university. Prior to the process engineer, I love the analytical aspect of the job nature. To further expand my knowledge in engineering. I decided to pursue part-time study in Master to realize my idea based on my experiences. I developed intelligent process models for optimizing in a manufacturing system as a replacement of current e-manufacturing ideology in engineering and manufacturing society. As the direction to become professional engineer draws nearer in the future, it is my great adventure to acquire such combination to realize in the dream in next thirty years and set a new platform for the engineering field to flourish using this curriculum.

Engr. Ho Kok Hoe
Electrical & Electronic Engineer

AAER Certificate Presentation Ceremony

On 1st December 2010, in Hanoi, Vietnam, the first 43 young engineers from 8 countries had their applications approved as AERYE during the 20th AER Commission Meeting and 28th AFEO Governing Board Meeting.

We now calling for all young engineers in the whole ASEAN Countries, to register in AERYE and will be recognize as Associated ASEAN Engineers Register (AAER). We are targeting to register 10,000 ASEAN young engineers for 2011 to: -

1. To provide a complete data of young engineers within ASEAN with an ultimate purpose of facilitating their mobility within the ASEAN common market and borderless production base and to establish a framework of mutual recognition of qualification in order to allow young engineers who wish to practice outside their home country.

2. To provide sufficient data regarding the information of individual young engineers for the benefit of prospective employers.

3. To encourage a continuous up scaling of the quality of engineers by setting, monitoring and reviewing standards.

4. To promote cultural and professional links among ASEAN Young Engineers.

5. To enhance the wealth creation process of ASEAN member-countries.

For your information, registration if FREE.
Interested to register to become one of the ASEAN engineers?
Download the form here.

An Application Engineer's Story

Why taking up engineering? Simply because it is a man-dominating field. I start taking it as a challenge since i was in high school time. Besides, I love Mathematics. Every single solution boils down to fine steps. With mathematics, it leads me to physics in which there are formulas to memorize. Physics is the fundamental part to engineering.

Right before entering university one has to choose which course to study and i chose CAD/CAM engineering over the other courses. First glance at the course, i have no idea what it is all about. A special course which is only offered in University Malaya. It is an abbreviation of Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing. The longest course name among the rest. Of course i did not choose due to the length of name but the specialty provided in this course which comprise of multiple elements like computer designing and manufacturing engineering elements. I strongly believe this field will shine in engineering market.

First day of my engineering class, the guys outnumbered the girls as expected. Girls are only about 10% of the whole class. Knowing CAD/CAM engineering is not well-known, some of my coursemates stopped and even changed course after 1 year but it does not affect the rest. My study life was not fully occupied by books and lectures. Through some networking i got to know some engineers who drive me into engineering field. If not because of them i would not be an engineer today.

Right after finishing 4 years' study, i move on to working life although government was giving out scholarships to post-graduates by that time. I am so excited to work as an engineer and wondered how would that be. After several interviews, finally i settled down to an Autodesk software retailer company to work something related to what i studied. I am currently working as an application engineer. There are not much formulas or calculation in my work though. My job is mostly to deal with software application whereby using software to generate engineering drawings. Whatever man made equipments, automotive or high rised building around us are all started from pieces of drawings which are drawn in software.

In this company I am exposed to various designing software. I am not only doing project drawings but also training users to use software which is the best part of this job. Imagine users who applied what they learned in the training into their work to create wonders. From nothing to something. You will feel satisfied that you have changed them which brings profits to their company. Do not underestimate these changes as they also change our economics as a whole. Now it sounds big. With that said there is no way that i want to stop being an engineer as i am contributing to my beloved land.

Engr. Mei Wong
Application Engineer
i-Gentech Sdn Bhd

A Leader's Note

Happy New Year! Hope it’s not too late if I would like to wish a happy new year since we still in January 2011. As December 2010, a complete six months, I am in chairman post in IEM Young Engineers Section. I took a challenge from my immediate past chairman, Engr. Roland Ngeow Yen Wan to lead this growing member’s society and can be announce as largest members professional bodies society in Malaysia. I would like to thank Engr. Roland Ngeow as shown a valuable contribution to IEM YES, good leadership and example for all committee and volunteers.

My involvements in IEM YES from 2008 until now are under 2 chairmanships which are Ir. Yau Chau Fong and Engr. Roland Ngeow Yen Wan. Both of them had given an overview of opportunities to develop and widen the network to all entire engineers in Malaysia and ASEAN. Both of them also had frequently become my supporter and advisor in handling section with 9,187 graduate and 8,132 students’ members (as for December 2010).

In last AGM which held in 19 Jun 2010, we had moved towards 40^th AGM. With 28^th June 1970 as stated as our first AGM, IEM YES (formerly known as IEM G&S) has moving towards to serve more to members. As growing of IEM, IEM YES now becomes more and more important as a part of IEM core activities. Most of the committee now get involves with membership drive sub-committee, IEM Family Day sub-committee others sub-community which is IEM itself need a young mover to make all this event happen.

A flashback on how I got to know of IEM YES, I was in Bukit Tinggi as student’s participant in Engineering Interactive Gathering (EIG) in 2006. It was great experience because it was first ever I heard about an institution related to the engineering profession. Starting from January 2008, I have been part of IEM YES, enjoying the activities until now.

People always asked me, what I get from joining IEM YES? I gained lots of exposure when it’s come to being in contact with lots of people. IEM YES gives me the best network linkage for my area of expertise (Highway and Transportation Engineering). I already have a researcher contacts from Penang, Sarawak, Singapore, Thailand and Japan, who are in same field as me. As in IEM YES I have also been given an opportunity to become a YES representative in the Highway and Transportation Technical Division. Again it’s give a platform to know more people in my area. As part of IEM YES committee we also allowed to join Standing Committee in IEM. Lots of experience gain while I having a meeting in the standing committee. Dealing and hear senior response in the meeting give some an idea and clue to me how to handle an issues with a proper manner. As a chairman of young engineers section, I also invited to join council meeting with full of fellow and senior members. Good experience and good exposure to me as young academician engineer.

In IEM YES, I am also proud to contribute to the community services program. With a motto Young Engineers with hearts, We Love, We Care, I had involve in A Day Trip to Zoo with Pondok Penyayang Raudah, Chinese New Year Celebration with House of joy, A Christmas Cinema Day with House of joy and Channeling natural water resources to Pondok Penyayang Raudah. With these entire community projects give me a satisfied to myself to serve back to society.

I would like to call all passion and eager to learn young engineers and engineering students to serves as committee, co-opted members and volunteers in IEM YES. IEM YES now has 6 portfolios namely Professional Development, Graduate Affairs, Students Affairs, External Affairs, Publicity and Social & Community. All activities had been plan and organized according to these portfolios to all members and also as a platform to your engineers to become as organizer. In National level, IEM YES also involved with others branches activities and one a year IEM YES National Summit will be organized to provide a discussion and changing opinion opportunities to all young engineers in all branches. IEM YES also actively involved in Young Engineers ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organization (YEAFEO) in ASEAN region and a meeting of YEAFEO organized by ASEAN countries.

In IEM YES, all activities are open to all members and also open to all young engineers to become the main organizers or as volunteers to supports the events. With the huge numbers of members, the challenge and opportunity is there, as the young engineers to involve in this non-profit organization. To lead a big project or to volunteers as supporters in part of the project, it’s open to all young engineers and engineering students. Managing and organizing events for about 15,000 members give a big opportunity and challenge that can’t be receive from others organization or company at the young age.

Engr. Shuhairy Norhisham

Chairman

Young Engineers Section (Graduate and Students)

The Institution of Engineers Malaysia

World Engineering Student Invention Challenge (WISH)

An event organized by Engineering Society from IIUM.

If you are full of creativity of engineering and can bring them to reality then

you are eligible to join this challenge and stand a chance to win cash prizes!

Following are details about the event:
Date: 9-10th Feb 2011
Venue: Kulliyyah Of Engineering International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

Find out more by downloading the brochure and executive summary.

"My Engineering Story" Competition

In conjunction with IEM EW 2011 (Engineering Week), we are conducting a competition “my engineering story”.

We encourage story writing of 400-500 words about your engineering story.

3 winners of this competition will be sponsored a flight ticket to Kuching.

How & where to start? You can start with answering one or two of this question.

I believe if you can answer min 5 question from all these, then you can compile them as a complete story:


1) When is the first time you think you want to become an engineer? how it happen?

2) What make your interested to become an engineer?

3) What is your first perception about engineers?

4) What is your first day perception in your first day of engineering class? Story of first engineering class?

5) Express your feeling in your last day of engineering class in your university?

6) Your engineering graduation day story? What happen in that day?

7) What is your first day story as engineer?

8) What make you feel prove to become an engineers?

9) What make you smile when working as engineers?

10) 10 reason of why I should become an engineers?


Let's contribute your ideas now and inspire the rest.

For further details please download the brochure.



Regards,
IEM Young Engineers Section

An Electrical Engineer's Story

“See! See! This is a torchlight, it can light up the room!”
6.30 a.m in the morning, someone switch off the classroom lights and everyone look at the light from an amazing small lightbulb with attached AA batteries, wire and scellophane tape. The little kid was holding the “torchlight” with some pride; he did something people can’t.

That was me when I was ten. I live in a Felda kampong, located about 10km away from school. I have to wake up in the early morning to catch up the only school bus. The morning was always cold and the road that I walked to the “bus-stop”(it is just a bench made by wood at road site) was dark. And, that inspired me to invent the “torchlight”.

“What is your ambition?” A frequently ask question since I was in primary school - standard one.

I always answer inventor instead of engineer because of the deep influence of Thomas Edison Story in our primary education system. Until I was in my secondary school, I realized there isn’t any job title “inventor” out there when I was going to choose my university program. So, I chose Electrical Engineering as I thought I am going to invent a robot one day.

Many will think I am going to be an Electronic Engineer because I want to create a robot. However, thing change throughout my study in University, I start to love Electrical Engineering after I was exposed to subjects like Electric Motors and Generators. I like the feeling when I see the electric is generated through rotating coils. I felt so much fun when I accidentally exploded the IGBT (insulated bipolar transistor) motor drive. It was so dangerous but so much fun!

Eventually, I did not choose to create robots. Even after my graduation, my mom would sometime ask me to repair the TV. I would answer “so sorry, mom, I can’t.” And she wondered, what I learnt in my Electrical Engineering Course in the university.
Today, I am an Electrical Engineer in an Engineering Consultancy in Building Construction. I design the electrical distribution system, lighting system as well as other electrical services and infrastructure.

Now, I light- up houses, so that families stay happily, comfortly and enjoy using the various electrical appliances; I light up the factories so that machines can run the production line; I light up the roads so that people can drive home safely when the sky is dark.

Everything just like my childhood, the only different just I lighted up things by design instead of “torchlight”. And, when there is light, there is a hope.
I love to be an Engineer. I am proud of it.

Engr. Lee Cheng Pay
Electrical Engineer
AD Consult Sdn. Bhd.