Event: Talk on Transnational Education and Professional Recognition

Venue: Wisma IEM
Date & Time: 17 Mar 2012 (9:30 AM - 11:30 AM)
CPD/PDP: 2
Closing Date: 14-Mar-2012

SYNOPSIS
“Universities have a long and proud history of attracting students from beyond their national boundaries. In recent times they have become involved in Transnational Education programmes. Transnational education is in-country delivery of higher education by universities that are situated out-with that country. It can be delivered in campuses owned by universities in the country or affiliated to the university, but is more commonly delivered in partnership with existing universities in the country, by distance learning, and by e-learning. In the UK sector this often involves delivering professionally orientated undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes using distance and distributed learning methods. These courses are in many cases subject to accreditation by professional institutions in the UK.  The requirement for professional body accreditation imposes constraints on the internationalisation of course content due to a need to maintain approval by the UK accrediting bodies. At the same time relevant accrediting organisations, both professional bodies and government agencies, outside of the UK have articulated their wish to have control over the educational formation of professionals within their countries. In this paper the authors explore the issues associated with the tension between internationalisation of degree programmes and perceived national needs.”

BIODATA OF SPEAKER
Professor Brian Robertson, Associate Director of International Development, Heriot-Watt University, UK
•    Brian works with the Director of International Development of the University developing partnerships and international collaborations on behalf of the University and as Director of Transnational Education for the School of the Built Environment (SBE) he is responsible for the fostering of international relationships on behalf of SBE.
•    A professional electrical and architectural engineer he worked in Zambia and Bahrain and the UK before joining Heriot- Watt University in 1992. Appointed Professor in 2005 his general research interests are in disability access issues related to the built environment with an emphasis on way finding and visual impairment.
•    As Director for Transnational Education for SBE and Associate Director International Development for the University Professor Robertson has an interest in international student issues and Transnational Education in particular. He is involved in the development and maintenance of a network of approved learning partners delivering Heriot-Watt University programmes as well as developing co-operation agreements with institutions around the world. HWU has a long tradition of recruiting international students and over the last 30 years it has developed a large number of programmes suitable for delivery by distance learning and now has over 14,000 students studying outside of Edinburgh.
•    A former member of the University Court and the Senate he is a member of a number of University committees and working groups.
•    Brian is currently located in Putrajaya to assist in the planning of the new campus for Heriot-Watt University Malaysia which is due to open in 2014 subject to granting of a license to operate by the Ministry of Higher Education

Event Report: Talk on Postgraduate Study

On 18th February 2012, the IEM Young Engineers Section (IEM G&S YES) and Chemical Engineering Technical Division jointly organized a talk on “Postgraduate Study – Beng @18, MEng/PhD@23” at TUS Room, 2nd Floor, Wisma IEM, PJ. The talk was conducted by Prof Ir Dr Dominic Foo, Professor of Process Design and Integration at University of Nottingham, Malaysia. A total of 50 participants attended the talk.

The audience were paying 100% attention during the talk

The talk started at 9.30am with an opening address by the organizing chairman, Engr. Mah Way Sheng. The objective was to provide information on all the available postgraduate study programs in Malaysia as it is becoming a trend among working engineers as well as engineering students. Prof. Dominic opened his presentation by explaining the various types of postgraduate study programs such as Msc, MBA, MEng, EngD and PhD. He explained the reasons for engineers or engineering students to enrol in such programs. He then added on by showing a list of job opportunities after taking a postgraduate course. Prof. Dominic also further clarified the various myths about lecturers or researchers and concluded by elaborating on the possible ways to fund a postgraduate study program.

A token of appreciation by Engr. Mah to the speaker

The presentation ended at 11am and concluded with 'Question and Answer' session and the presentation fo IEM's certificate and token of appreciation to Prof. Ir Dr. Dominic Foo. The talk ended at 11.30am.

Prepared by Sdr. Yew Weng Kean
Posted by Mei Wong

Event: TALK ON “Basic HVAC Technologies towards a Sustainable Built Environment”

Date : 25th April 2012 (Wednesday)

Time : 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Venue : Tan Sri Prof. Chin Fung Kee Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Wisma IEM, PJ

Speaker : Ir. Ng Yong Kong

SYNOPSIS

This lecture aims to create awareness of Basic HVAC technologies used toward the design of green and sustainable buildings. Basic applications of various HVAC systems, ASHRAE Standards as well as the MS 1525 and GBI rating tool in promoting sustainable design and operation are presented.

BIODATA OF SPEAKER 

Ir. Ng Yong Kong B.E.(Hons) UM, MBA (Hull ) P.E., GBIF, MASHRAE, MGBC. has more than 27 years experience in the HVAC industry having started as a System Engineer in a major air conditioning company. He is the Regional vice Chair for Chapter Technology Transfer for ASHRAE Region XIII and is a Registered Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers, Malaysia ( BEM ). He is the Past President of ASHRAE Malaysia Chapter and Malaysia Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Association ( MACRA ). Ir. Ng was one of the Energy Consultants for the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) on the National Energy Efficiency Master Plan (NEEMP), a member of the working group for the MS1525:2007 and the current update version, the MPLV Standard for Chillers and was Council and Excomm member of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia ( IEM ). He was also active in the Building Services Technical Division of IEM. He is currently the Director of NYK Engineering, Board member for the Malaysia Green Building Confederation and is a Panel Judge Member for ASHRAE (USA) Technology Award. He is also a member of the ASHRAE Indoor Air Quality Steering Committee 2010 and is the Malaysia Green Building Index Facilitator (GBIF), Trainer and Examiner.

Event: TALK ON “Sustainability in the Built Environment & the Green Building Index”

Date : 17th April 2012 (Tuesday)

Time : 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Venue : Tan Sri Prof. Chin Fung Kee Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Wisma IEM, PJ

Speaker : Ir. Chen Thiam Leong

SYNOPSIS

This lecture aims to create awareness and promote a GREEN culture amongst young engineers by leading off with the question – “What does GREEN mean to the Built Environment?” The discourse will proceed to broadly examine the need to go green globally and for us to act likewise locally. Some of the major global trends on GREEN buildings and their Green Rating Systems will be deliberated in conjunction with what we are now doing in Malaysia.

BIODATA OF SPEAKER 

Ir. TL Chen P.Eng, FASHRAE, FIFireE, MACEM Chen has over 30 years experience in the Building Services Industry (local and overseas), and is currently a practicing Consulting Engineer. He is very active in the local engineering fraternity, and serves in various Malaysian Standard writing committees as well as National Steering Committees. Chen regularly presents technical papers in various engineering fields including Energy, Sustainability & Green Issues. In 2006 he was appointed Malaysia’s 1st ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer and has since lectured on the topics of Sustainability and Energy Efficiency globally. Currently, he is actively involved in all aspects of the Green Building Index programme and leads the drafting of various GBI rating tools. Chen has served and remains active in the following organizations:- Board Member & Past President of ASHRAE Malaysia Chapter Past President of the Institution of Fire Engineers Malaysia (IFEM); Past President of the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM); Advisor to the Malaysian Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Association (MACRA); Council Member & Past President of the Kiwanis down Syndrome Foundation

Professional Engineer Q&A: Part 23

6.4.3 Application for Corporate Membership of IEM (leading to PEng registration with BEM)

Q42: I am an Electrical Engineer. I was told that there is no necessity for us to becom Professional Engineers as we do not endorse and submit plans to the authorities. It seems then, that the Professional Interview is largely only relevant to Civil Engineers. As professionals, we should constantly upgrade our knowledge and skills. Corporate membership of the IEM (which is granted once one passes the Professional Interview) is a benchmark of reaching a certain point in the development of an engineer. The engineer would then be recognised as a professional engineer, although to legally endorse as one, one needs to register with the Board of Engineers (BEM).

A Professional Engineer also enjoys better opportunities for promotion (which is often associated with salary increment!) in Government departments and more especially in the private sectors. A Professional Engineer is often seen as a valuable asset to the organisation, spanning both technical and leadership values. 

Your client would feel more confident when dealing with you, if you are a Professional Engineer. That shall be the prime reason why engineers from the non-mainstream (Civil, Mechanical and Electrical) disciplines are acquiring their Professional Engineer status. As a Professional Engineers registered with BEM have to obtain a minimum of 50 “Continuing Professional Development” (CPD) annually to maintain their PE licences.55 This is a draft copy. If you find any discrepancy and inappropriateness or any other comment and suggestion, please contact: yesepnp5@gmail.com 

Q43: I graduate with degree in Chemical Engineering. I did not have the pleasure to work under a MIEM/PEng of the same discipline in my company. However, my work nature enabled me to interact closely with a MIEM/PEng of same discipline in another company. I wish to apply for Corporate Membership with IEM now.

You are suggested to adopt Log Book System with the MIEM/PEng of the other company as your mentor, with blessings from IEM upon scrutinised requirements on both sides. You are allowed to backdate the Log Book entry 1 year upon the official commencement of your mentor-mentee system. Upon satisfying all criterions, you may then forward your Corporate Member application to IEM. The IEM Training Scheme or the Log Book Scheme (they are both the same) provides for young engineers like you. Under the scheme, the IEM helps you secure a Mentor from their list of available Professional Engineers to enable you to gain guided training.

Event: TALK ON “Postgraduate Study – BEng@18, MEng/PhD@23 "

Date : 18th February 2012 (Saturday) 

Time : 9.30 a.m to 11.30 a.m ( Refreshment will be served at 8.30 a.m) 

Venue : Tan Sri Prof. Chin Fung Kee Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Wisma IEM, PJ 

Speaker : Ir. Dr. Dominic Foo
BEM Approved PDP Hours: 2

SYNOPSIS 

Following the rapid development of higher educational sector in the country, postgraduate study is becoming a common trend for many engineering graduates. Postgraduate programs offered in a higher educational institutions range from full time research to part time taught course program. More recently, many universities are offering direct PhD scheme where students with first degree can enroll in. Besides, there are engineers who are signing up with Engineering Doctorate (EngD) and Master in Business Administration (MBA) programs too. Hence, deciding which postgraduate program to enroll with is not an easy task. This talk will provide some guidelines how the engineers can decide which postgraduate program is suitable for him/her.

BIODATA OF SPEAKER 

Ir. Dr. Dominic Foo is a Professor of Process Design and Integration at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus. He is a Professional Engineer registered with the Board of Engineer Malaysia (BEM). He is a world leading researcher in resource conservation and waste minimisation. He establishes international collaboration with researchers from various countries in the Asia, Europe, American and Africa. Dominic Foo is an active author, with two forecoming books and more than 70 journal papers, and made more than 120 conference presentations. He served as International Scientific Committee for several important conferences in his areas of research (CHISA/PRES, FOCAPD, ESCAPE, PSE, etc.). He is the winner of the Innovator of the Year Award 2009 of Institution of Chemical Engineers UK (IChemE), as well as the 2010 Young Engineer Award of Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM). He also actively conducts professional training for practising engineers. Ir Dr Foo obtains his professorship at the age of 34, i.e. 5 years after joining the university. His “part time hobby” is to provide career guidance for new engineering graduates. He is currently the Deputy Chairman of the Chemical Engineering Technical Division.

Note: RM10 administrative fee will be charged to IEM fund.

Prepared by IEM
Posted by Mei

Event: Two Day Course on Concept and Design of Plumbing and SWV System

Venue: Wisma IEM 

Date &Time: 21 Feb 2012 to 22 Feb 2012 (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM) 

CPD/PDP: 12 

Closing Date: 18-Feb-2012 

LEARNING KEY OUTCOME 

At the end of the training course, participants should be able to:
1. Understand the basis to determine the cold water storage demand and size the transfer pump accordingly
2. Select the suitable type of pumping system to meet the water usage requirements namely direct, variable speed drive, pneumatic tank
3. Select the piping material amongst the many choices of plastic and metal
4. Calculate the piping size for cold water in accordance to the BS6700 standard methodology of Loading Units
5. Take preventive measures to minimize the impact of water hammer to the pipe lines by way of design and selection of the right equipment
6. Determine the stack size of Soil, Waste, Vent (SWV) using Discharge Unit methodology and understand the constraints impose on branch discharge pipe in particular on the gradient to minimize blockage
7. Observant of poorly installed plumbing and SWV systems which are preventable

Speaker Profile 

Engr. Ir. Gary Lim Eng Hwa BE(Mech.) NZ, Mgt Dip. FIEM, P.Eng, Asean Eng. Ir Gary Lim is an experienced and qualified Professional Engineer with over 20 years of manufacturing experience in these areas; Industrial Engineering (Work Study), Project Management, Maintenance, Production and Factory Management. The 20 years of his work spanned over various industries namely industrial chemicals, diary products, jam, sauces, chocolates, confectionnaires, industrial gases (liquid nitrogen, oxygen, argon, etc), blow moulding of plastic containers and paint manufacturing (highly fire hazardous). In the diary industry involved in the design of Clean-In-Place (CIP) system of the process pipings.

Professional Engineer Q&A: Part 22

Q40: I have just submitted my application to transfer my membership grade from Student to
Graduate. At about the same time, I received a notice from the IEM to pay my subscription fees
for the coming year. Should I wait until my application is approved before I pay?

No, you should first pay the amount stated in the notice sent to you. The IEM would bill the
difference once your membership transfer is approved.

Q41: I graduated from a renowned foreign university in 80s. However, I did not apply for
registration with BEM until the 90s. The application was suspended as I could not produce a
transcript requested by BEM due to the long time lapse. I wish to apply for graduate membership with IEM now.

Your application cannot be accepted. Without registration with BEM, your practice is deemed
illegal from statutory obligation aspect. You could have been more persistent in obtaining your
transcript to complete your registration with BEM. IEM welcomes your resubmission when ready.

Professional Engineer Q&A: Part 21

Q38: I have just graduated from a Bachelor of Engineering course from an institution recognised
by the IEM and I understand that my course was an accredited one. I am now taking up a full time Master Degree course. I would like to join the IEM, but should I apply as a Student or a Graduate member?

Since you already have an accredited first degree in engineering, you should apply to be a Graduate member. But you can apply to pay the fees of a Student member by forwarding proof from your current head of department that you are a full time student of a Masters programme.

Q39: How would I know if my course is accredited by the BEM and the IEM?

There are many levels of recognition accorded by the BEM and the IEM on the various
engineering courses, updated at regularly. It is best to check with the IEM Secretariat on the
status of your course.

Event Report: 2 DAY COURSE ON BASIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR YOUNG ENGINEERS ON WHAT SHOULD YOUNG ENGINEERS KNOW

The Graduate & Student (G&S) Section of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia organized the above course for two (2) days from 13 to 14 December 2011 at Tan Sri Prof. Chin Fung Kee Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Wisma IEM. The course was attended by 51 participants.

The course was delivered by Ir. Noor Iziddin Abdullah Bin Haji Ghazali, M.Eng. (Telecommunication), B.Eng. (Elect. Eng), Diploma Islamic Studies(UIA), P.Eng, MIEM, PMP® now attached to KLCC Projects Services for commercial projects at Putrajaya Holdings in Project Management Consultant team. The speaker also currently is the Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) for the undergraduate program in project management at University Malaysia Pahang (UMP). According to Ir. Noor Iziddin the project management (PM) knowledge and its methodologies have evolved and improved significantly over the last three decades. This in part is attributable to many of the lessons learnt from the successes and failures of projects undertaken by organizations. Ir. Noor Iziddin gives the essence of project management, especially suitable for those who intend to gain a fundamental but solid grounding on project management. The participants also learn the structured and integrated approaches, processes, tools and techniques that are applicable to managing phase in project life cycle. This course contents are closely referenced to PMBOK Guide, 4th edition of the Project Management Institute with a short presentation on PRINCE2 from UK.

The 1st day starts with the topic on Introduction to Project Management, Definition of Project Management, Context of Project Management, History of Project Management and Knowledge Areas & Process Group.

Some of the benefit on implementing the right project management process and tools such as minimize the project challenges, ensure project deliverables achieved the project objectives within the agreed budget, time, scope & quality, ensures customer’s investment is protected, actual implementation is realizing the agreed project execution plan, takes away the customer’s hassles from managing the resources in the project, ensures the integration between our technical solution implementation and the customer’s quality expectations and the documentation of the project lesson learnt.

The details of each five (5) process groups and nine (9) knowledge areas which has been use by project managers around the world been explained throughout this two (2) days course:-

Figure 1: Project Life Cycle

Project manager, as the single point of responsibility, will be responsible for either performing the work or delegating it.

Figure 2: Intersecting Management Skills

When planning and control techniques available to manage complex projects were inadequate, this encouraged the development of scheduling methods which integrates project procurement, resources and costs.
With these shortcomings in mind, Network Planning Techniques using similar network format were developed; i.e.
• 1956 CPM – Critical Path Method. (Microsoft Project)
• 1961 PERT – Program Evaluation and Review Technique. (Primavera)
Effective communication is important for project managers for two reasons. Firstly communication is the process by which the management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling are accomplished. Secondly communication is an activity in which managers devote an overwhelming portion of their time.

Subsequently for the projects to be successful, the selection of appropriate processes within the project management process groups required to meet the objectives. The speaker stress the use defined approach to adapt to project specifications. One needs to comply with the requirements to meet stakeholder’s needs and expectations. Not forgetting to balance the competing demands of scope, time, cost, quality, resources and risk to produce quality outcomes.

Figure 3: Functions & Challenges of Project Management

In Project management, the goals set are usually referred to the following;
1. Time
2. Cost
3. Quality

In addition, the speaker also explains the needs of the models are to aid decision-making leading to project selection. In establishing relationship between a project’s expected results and the company’s strategic goals, the following information’s are required;

• Production Considerations
• Marketing Considerations
• Financial Considerations
• Personnel Considerations
• Administration and Other Considerations.

The selection of the right project for future investment is a crucial decision for the long-term survival of a company. Numeric methods are used as a process for ranking and evaluating prospective projects as a commitment for the future.
The financial models are;
• Payback Period
• Return on Investment (ROI)
• Net Present Value (NPV)
• Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

On the 2nd day which is the last day discuss about Project Life Cycle, Project Management Framework, Goal & Objectives, PRINCE 2, Practical approach to infrastructure project management and close with the final topic which is Project Management Consultant (PMC) Concept.
Some of the benefits to this course participant are:-
• Learn the structured and integrated approach to initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling and closing out projects.
• Apply and relate knowledge learnt to their work place
• Identifying what the trainees need to know
• Understand the role and selection of project manager as well as project organization structure & issues.
• Exposed trainees to various PM Methodologies, Tools & Techniques
Lastly the speakers explain about the concept & role of project management consultant
in the construction industry through the following diagram:-

Figure 4: Concept & Role of Project Management Consultant

Before the end of the course, the speakers explain the widely used Project Management Standards in today world:-



During the Q&A session throughout two (2) day course, Ir. Noor Iziddin answered all of the questions raised by the participants related to project management framework. Ir. Noor Iziddin also shares the route to PMP® certification from PMI USA which he has gone through four (4) years ago.

The course ended at 5.00pm on 14 December 2011 according to the allotted time, practicing the Project Management on timely delivery.

At the end of the course, Ir. Noor Iziddin received a certificate of appreciation and a memento from Engr. Shuhairy (YES Chairman). Readers may wish to read and obtaining the course material in softcopy by email to the speaker at laplace82@gmail.com for any enquiry.

Ir. Noor Iziddin (Speaker) during the course opening.

The participant listening to the course

The participant listening to the course.

The speakers have a short discussion with one of the participant.

Ir. Noor Iziddin receiving IEM certificate of appreciate from Engr. Shuhairy (YES Chairman) with the present of Engr. Vivek and Engr. Amirul at the end of the course.

Prepared by Ir. IEM YES
Post ed by Engr. Mei Wong