UTAR’s new Electronic Systems programme all set for 4IR

by StudyMalaysia.com on November 23, 2019 | Top Stories, Career Guide

UTAR’s new Electronic Systems programme all set for 4IR - StudyMalaysia.com

Did you know that the electrical and electronics sector contributed RM80 billion to Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018? Did you also know that this sector created 338,087 jobs that same year and 157,000 more jobs are expected to be generated by 2020?

The world is now at the cusp of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Unlike the three preceding revolutions, 4IR involves the extensive application of smart technologies, such as cyber physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoTs) and the Internet of Systems, to improve the quality of life in an exponential manner. The electrical and electronics sector has become the key driving force for the realization of 4IR.

To meet this demand, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) has unveiled a new programme which specialises on the development of craftsmanship in the electronics sector. The Bachelor of Technology (Honours) in Electronic Systems programme is offered by UTAR’s Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT). It aims to produce technologists and specialists with the knowledge and expertise of electronic technology to fulfill the manpower needs of these industries. The programme is designed to propel students towards 4IR with the strengths and knowledge in smart manufacturing, IoTs, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and so on.

The three-year electronic systems technology programme helps to fill up the gap in order to facilitate the growth of the electronics industry and enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness in electronics system technology in the global arena. The new programme places strong emphasis on hands-on practical skills and active industrial involvement in the training of students. The course syllabi are developed with feedback from industries to fulfill the skill demands and manpower needs of electronics industries. Hence, the programme structure and syllabi are up-to-date and remain constantly relevant with changes in the technology and industrial requirements.

UTAR’s new Electronic Systems programme all set for 4IR

“One nuance of this new technology programme is the dissemination of knowledge in the work-based learning environment,” said FEGT Head of Department of Electronic Engineering, Associate Professor Ir Dr Teh Peh Chiong. He explained that most conventional technology programmes conduct classes in an academic environment. In contrast, UTAR’s new programme allows some of the courses to be conducted in the working environment. “The students can savour the opportunity to complete part of their curricular courses in genuine workplaces. In other words, the programme offers an avenue for the students to study not only in academic, but in the real working environment as well. The students can spend a year to study in established companies, such as Infineon and ViTrox. In comparison with fresh graduates who are inexperienced at workplaces, the students who enrolled in this programme have the advantage of being exposed to an actual working environment prior to their graduation. This allows them to adapt to the working environment easily,” Dr Teh further explained.

An added bonus to UTAR’s programme is its holistic education approach where soft skills-based courses are integrated into the curriculum in order to improve the students skill sets in the areas of communication, complex problem solving, cultural intelligence, leadership, moral ethics, technopreneurship skills, digital literacy, and so on. These soft skills are in parallel with the Top 10 skills pinpointed by the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs Report” and essential to survive the giant wave of the oncoming Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The programme’s extensive areas of studies also enable graduates to gain employment in both government and private sectors, particularly in those involved in the electronics sector. Some of these industries include semiconductor manufacturing companies, integrated circuits (ICs) chip manufacturers, automated machine vision inspection system providers, software development companies, embedded systems developers, military and security services, teaching, research, and so on.

Enquire about the programme now!

The Bachelor of Technology (Honours) in Electronic Systems

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