An aviation hangar with workshops and an aircraft purchased for a hands on experience, these are a few of the offerings introduced by Nilai University College (Nilai UC) School of Engineering, Science and Technology.The hangar was build to the specifications of the Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme offered by the school. The course includes European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) examination thus awarding a graduate with a diploma and professional qualification upon completion.
To embark on a career as an engineer, graduates are required to register with the Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM). Therefore the engineering courses taken need to be recognized internationally, especially in contries that signed the Washington Accord, of which Malaysia is a signatory.
Nilai University College offers degrees in the fields of Automotive Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, Diploma programmes are available for the latter two areas as well as in Mechatronics Engineering. Diploma programmes emphasizes on hands on training while degree programmes are tailored to provide sound knowledge and design background.
For an engineering degree to be accredited by EAC, a student is required to complete a period of study a minimum of four years, inclusive of A-levels, Foundation and Pre-University. Dr Loges says that his school works closely with various industry partners.
“To foster interdisciplinary projects and research work, the school also has an incubator centre that seeks out industry partners for relevant projects and research problems that are pertinent to the industry. It is hoped that this would provide our students and staff the opportunity to work on larger more industry related projects, in addition to the academic curriculum,” states Dr Loges.
To gain better visibility in their careers, engineers might wish to pursue professional engineer status. Work experience in addition to passing professional assessments by BEN will earn a Nilai UC graduate the status marked by a prefix ‘Ir’ and suffix ‘PEng’ to their name. Graduates of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) may use the prefix ‘Engr’.
THE OBU Connection
Nilai UC computing programmes are validated by Oxford Brookes University, UK- a university consistently named the best new university by UK Times newspaper. Graduates of the Bachelor in Computer Science (Hons) and the Bachelor in Information Technology (Hons) will receive dual awards- one from the Nilai UC and an award of equal standing from Oxford Brookes.
A growing Nilai UC
Dr Loges says Nilai UC administrators also impressed him with their plans to push for full ‘university’ status in the near future. The School of Engineering, Science and Technology is also moving forward with the initiation of research and development programmes.
“This is how an ideal university campus should be like- leafy, green and serene. It clears the mind allowing it to focus on intellectual pursuits,” said Dr Loges on the Nilai UC campus.
Source: The star
For more information, log on to www.nilai.edu.my or call 06-8502338 / 07-2262336/ 03-79603089/ 088- 238811.