Training sustainability - focused engineers for the future

MASTER of Advanced Engineering (Energy and Sustainability) graduates are the great assets to both private and public sectors with their indepth knowledge in energy use and sustainability.
Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers vice president Datuk Dr Andy K. H. Seo said the course at Monash University Malaysia will equip its students with good background knowledge on energy saving and sustainability.
“The Master of Advanced Engineering will train them to have in mind, energy saving and sustainability when designing a product, working on a project, or installing equipment,” he said.
Seo is the chairman, senior advisor and director of various organisations. He has held senior management positions in a number of multinational companies within the metalworking machine tools, electrical engineering, and lifts and escalators industries.
He specialises in profit improvements and turnaround management.
As a member of the Industry Advisory Panel for the course, Seo said knowledge gained from the master’s programme will allow its graduates to climb the career ladder with wider job prospects.
“It will allow them to work in industries such as manufacturing, food, energy, biotech and biofuel, designing of energy-efficient buildings, non-governmental organisations, as well as government agencies,” he shared.
The course, which commenced this year, incorporates aspects of energy use, conservation, sustainability, management, and processing in areas such as water and lighting. This is in line with the global sustainable development goals of the United Nations.
“This course will enable graduates to speak with authority on subject matters related to energy use and sustainability.
“This is especially important for those who work in local councils and environmental impact assessment studies, as they are the ones who will influence the government and bring changes to sustainable development,” he said.
For those working in NGOs, they will also be able to highlight environmental issues, and their socio-economic and political economic impacts to the general public.
Graduates will also be able to work for organisations such as Sime Darby Group, Sirim Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, IJM Corporation Berhad, Malaysia Green Building Confederation, General Electric, UMW Holdings Berhad, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Oleon.
Seo explained that graduates will make good energy managers, as they can be consulted on energy saving strategies that will help companies and organisations to not only save costs, but also be more environmental friendly.
“If companies hire qualified energy engineers, they will be able to recommend savings on processes such as buying the right energy-efficient equipment, better air conditioning for a building or reducing the amount of lighting used.
“They will also be the ones who will convince the bosses and engineers, to design environmentally friendly equipment, products and services.
“For example, they can advise against the use of hydraulic lifts which may require the disposal of used hydraulic oil, which can cause water and ground pollution, subsequently affecting water supply,” he said.
The master’s programme accepts students with a bachelor’s degree in any engineering discipline, as it incorporates elements of electrical, chemical and mechanical engineering.
The course also features some unique subjects, such as Intelligent Lighting, and Engineering Entrepreneurship, where students are taught how to commercialise an idea or innovation.
Seo said with strong technical knowledge, graduates will be able to help their respective companies to market their products by highlighting their energy-saving benefits and attributes to end users.
“For example, salesmen who have never gone through the course will not be able to understand the features of LED lighting.
“They do not know how much energy, money and carbon credit can be saved but with the knowledge gained from this course, engineers will be able to convincingly explain all that and more,” he said.
For more information on the Master of Advanced Engineering at Monash University Malaysia, visit www.eng.monash.edu.my