Educating Future Engineers Prof Chin Lecture Oct 2020

Educating Future Engineers:
Challenges and Opportunities
Ir. Academician Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Chuah Hean Teik
President, ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology
Past President, The Institution of Engineers Malaysia and
Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific
Immediate Past President, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
A Tribute to Tan Sri
Professor Chin Fung
Kee – a Great
Engineer and
Educator
Overview
 My Journey
 Trends and Challenges Ahead
 Digital Revolution/4th Industrial Revolution
 Education – The Driver
 Engineering Education
 Challenges in Malaysia
 Skills Required for Future Graduates
 Working with Industry and Professional
Bodies
 Concluding Remarks
My Journey started in Penang …
Hu Yew Seah Primary School, 1973

Chung Ling High School 1974-1981

Chung Ling High School

1974-1981
Proceeded to Universiti Malaya…
1982/86: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
1986/88: Master of Engineering Science
1988/92: PhD (Electrical Engineering)
Proceeded to Universiti Malaya…
1982/86: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering

1986/88: Master of Engineering Science
1988/92: PhD (Electrical Engineering)
Working on Master’s Research
• No Supercomputer
• No Advanced Equipment
• No R&D Funding
• Paper and Pencil
• IBM8088 Machines
• Theoretical Work
If a person can only work when given

everything under the sun, he is just mediocre.
If a person can perform within constraints, he
is a real achiever.
Lessons Learnt
Be Humble
No one is perfect
Don’t cover up mistake
Need to be truthful
Students can be better than Teacher – by right
they should be - This is what pushing frontier of
knowledge is all about
Pursuing PhD while working as a Full
Time Lecturer
• Taught 4 Subjects in a Year (Field Theory,
Quantum Mechanics, Engineering Analysis,
Electromagnetics Theory)
• Different Subjects given in subsequent years
(Microprocessor, Electrical Machines, Control
and Instrumentation, Electronics, Optical
Communications)
Learning never stops: Keep learning new

knowledge
Lessons Learnt
• Management of Time
• Learn from Students
• Walk an extra mile to help
• Right Attitude and Don’t Be Selfish
• Technical Skills are important BUT Social
and Cultural Skills are equally important
It is not the method that is important, it is how
we apply the method to solve problem and to
find a solution which has not been done before
Why Engineering Educator??
• Like to be a Teacher since young
• Good at Mathematics and Science Subjects
• Interested in Physics (particularly since Form
4) – like to see how things work
• Changed my Mind to be an Engineer
• So Marry the two:
Engineer + Teaching = Engineering Educator
My Career Path ….
• Universiti Malaya
Lecturer (1988/93)
Associate Professor (1993/97)
Fulbright Scholar at USA (1994)
• Multimedia University
Professor (1997/1998)
Senior Professor (1998/2007)
Dean of Engineering (1997/2008)
Director of Research (1999/2008)
Vice President (Academic and R&D) (2004/2008)
• UTAR
President and Senior Professor (2008-2019)
Emeritus Professor (Oct 2019)
My Sabbatical Leave in Wave
Scattering Research Centre at UTA,
USA
• Kept Trying
• Still Attending Lecture
• Supervised Class Test and
Examination
• Networking
My Involvement in Professional
Bodies…..….
• The Institution of Engineers Malaysia
• Board of Engineers Malaysia
• ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations
• Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and
the Pacific
• Malaysian Qualifications Agency
• ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology
• The Institution of Engineering and Technology, UK
• The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers,
USA
• Academy of Sciences Malaysia
Lessons Learnt
• Try Our Best

• Be Sincere
• No Personal Agenda
• Communication Skills: They are peers
not your subordinates
• Side Meetings maybe Required
• Presenting Your Case Well
• Brush up Your English
Lessons Learnt
• Locally trained Professional can still be at par,
if not better, than those trained overseas
• It is attitude that is important
• Needs to be Versatile
• Hardworking
• Ethics and Professionalism
• Communications Skills
• Cultural Intelligence
• Creative and Innovative
• Community Service
• Involvement in Professional Bodies
Recognition is just by-the-way…
Don’t Ask For It
URSI Young Scientist
APEC, IntE, ACPE
1999 Toray Science & 2011 – Senior Fellow of

Technology Award ASM
2016 Professional
Education and
Cultural Medal
Who’s Who in Engineering from Taiwan
Don’t Ask For It
2014 FIEEE at Quebec 2015 Hon Fellow, MES, Myanmar

2005 DSPN
Datoship Penang
2014 Distinguished
Engineer Award, Penang
2013 MMU Hon

Doctorate
PSM 2019
Tan Sri-ship
Don’t Ask For It
IEM Engineering Hall of Fame 2019 FEIAP Engineer of the Year 2019
2019 WFEO Medal

of Excellence in
Engineering 2019
Education Emeritus
Professorship
“We should be like the aeroplane.
The higher we go, the smaller we
should be. If we think we are big,
we have in fact not taken-off –
grounded; most probably by
engine trouble”
by Prof. Chin Fung Kee
Waves of Technological Revolution
Revolution
Agricultural Industrial Electronic IT Revolution Physical

Revolution Revolution Revolution &
Information
Cyber
Superhighways &
Integrated
Multimedia
Human
Networks Space
Automatic Loom
Rotation of Steam Engine
crops Microprocessors
Optical Fibers
Steel Bio Technologies
Gas Engine Television
Telephony Computer
Car, Air Plane
Stock Breeding Electricity Oil Drilling
1700 1760 1890 1910 1950 1970 1990 2000

Year
Trends in Globalised World:
• Faster Pace
• Borderless World & Opportunities

• Convergence
• Personalisation and Individualisation
• More informed and Higher Expectations –
Seamless Mobility, Seamless Relationship
• Cost-Effectiveness
• Technological Breakthrough: Knowledge is
Power
Trends in the Globalised World:
Past and Current Future
• Small Group of Experts • Human Centric
• Hardware • Knowledge Creation
• Big Capital Investment • Software
• Controlled Environment • Small Investment
• Local Markets • Open Market
• Single Specialisation • Free Market
• Manual/Semi-Auto • Multi-disciplinary
• Automation/AI
Booming and Widening Trends 1/5
• The population boom: 7 billion and counting
• Could reach 9 billion by year 2050
• Global population as whole becomes more
urban and less rural
 In 2010, 50.5% or 3.5 billion people live in cities.

 Level of urbanisation is on the rise but with
disparities – may reach 84% in North America
and 64% in Asia in 2050.
 In Malaysia by 2050 – 42 mil; 86% Urban
Dwellers
• Extreme inequality in
wealth distribution
 In 2016; the richest 10% of adults
accounted for 89% of the world
global assets.
 In contrast, the bottom half of world
adult population owned less than 1%
of global wealth.
 Richest 1% of adults owned 46% of
household wealth in 2016
Earth Policy Institute 2010 Report – Global Warming
•1880 – 1970 Global

Average Temperature
increased 0.03oC /decade
• Since 1970, increased
0.13oC /decade
• 2/3 of the increase of 0.8oC
in last 40 years
NASA_GISS_temp_graph
Challenges 1/7
 Inequality of wealth
distribution – Gap is
still widening
Challenges 2/7
 Pollution, Water and
Environmental Resources: Is Clean
water and air readily and easily
accessible to many??
Challenges 3/7
 Food sufficiency, security and
sustainability, and food wastage
Challenges 4/7
 Increasing Energy Consumption –

Disparity among have and have-not
Challenges 5/7
Global Warming and Climate Change
 Flash Flood
 Landslide Source: http://www.epochtimes.com/b5/10/1/5/
dailypost.htm
Source: http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2011/10/14/
worst-floods-in-a-half-century-in-thailand/5029/
 Rising Sea Water Level

 Other Natural Disasters Source: http://climatide.wgbh.org/2011/04/four- reasons-
sea-level-is-rising-in-new-england/
Source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/
2011/03/pictures/110315-nuclear-reactor-japan-tsunami-
Source: http://www.businessnewsmalaysia.com/2011/05/ Source: http://world.people.com.cn/GB/157278/17009701.
earthquake-world-photos-meltdown/#/japan-earthquake-
fear-that-another-disaster-could-hit-the-slip-prone-region/ html
tsunami-nuclear-unforgettable-pictures-
wave_33291_600x450.jpg
Challenges 6/7
Old and New Diseases: Health Care and
Aging Population
 More and More Expensive Health
Care
 Low Birth Rate and Aging Population
 Uneven Distribution of Health Care
Services
 Integration of Western and
Traditional Medicine
 Global Village and No Country is an
Island
In Malaysia by 2050, 23% aged above 60 years
and above
Challenges 7/7
Security – Physical Space and Cyber Space
Education – The Driver
 Source of Human Capital

 Uplifting of Poverty
 Catalyst of Change and
Innovation
 Driver of Economic
Growth
What Are The Top
Issues In Higher
Education?
Employability
Quality
of Graduates
Assurance /
Governance
Diversification Equity and

of TE. Emphasis Access, and
Financing
on TVET Innovation
Source: Francisco Marmolejo, Global Lead. Tertiary Education, The World Bank
Trend 1: Uneven Expansion
Higher Education Gross Enrollment Ratio by
Country Income Group (1970-2015) (%)
Source: UIS Database

Francisco Marmolejo, Global Lead. Tertiary Education, The World Bank
Trend 2: Limited Efficiency
Two Key Issues….
Significant number of
drop-outs
Also, significant number

of students not finishing
on a timely manner
Trend 3: Questioning About Quality and
Relevance of Tertiary Education
Top 10 Skill Priorities Identified by Employers
1. Positive work habits
2. Communication
3. Technical
4. Writing
5. English
6. Mathematics
7. Problem Solving
8. Reading
9. Computer
10. Team work
Trend 4: Institutional Diversification
Sometimes there are disconnects with HEI’s
Graduates Research
(alumni) institutions
Community
based Governments
organizations
Between Previous
Employers HEIs and levels of
education
Trend 5: The Disruption Of Technology
Robotization: A Reality… Stock of industrial
robots in operation
Source: UniCredit Research, International Federation of Robotics
The US Experience
In 2005: General perception – US competitiveness
in global economy declined in comparison to China,
India, Korea and Singapore
US National Academies commissioned by US
Congress to study the phenomenon and offer
recommendations
Study Report: “Rising Above the Gathering
Storm” – knowledge capital, human capital,
existence of creative ecosystem
Facts & Statistics in Higher
Education & Research
Highlight 1
Highlight 2
34% of natural science and 56% of engineering doctoral

degrees were awarded to foreign-born students.
Highlight 3
In 2000: 38% of the U.S. workforce with PhD

qualifications in the fields of science and technology
were foreign-born.
Highlight 4
Number of Engineering, Computer Science & Information
Technology Students in 2004
Country Duration of Degrees Number of Students
China 4 years 350,000
U.S. 4 years 140,000
China 3 years 190,000
U.S. 2–3 years 85,000
 Over the past 3 years, China and India have doubled their number of
graduates for the 3-year and 4-year degrees.
 U.S. has only doubled the number of graduates of computer science and
information technology while the number of engineering graduates has
remained stagnant.
Highlight 5
About 1/3 of U.S. students with initial

intention to major in engineering
eventually switched their majors before
graduation
Source: www.nap.edu
Interest in Science & Engineering is Declining (US)
% of S&E degrees awarded Total no. of degrees awarded
36.0 2,000,000
34.0
1,000,000
32.0
30.0 0
1966 1976 1986 1996 2006
Source: NSF, US.

The US Experience Revisited 2010
Update: “Rising Above the Gathering Storm, Revisited:
Rapidly Approaching Category 5”
 2009: US consumers spent significantly more on potato
chips than energy research ad development – $7.1 Billion
versus $5.1 Billion
 51% US patents were awarded to non-US companies
 Federal funding on research in physical sciences fell by
54% in 25 years after 1970; while decline in engineering
funding was 50%
The US Experience Revisited 2010
 Total Annual Federal Investment in research in SEM is
equal to increase in US health-care costs every nine weeks
 69% of US public school students in 5th-8th Grade are
taught Maths by a teacher without a degree or certificate
in Maths
 93% of US public school students in 5th-8th Grade are
taught Physical Sciences by a teacher without a degree or
certificate in Physical Sciences
 49% of US adults do not know how long it takes for the
Earth to revolve around the Sun!
Nobel Laureate Steven Chu:
“For America to stay competitive in global

market, we must train and retain the world’s best
engineers. Working together, private industry
and the public sector can position the U.S. to
continue to lead in science and innovation in the
21st century, creating good jobs and laying out
the foundation for a robust economy.”
STEM Graduates 2016
Engineering-Population Ratio
Country Engineer-Population Ratio

France 1:75
Germany 1:82
Canada 1:120
United Kingdom 1:141
Malaysia 1:192
Target for Malaysia 1: 100 by 2020
Current Scenario in Malaysia:
1. Total Number of IHL’s with Engineering Degree
Programmes (April 2020):
• 17 Public
• 39 Private
offering 270 active accredited programmes
2. Total Number of Engineering Disciplines: 28
2017 (IHL’s) Engineering, Manufacturing and
Construction (% of Overall Degree) (M:F)
Intake 33409 (17.8%) (1:0.70)

Enrolment 122932 (20.3%) (1:0.68)
Output 27142 (20.3%) (1:0.74)
Source: EAC 2018 & Higher Education Statistics 2017, MOHE
Current Scenario in Malaysia
Statistics of Bachelor Degree Students in Public
Universities 2017
Bachelor Science- Engineering,

Degree based Manufacturing &
(M:F) (M:F) Construction
(M:F)
Intake 96483 49027 23669 (24.5%)
(1:1.77) (1:1.37) (1:0.88)
Enrolment 332023 168873 83792 (25.2%)
(1:1.77) (1:1.36) (1:0.86)
Output 79725 39356 19092 (23.9%)
(1:1.94) (1:1.51) (1:0.94)
Source: Higher Education Statistics 2017, MOHE
Current Scenario in Malaysia
Statistics of Malaysian Students in Private Institutions of
Higher Learning 2017
Total Degree Estimate of
(M:F) (M:F) Engineering,
Manufacturing &
Construction (%)
(M:F)
Intake 222315 91033 ~9740 (10.7%)
(1:1.10) (1:1:09) (1:0.39)
Enrolment 565852 274787 ~39140 (14.2%)
(1:1:08) (1:1:06) (1:0.39)
Output 149857 54120 ~8050 (14.9%)
(1:1.25) (1:1.15) (1:0.40)
Source: Higher Education Statistics 2017, MOHE
Top 5 Reasons for Fresh Graduate
Unemployment 2018
Asking for unrealistic salary/benefits (66%)
Being choosy about the job or company (58%)
Poor character, attitude or personality (58%)
Poor command of the English language (52%)
Poor communication skills (49%)

Engineering Education for Public Good
 What is good for the Development of the Country?
 What is good for the Industry in the Country?
 What is good for one country/region may not be
suitable for another country/region in terms of
human resource requirement.
 It is important that the Scientists, Engineers and
Technologists must contribute towards economic
growth of the country and be able to support the
industry.
Be Trend Setters, Be
Catalysts of Change
Engineering Personnel
An Engineering Personnel is one with

an analytical mind, who can think
logically, and provides solutions
based on fundamental principles
of natural laws
Engineering Education
• Strengthening of the Fundamentals

• Development of Analytical Mind
• Knowledge Exploration
• Self-Development
• Social Network Linkage
• Surviving Constraint Challenges
Engineering Education
• Deep Expertise in one’s specialization

• Broad Knowledge across many
domains – engineering, management,
communications, leadership etc
• Collaboration with team members
from diverse background
A doctor’s mistake is left covered and
buried…..thus unseen.
A lawyer’s mistake is left suspended and

bagged….again unseen.
An engineer’s mistake is left SEEN……to the

WORLD!!
Questions about Engineering Education?
• Tough
• Boring and too technical
• Squared face
• No time
• Simply too many problems
( )=E
Strong technical knowledge
Good communication skill
ngineer
High moral & ethics
Who says engineers are ‘squared’ people?
Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson): graduate of Newcastle University

and Oxford University, both in England; earned degrees in
electrical engineering http://www.rowanatkinson.org/biography.htm
Engineers are highly flexible professionals.
They play many different roles (now)…
•R&D Engineer •Field Engineer
•Product Engineer •Sales Engineer
•Process Engineer •Education
•Consulting Engineer •Entrepreneurs
They are at both middle and top technical and

management domains …
•R&D Manager •Business strategy & planning
manager
•Sales & support manager
•Chief executive officer (CEO)
•Chief technology officer (CTO)
Main Challenges in Malaysia 1/2
• Shortage of STEM students
Only 22.5% of those in Upper Secondary Schools
chose to study science stream in 2016 (MOE)
• Shortage of Engineering Workforce
• All Rushing for degrees and great shortage of
Technicians at diploma levels
• Teaching Profession has lost its past glory and social
status
• Top down Governance mechanism in Schools and
Institutions of Higher Learning restricts freedom for
innovation (Control versus Regulatory)
Malaysian Experience: Less Students (15 Years Old)
Chose STEM vs Arts
Source: MOE, Malaysia Educational Statistics

Decline in STEM Enrolment
2012 Form 1 Enrolment
STEM Stream 2016
189,447 (48.6%)
Science: 92,645 (23.7%)
Vocational: 34,164 (8.8%)
Technical: 62,638 (16.1%)
2016 Form 5 Enrolment
2014 Form 3
Enrolment
Post-Secondary Enrolment
2017 STEM
Matriculation: 17,107 (9%)
Form 6 Lower: 5,713 (3%)
Vocational College: 14,807 (7.8%)
Source: MOE, Malaysia Educational Statistics

Main Challenges in Malaysia 2/2
• Democratization of Education
• Knowledge-based Digital Economy
• Keen Competition
• Globalisation & Internationalisation
• New Emerging Areas
• Graduate Employability
• Human Networking
Study report “The Future of Jobs” in 2016 by World
Economic Forum
Significant Highlights:
• Digital Technologies, combined with other Socio-economic

and Demographic Changes, will transform labour markets in
the next five years, leading to a net loss of over 5 million jobs
in 15 major developed and emerging economies.
• There will be new 2 million jobs created in digital industrial
and services sectors, and there will be 7 million job loss in the
traditional industrial and services sectors.
• 65% of children entering primary school today will
ultimately end up working in completely new job types that
don’t yet exist.
Annual Meeting of the New Champions (2018) by
Vesselina Stefanova Ratcheva and Till Leopold, World
Economic Forum
1. Automation, Robotization and Digitization look

Different across Different Industries
Humanoid Robots (23%) - Financial Services & Investors
Stationary Robots (37%) – Automotive, Aerospace, Supply Chain
Aerial & Underwater Robots (19%) – Oil & Gas
Non-humanoid Land Robots (33%) – Automotive, Aerospace,
Supply Chain
Economic Forum
2. Net Positive Outlook for jobs

By 2022, Newly emerging occupations grow from 16%
to 27%, while jobs currently affected by technological
changes decrease from 31% to 21%
75million current jobs replaced, 133million new jobs
Annual Meeting of the New Champions (2018) by Vesselina
Stefanova Ratcheva and Till Leopold, World Economic Forum
Top 10 Emerging Jobs

1. Data Analysts and Scientists
2. AI & Machine Learning Specialists
3. General & Operations Managers
4. Software & Applications Developers & Analysts
5. Sales & Marketing Professionals
6. Big Data Specialists
7. Digital Transformation Specialists
8. New Technology Specialists
9. Organisational Development Specialists
10. Information Technology Services
Annual Meeting of the New Champions (2018) by Vesselina
Stefanova Ratcheva and Till Leopold, World Economic Forum
Top 10 Declining Jobs

1. Data Entry Clerks
2. Accounting, Book-keeping & Payroll Clerks
3. Administrative & Executive Secretaries
4. Assembly & Factory Workers
5. Client Information & Customer Service Workers
6. Business Services & Administration Managers
7. Accountants & Auditors
8. Material-Recording & Stock-keeping Clerks
9. General & Operations Managers
10. Postal Service Clerks
Economic Forum
3. The Division of Labour between Humans, Machines

and Algorithms is Shifting Fast
By 2022, 58% (vs 71% in 2018) task hours by Human,
42% (vs 29% in 2018) by Machines or Algorithms
Economic Forum
4. New Tasks at Work are Driving Demand for New Skills

By 2022, 58% Core Skills and 42% Workplace Skills
(Leadership, Negotiation and Persuasion, EI, Social
Influence, Cognitive Flexibility and Cultural
Intelligence)
5. We all need to be Lifelong Learners

101 Days of Retraining and Upskilling up to 2022
Learn, Unlearn, Relearn, Reskilling and Upskilling
Emergence of Clusters of Professionals of the Future
2020-2022
Number of Opportunities (per 10000)
Professional Cluster 2020 2022

Data and AI 78 123
Engineering; and Cloud Computing 60 91
People and Culture 47 58
Product Development 32 44
Marketing; Sales and Content 87 125
Care Economy 193 260
Green Economy 9 14
Sources: World Economic Forum 2020 - LinkedIn and Burning
Glass Technologies
Data and AI
Emerging Jobs Top 10 Skills
1. Data Science
1. Artificial Intelligence Specialist 2. Data Storage
2. Data Scientist Technologies
3. Data Engineer 3. Development Tools
4. Big Data Developer 4. Artificial Intelligence
5. Data Analyst 5. Software Development
6. Analytics Specialist Life Cycle (SDLC)
7. Data Consultant 6. Management Consulting
8. Insights Analyst 7. Web Development
9. Business Intelligence Developer 8. Digital Literacy
10. Analytics Consultant 9. Scientific Computing
10. Computer Networking
Sources: World Economic Forum 2020

Engineering and Cloud Computing
Emerging Jobs Top 10 Skills
1. Site Reliability/Cloud Computing 1. Development Tools
2. Python Developer 2. Web Development
3. Full Stack Engineer 3. Data Storage
3. Javascript Developer Technologies
5. Back End Developer 4. Software Development
6. FrontEnd Engineer Life Cycle
6. Software Developer 5. Computer Networking
8. Platform Engineer 6. Human Computer
9. Development Specialist Interaction
10. Cloud Engineer 7. Technical Support
10. DevOps Engineer 8. Digital Literacy
12. Cloud Consultant 9. Business Management
13. DevOps Manager 10. Employee Learning and
14. Technology Analyst Development
Product Development
Top 10 Skills
Emerging Jobs
1. Software Testing
1. Product Owner 2. Software Development
2. Quality Assurance Tester Life Cycle
3. Agile Coach 3. Development Tools
4. Software Quality Assurance 4. Project Management
Engineer 5. Business Management
5. Product Analyst 6. Data Storage
6. Quality Assurance Engineer Technologies
6. Scrum Master 7. Web Development
8. Digital Product Manager 8. Manufacturing
9. Delivery Lead Operations
9. Digital Literacy
10. Leadership
2022 Skills Outlook
 Analytical Thinking and Innovation
 Active Learning and Learning Strategies
 Creativity, Originality and Initiative
 Technology Design and Programming
 Critical Thinking and Analysis
 Complex Problem Solving
 Leadership and Social Influence
 Emotional Intelligence (+Cultural Intelligence)
 Reasoning, Problem-solving and Ideation
 Systems Analysis and Evaluation
Source: World economic Forum 2018
10 Key Skills for Future Graduates
• Sense Making
• Social Intelligence
• Novel and Adaptive Thinking
• Cross-Cultural Competency
• Computational Thinking
• New Media Literacy
• Trans-disciplinarity
• Design Mindset
• Cognitive Load Management
• Virtual Collaboration
Source: The Institute for the Future, British Council (2017), 10 Trends Transformative Challenges
in Higher Education
We are in the State of Anxiety
When Industry Development is ahead of

Education, we have Anxiety
We are not sure of the Disruptive Technology
We are not sure of the Future Requirements of

Industry
We are not sure of the Market Trends

Let’s not forget about the Basic Duties and
Responsibilities of Education:
 Training of Wholesome Individuals with High
Moral and Ethical Values, and Analytical Minds
 Training of Individuals who will have High Spirit
and always keep abreast with Latest Technology
 Training of Individuals who look for Global
Opportunities
 Training of Graduates with Cultural Intelligence
 Above all, human-human interaction, human-
nature harmony, ethics and professionalism must
not be forgotten
Tertiary Education
OR
No Bean Counting:
Focus on the forest, not just the tree
Don’t Miss the Forest
Current Education System:
Bulk Training
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to

climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid”
- Albert Einstein
Points to Ponder
How to help to Train our Students to have
Inquisitive Minds?
How to give Exposure to the Students?
How to help to develop their Interests and
Potentials via personalized education?
What kind of Soft or Professional Skills and Hard
Skills does one need?
What is the Balance between “Ready-to-Market” and
“Ready-to-Evolve” Training (Utilitarian versus
Scholarly?)?
How to train a Person with Globalised Outlook?
How to train Graduate to solve Complex Problem?
Training of Ready-to-Evolve Graduates 1/3
• Solid Fundamental of Engineering Sciences in First 2 Years
of the Programmes: Mathematics, Material Sciences,
Electromagnetics, Thermodynamics, Dynamics and Kinetics
etc.
• In First 2 years, while training students on basics, more
engineering application examples be incorporated in
lectures. More open ended assignment and projects related
to everyday life to be introduced
• More elective options for students (flexible for Faculty to
introduce, to review, to remove) in 3rd and 4th Year as and
when technology changes
• Promote exchange of students within Malaysia and
internationally itself on credit transfer basis
• Professional Skill-sets to be introduced in lectures/tutorials
and SOFT-SKILL Certificate System
• Work with Industry Players to give exposure

and real life application examples in
lectures/assignment and site visits
• Allow peer teaching in tutorials and
laboratory sessions – the best test of own’s
knowledge and understanding
• Students must be trained to be independent,
decisive, team players and be life-long
learners, with high ethical values and social
responsibility
Complex Problem Solving Skills of
Future Graduates
Need to think broadly and systematically

and see the big picture
Complex Problem
Difficult Decision
Uncertain Strategy
Confusing Idea
Contentious Product
Intractable Change
Contributed by Prof Goi Bok Min, UTAR
Characteristics of Problems
Technical Problems Complex Problems
• Isolatable boundable problem • No definitive problem boundary
• Universally similar type • Relatively unique or unprecedented
• Stable and/or predictable problem • Unstable and/or unpredictable
parameters problem parameters
• Multiple low-risk experiments are
• Multiple experiments are not
possible
possible
• Limited set of alternative
solutions • No bounded set of alternative
• Involve few or homogeneous solutions
stakeholders • Multiple stakeholders with different
• Single optimal and testable views or interest
solutions • No single optimal and/or objectively
• Single optimal solution can be testable solution
clearly recognised • No clear stopping point
Contributed by Prof Goi Bok Min, UTAR
How is complexity integrated into the curriculum?
• Final Year Project – Complex Problem Solving

• Industrial Placement
• Design Project – Complex Engineering
Activities
• General Courses
– Core & Specialist (Engineering) Courses
– Elective Courses
with Open-ended Questions and Assignment
What is Next After Covid19?
• The Speed and Cost of the Internet in Different
Parts of Malaysia
• Would the Students be able to Concentrate on
Online Delivery Method? And if so the
Optimum Period of Focus and Attention
• Efficiency and Effectiveness of such Learning
Modes
• Interaction of Students with Course-mates and
Instructors
• Group Discussion and Assignment
What is Next After Covid19? (Cont’d)
• Assessment Tools to Judge Attainment of

Learning Outcomes by Students
• Laboratory Experiments and Field Work. This
should NOT simply be Substituted by
Computer Simulation Work
• Recreational Activities and Social Activities
• Human-Networking for Students, not only
between Classmates and Course-mates, but
also with Peers in Other Faculties – for
Character and Personality Building
Act Local and Go Global:
Opportunities are Everywhere
 Be Optimistic:
Public/Private; Degree/Diploma/Certificate;
Professional/Semi-Professional
 World is Flat
 Look for Opportunities not only within the
Country but also ASEAN, APEC and World-
wide
 Smart Partnership and Human Networking
 Go into Areas where others have not explored
fully – Blue Ocean Strategy
Global Mobility of Engineering Workforce
• Movement of Globally Engineering
Professionals who are capable of Independent
Practices
• Examples of Understanding/Agreements for
Mobility of Engineering Workforce:
ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineers
Register, ASEAN Engineer Register
International Professional Engineers Agreement
(formerly EMF)
APEC Engineers Register
International Engineering Technologist Agreement
Engineer Register
Your gateway to trade liberalisation
and professional services
Apply 3 IC’s
 Integrity & Competence

 Integration & Communications
 Internationalisation & Cooperation
International Cooperation
 Malaysia – 33 million
 AEC – 640 million Malaysia – 33 million
 Belt and Road Initiative:
55% world GNP, 75% energy reserves, 70%
population
 Capitalise on our Strength and
Complement Each Others
 Global Market and Thus Human-
Network
Work with Industry and
Professional Bodies
• Understand the Latest and Future
Technological Trends
• Understand the Human Resource Needs
• Industrial Attachment for Students
• Sabbatical Leave for Staff
• Guest Lectures
• Input for Curriculum Development
• Joint R&D
• Professional Development Training
Industry
Education Institutions
Society Policy Maker

What We could DO Collectively:
• International Bench-Marking
• Set Standards
• Sharing of Experiences
• Go Global – Human Networking
• Back-to-Schools to Promote STEM
• Improve Image of Engineers
• Speak Up – Be Trend Setters
The Hare and the Tortoise
Episode 1:
Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Episode 2:
Fast and Consistency will always beat Slow and Steady

Episode 3:
Identify our Core Competency or Strength and then

Change the Playing Field to suit our core competency
Episode 4:
Even though we are Individually Brilliant and have our own

Core Competencies, we would achieve Greater Performance
if we are able to Pool Resources, Work in a Team and harness
each other’s core competencies.
Final Take-Away
• Your Degree could only earn you a Bronze Medal
• Your Experience could earn you a Silver Medal
• Your Human-Networking could earn you a Gold Medal
• BUT your right MINDSET would be your Ace’s

Acknowledgements
• The Professor Chin Fung Kee Memorial Lecture

Advisory Committee and Organising Committee
• The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia
• UM Engineering Alumni Association (2017)
• Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
• Some slides are taken from 3rd Chiam Teong Tee
Memorial Lecture in March 2019 given by the
Author

Educating Future Engineers Prof Chin Lecture Oct 2020

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Educating Future Engineers Prof Chin Lecture Oct 2020

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Educating Future Engineers:

Challenges and Opportunities

Hu Yew Seah Primary School, 1973

Chung Ling High School 1974-1981

Chung Ling High School

1982/86: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering

If a person can only work when given

Learning never stops: Keep learning new

• Try Our Best

URSI Young Scientist

APEC, IntE, ACPE

1999 Toray Science & 2011 – Senior Fellow of

2014 FIEEE at Quebec 2015 Hon Fellow, MES, Myanmar

2013 MMU Hon

2019 WFEO Medal

Agricultural Industrial Electronic IT Revolution Physical

1700 1760 1890 1910 1950 1970 1990 2000

• Borderless World & Opportunities

 In 2010, 50.5% or 3.5 billion people live in cities.

•1880 – 1970 Global

 Increasing Energy Consumption –

 Rising Sea Water Level

 Source of Human Capital

Diversification Equity and

Source: UIS Database

Two Key Issues….

Also, significant number

Source: UniCredit Research, International Federation of Robotics

34% of natural science and 56% of engineering doctoral

In 2000: 38% of the U.S. workforce with PhD

About 1/3 of U.S. students with initial

Source: NSF, US.

“For America to stay competitive in global

Country Engineer-Population Ratio

Intake 33409 (17.8%) (1:0.70)

Bachelor Science- Engineering,

Asking for unrealistic salary/benefits (66%)

Being choosy about the job or company (58%)

Poor character, attitude or personality (58%)

Poor command of the English language (52%)

Poor communication skills (49%)

An Engineering Personnel is one with

• Strengthening of the Fundamentals

• Deep Expertise in one’s specialization

A lawyer’s mistake is left suspended and

An engineer’s mistake is left SEEN……to the

Who says engineers are ‘squared’ people?

Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson): graduate of Newcastle University

They are at both middle and top technical and

Source: MOE, Malaysia Educational Statistics

Source: MOE, Malaysia Educational Statistics

• Digital Technologies, combined with other Socio-economic

1. Automation, Robotization and Digitization look

2. Net Positive Outlook for jobs

Top 10 Emerging Jobs

Top 10 Declining Jobs

3. The Division of Labour between Humans, Machines

4. New Tasks at Work are Driving Demand for New Skills

5. We all need to be Lifelong Learners

Professional Cluster 2020 2022

Sources: World Economic Forum 2020

When Industry Development is ahead of

We are not sure of the Disruptive Technology

We are not sure of the Future Requirements of