IR. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Leong Wai Yie Won the IEM Best Technical Award

May 2016Volume 7, Issue (5)

IR. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Leong Wai Yie’s paper titled “Recognize Women in Health Technology: Globalize Our Values and Contributions” has been selected for the Tan Sri Ir. Hj. Yusoff Prize. This award honors an outstanding technical paper on asubject contributed by the corporate members of IEM. The award was presented during the 57th Annual General Meeting of the Institution held on April 16, 2016 at the Auditorium Tan Sri If. Prof. Chin Fung Kee, Malaysia.

This paper was submitted and presented at the Women Engineers Summit 2015. In this award-winning paper, Ir. Leong shared and discussed various achievements on healthcare technology that encompass the fundamental theory, design, applications, algorithms, and implementations of processes or transferring information contained in bioinformatics processing. Women’s roles, contributions, challenges, and collaborations in healthcare technology were also shared during the summit. In this sharing, we wanted to raise and recognize the image of women in healthcare technology, as well as highlight their contribution to the community.

16April

IR. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Leong receiving her award.

28May

CE students’ achievement in the recent IEM competition

Taylor’s University, Lakeside Campus (JPT/BPP/1000-801/67/Jld.2(32) KPT/JPS/DFT/US/B21)

No.1, Jalan Taylor’s, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

(603) 5629 5000 admissions@taylors.edu.my www.taylors.edu.my/universtiy(603) 5629 5001

On May 28, 2016, two final year students’ teams from the Programme of Chemical Engineering, led by Janice Low Jie-Ni and Isobel Soo Hui Qing, won the 2nd and 3rd prizes (i.e., amounting to RM1000 and RM800, respectively) in the 4th IEM Chemical Engineering Design Competition. The event was organized by the Chemical Engineering Technical Division (CETD)of The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Putrajaya.

The participants must design a manufacturing plant that converts small alkanes gases into hydrocarbon C6+. The first team, which comprised Janice Low Jie-Ni (Leader), Jason Low Wai Kit, Leroy Liaw, Archana A/P Aravinthen, and Chia Wei Qian, presented a process plant design producing sulphur-free green diesel from the given small alkanes gases. Another team from Taylor’s, Isobel Soo Hui Qing, Yap Jun Jie, Merisa Gunawan, and Dianne Priya A/P Lawrence Thangathurai, proposed a self-sustained production of benzene from natural gas by a solid oxide fuel cell reactor (SOFC), thereby generating sufficient electricity to power its plant from the reactor.

The competition delves into every aspect of designing a chemical process plant, from the preliminary study on the feasibility and sustainability of the process to the final design of the individual equipment, process control, safety, and economic performance.

Two reports and one quiz were submitted for screening, and 10 teams were selected as finalists. Each team must deliver a 20 minute presentation followed by a 10 minute Q&A from the IEM panel of judges. This competition has also provided an excellent opportunity for the students to meet and exchange ideas pertaining to the profession with practicing engineers.Well done to all! Special thanks to the teams’ supervisors, namely, Dr. Veena, Dr. Pang MM, Dr. Wong WY, and Ms. Eunice in providing continuous guidance and support to the students.

The Winning Teams. (Left to Right: Yap Jun Jie, Dianne Priya A/P Lawrence Thangathurai, Merisa Gunawan, Isobel Soo Hui Qing; me ; Chia Wei Qian; Janice Low Jie-Ni, Archana A/P Aravinthen, Jason Low Wai Kit, Leroy Liaw)

3-4May

Chemical Engineering Accreditation

12May

EELRG Sharing Session

On May 12, 2016, the Engineering Education Lab Research Group (EELRG) organized a sharing session with the staff members of the School of Engineering on the following topics:

1. The CAT of Education2. Monitoring students’ progress

In the first topic, Dr. Siow shared ideas regarding the three main components that constitute a complete educational system. These three components, namely, curriculum, assessment, and teaching, may have been unknowingly practiced by many engineering educators. Understanding these components will enhance the awareness level and sense of appreciation of educators toward the field of education. In the second topic, Dr. Abdulkareem shared his insights regarding his innovative method of monitoring students’ progress. The discussed challenges and advantages were shared with all the participants. The session ended with an active discussion among the participants.

During the two-day activity, the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) visited the Chemical Engineering Programme, School of Engineering of Taylor’s University. The EAC panel included Ir. Prof. Dr. Law Chung Lim (University of Nottingham),Ir. Dr. Parthiban Siwayanan (UPM), and Ir. Mohd Azizi Ahmad. During the first day of visit, the Director of Engineering Accreditation Department (EAD) Ir. Prof. Dato Wan Hamidon made a surprise visit to Taylor’s and joined the opening meeting.Apart from the academic staff members, the panel further met with the program’s students, industry advisors, alumni, and the administrative and support staff members. The panel concluded that the program has met the standard of BEM in providing quality engineering education, and listed the program’s seven strengths as follows:

1. Good preparation of graduate attributes as evidenced by IHL2. Student awareness and self-reflection on graduate attributes 3. Implementation of the Conceive–Design–Implement–Operate (CDIO) pedagogy in the program syllabus4. Innovative teaching and learning tools and technology5. Engineering fair and eureca events 6. Good reward system 7. Proper career development and advancement plan for the technical staff members

Simultaneously, the council has also highlighted a concern and few areas for improvement to the program. The school will continue working toward addressing these areas and implementing the recommended actions of the council.

Dr Siow Chun Lim sharing his session titled ‘The CAT of Education”

IEM Presidential Awards of Excellence 2015

The IEM Women Engineers Section chaired by Ir. Leong Wai Yie was awarded the IEM Presidential Awards of Excellence 2015 (2nd Runner Up) during the 57th IEM Annual Dinner & Awards Night 2016 held on April 17, 2016. This award is given to the most active IEM technical division, which had performed well in terms of activities, generating income, and organizing seminars and courses for the year.

During the 57th IEM Annual Dinner & Awards Night 2016, fellow engineers, government representatives, corporate captains, entrepreneurs, professionals, contractors, suppliers, and other industry stakeholders gathered to celebrate the highly anticipatedoccasion. The institution’s annual event was held at the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa in Bandar Sunway, Selangor. The guest of honor was YB Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai, the Honorable Minister of Transport of Malaysia. The event was hosted by Ir. Tan Yean Chin,the newly elected IEM president for the 2016–2017 session. IEM’s Immediate Past President, Dato’ Ir. Lim Chow Hock, the newly elected vice presidents, honorary secretary, and members of the IEM Excomm and Council were also present to support the president in hosting dignitaries and VIP guests from the engineering field.

17April

Group photo of SOE staff with EIAP Members

SOE staff & IAP members at the 12th EIAP Meeting. Figure 3: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hosseini presented the postgraduate programmes to the IAP members.

17May

12th Engineering Industrial Advisory Panel Members Meeting 2016

A project team at work

Group photo with San Pedro Foster Care's students

21 & 22May

On May 21 and 22, the fifth semester Mechanical Engineering students of Taylor’s University School of Engineering welcomed refugee students from IDEAS Academy and students staying at the San Pedro foster care. The objective of this undertaking is to inspire them to pursue their dreams and expose them to engineering.

Our students collaborated in different groups to mentor the participants. They bonded with the participants, played together, ate together, taught them engineering, and worked on their group projects. Our students also shared their presentation skills as the project’s culmination provides for a competition that requires the mentees to present their project. Remarkably, our students developedthe program themselves without any prior experience in this type of social work. A few of our students reported their continuous correspondence with their mentees through Facebook,thereby consideringthem friends rather than mentees. All our students were profoundly grateful for this rewarding experience that changed their perspective on life.

As proof that this event was an immense success, the following thank you note succinctly summarized the experience of Mrs. Debra Tapscott, the principal of IDEAS Academy: “…The students had a fantastic time and learned a lot. The students expressed that their mentors were wonderful.”

Each year, the School of Engineering, Taylor’s University has taken further steps to ensure that its education deliveries remain relevant with industrial practices. To further strengthen its relationship with industry players, the Engineering Industrial AdvisoryPanel (EIAP) was established with meetings held twice a year. The school will invite the panel members comprising senior industrypractitioners, all of whom have extensive experience and expertise in their respective fields (e.g., CE, ME, EE), to assist in planning and continuously improving the quality of the programs offered in Taylor’s University.

The 12th EIAP meeting of the school was held on May 17, 2016. The academic staff members of the school were involved in a two-hour dialogue with industry members. The members present included Ir. Qua Kiat Seng (IChemE), Ir. Juares Rizal (Winmore Engineering Sdn Bhd), Ir. Lee Choong Wei (SCOMI Rail), Mr. Barry Lim (Solution Engineering Sdn BHd), Ir. Cheang Kok Meng (IEM),Ir. Chen Thiam Leong (Primetech Sdn Bhd), Mr. Abdul Malik (Energy & Strategy Consulting Sdn Bhd), Mr. Loong Kin Leong (NHF), and Ir. Ronnie Koo (Malakoff).

Industrial inputs from the panel members assist the school to further enhance its curriculum and to establish academic–industrycollaboration. Panel members must hold meetings with the academic staff members to discuss the university’s academic curriculum, teaching methodology, facilities, and practices to keep pace with the emerging needs of the industry.

Engineering Workshop at Taylor’s University for Refugees School and Orphanage

26May

Achievement of Taylor’s Robotic Club

Getting ready to start the race

The Taylor’s Robotic Club (TRC) under the School of Engineering of Taylor’s University sent team Infinity, comprising Navaratnam A/L Thirunavukkarasan (first year engineering degree) and Vaitheeshwaran A/L M. Shanmuganathan (foundation in engineering), to participate in the Asia-Pacific Robotic Competition (APRoC 2016) held in the Asia Pacific University campus on May 26, 2016. Despite being the youngest team competing with senior degree students from other institutions, the team managed to win 3rd place in the Terrain Racing category. Under this category, the robot made by the students must overcome obstacles to complete the track. The racing track contains several types of obstacles that may prevent the robot from moving forward. Accordingly, students must possess substantial prototype building and programming skills to overcome these obstacles in the shortest time possible. The task is considered complete when the robot has successfullyovercome all obstacles without causing damage to its structure.

Robot from team Infinity

Winning the third place for Terrain Racing category in APRoC 2016 (From the left: Navaratnam A/L Thirunavukkarasan & Vaitheeshwaran A/L M. Shanmuganathan

24 - 26May

WEAFEO Midterm Meeting in Hanoi

During the Meeting

Malaysia delegates at Welcome Dinner AFEO Midterm Meeting Closing Ceremony

Malaysia Delegates

The President of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) Ir. Tan Yean Chin led a delegation of 18 committees to attend the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO) midterm meeting in Hanoi from May 24 to 26, 2016. Ir. Leong Wai Yie, the representative of Women Engineers Malaysia, attended the WE–AFEO midterm meeting to hold a discussion regarding the ASEAN Women Engineers activities and networks.

AFEO was formed by 10 ASEAN member organizations. At the AFEO midterm meeting, the representatives and engineering leaders of Southeast Asian countries discussed the progress made toward achievement via extensive networking and strategic alliances within the ASEAN engineering community. The AFEO Governing Board, Women Engineers, Young Engineers, and Working Groups held its meetings to address various issues affecting ASEAN countries, including Smart Sustainable Cities, Mobility of Engineers Forum, and the Energy and Environmental Engineering Work Group.

The Conference of ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (CAFEO) is held annually with one of the member organizations as the host. The rotation between member organizations is in alphabetical order. The goals of CAFEO are as follows: to establish and develop an ASEAN baseline standard for the engineering profession to facilitate the mobility of engineers within ASEAN countries; discuss the ASEAN engineering professional values; and support and enhance the contribution of ASEAN in engineering, science, and technology. The CAFEO 33 in 2015 was successfully held in Penang and attracted over 1,200 participants. The CAFEO 34 will be held in November 2016 in Manila, Philippines.