June 2013Volume (4), Issue (6)

Making SOE’s Presence Felt at MIT International Conferences in U.S.A.

June 9-13

9th International CDIO Conference

You may ask “What do heart valves have to do with engineering?” Five final year students from Taylor’s University School of Engineering (SOE) answered that question through their project - “Mitral Valve Evaluation Protocol”. They were one of 31 student projects selected for presentation at the 2013 CDIO Academy held in conjunction with the 9th International CDIO Conference hosted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and

Harvard University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. The CDIO Academy was part of the 9th International CDIO Conference for engineering students to showcase their design-implement projects, meet and network with peers from engineering programmes around the world, and participate in workshops and plenary sessions presented by prominent leaders in engineering education.

SOE students, (L-R) Cher Pin, Arwin, Christopher, Yvonne and Ralina at the9th International CDIO Conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

June 12 - 14

Chemical engineering student, Yvonne Lim, presented a paper at the 7th M.I.T. Conference on Computational Fluid and Solid Mechanics held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, Boston, Cambridge, USA. Yvonne's research, entitled “Investigation of Blood Flow through the Mitral Valve” examine the blood flow through the mitral valve using computational fluid dynamics and the results obtained were compared against cardiographic magnetic resonance images of actual flow through mitral valves. The numerical analysis for this research was conducted using ANSYS FLUENT. These simulations uses a two dimensional, idealised heart models for fixed-opened and fixed-closed mitral valve. Additionally, these simulations were carried out under steady-state using the realisable k-ε model. The results obtained were found to be agreeable with cardiographic magnetic resonance images of the left heart chambers when the mitral valve is opened and closed.

7th M.I.T. Conference on Computational Fluid and Solid Mechanics

The "Mitral Valve Evaluation Protocol" was a student research project supervised by Prof. Dr Mushtak Al-Atabi for the development of a protocol to assist medical professionals with the evaluation and selection of the best mitral valve surgical repair methods. This protocol is based on the comparison of flow structures of various surgical methods. In line with the grand challenge to engineer better medicine, it can be further developed and implemented in the medical field for the development of a personalised treatment plan for patients with mitral valve failure. This in turn may reduce the chances of misdiagnosis, which leads to additional expenses or worst the loss of lives.

Ir. Dr. Satesh Namasivayam, Deputy Dean of SOE, presented a paper entitled, “The Amalgamation of Industry Practices in an Engineering Capstone Project” at the conference. His paper highlighted the enhancement in learning (in the Mechanical Engineering Capstone Project modules entitled Mechanical Engineering Group Project 1 & 2) through infusing industry-based elements such as safety, sustainability and

project management into the content of the module. This infusion led to a successful and enriching experience for all students as well as himself as the module coordinator. The delivery of these industry elements was done through traditional lectures delivered by Chartered Professional Engineers from industry. The outcome of which resulted in 4 Human Powered Vehicles (HPVs) pitted against each other in the inaugural Taylor’s Human Powered Vehicle (THPV) Race.

The Dean of SOE, Professor Dr. Mushtak Al-Atabi, presented a paper titled "Grand Challenges for Engineering and Development of CDIO Skills". The paper outlined the Grand Challenges Scholar Programme offered by the school to enable its students to develop awareness of the 14 Grand Challenges, skills & knowledges to better equipped them for their future and the development of CDIO related skills. The Grand Challenges for Engineering initiative was launched by the National Academy for Engineering (a government-created non-profit institution in the United States) and Taylor's University School of Engineering is the only school outside North America that is a member of the Grand Challenges Scholar Programme.

Engineering students - Christopher Chew, Mike Ooi, Yap Wai Kit and Song Cher Pin dominated the Taylor’s Business Plan Competition 2013, by claiming the champion’s title after competing against other strong teams from Taylor’s University School of Communication (SOC), Taylor’s Business School (TBS) and Taylor’s University School of Computing and IT (SOCIT). Calling themselves’ Team Educaid’, their business idea was to sell a service of producing new and innovative teaching and learning experience by using the iPad and iBooks to educational institutions.

The Business Plan competition began in October 2012, where teams from Taylor’s University and Taylor’s College competed for a spot in the semi-finals. Team Educaid made it into the final round with three other teams in January 2013. Multiple workshops were conducted by competition sponsor, Expara, between the semi-finals and the grand finals whereby teams were taught the essential elements of creating a successful and realistic business plan.

At the grand finale, Team Educaid won over the panel of judges comprising industrial experts of different fields and backgrounds from business, banking, technology and even education sector. Being the champion of the Taylor’s Business Plan Competition this year, these engineering students will enjoy private consultation opportunities, workshops and assistance from CEDAR-SME Bank on an entrepreneurship development programme to start up the idea into a full-fledged company.

Engineering students - Christopher Chew, Mike Ooi, Yap Wai Kit and Song Cher Pin dominated the Taylor’s Business Plan Competition 2013, by claiming the champion’s title after competing against other strong teams from Taylor’s University School of Communication (SOC), Taylor’s Business School (TBS) and Taylor’s University School of Computing and IT (SOCIT). Calling themselves’ Team Educaid’, their business idea was to sell a service of producing new and innovative teaching and learning experience by using the iPad and iBooks to educational institutions.

The Business Plan competition began in October 2012, where teams from Taylor’s University and Taylor’s College competed for a spot in the semi-finals. Team Educaid made it into the final round with three other teams in January 2013. Multiple workshops were conducted by competition sponsor, Expara, between the semi-finals and the grand finals whereby teams were taught the essential elements of creating a successful and realistic business plan.

At the grand finale, Team Educaid won over the panel of judges comprising industrial experts of different fields and backgrounds from business, banking, technology and even education sector. Being the champion of the Taylor’s Business Plan Competition this year, these engineering students will enjoy private consultation opportunities, workshops and assistance from CEDAR-SME Bank on an entrepreneurship development programme to start up the idea into a full-fledged company.

Prof. Dr. Mushtak with his student, Yvonne at the 9th International CDIO Conference.

Tony Wagner, one of keynote speakers appeared at the CDIO conference.

June 16 - 19

6th International Conference of MIT’s Learning International Networks Consortium (LINC)

Professor Dr. Mushtak Al-Atabi, Dean of SOE, presented a paper titled, "Entrepreneurship: The First MOOC in Malaysia" at the 6th Conference of MIT's Learning International Networks Consortium (LINC), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) is a current hot topic in the education sector. After having conducted the first MOOC in Malaysia, this paper reports on Taylor's University School of Engineering's experience and how students benefit from taking this course as a MOOC. The interaction between the on-campus and online students proved valuable and helped on-campus students to develop skills for collaboration with students all over the world. This is viewed as particularly useful in producing graduates who will take their productive place as leaders in the global community.

Final year SOE students, Christopher Chew and Mike Ooi, also presented a paper at LINC 2013. Entitled “Innovative Teaching and Learning Tools for Foundation in Engineering Education," Christopher and Mike presented on the use of iBooks and iPads to support and enhance students' teaching and learning experiences. Participants were very impressed with the new and innovative ways of promoting interactive engagements amongst students, and in doing so students' educational experience, through the use of iBook and iPad in class.

Engineering students - Christopher Chew, Mike Ooi, Yap Wai Kit and Song Cher Pin dominated the Taylor’s Business Plan Competition 2013, by claiming the champion’s title after competing against other strong teams from Taylor’s University School of Communication (SOC), Taylor’s Business School (TBS) and Taylor’s University School of Computing and IT (SOCIT). Calling themselves’ Team Educaid’, their business idea was to sell a service of producing new and innovative teaching and learning experience by using the iPad and iBooks to educational institutions.

The Business Plan competition began in October 2012, where teams from Taylor’s University and Taylor’s College competed for a spot in the semi-finals. Team Educaid made it into the final round with three other teams in January 2013. Multiple workshops were conducted by competition sponsor, Expara, between the semi-finals and the grand finals whereby teams were taught the essential elements of creating a successful and realistic business plan.

At the grand finale, Team Educaid won over the panel of judges comprising industrial experts of different fields and backgrounds from business, banking, technology and even education sector. Being the champion of the Taylor’s Business Plan Competition this year, these engineering students will enjoy private consultation opportunities, workshops and assistance from CEDAR-SME Bank on an entrepreneurship development programme to start up the idea into a full-fledged company.

Christopher Chew presenting his paper at the MIT’s LINC Conference.

Prof. Dr. Mushtak with his students – Mike Ooi (left) and Christopher Chew (right) at LINC Conference 2013.

Future Engineering Career in The Tile Industry

Under the Professional Engineers Lecture Series, Taylor’s University School of Engineering (SOE) hosted a Graduate Programme by Guocera Holdings Sdn Bhd. The speakers were Ms. Jasmin Chee and Guocera's Human Resources Manager, Ms. Hema. The objective of the session is to share with students on career planning and job opportunities with Guocera.

Guocera Holdings Sdn Bhd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hong Leong Industries Berhad (HLI), a public listed company on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia.

Ethics & Responsibilities of an Engineer

Taylor’s University, Lakeside Campus (JPT/BPP(U)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(603) 5629 5001

June 6

Taylor’s University School of Engineering (SOE) hosted a talk by Ir. Dr. Abu Bakar from University of Malaya. The talk entitled “Ethics & Responsibilities of an Engineer" focuses on how engineers should behave and carry out their responsibilities. This talk was attended by SOE students across three programmes. It was a meaningful talk and the Q&A session was especially useful for final year students who will be entering the workforce.

Ir. Dr. Abu Bakar has vast experience in corporate management, business development and project implementations. He is active in providing advisory and consultancy services and represents various private and government agencies such as MARA, SIRIM, CIDB, SMIDEC, IEM, and BEM.

Engineering students - Christopher Chew, Mike Ooi, Yap Wai Kit and Song Cher Pin

dominated the Taylor’s Business Plan Competition 2013, by claiming the champion’s

title after competing against other strong teams from Taylor’s University School of

Communication (SOC), Taylor’s Business School (TBS) and Taylor’s University School of

Computing and IT (SOCIT). Calling themselves’ Team Educaid’, their business idea

was to sell a service of producing new and innovative teaching and learning

experience by using the iPad and iBooks to educational institutions.

The Business Plan competition began in October 2012, where teams from Taylor’s University and Taylor’s College competed for a spot in the semi-finals. Team Educaid made it into the final round with three other teams in January 2013. Multiple workshops were conducted by competition sponsor, Expara, between the semi-finals and the grand finals whereby teams were taught the essential elements of creating a successful and realistic business plan.

At the grand finale, Team Educaid won over the panel of judges comprising industrial experts of different fields and backgrounds from business, banking, technology and even education sector. Being the champion of the Taylor’s Business Plan Competition this year, these engineering students will enjoy private consultation opportunities, workshops and assistance from CEDAR-SME Bank on an entrepreneurship development programme to start up the idea into a full-fledged company.

Ms. Jasmin Chee talking to engineering students about projects by Guocera Holdings Sdn Bhd.

The participants with the speaker, Ir. Dr. Abu Bakar (fifth from left) after the fruitful talk.

June 6