The EngineeringTeam A MalaysianPerspective

Opinion ....................04

Event .......................08

Feature ....................13

Calendar 2013 .........18

Issue 18May-June 2013

KDN PP 18194/08/2013(033606)

Dear MySET members,

I am excited to welcome you to the inaugural issue of MySET’s new magazine, theET (Engineering and Technology). ET’s new look and concept is an upgrade of theprevious 21st Century Professionals Newsletter, and is currently being producedtogether with DeCalais Sdn Bhd. We look forward for ET to be a regular bi-monthlymagazine for all MySET members.

In this issue, we feature an opinion column by MySET’s President, Prof. Dato’ AbangAbdullah Abang Ali, entitled, “The Engineering Team; A Malaysian Perspective”. Thisarticle highlights the need for Malaysia to recognise the importance of theEngineering Team which consists of engineers, engineering technologists andtechnicians, and work towards recognising every member of the team as importantpersonnel in the engineering industry and enable them to develop and becomeprofessionals in their own right.

For past events, we report in depth some important events in MySET’s calendar;the National Engineering and Technology Convention (NETC13) held in conjunctionwith MySET’s 6th Annual General Meeting. We were delighted to welcome DatukHaji Mohlis Bin Jaafar, the Director General of Jabatan Pengajian Politeknik, as ourguest of honour for the NETC13. In this issue, we feature his keynote speech entitled,“Enhancing the Technician Profession”. In the article, he expresses his aspirationfor the contribution of technicians to the national socio-economic development tobe recognised by the government and private sectors. This is particularly importantas in the years to come, technicians will be one of the largest groups of workforcein Malaysia, and their contribution to Malaysia’s economy especially inenhancing the NKEA sectors would be indispensable.

I hope you will enjoy the ET magazine and we welcome futurecontributions to the magazine from all our members; students,technicians, technologists and engineers alike.

SurayaDr. Suraya Abdul RashidChief Editor

Highlight

On 22 April 2013, Ir Ahmad Tamby Kadirand the MySET secretariat were pleasedto welcome 10 delegates from theGuangdong Provincial Association forScience and Technology, China. Themain purpose of their visit was tonetwork and form linkages withinternational bodies with similarinterests.

On 12 June 2013 MySET welcomedIbrahim Saleh Al-Dhobaie from the SaudiCouncil of Engineers (SCE) who came todiscuss about the InternationalCongress on Engineering Education2013 (ICEE13) which MySET and SCEare co-organising under the Federationof Engineering Institutions in IslamicCountries (FEIIC). ICEE13 will be held inMadinah later this year.

Editor’s Note

Editorial BoardAdvisorProf. Dato’ Abang Abdullah Abang Ali

Chief EditorAssoc. Prof. Dr. Suraya Abdul Rashid

Co-EditorsAssoc. Prof. Dr. Siti Mazlina Mustapa Kamal

Contact UsMySET SecretariatMalaysian Society for Engineering & Technology.Level 2 Block A Faculty of Engineering.Universiti Putra Malaysia43400 UPM Serdang Selangor,T: +603 8946 6451; F: +603 8946 6481E: publication.mset@gmail.comW: www.myset.org.myFB: www.facebook.com/groups/myset/

Publishing & Advertising ConsultantDeCalais Sdn BhdD-3-8 Plaza Damas60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala LumpurT: +603 6201 8857; F: +603 6201 8850E: navin@decalais.comW: www.decalais.com

DisclaimerViews expressed are not necessarily those of MySET. MySETtakes no responsibility for the consequences of any actiontaken based on any information published in ET and neithershall it be held liable for any product or service advertised inthe same. No part of this publication may be reproducedwithout the permission of the publisher.

May-June 2013 ET

The Engineering TeamA Malaysian Perspective

The very mention of engineering wouldconjure a picture of an engineer with asafety helmet and a pair of tough boots in

a factory or on site, designing, researching anddeveloping work in their field. Engineers aregenerally well - respected professionals,applying the highest technical standards to thebuild of machines, equipments and structures.

Little is said about the other members of theEngineering Team. So-called practical or hands-on engineers are not recognised in Malaysiacurrently, unlike their counterparts in the UnitedKingdom where they are termed IncorporatedEngineers or in the United States and Australiawhere there are referred to as EngineeringTechnologists. Hands-on engineers orengineering technologists are trained to handlejobs in manufacturing, production andconstruction better than engineers due to theirfocus on the practical. In Europe, particularly

Germany, these practical engineers whograduate from the Faschoule or University ofApplied Sciences are very much sought after bythe industry. Hence German engineering remainsamongst the best in the world, boasting a strongtechnical reputation especially in the sectors ofmanufacturing and production.

However in Malaysia, engineers withtheoretical education and training, who shouldfocus on design and R&D are encroaching themanufacturing, production and construction jobsof their practical oriented peers, or as we nowcall them in Malaysia, engineering technologists.

Only a small number of engineers in thecountry are engaged in design in consultingpractices and research in universities andresearch institutes. As a result of this, particularlythose in consulting offices show sufficiententhusiasm to sit for the Board of Engineers,

Prof. Dato’ AbangAbdullah Abang AliPresidentMalaysian Society for Engi-neering & Technology

Opinion4

May-June 2013ET

Malaysia (BEM) professional assessmentexamination (PAE) or the Institution ofEngineers, Malaysia (IEM) professionalinterview (PI) to qualify as professionalengineers (PEng). Engineers in governmentservice especially in the Public WorksDepartment are generally not keen to sit fortheir professional examination, as they do notsee their career being value-added from thePEng qualification. A number of attempts toseek a special professional allowance forgovernment engineers achieving theprofessional status have met a solid wall at thePublic Services Department. It is no wonderthat out of an estimated 200,000 engineers inthe country, only some 12,000 or 6% have satfor the professional examination and qualifiedas professional engineers, taking intoconsideration that the country is producingsome 15,000 engineers annually from localuniversities.

The third member of the engineering teamis the technician. In Malaysia at least, thetechnicians are in dead men’s shoes, with noprovision for professional development beyondattending some ad hoc technical courses. Inthe United Kingdom, the various institutions ofengineers, such as the Institution ofEngineering & Technology and Institution ofMechanical Engineers have professionaldevelopment schemes to enable technicians tobecome professional technicians. Theseprofessionals are accepted as respectedmembers of the institutions and even have theopportunity to become Presidents of theseprofessional institutions.

It is therefore important for Malaysia torecognise the importance of the EngineeringTeam and work towards recognising everymember of the team as important personnel inthe engineering industry and enable them todevelop and become professionals in their ownright. Much has been said regarding the needto get engineering qualification accreditationwith the formation of the EngineeringAccreditation Council (EAC) and the proposedsetting up of the Engineering TechnologyAccreditation Council (ETAC) and TechnicalAccreditation Council in the proposedMalaysian Board of Technology (MBOT), withinternational benchmarking with theWashington, Sydney and Dublin Accords.However if we look beyond accreditation ofacademic qualifications, much more work has

to been done in the area of professionaldevelopment and professional qualification aswell as international benchmarking at this level.The Malaysian Society for Engineering &Technology (MySET) shall strive to make thishappen, insyallah. This is one sure way forMalaysia to achieve the industrialised nationstatus.

Introduction to Your Role onthe Engineering Team in BC

The words ‘Engineer’, ‘Engineering’ and‘Technologist’ have many different meaningsand implications throughout the world, andeven within Canada. The structure andhierarchy of the Engineering Sector in Canadais different from what may be normal practicein many other parts of the world.

Here’s what the people in each credentialcategory do:

1. Professional Engineers, PEng.’sAssume final professional (legal)

responsibility for the safeguarding of publichealth and safety on major projects designedand/or constructed by PEng.’s and/or othermembers of the Engineering Team, at all levels.PEng’s:

• are able to work from first principles

• use a combination of general and specialistengineering knowledge and understandingto optimise the application of existing andemerging technology

• apply theoretical and practical methods tothe analysis and solution of engineeringproblems

• provide technical and commercialleadership

• offer regulated engineering services directlyto the public under license.

Any person providing engineering servicesin BC (and across Canada) which fall under thelegal purview of APEGBC (or other provincialProfessional Engineering association) must bea PEng. registered with APEGBC (or otherprovincial Professional Engineeringassociation), or work under the direction of aPEng.

In Malaysiaat least, thetechniciansare in dead

men’s shoes,with no

provision forprofessionaldevelopment

beyondattending

some ad hoctechnicalcourses.

May-June 2013 ET

Opinion 5

2. Applied Science Technologists, AScT’sWork within a scope of practice defined by

education and experience and assumeprofessional responsibility for the safeguarding ofpublic health and safety on projects designedand/or constructed by AScT’s and/or othermembers of the Engineering Team, at all levels.AScT’s:

• use a combination of general and specialistengineering knowledge and understanding toapply existing and emerging technology

• apply theoretical and practical methods todesign, develop, test, manufacture, construct,install, commission, operate and maintainengineered products, processes, systems andservices

• provide technical and commercial leadership

• offer non-regulated engineering and technicalservices directly to the public

• may be eligible for recognition by APEGBC asa Limited Licensee, with the right to practiceprofessional engineering within a tightlydefined scope of practice

3. Certified Technicians, CTech’s• apply theoretical and practical methods to

assist with the design, development,manufacturing, testing, construction,installation, commission, operation andmaintenance of engineering products,processes, systems and services

• offer non-regulated engineering and technicalservices directly to the public

The Engineering TeamEngineers Australia considers the ‘engineering

team’ to comprise of three occupationalcategories. These categories are useful definitionsbecause they are largely based on the amount of(equivalent full-time) study completed andqualifications gained by students in order to entertheir desired job within the engineering sector. Thethree categories are:

• Professional engineers

• Engineering technologists

• Engineering officers

1. Professional engineersProfessional engineers have at least a four-

year Bachelor’s degree of engineering fromuniversity. To enter study at university level, youmust have completed Year 12 and have top-levelmathematics, physics and/or chemistry asprerequisite subjects.

Professional engineers in all disciplines applyadvanced analysis skills and knowledge ofscience, engineering, technology, managementand social responsibility to develop solutions tocomplex problems and issues. Professionalengineers lead teams and need to be innovativeand creative; they frequently make balancedjudgements between design, cost, risk andenvironmental impact.

Examples of professional engineers includestructural engineers, civil engineers and mineralsengineers.

2. Engineering technologistsEngineering technologists possess a three-

year engineering technology degree. Study toYear 12 or equivalent TAFE study is required.Significant mathematics, physics and/orchemistry are generally required to gain access toa recognised engineering technology course.

Engineering technologists generally playsupporting roles in a particular branch ofengineering. For example, civil engineeringtechnologists support and supervise a range of

Engineers aregenerally well

respectedprofessionals,

producing machines,equipments andstructures to thehighest technical

standards.

Opinion6

May-June 2013ET

functions to assist civil engineers in the research,design, construction and maintenance of typical civilengineering projects such as the construction ofrailways, roads, bridges, airports, ports and docks,dams and water supply systems.

3. Engineering officersEngineering officers (or associates) hold a two-year

Advanced Diploma of Engineering or AssociateDiploma of Engineering.

PolicyThe American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

recognises the Civil Engineering Professional, the CivilEngineering Technologist, and the Civil EngineeringTechnician as important members of the civilengineering project team. ASCE defines each asfollows:

• Civil Engineering Professional (CE Professional) –A person who holds a professional engineeringlicense. A person initially obtains status as a CEProfessional by professional engineering (PE)licensure obtained through the completion ofrequisite formal education, experience,examination, and other requirements as specifiedby an appropriate Board of Licensure. A personworking as a CE Professional is qualified to beprofessionally responsible for engineering workthrough the exercise of direct control and personalsupervision of engineering activities and cancomprehend and apply an advanced knowledge of

widely applied engineering principles in thesolution of complex problems.

• Civil Engineering Technologist (CE Technologist) –A person who exerts a high level of judgment in theperformance of engineering work, while workingunder the direct control and personal supervisionof a CE Professional. A person initially obtainsstatus as a CE Technologist through thecompletion of requisite formal education andexperience and may include examination and otherrequirements as specified by a credentialing body.A person working as a CE Technologist cancomprehend and apply knowledge of engineeringprinciples in the solution of broadly definedproblems.

• Civil Engineering Technician (CE Technician) – Aperson typically performing task-oriented scientificor engineering related activities and exercisingtechnical judgments commensurate with thosespecific tasks. A person working as a CETechnician works under the direct control andpersonal supervision of a CE Professional ordirection of a CE Technologist. A person initiallyobtains status as a CE Technician through thecompletion of requisite formal education,experience, examination(s), and/or otherrequirements as specified by an appropriatecredentialing body. A person working as a CETechnician is expected to comprehend and applyknowledge of engineering principles toward thesolution of well-defined problems.

Engineers, who shouldfocus on design andR&D, are going for

manufacturing,production and

construction jobs,competing with the

engineeringtechnologists as we

call them now inMalaysia.

ET

May-June 2013 ET

Opinion 7

The National Engineering & Technology Convention (NETC13) wassuccessfully held on Saturday, 6 April 2013 at the Marriot HotelPutrajaya. The NETC is an annual event held in conjunction with

MySET’s Annual General Meeting. The theme for this year’s conventionwas “Enhancing the Technician Profession” where the event provided anopportunity for presentation and exchange of ideas and experiencesamongst engineers, technologists and technicians regarding this topic.We were delighted to welcome our guest of honour, Datuk Haji MohlisBin Jaafar, the newly appointed Director General of Jabatan PengajianPoliteknik.

Welcoming SpeechThe event started of with a welcoming speech from the president of

MySET, Prof. Dato’ Ir. Abang Abdullah Abang Ali, who set the tone forthe rest of the event. Prof. Dato’ Abang said that MySET strongly feelsthat Malaysia should begin to start focusing on the engineering teamwhereby the technician role is equally as important as the engineers andengineering technologists. Recently, the Malaysian Board ofTechnologists (MBOT) was established to accelerate the recognition andthe certification of TVET programmes and for technologists andtechnicians as well. MySET aims to work closely together with MBOTbeyond the qualification of technicians, but throughout the professionaldevelopment of their careers as well.

NETC 2013 &MySET 6th AGM

Event8

May-June 2013ET

Keynote SpeechThe highlight of the event was the keynote speech by

Datuk Mohlis entitled “Enhancing the Technician Profession.”The talk highlighted several main issues including the definitionand role of the technician profession, the importance of MBOT,the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET)landscape in Malaysia, the roles of polytechnics and futureinnitiatives from now till 2020 and finally, recommendations onhow to enhance the technician profession.

MySET-IKTISAS Excellence AwardThe keynote speech was then followed by the MySET-

IKTISAS Excellence Award. The Award is intended for best(engineering) students from local universities and for this year’saward, two students were selected. The selected studentswere Mr Mohd Safuan B. Othman@Ujang from the Faculty ofEngineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Miss Nur Ain BintiAbdul Kadir from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia. Both students were selected for theirexcellent academic achievements and outstandingcontribution to co-curricular activities. The award wassponsored by Iktisas Ingenieurs Sdn Bhd with a prize moneyof RM 1,000.00 and a certificate. In the future, we hope to haveawards for best technologist and technician students as well.The Award was presented by Iktisas Ingenieurs Sdn BhdChairman, Ir. Azme Idris with the presence of Prof. Dato’Abang Abdullah.

The Round Table DiscussionChairperson / Moderator: Prof. Ir. Megat Johari Megat Mohd Noor Dean, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology(MJIIT-UTM)

Panel members:1. Dato’ Prof. Dr. Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Universiti Malaysia Pahang(UMP)

2. Ir. Zulkifli AhmadHead of Projects, Ministry of International Trade &Industry (MITI)

3. Mr Samuel Devadasan A/L RajaratnamSecretary General, Malaysia Technical Services Union(MTSU)

Another highlight of the NETC was the round tablediscussion. Following the theme of the convention, thediscussion was centred towards enhancing the technicianprofession. Panelists of this discussion included Dato’Professor Dr. Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz the Deputy ViceChancellor of University Malaysia Pahang (UMP), MrSamuel Devadasan from the Malaysian Technical &Services Union, as well as Ir. Zulkifli Ahmad the VicePresident of MySET. The discussion was chaired byProfessor Ir. Megat Johari Megat Mohd Nor, the Dean ofMalaysia-Japan International Institute of Techology-University Technology Malaysia.

Opening the discussion, Dato’ Professor Dr.Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz who was representing theEducational Institution in Malaysia was asked to give hisopinion on the professional and career development oftechnicians from the perspective of the universities. Hecommented that previously, diploma holders wasconsidered to be the terminal point of education fortechnicians. However, the trend has changed becausetoday, technicians who are diploma holders have optionsto continue their education and increase their level ofknowledge and can be viewed as a feeder to university

May-June 2013 ET

Event 9

programmes especially in engineering technology area. Hebelieves that it is possible that Malaysia will follow in thefootsteps of companies in developed countries such as in the USwhere the minimum educational requirement for their technicianpositions is the degree level. Some companies in Malaysia havealready started this step; in Procter and Gamble for example, allthe operators that operate their machines are degree holders.However, he pointed out that we will only move towards thatstage if our technicians are being recognised in terms of their skilland professionalism. Dato’ Prof. Dr. Badrulhisham Abdul Azizalso emphasised that possessing soft skills is very important inthe personal and professional development of technicians.Based on his experience of recruitment and development oftechnicians, one of the important elements is on their attitude.With a good attitude, they can work together between them andcreating core values which will enhance the akhlak/right attitudeof the workers to serve the university and country.

The second speaker, Mr Samuel Devadasan was askedregarding the current image of Malaysian technician and howtheir progress would be in the future. He said that during the1970s, being a technician was a highly respected profession.However, the situation is different today, whereby generally theirimage is now negative, they are not happy and they think thatthey are far behind the other positions in their organisation.However, he sees that this can change and technicians canprogress forward due to efforts by professional organisation thathas reached out to help technicians. Mr Samuel said thatMySET’s attempt at taking in technicians as members is a veryimportant step as it is not easy for technicians to be involved ina learned society and that the union is encouraging all itsmembers to become MySET members. Technicians should start

to be encouraged to dress professionally, act professionallyand continuously improve their knowledge by morereading.

In the closing of the round table discussion, the thirdspeaker, Ir. Zulkifli Ahmad was asked to elaborate more onthe specific issue within his organisation, Jabatan KerjaRaya (JKR). Having the largest group of technicians in thegovernment sector, Ir. Zulkifli explained about the wayforward and point of view of JKR regarding the techniciansgroup. Speaking as the representative of the techniciangroup, Ir. Zulkifli started with the context of contributionfrom this group towards the development of the nation incomparison with the benefits that are currently given. Theposition and situation of their income are still the lowest inthe technical hierarchy in the country. Giving an example,within JKR with an employment of almost 50,000 people,around 3,000 are engineers, of which the actualprofessional engineers are only around 350 people. Theeffort in encouraging staff to become a professionalmember has always been a problem since people’smindset of not seeing the benefit of it has become a majorhindrance. In his personal view, Ir. Zulkifli blames JPA ofnot executing a good service and not in parallel inpromoting the technician development in terms of workingsatisfaction. For instant, the new salary scheme was carriedout not per the defined way. However, JKR professionalsteamed up with QUEPACS to rally an effort resolving thisissue and somehow reduced the gap between engineersand technicians within their organisation. This is the targetand vision of JKR; to have collaborative efforts in all levelsof the organisation. This idea needs to be developed furtherin order for the technical group to be able to gain theirrightful benefit and place in the nation. MySET is a verypositive development, where the engineers begin to see thetechnician’s value. We need to really develop the skills andcapability of the technical group for them to have pride andmust value the ethical way of working.

Event10

May-June 2013ET

ConclusionWith the end of the round table discussion, NETC2013

was finally concluded. The role of technicians in theengineering team is undeniably important. The formation ofMBOT will finally pave way towards the professionaldevelopment of technologists and technicians. MySET willstrive to champion the development of the technicianprofession in Malaysia. The technicians themselves have toplay a vital role in promoting themselves and continue todevelop themselves in terms of appearance, good attitude,soft skills and engineering knowledge.

6TH MySET ANNUAL GENERALMEETING

The 6th MySET Annual General meeting was held afterthe NETC2013 at the Marriot Hotel Putrajaya. The AGM wasattended by 51 members.

Welcoming AddressThe President of MySET, Prof. Dato’ Ir. Abang Abdullah

Abang Ali convened the meeting by welcoming all themembers. He shared that MySET has been quite active in2012, whereby various activities had been done as reportedin the annual report 2012. For the session 2013, MySET aimsto emphasise on the work with MBOT; we would like toensure that MBOT goes through footing. We are alsoupgrading the MySET newsletter into a bi-monthly magazine.MySET would like to have more networking with universities,industries, CUEPACS and other organisations. MySET isworking hard to get Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) toallow MySET to offer the PAE exam for professionalengineers. We are also seeking a suitable location to build adedicated building/office for MySET and we plan to write tothe Chief Minister of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan torequest for wakaf land for this purpose.

Confirmation of Minutes for the 5th AGMThe Minutes of the 5th AGM was confirmed, as proposed

by Ir. Azme Idris (00002) and seconded by Assoc. Prof. Dr.Abd Rahim Bin Abu Talib (00095).

Annual Report for Session 2012-2015Prof. Ir. Megat Johari Megat Mohd Noor, MySET

Secretary General presented the Annual Report for session2012-2013.

May-June 2013 ET

Event 11

Organisational Structure

Council Members 2012-2015There are a total of 13 council members for Session 2012-2015:

MySET welcomes members to join the various StandingCommittees as we need more volunteers from members toensure that activities are carried out successfully. There are six(6) standing committees, two (2) groups and eight (8) interestgroups. Members can also propose the formation of newinterest groups if there is enough interest.

Standing committees and respective chairperson:

Corporate Affairs: Ir. Ahmad Tamby Kadir

Activities & Welfare/ Prof. Dr. Rosnah Mohd YusuffSweet Group:

Information & Publication: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suraya AbdulRashid

Admission, Examinations, Prof. Dr. Wan Muhammad Accreditations & Wan AbdullahCertifications:

Technology & Business: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mazliham MohdSu’ud

Administration & Finance: Prof. Ir. Megat Johari MegatMohd Noor

Council MeetingA total of six meetings was convened by the council

members for Session 2012-2013.

MembershipThe membership of MySET increased from 6,230 in March

2012 to 9,320 as at 15 March 2013. There 1,256 OrdinaryMembers, 41 Associate Members and 8,023 student members.

Reports and Activities of Standing Committees As documented in the Annual Report 2012.

Financial Statement The Financial Statement for the year ending 31 December

2012 which was audited by Dr. Hisham Hamid and Mr RidzuanMd Sham was presented by Mr Rahman Wagiran, MySETTreasurer. Mr Ainullotfi Bin Abdul Latif inquired about bad debt.Mr Rahman said that the bad debts were initially fromoutstanding membership annual fees for year 2008-2010. The2012 Annual Report and Financial Statement was thenaccepted as proposed by Mr Samuel Devadasan A/LRajaratnam (01262) and seconded by Mr Ainullotfi Bin AbdulLatif (00251). ET

Event12

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Enhancingthe TechnicianProfession

Introduction

The technician profession is rarely addressed at nationalor international platforms. Nevertheless, it is still aprofession that needs to be recognised as a professional

career. In Malaysia, the agenda to transform the economytowards high income requires workers, especially in technicaland vocational fields, to participate actively in the developmentof the nation.

Polytechnics play a significant role in the formation of thetechnician profession in Malaysia as the technical andvocational education and training (TVET) at polytechnics aremainly at diploma levels. According to the Boston ConsultingGroup report in 2011, polytechnics produced 55% of TVETworkers in Malaysia. In comparison, Giat MARA produced 15%of TVET workers in Malaysia; Community College, 9%; and,the Ministry of Human Resource, 9%. As the largest TVETprovider, polytechnics should strategise to produce thetechnicians who are not only technically competent but alsoholistically apt.

What is the Professional Technician?There is a fine line between the job scopes of an engineer,

technologist and technician. An engineer is a person who isprofessionally trained or engaged in a branch of engineering.He/she is qualified to design and build engines, machines orstructures. In Malaysia, all practicing engineers are registeredby the Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM). Currently, Malaysiais a signatory to the Washington Accord, an internationalagreement that governs mutual recognition of engineeringqualification and professional competence. Engineers as aproblem solver will be required to go through an engineeringprogramme that is more complex and with higher level ofmathematical skills compared to an engineering technologyprogramme.

A technologist is a person who applies the knowledge ofmathematics, science and technology specialisation to definedand applied procedures, processes, systems ormethodologies. He/she is the doer who applies the designscreated by the engineers. The work of a technologist revolvesaround operating, assembling and maintaining engineeringmachines and structures. A technologist is usually certified byan approved engineering technologist body. In Malaysia, thisrole will be taken up by the Malaysian Board of Technologist(MBOT) which is expected to be established in the currentnational Malaysian Development Plan. It is expected thatMBOT will pursue Malaysia’s membership in the SydneyAccord.

A technician is a person in a field of technology who isproficient in the relevant skills and techniques, with a relativelypractical understanding of the theoretical principles. Anengineering technician assists an engineer or a technologist.He/she could be certified by the MBOT. It is expected thatMBOT will also pursue Malaysia’s membership in the DublinAccord.

Article reconstructed based on keynote address by

YBhg. Datuk Haji Mohlis Bin Jaafar,Director GeneralPolytechnic Education Department, Ministry Of Higher Education MalaysiaAt (Myset) 5th National Engineering & Technology Convention & 6th AnnualGeneral Meeting, Marriott Hotel, PutrajayaOn Saturday 6 April 2013

May-June 2013 ET

Feature 13

Cheshier (1998) produced a technological spectrum inorder to illustrate the place of engineering technology inrelation to the job functions of technicians and technologists.At one end of the spectrum, there is the job functions oftechnologists, whereas at the other end is the engineers.According to Cheshier (1998), in an organisation, engineerswould most likely work in the design and development fieldswhile technologists, technicians and craftsmen would bemore inclined to work in manufacturing and production line.Technicians are likely to do jobs on the right of the spectrumwhich include production testing, technical sales and fieldservices.

Grooming a Professional TechnicianA technician is not produced overnight. A person who

would like to be a professional technician should haveundergone a grooming process as soon as a student hasregistered for a technical programme at a higher learninginstitution. In order to be a professional technician, oneshould have not only technical competency, but also moraland spiritual demeanour. According to Gray and Herr (1998),a professional endeavour should be guided by:

• the history related to the profession

• the philosophy

• the ethical standards

During the early evolution of the profession, labours weredivided between food gatherers and those who providedother goods and services. Gray and Herr (1998) delineatedthe society during the ancient Greece where the slaves wereat the lowest class and had to work with their hands. Inancient Rome, slaves performed the artisan work. Engineerswere classified as soldiers and were given a higher socialstatus. In both ancient Greece and Rome, skilled craftsprovided a person with an important social and economicstatus and became a source of economic security. Due tothat, at some point, the craft skills became a closely guardedsecret that could only be learned by a few.

The preconception about the social and economic statusof a person with craft skills prolonged until post-modern

societies. A peek into the history provides an insight into theeconomy and labour market of the past and sparks ideas forthe future. It is also learned that formal training is required topass down the skills from one generation to the other.

The second characteristic or benchmark of a professionalendeavour relates to the philosophy that governs the practice.The “Skills-Employability” Paradigm” is based on theeconomic “human capital development” theory (Gray andHerr, 1998). The theory prophesied that when individuals hadjobs, they would be less of a threat to the society and be morelaw abiding and self-sufficient. In order to have job skills,people should go on job training, and get employed. In thetwentieth century, industrialised nations viewed job training asvital for individual’s self-sufficiency and social peace. In recentyears, the implication of the belief in the “skills-employability”paradigm could be observed in current employment andtraining programs which promote TVET education worldwide.

The last characteristic or benchmark of a professionalendeavour is professionalism and ethics which consist of therequirements for a technician to participate in professionalorganisations; acquire current knowledge, skills anddevelopment of the profession through reading professionaljournals; optimise one’s skills; and uphold the etiquette of theprofession (Gray and Herr, 1998). By embracing the principles,one should embrace the ethics, act accordingly and abide by

A technician is a person in a field oftechnology who is proficient in the

relevant skills and techniques, with arelatively practical understanding of the

theoretical principles.

Feature14

May-June 2013ET

the standards. The word standard here refers to“Points of Profession”. Gray and Herr (1998) listed four“Points of Profession or Ethical Obligations’:

• Promotion of Life Long Learning

• Assurance of health and safety

• Protection of public or private trust

• Transfer of learning.

Besides the above “Points of Profession”, theappreciation of diversity related to aspects includingculture should also be promoted. To enhance diversity,team work with other members at all levels should beencouraged internally within the organisation andprofessions, and collaboration between organisationsand agencies should be widened.

Professor Kenneth C. Gray and Edwin L Herr(1998) are adamant that the technician professionpractice should be guided by ethics in order toestablish a clear understanding of the points of theprofession for practical use and professional decisionmaking. It is, therefore, clear that a professionaltechnician should be trained to be both technicallycompetent as well as sound individuals to serve theTVET industry and the nation in general.

The technicians will be more effectiveprofessionals when they are provided with the insightsfor making professional decisions. As such, they needto have the knowledge related to the history of theprofession, the philosophical beliefs and the ethics.

Technical and VocationalEducation and Training (TVET) inMalaysia

In Malaysia, the technologists and technicians arecurrently not recognised and certified as professionalsby any professional body. In order to address thisissue, the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT)was established to accelerate the recognition and thecertifications of TVET programmes for technologistsand technicians. Through MBOT, the technologistsand technicians will be accorded with internationalrecognition through the membership of MBOT invarious international accords.

The planning for MBOT started when the CabinetCommittee on HDC recommended the establishmentof MBOT on 20 August 2010. The Cabinet approvedthe recommendation on 29 September 2010. Theestablishment of MBOT is also described in the policystatement in the 10th Malaysia Plan. The mainfunctions of MBOT are to recognise and accredit allTVET programmes, to facilitate the registration and

professional conduct of technologists and technicians,and to recognise technicians as a profession.

The MBOT consists of three councils: EngineeringTechnologist Accreditation Council (ETAC), TechnicalAccreditation Council (TAC) and Skills AccreditationCouncil (SAC). The membership is appointed by theMinister of Science, Technology and Innovation(MOSTI). MBOT provides a platform for Malaysia to bethe signatory to Sydney Accord and Dublin Accord. Itis a non-governmental statutory body established underthe Technologist and Technician Act 2013. It also hasthe authority to execute its functions and has theautonomy to manage the board. The establishment ofMBOT will help Malaysia to move up the value chain tobecome a high income economy.

High income economy is defined by the NewEconomic Model (2010) as obtaining per capita incomeRM48,000.00 by 2020. The Economic Planning Unit(EPU) in 2011 reported that traditionally, labour demandand supply have been growing annually at 2%. With theintroduction of NKEAs, the demand is expected tooutgrow supply. By 2020, up to an additional 3.3 millionjobs will be created, of which 1.3 million will be TVETrelated. In order for Malaysia to move into the highincome economy in 2020, 500,000 TVET diplomagraduates are required by the NKEA sectors. TheBoston Consulting Group Report in June 2011 foundthat by the year 2020, the highest demand will comefrom Tourism that is 449,000 workers, followed byRetail, 209,000 workers; and the Greater KLDevelopment, 203,000 workers. Since skilled workforceis critical to achieving this goal, it is, thus, important forthe TVET providers in Malaysia to increase theenrolment in TVET and raise the overall training quality.

This scenario should be viewed together with theconsistent production of TVET graduates by TVETproviders in Malaysia. The EPU report in December2011 described the projected TVET graduatesproduced by public and private institutions against theNKEA labour demand by 2020. It shows that by the year2020, Tourism, Retail, Healthcare and Education lineswill still be in demand while there will be an oversupplyof TVET graduates in the Electrical and Electronicssector namely semiconductor, solar, LED and IndustrialElectronics. An oversupply of TVET graduates is alsoexpected in Communications Content andInfrastructure sector namely in areas such as fixedservices, mobile services, courier, post and broadcast,and regional operations. These findings should providethe TVET providers in Malaysia with an indication forfuture planning in terms of programme offerings and theconcentration of efforts. Using the findings as theguideline, the EPU should now strategise to ensure thatthere will be no oversupply of graduates in the sectorsmentioned earlier by the year 2020.

May-June 2013 ET

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There may be two ways in which this issue could beaddressed. One way is for all the public and private TVETinstitutions running the programmes to lower the intake ofstudents. Another way is for some of the public and privateTVET institutions running the programmes to close the intakeof students in order to allow the remaining public and privateTVET institutions proved to be the most eligible to continuerunning the programmes.

Currently, polytechnics are the largest producers of TVETworkers in Malaysia. At polytechnics, there are manyprogrammes that are under the fields relevant to the technicianprofession (Informasi Politeknik 2012). Currently, manystudents are enrolled in Mechanical Engineering (19,255), CivilEngineering (19,147) and Electrical Engineering (17,484)Diplomas. Other related programmes are InformationTechnology (7,093), Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (94),Marine Engineering (211), Food Technology (750) Diplomas,and the latest addition is Agro-technology (84) and Bio-industryDiploma. Besides offering programmes at diploma level,programmes offerings at advanced diploma level such asElectronic Engineering (Medical) (49), Mechanical Engineering(19), and Automotive Design (69) and ManufacturingEngineering (6) are also available.

It is indeed crucial and timely for the Economic PlanningUnit to realign the programmes offered by all the TVETinstitutions in Malaysia so that it is more systematic andeffective in terms of costs, resources and facilities. Strategiesthat are more holistic and focused would be able tosuccessfully propel the nation’s economy.

The Roles of Polytechnics and FutureInitiatives

In order to be sustainable and relevant in TVET, thepolytechnic has strategically planned to ensure that alltechnical and technology programmes in polytechnics will seekthe recognition of the Malaysian Board of Technologists(MBOT). To keep abreast with the current issues, thepolytechnic aspires to spearhead the Technical AccreditationCouncil (TAC) under the MBOT. The move will enable thepolytechnic graduates to be recognised internationally, as wellas encourage all technicians who meet the requirements tosubmit an application to MBOT in order to be qualified andcertified technicians for added value.

The TAC is responsible for a few tasks. It oversees theeducational base for engineering technicians in order to berecognised by the Dublin Accord. It also monitors andfacilitates programme/ occupational standards, accreditationevaluation, continuous professional development and qualityassurance as well as assist in the registration of engineeringtechnicians with MBOT, and the related activities. Besides that,the TAC also establishes liaison with TVET institutions inMalaysia and the other signatories of Dublin Accord for qualityassurance as well as the sharing of information, good practiceand conduct.

The polytechnic aspires to elevate the TVET image throughregional and international recognition. One of the ways is byaccrediting programmes through the MBOT which is recognisedby the Dublin Accord, and by accrediting the institutions throughthe Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission(APACC).

In addition to that, the polytechnic also aspires to enhancethe niche areas, and strives to meet the industrial needs. Toachieve that, the polytechnic is developing a few Centres ofTechnology (CoT) at premier polytechnics, and is planning tooffer selected home grown and twinning degrees in the nearfuture in order to provide a smooth articulation for the studentsof polytechnics and other TVET institutions in Malaysia.

A close examination of the TVET best practices worldwidewill be able to further enhance the technician profession in

A peek into the history providesthe insight into the economy and

labour market of the past andsparks ideas for the future.

Feature16

May-June 2013ET

Malaysia. The Technician Council, UK provided somerecommendations. Published in Professional Technician:The Future, it is aimed to raise the profile of theprofessional technician and increase the pool of homegrown technical skills in the UK. In total, there are eightrecommendations:

1. Endorse and promote professional techniciandeveloped by the Technician Council.

2. Support registration and professionaldevelopment and announce own aspirational targetsfor converted or newly recruited professionaltechnicians.

3. Support for professional technicians and promotetheir skills and contributions within the sector.

4. Improve communications on career choices,benefits and opportunities available to professionaltechnicians

5. Raise the profile of professional technician inGovernment and the benefits of the career paths, andcommunicate it to the young people

6. Use the professional technician brand inrecruitment specifications, advertising, registrationmaterials, development programmes and all otherrelevant applications.

7. Promote greater diversity so that the futureprofessional technician population is morerepresentative of society

8. Sustain the work of the Technician Council inorder to promote and increase the numbers ofprofessional technicians over the next three years

The recommendations by the Technician Council arenot unique to the UK contexts. Malaysia can take theinitiatives and make similar efforts to recognise the rolesof technicians and their invaluable contribution to thenation. Currently in Malaysia, the technician is anoccupation similar to other jobs and does not requiredistinct professional recognition. On the other hand, thework of a technician, more often than not, requiresspecific technical skills that could only be acquiredthrough formal training. In order to elevate the perceptiontowards the technician profession in Malaysia, the TVETsystem in Malaysia especially the polytechnics havemade some efforts towards enhancing its reputation andimage. In addition to that, the technicians must alsoprove themselves worthy of the profession.

Conclusion In Malaysia, it is hoped that the contribution of

technicians to the national socio-economic development

can be recognised by the government and privatesectors. In fact, it should be considered as the “heart ofthe science and technology” of the workforce, andhence, should not be remained hidden. In years to come,technicians will be one of the largest groups of workforcein Malaysia, and their contribution to Malaysia’s economyespecially in enhancing the NKEA sectors is indeedindispensable.

ReferencesNew Economic Model. (2010 ). Economic TransformationProgramme. Putrajaya

Rationalizing the implementation of Technical Educationand Vocational Training (TEVT). (2011). BostonConsulting Group.

Gray, Kenneth C. & Herr, Edwin L. (1998). U.S.:Workforce Education: The Basics, Pearson.

Professional Technician: The Future. Retrieved April 1,2013 from http://www.professional-technician.org.uk/recommendations

Informasi Politeknik. (September 2012). Putrajaya:Polytechnic Education Department, Ministry of HigherEducation Malaysia.

Developing skills. Skills for Care Ltd. England RetrievedMay 15, 2013, from http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/developing_skills/National_Occupational_Standards/NOS_introduction.aspx .

Final Report National Employment Return: BCG analysis.(2009). Putrajaya: Unit Perancang Ekonomi, KementerianPelajaran dan Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi

Grace Wairimu Mureithi. Technical, vocational educationand training in Africa: has it lost its significance?. Kenya:Moi University

Mohd. Gazali bin Abas. (2011). Isu-isu semasa dalampendidikan latihan teknikal dan vokasional di Malaysia.Putrajaya: Majlis Perbincangan Meja Bulat, MajlisProfesor Negara, Unit Perancang Ekonomi

Rationalizing the implementation of Technical Educationand Vocational Training (TEVT). (2011). The BostonConsulting Group: Presentation to Majlis PenyelarasanKemahiran Kebangsaan (MPKK)

The World Bank Group. (2013). Retrieved May 15, 2013,from http://go.worldbank.org/G2CHLXX0Q0.

Cheshier, S. R. (1998). Studying engineering technology:A blue print for success. The University of Michigan:Discovery Press. ET

May-June 2013 ET

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MAY1-Day Workshop on Complex ProblemSolvingDate: 25 May 2013Venue: Marriott Hotel, Putrajaya

1-Day Workshop on Submission forAccreditationDate: 26 May 2013Venue: Marriott Hotel, Putrajaya

JUNE2-Day Intensive Workshop on Submissionfor AccreditationDate: 15-16 June 2013Venue: Marriott Hotel, Putrajaya

3-Day Intensive Lead Evaluator forAccreditationDate: 22-24 June 2013Venue: Marriott Hotel, Putrajaya

AUGUST5th World Engineering CongressDate: 22-24 August 2013Venue: Islamabad, Pakistan

NOVEMBERFEIIC General Assembly & IntEC2013Date: November 2013Venue: Cairo, Eqypt

DECEMBER3rd International Engineering EducationConference (ICEE2013)Date: 24-25 December 2013Venue: Madinah, Saudi Arabia

JUNE 20142nd World Research & Innovation onEngineering & Technology (WRICET2014)Date: June 2014Venue: Islamabad, Pakistan

MAY2nd Annual Efficient Plant Shutdown &Turnaround Forum, Fleming GulfDate: 15-16 May 2013Venue: Kuala Lumpur

Bengkel Pelan Tindakan Dasar Sains,Teknologi dan Inovasi (DSTIN)Date: 16 May 2013Venue: Marriott Hotel, Putrajaya

DACUM-TVET 2013Date: 30-31 May 2013Venue: Hilton Hotel, Kuching

JUNEEngineering & Technology Fest 2 2013Date: 17-18 June 2013Venue: UNITEN

AUGUSTFIRA ROBOWORLD CUP KL 2013Date: 24-29 August 2013Venue: Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul

Aziz Shah

SEPTEMBERInternational Conference on Ergonomics(ICE2013), UM Date: 2-4 September 2013Venue: Kuala Lumpur

i-CREATE National Conference & ExhibitionDate: 17-20 September 2013Venue: Hilton Hotel, Kuching

OCTOBERITINFRA 2013Date: 29-30 October 2013Venue: Palm Garden Hotel & Resorts

Future Events 2013

MySET as Co-Organiser / Endorser

Calender 201318

May-June 2013ET

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