Work-Based Learning Programmes

The future of work continues to be in a constant state of change. It is important to ensure graduates are taught to be adaptive, flexible and knowledgeable. When it comes to the employability of today’s graduates, nothing beats having hands-on practical experience backed by sound theoretical knowledge.

To help its graduates transition seamlessly from university to the workplace, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) has implemented work-based learning (WBL) for the Bachelor of Technology (Honours) in Electronic Systems and Bachelor of Technology (Honours) in Industrial Management offered by its Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT).

The Bachelor of Technology (Honours) in Electronic Systems is designed to fulfil the urgent need to produce skilled technologists in the fields of electronic engineering and technology as the industry has emerged as the primary driving force behind the digital revolution.

Meanwhile, the Bachelor of Technology (Honours) in Industrial Management deals with industrial design, manufacturing, management, and application of science and engineering principles to improve the entire industrial infrastructure and industrial processes with a focus on the management of industrial processes.

WBL gives students exposure to the industry before they graduate, with a one-year industry attachment embedded into the programme of study. It is designed to address the mismatch between what is being taught at academic institutions and actual industry needs, which is actually common in most parts of the world. Under WBL, students will spend a total of two years of their study on campus to build up their foundation and theoretical knowledge, and a total of one year attached to a UTAR industry partner for completing courses with WBL elements and a three-month industrial training embedded in them.

During their attachment, students get the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have gained on campus and acquire valuable practical experience so they will be able to adapt quickly to the workplace environment once they have graduated. WBL students learn and train at the industry partner’s premises, during which they will be taught and assessed by industry experts or engineers who have been appointed as industry coaches at their workplace. UTAR’s academic staff is involved in coordinating with the industry partners on the student assessments to ensure they meet the determined outcomes to graduate. Students in the WBL courses are fully assessed based on coursework.

FEGT Dean Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun said, “Industry feedback has indicated that WBL helps students learn faster as well as develop important communication and teamwork skills. Furthermore, priority will also be given to these students when it comes to employment after they graduate. All our industry partners are fully committed to producing graduates who are industry-ready upon graduation. This is reflected by their willingness to sign the MoA to collaborate with FEGT to design the curriculum and assign qualified and experienced engineers and related resources to host the WBL students.”

UTAR FEGT’s current industry partners include well-established companies such as Infineon Technologies (Kulim) Sdn Bhd and ViTrox Corporation Bhd for the ES programme, and Beckhoff Automation Sdn Bhd for the Industrial Management programme. 

The highlight of joining the WBL programmes in FEGT is upon graduation, the companies involved in WBL have committed to immediately hire the graduating students if they performed well during their WBL. The salary given to fresh graduates in the WBL programme is comparable to that of fresh graduates from engineering programmes. 

For students undergoing WBL with the Bachelor of Technology (Honours) in Electronic Systems, another highlight is that upon graduation, graduates are eligible to continue their masters with UTAR through the Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) programme should they wish to further their studies. There are two pathways available. The first pathway is to fully complete the Master’s degree programme at UTAR for one year. The second is to join the international dual Master’s degree programme for two years. In this pathway, students spend about one and a half years in UTAR followed by a minimum duration of five months at OTH Regensburg in Germany.

This dual Master’s degree programme is under the UTAR-OTH mutual credit recognition programme. Having a Master’s degree is highly beneficial towards the career advancement of graduates working in the industry, given that they are in high demand in many multinational companies