Quest International University Perak’s (QIU) industry-based engineering programme has got off to a flying start, after the University sealed a deal to work with electronics manufacturing giant Salutica Allied Solutions on the new curriculum. The two parties recently inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to develop and implement an academic-industrial hybrid programme that will produce competent, employable engineers. On hand to sign the agreement was QIU Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Goh and Salutica Deputy Chief Executive Officer Joshua Lim.
The programme aims to create a pool of talent that will sustain industrial growth via industry-led programmes that focus on domain knowledge in the area of engineering. Under this programme, the new breed of QIU undergraduates will enjoy 40 weeks of industrial attachment across their four-year programme. This will include 10 weeks in Year 1 and Year 2 respectively, as well as 20 weeks in Year 3. Due to this early continuous exposure and engagement with the experts, the University’s budding engineers will get the chance to sharpen their hands-on skills while being moulded by the industry.
QIU’s Bachelor of Electronics Engineering (Communication) with Honours and Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering with Honours students will start this programme in April 2020. Mr Nicholas said the hybrid curriculum would allow QIU’s students to keep pace with industry changes that evolved at breakneck speed. He said rapid changes and innovations in the industry would be immediately communicated to the undergraduates, who would in turn greatly benefit from this exposure. At the same time, Goh noted that QIU wanted to produce graduates who would be able to contribute to the local economy.
Mr Joshua Lim agreed, saying the partnership would fulfil both partners’ needs while also grooming talent for Ipoh’s industries. From Salutica’s perspective, he said the new curriculum would help bridge the gap between the worlds of academia and industry.
