Lending a helping hand to better equip fresh grads seeking employment in a bleak

economy, the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) will introduce the Siemens
Mechatronics Systems Certification Program (SMSCP) in 10 local polytechnics in
Malaysia.
A total of 20 local lecturers have been chosen to attend the 3 week-long course at
Siemens' own elite international technical college- the Siemens Technik Akademie in
Berlin, Germany. The lecturers will be trained by the German technology experts on
being "Handlungskompetenz" where a skilled worker is able to adapt to a new
situation in a self independent, flexible and fast way of working. Upon return, the
lecturers will impart the knowledge they gained by training other lecturers, and then
passed on again to the students.
Mechatronics is a marriage of systems integrating electrical, mechanical and
computer engineering. The partner schools for the course are selected and certified
in partnership with a local Siemens operating company. In this case, the industry
partners are Amatrol Inc and VCAT Consulting GmbH.
Siemens is the world leader in mechanics and automated systems technologies, and
has over 100 years of experience in technical education. In Germany alone,
Siemens is one of the largest education providers. The SMSCP course has been
established by Siemens engineers who have over 25 years of experience, and so
far, more than 168 students have benefited from the course since it was launched in
March 2007 in USA, China and Singapore.
"The first batch of 10 lecturers will leave to Berlin this month. Once certified as
SMSCP instructors, the lecturers have an opportunity to become Certified Instructor
Trainers, who may then give some SMSCP ICP courses back home. For the
students, they can receive both an industry certification and a Polytechnic diploma.
For those who have already left their schools for a while, they can enroll in this
course to update themselves and better equip themselves in a turbulent economy,"
said the Secretary General of MoHE, Datuk Dr.Zulkefli A.Hassan at the signing
ceremony between the Department of Polytechnic and Community College
Education (DPCCE), MoHE, and Siemens Malaysia at the Holiday Villa Hotel today.
Also present were President & CEO of Siemens Malaysia, Tan Sri Rainer Althoff,
Derrick Koo, Senior Vice President of Siemens Industry Automation, Drive
Technologies and Building Technologies, Martin Stoeckmann, Director of Education

and Training, Siemens Professional Education, Siemens Technik Akademie Berlin

and Dato' Hj Imran bin Idris, Director General, DPCCE, MoHE
Said Tan Sri Althoff: "There is a growing need for solid, up-to-date, industry focused
qualification in integrated mechatronics system, both for new entrants to the field, as
well as for professionals who need to bring their system awareness to the current
standards. We have a large range of manufacturers in Malaysia equipped with
Siemens technology and the tie up with a local Siemens operating company
increases their chances of securing an employment since he or she will be familiar
with their operating system. The certified job seeker will also be more hands on.
Sharing our knowledge and expertise is a part of Siemens corporate responsibility".
The 10 institutions offering the course are Politeknik Ungku Omar, Politeknik Sultan
Azlan Shah ( Perak), Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, Politeknik
Tuanku Sultanah Bahiyah (Kedah), Politeknik Kota Bharu (Kelantan), Politeknik Port
Dickson (Negri Sembilan), Politeknik Johor Bahru (Johor), Politeknik Sultan Mizan
Zainal Abidin (terengganu), Politeknik Merlimau (Melaka) and Politeknik Kota
Kinabalu (Sabah).
Malaysia is the third Asian country to introduce the course, after Singapore and
China. China had begun the course in March 2007, while Singapore launched the
course in October 2008.
About Siemens
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical
engineering, operating in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. The company
has around 430,000 employees (in continuing operations) working to develop and
manufacture products, design and install complex systems and projects, and tailor a
wide range of solutions for individual requirements. For over 160 years, Siemens has
stood for technical achievements, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality. In
fiscal 2008, Siemens had revenue of 77.3 billion and a net income of 5.9 billion
(IFRS).
Since its inception into Malaysia in 1972, Siemens has actively participated in
Malaysia's dynamic economic and social growth. With close to 4,000 staff strength, it
has grown to become the second largest German company in Malaysia. Backed by
its global network of innovation, Siemens Malaysia assures its customers of
international expertise localized and tailor-made to suit their business needs. Today,
it is one of the leading technology providers in the country with comprehensive

products, services and solutions for various sectors in the Malaysian of economy
such as oil and gas, power, water, process industries, ports, airports, rail, healthcare
and hospitality. Siemens Group of Companies in Malaysia includes Siemens
Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Siemens Industrial Workshop Sdn Bhd, Siemens Multimedia Sdn
Bhd, OSRAM (M) Sdn Bhd and OSRAM Opto Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
For more information, visit www.siemens.com.my.
Corporate Responsibility
As a committed corporate citizen, Siemens Malaysia has actively participated in
various local corporate responsibility activities, focusing on the areas of arts and
culture, sports, and charity. Siemens champions the local performing arts scene by
being a founding sponsor of the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. Siemens
reaffirmed its commitment towards sports and charity through Siemens Run 2007, an
annual run whereby proceeds of the recent run were channeled to the National
Cancer Society of Malaysia, the Malaysian Paralympics Council and the School for
the Blind, Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Jalan Batu. Bringing technological
innovation for the betterment of lives, the company also recently donated to a 150
underprivileged children with hearing impairment received Siemens Hearing Aids.
About Siemens Healthcare
Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry.
The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and
innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in
knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration.
With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare will be the first fully
integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics,
therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by
consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the
entire continuum of care -- from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy
and care. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates
in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported
sales of 9.85 billion (on a pro forma basis including Dade Behring roughly 11
billion), orders of 10.27 billion, and group profit of 1.32 billion. Further information
can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.