THE STAR, TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018
COURSE FOCUS
INDUSTRY 4.0 is a popular concept
today. With the attention the new
industrial revolution is gaining, the
mechatronics industry is growing
rapidly.
The innovative area of
mechatronics is facilitating huge
advancements in technology to
drive Industry 4.0. The fields of
mechanical engineering, electrical
engineering, control engineering
and computer science have
coalesced into the mechatronics
industry, which is the interface of
the future.
Professionals in mechatronics
face enormous opportunities ahead
to forge a path through Industry
4.0.
Tunku Abdul Rahman University
College (TAR UC) is a leading
industry-relevant education
provider that offers programmes
in mechatronics at diploma and
degree levels.
Relevant programmes at TAR UC
aim to equip students with
knowledge to solve real-world
problems in the field with proper
application of mechatronics
principles.
Furthermore, TAR UC’s priority is
to teach students to design and
develop solutions for the future.
Students also learn to apply their
technical expertise through
laboratory, project and research
activities.
Shawn Daren, who is currently
in his second year of the Bachelor
of Engineering (Hons) Mechatronic,
shares his experience in studying
mechatronics at TAR UC.
“Mechatronics is a very
challenging but fun field. What I
studied at diploma level
strengthened my understanding of
the degree-level subjects I am
Creating tomorrow’s builders
INFRASTRUCTURE University
Kuala Lumpur’s (IUKL) Faculty of
Engineering and Technology
Infrastructure offers the tools and
means for students to join the next
generation of inventors, developers
and creators.
SPM or O-Level graduates can
register for the Foundation in
Science (Engineering option) or
diploma programmes to begin
their pathway in the field before
choosing a specialty such as civil
engineering, mechanical
engineering or electrical and
electronic engineering.
Civil engineering is a rewarding
and challenging profession in
which graduates can contribute to
building and maintaining physical
infrastructure all over the world.
IUKL programmes offered in this
field are the Diploma in Civil
Engineering and Bachelor of Civil
Engineering (Hons).
Mechanical engineers make up
an essential human resource in
many areas including the
automotive, aerospace,
biotechnology, computer,
electronics and manufacturing
industries.
IUKL offers the Diploma in
Mechanical Engineering and
Bachelor of Mechanical
Engineering (Hons) for those
interested in this field.
IUKL’s Diploma in Electrical and
ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE
Mastering the world
of mechatronics
taking now.
“On top of that, I got to build a
robotic arm for my diploma
assignment. The task was
challenging but I enjoyed
configuring and troubleshooting
processes with my team,” he says.
Lim Hui Yan is another Bachelor
of Engineering (Hons) Mechatronic
student who is in her last semester
at TAR UC.
“What I studied in my Diploma
in Technology (Mechatronics) has
helped me tremendously in my
degree. My degree programme
keeps me up-to-date with
Graduates of
IUKL’s architecture
programmes
are trained to be
resourceful, creative
and ready to take up
responsibilities.
Electronics Engineering and
Bachelor of Electronics
Engineering (Hons) programmes
expose students to the latest
advancements in the electrical and
electronic engineering industry.
The university also offers
Diploma in Automotive
Engineering, Bachelor of
Technology (Hons) in Automotive
and Bachelor of Technology (Hons)
in Construction Management.
IUKL’s engineering degrees
are recognised by the Board
of Engineers Malaysia and
Washington Accord.
IUKL provides the best training
for future architects by equipping
them with necessary architectural
knowledge and problem-solving
skills required of professional
architects.
advancements in the mechatronics
field.
“I especially enjoyed
assignments with problem-solving
requirements such as when my
group built a drone. I also
completed two research
assignments on the relationship
between Industry 4.0 and
mechatronics. The findings I
gained from them were not only
informative but exciting as well.
“I am indebted to the lecturer I
met on TAR UC’s Open Day when I
was still unsure of how to pursue
my interest in mechatronics.
Graduates of IUKL’s
architecture programmes
are trained to be
resourceful, creative and
ready to take up
responsibilities.
SPM or O-Levels students
can enrol in the Foundation
in Arts (Architecture
option) or Diploma in
Architecture. The former
takes one year to complete
while the latter two and a
half years.
Students can then
continue with the Bachelor
of Science (Architectural
Studies). This programme is
recognised by the Board of
Architects Malaysia (LAM) as
equivalent to its professional
Part I qualification.
Graduates may also opt to
pursue IUKL’s Bachelor of
Architecture, after which they may
sit for the LAM Part II qualification
or work in the built environment
industry.
In addition, IUKL offers the
Diploma in Landscape Architecture
and Bachelor of Landscape
Architecture, which provide a
strong foundation in planning,
designing, management and
execution.
Landscape architecture has an
increasingly important role and is
being actively practised by many
Mechatronics
students and
lecturers
during their
visit to
the Sony
Malaysia
factory as
part of
TAR UC’s
immersive
learning
experience.
Despite my average result in SPM
physics, he encouraged me to
enrol in the Diploma in
Technology (Mechatronic) as the
syllabus is well-structured and
easy to understand,” she says.
Both Lim and Shawn are active
members of the TAR UC
Mechatronic Society, which is an
academic club every
mechatronics student at the
institution is automatically
enrolled in.
“I will miss society activities
when I leave TAR UC. Besides
picking up a thing or two about
IUKL’s quality tertiary education programmes nurture your passion and let
you choose from a broad spectrum of career options.
design professionals and technical
experts.
IUKL is the foremost
infrastructure university in
Malaysia that aspires to produce
technopreneurs and skilled
manpower with outstanding
communication, technological and
managerial skills.
As a subsidiary of Protasco
Berhad, IUKL is committed to
engineering the future of
tomorrow’s leaders.
event management and
fundraising, I have befriended
other students over common
interests, especially other girls, as
not many girls study
mechatronics.
“I am grateful for getting to join
study visits to the Motorola and
Sony factories as well as being a
mentor to my juniors who are
studying mechatronics in TAR
UC,” says Lim.
Shawn, on the other hand,
eagerly anticipates society
activities.
“I enjoy attending workshops
and talks and participating in
competitions. Besides enhancing
our knowledge on mechatronics,
the society also equips its
members with other important
skills,” he says.
Attractive scholarships such as
academic merit and sibling
discounts are available from TAR
UC for eligible students.
Find out more about
mechatronics programmes at
TAR UC Open Day from now till
April 1 at its campuses
nationwide. TAR UC
representatives will also
be present at major education
fairs.
n For more information, visit
www.tarc.edu.my
IUKL is open weekdays from
8.30am to 6.30pm and weekends
from 10am to 4pm until April 1.
Walk-in registration is available.
Students who register on the
spot will receive an IUKL Lucky 20
kit in conjunction with IUKL’s 20th
anniversary.
n For more information, call
1800 88 STUDY (78839), e-mail
branding@iukl.edu.my or visit
www.iukl.edu.my
2 Course Focus
Getting down
and dirty
AS Malaysia undergoes rapid
development, Prof Khu Soon-Thiam,
head of discipline (civil engineering)
at Monash University Malaysia’s
School of Engineering, says that the
job prospect for civil engineers in
the country is good.
“Malaysia not only has numerous
ongoing infrastructure and road-
building projects, there are also
large-scale maintenance projects
and LRT line expansions. These
require civil engineers,” he says.
According to him, with
sustainability being the buzzword,
today’s students are exposed to a
new dimension of civil engineering –
how to construct while being
conscious about sustainability.
They are exposed to the latest
materials and procedures, which
work towards cost efficiency, faster
construction rate and causing less
impact to the environment.
That said, Malaysia faces a
shortage of civil engineers, which
may be caused by the brain drain
phenomenon that sees many
overseas-trained Malaysian
graduates stay on to work
internationally.
Prof Khu suggests that this
problem can be solved by having
students receive their education and
graduate locally.
“When students are educated in
Malaysia, they will gain exposure to
the companies here during their
internships. As they see the projects
that these companies are involved
Monash University Malaysia’s School of Engineering develops experts who are ready to meet the nation’s
demand for civil engineers.
in, there is a higher likelihood of
them joining these companies,” he
explains.
When asked what are the traits of
good civil engineers, Prof Khu shares
that they are the ones who are
not afraid to get their hands
dirty.
“Successful civil engineers are
always curious about the built
environment they live in. They
are interested in buildings,
roads, bridges and tunnels. They
must also be serious about
wanting to make a difference to
generate a better environment.”
He adds that in the civil
engineering line, it is essential
for engineers to be able to
communicate and work with
people from myriad
backgrounds.
“Overcoming language
barriers is quite the norm, as
construction workers whom you
work with are from various
parts of the world. Apart from
that, civil engineers are also the
mediators between the clients,
who are paying for the project,
and the architects,” he says.
Consequently, it is important
to be able to strike a balance
between meeting clients’ desire
to reduce costs and the
requirements of the architects.
The civil engineering
discipline in Monash Malaysia
not only prepares students
academically, it also provides
them with soft skills training to
ensure they are ready for the
job market.
For example, students are
The need for
sustainability
THE long-overdue green
revolution is slowly but surely
taking over the world. More
people are realising the
importance of protecting the
environment and embracing
sustainable ways of life. The
environment-friendly lifestyle
has expanded to encompass
bigger living needs such as large-
infrastructure development and
high-rise human shelter.
According to environmental
design expert James Wines in a
Britannica Online article, the
building of human shelter in all
its forms consumed more than
half of the world’s resources in
the early 21st century, which
translates to 16% of the Earth’s
freshwater resources, almost
40% of all energy supply and
50% of all raw materials drawn
from the Earth’s surface.
Wines, who is also an
architecture professor, notes in
the article that in the same
THE STAR, TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018
often assigned into groups by
the academics.
“Students are taught group
work through a simulated work
environment, where they are
tasked to work with people they
may not be close to or fond of,”
says Prof Khu.
Another element students
learn is the financial aspect of
managing a project.
“We need them to understand
finance, or at least the balance
sheet, as they need to be on site
ordering materials for
construction. If they do not
understand the financial aspect,
they might order too many or
too few materials, thus affecting
the progress of the construction,”
he says.
In the final year, students
study contract law to understand
the legal aspect of construction
works.
Prof Khu adds, “I hope that
with the different skill sets, our
graduates will be versatile
enough to deal with various
situations when they enter the
workplace.
“At Monash Malaysia, students
undergo the same curriculum
and train the exact way as their
counterparts in Monash
University Australia.”
n For more information, visit
www.eng.monash.edu.my
period, architecture was
responsible for more than 40%
of waste deposits in landfills and
more than 20% of greenhouse
gas emissions.
Part of the answer to this
serious threat is green building,
which requires eliminating or
reducing the detrimental impact
on the environment in design,
construction and operation
processes while also generating
positive impact to users of the
infrastructure.
However, the definition of a
green building differs between
countries and regions based on
myriad characteristics such as
climate condition, culture and
tradition, age and type of
existing infrastructure, and
environmental, economic and
social priorities – all of which
shape a government’s approach
to green building.
> TURN TO PAGE 4
THE STAR, TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018
Trailblazers in software engineering
OVER the years, computers have
become prevalent and embedded
in every facet of society. It is almost
impossible to imagine a world
without computers now. They have
also improved efficiency and
productivity in the workplace and
at home.
Software engineers and
developers are at the forefront of
this field. From developing
applications for clients by
analysing the end user’s needs to
coordinating the growth of a
business or client’s computer
systems, the role of a software
engineer is essential throughout
the software development process.
HELP University’s School of
Information and Communication
Technology positions its students
and graduates to drive the
information technology industry to
higher levels of innovation and
success.
Its newest postgraduate course –
the Postgraduate Certificate in
Software Engineering (PGCSE) –
prepares students for lasting
careers in computer systems.
This programme offers a
comprehensive and professional
software engineering education
that combines advanced concepts
and methods with application of
in-demand skills necessary for a
successful career in technology.
“The PGCSE prepares students
for positions in software houses
and consultancies with major
software users such as
corporations in the financial
sector, where there is significant
demand for advanced software
Dr Sien (second from left) in a group discussion with her software engineering students.
development and rigorous
software engineering practice,”
says Dr Sien Ven Yu, dean of HELP
University’s Faculty of Computing
and Digital Technology.
“Career opportunities exist in a
wide variety of roles including
software designers and developers,
project managers, database
managers, programmers, analysts
and consultants. Upon completion
of the programme, candidates may
also consider pursuing a master’s
degree or research career.”
The PGCSE enhances students’
software engineering and
programming skills to develop a
systematic understanding of the
principles of architecture, analysis,
design and development of
software.
“This industry-focused
programme is for computing
graduates and experienced
information and communication
technology professionals who want
to acquaint themselves with
advanced concepts, methods,
design issues and techniques for
the development of high-quality,
complex software systems,” says
Dr Sien.
The PGCSE takes six months to
complete. Graduates of the PGCSE
are eligible for an accelerated
master’s programme at the
International Technological
University (ITU) in San Jose,
California.
Credits earned in the PGCSE are
accepted in any of the following
programmes at ITU:
l MSc in Software Engineering
l MSc in Software Engineering
specialising in Computer Science
l MSc in Software Engineering
specialising in Information and
Cybersecurity
l MSc in Engineering
Management
l MSc in Electrical Engineering
Course Focus 3
l MSc in Computer Engineering
l MBA in Business Analytics
ITU is a non-profit private
university accredited by the
Western Association of Schools and
Colleges. The university provides
students with high-quality
education that is closely tied to the
trends of the industry.
Located in the heart of Silicon
Valley, ITU’s teaching and research
faculty is made up of industry
leaders from corporations such as
Cisco, Google and Nasa.
Students interested in pursuing
studies and a career in software
engineering need only spend one
year at ITU. Since the university is
located close to many of the globe’s
foremost technological companies
in Silicon Valley, students can
collaborate and network with the
community in the world’s centre of
entrepreneurship and innovation.
This credit-transfer allowance
from the PGCSE also provides
opportunities for students to work
in the industry for a year with US
employers through which students
can earn a living and gain work
experience simultaneously.
Upon receiving their master's
qualification, students may be
eligible to apply for up to three
years of Optional Practical Training
in the US under current federal
regulations.
Upcoming PGCSE intakes are in
April, July and September.
n For more information,
call 03-2716 2000 or visit
www.help.edu.my
4 Course Focus
Shift to green energy
> FROM PAGE 2
No matter the argument, one
thing is for certain – local buildings
must reduce harmful output as
outlined in international climate
change management strategy the
Paris Agreement, in which Malaysia
pledged to a 45% reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
and cut 32 million tonnes of carbon
emissions by 2020.
Laying the groundwork
“To meet the global goals of the
Paris Agreement on climate change
and with construction accounting
for 36% of the world’s final energy
use and 40% of energy-related
carbon dioxide emissions, we must
decarbonise by 2050 to limit further
increase in global warming to 2°C,”
says Joelle Chen, World Green
Building Council’s (WorldGBC) Asia
Pacific regional head.
“However, the current pace and
scale of improvement is not enough.
The energy intensity per square
metre of the world’s building sector
needs to improve by 30% by 2030 to
be on track in meeting requirements
of the Paris Agreement,” shares
Chen.
WorldGBC is an organisation that
facilitates regional dialogue for
green building councils all over the
world who face similar challenges
and have similar opportunities in
their markets.
“It’s not about whether we want to
go green; it’s that we cannot afford
not to go green at this point in time,”
says Ahmad Izdihar Supaat,
president of Malaysia Green
Building Confederation, on the
country’s shift to sustainable
development.
Refocusing the industry
Now more than ever, there
is a demand for individuals who
are innovative and have adopted
visions for a future with more
environment-friendly infrastructure
THE STAR, TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018
development practices.
New ideas and fresh takes on
how to shift an age-old industry
are needed, even with existing
professionals undergoing
environmental design training and
universities introducing green
building modules.
“Achieving the goals of the global
building and construction sector
requires all hands on deck, ranging
from policymaking, technology and
financing tools to increased
international cooperation, greater
education and awareness, and better
training.
“A key part of this equation is
while we are reducing the demand
for energy, there needs to be a
concurrent effort in increasing the
supply of renewables to serve the
building sector.
“We see that the building sector
has a key role to play in driving
demand for a decarbonised grid in
the next decade or so,” concludes
Chen on ongoing global green
building efforts.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018
Charting a
bright future
MECHANICAL engineering is
one of the broadest and oldest
branches of engineering. The
expertise of mechanical
engineers is required in any
project related to any field of
engineering.
These engineers are involved
in the design, analysis, testing,
manufacturing, control,
operation and maintenance of
mechanical components in any
system that has a moving part.
With the extensive nature of
the field, mechanical
engineering graduates have a
wide array of career paths to
choose from.
Many opt for industries such
as automotive, energy, robotics,
biomedical, product designing,
manufacturing, computer-aided
design and manufacturing,
operations and quality control,
reverse engineering, mechanical
design and aerospace.
First City University College’s
(First City UC) Bachelor of
Mechanical Engineering with
Honours programme includes
rubber-related topics in its
curriculum.
This makes the programme
unique and relevant as
Malaysia’s rubber technology
industry is one of the 12
National Key Economic Areas
identified by the Government.
With the growing economy,
Malaysia needs at least 200,000
engineers by 2020 to attain
developed nation status. To date,
there are only 120,000 registered
engineers with Board of
Engineers Malaysia.
First City UC caters to the
growing need for professional
engineers by offering industry-
relevant engineering
programmes with a hands-on
approach in teaching.
Guided by the philosophy of
providing affordable quality
education, teaching and
learning at First City UC are
managed by capable and
dedicated staff who are
committed to helping students
excel in their studies.
Faculty members are actively
involved in research activities
contributing to fields such as
artificial intelligence,
educational technology,
automation, power, renewable
energy, Internet technology,
human computer reaction and
communication engineering.
Apart from the traditional
classroom methods of learning,
The Faculty of Engineering & Computing is equipped with facilities
such as a computer laboratory to facilitate practical learning.
Course Focus 5
third-year students are exposed
to integrated-design engineering First City
projects for a duration of eight UC’s students
months in the areas of heating, were the first
ventilation and air conditioning, runner-up at
mechanics, manufacturing and the Asia
automation, automotive, and Pacific Robotic
aerodynamics. Competition
For the past 10 years, students 2017.
have participated actively in
competitions such as the
E-Genting Bug Hunt and Affordable quality education students and those in need, including Examination Certificate results.
E-Genting Programming the Founder's Scholarship - Teo Soo Alumni incentives are available for
Competition organised by the Besides offering programmes at Cheng Foundation, Merit Scholarship, current students who intend to
systems research and affordable fees, First City UC provides Sports Scholarship, UEC Scholarship, pursue new programmes.
development department of financial assistance in the form of Student Leader & Top Office Bearer
eGenting Sdn Bhd. The scholarships, incentives and Scholarship, and Sibling Incentive. n For more information,
competitions are supported by attractive discounts. Students can apply for these call 03-7727 3200, e-mail
the Malaysia Digital Economy Various types of scholarship are scholarships based on their SPM/O- enquiry@firstcity.edu.my or visit
Corporation. offered to academically exceptional Levels, STPM/A-Levels or Unified www.firstcity.edu.my
The E-Genting Bug Hunt
challenges students in designing
and documenting testing
procedures to meet software
requirements specification.
The E-Genting Programming
Competition is a platform to
enable students to showcase
their programming talent. Last
year’s competition was the 15th
in the series.
In April last year, First City UC
students emerged as the first
runner-up in the international-
level Asia Pacific Robotic
Competition 2017, where they
were challenged to build
autonomous robots with the
ability to identify, pick and place
objects under different mapping
scenarios within the allotted
time.
At First City UC, seminars and
workshops are organised and
conducted by speakers and
experts from various
engineering industries to impart
working knowledge to students.
In addition, regular industrial
visits allow students to
experience and be exposed to
real-world engineering
practices. With this knowledge
and experience, it is no surprise
that many of First City UC’s
graduates secure jobs at
reputable engineering
companies.
To enhance students’ learning
experience and allow them to
practise hands-on skills, the
Faculty of Engineering &
Computing is equipped with
advanced facilities such as a
digital power and control
laboratory, microprocessor and
electronic CAD laboratory,
mechatronics laboratory and
electronic design automation
laboratory.
6 Course Focus THE STAR, TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018

Koh Ben You. Ian Christopher Bico.

Firm foundation
for success
THE foundation programmes and industry. Apart from that, I am proud to
undergraduate degrees offered at the represent UoRM and hope to be able to show
University of Reading (UoR) are a trusted that Reading's graduates can perform at the
mark of academic achievement and the highest level in the workforce.”
starting point of a rewarding career. UoR offers students the best of both
Located in EduCity in the heart of worlds – the chance to gain an
Iskandar Puteri, Johor, the University of internationally recognised British
Reading Malaysia (UoRM) is the first qualification on Malaysian soil and the
overseas campus of UoR in the United opportunity to study part of their degree at
Kingdom. the UK campus.
UoR’s long-established reputation for The course content delivered at the
academic excellence, stellar student support Malaysia campus is the same as that offered
and internationally recognised research at the UK campus but UoRM students can
means that students can get a head start to a enjoy much lower tuition, making a top-
top-class British degree by completing a quality UK education more attainable than
Foundation in Business or Foundation in ever.
Science at UoRM. For 23-year-old international student Ian
Designed for those seeking an alternative Christopher Bico from the Philippines, the
to the traditional Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan best of both worlds means getting an
Malaysia and A-Levels pathways, UoR’s excellent education while saving money.
foundation programmes prepare students “To me, it means that I get to experience
academically and socially to pursue an the same standard and quality of education
undergraduate degree. as students from the UK campus. In terms of
savings, the cost of living in Malaysia is
The best and brightest lower compared with living costs in the UK.
“Being a Filipino, living in Malaysia also
UoR rewards top-performing students at means that it is easier and more affordable
all its campuses by offering a range of to go back to the Philippines,” he says.
scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts.
Students who demonstrate exemplary
academic ability through their O-Levels or
Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia results will
Visit UoRM
automatically receive a scholarship when UoRM is open to visitors during weekdays
they enrol in a foundation programme. from 8.30am to 5.30pm and on Saturdays
The very best of high-achieving students from 10am to 4pm.
can apply for the Provost’s Award, which Visiting the campus gives you the
offers 100% scholarship. opportunity to tour the modern, purpose-
At the undergraduate degree level, built campus, meet students and teachers,
students who demonstrate academic success and get a sense of what it would be like to
are eligible for a variety of High Achiever’s study at UoRM.
Scholarships. Apply for a foundation programme today
UoRM students are also eligible to apply and enjoy a generous early bird discount.
for a wide range of external scholarships
offered by organisations such as Khazanah n For more information about UoRM,
Watan, Great Eastern, Gamuda Land and WhatsApp 016-772 5400, e-mail my.
The Star. enquiry@reading.edu.my or visit
Receiving a Provost’s Award has greatly www.reading.edu.my
benefited 22-year-old real estate degree
student Chung Suk Yi.
“The Provost’s Award has eased my
Prof Downes (left) presented
family’s financial burden as I have another
younger sibling who is going to enrol in real estate degree student
university soon. Aside from that, it is a Chung with a Provost's Award.
big bonus having this on my
curriculum vitae,” she says.
“As there is only one recipient
of the Provost’s scholarship in
each cohort, I am extremely
proud and grateful to be
awarded such honour. It signifies
UoRM’s recognition of my effort,
and all my hard work has paid
off.”
For 22-year-old Koh Ben You, a
Provost’s Award recipient who is in
the final year of his BSc Quantity
Surveying degree, the scholarship
has encouraged him to reach
higher.
He says, “It has boosted my
confidence and inspired me to
realise my dreams to be an all-
rounded and successful quantity
surveyor in the construction
THE STAR, TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018
Encouraging
research and
development
A NEW approach, inspired by the special
patterns found in moth eyes, is being applied
to monocrystalline and multicrystalline
silicon, which could lead to reflection-free,
highly efficient solar cells.
A team of researchers, including
University of Southampton’s Dr Stuart
Boden, is investigating a new method of
texturing the top surface of solar cells that
improves light absorption without
compromising electrical performance.
“Solar cells are a great source of clean
electrical energy but reducing the ratio of
cost to energy generated over their lifetime
is essential for continuing their widespread
deployment. One way to do this is to
generate more energy by reducing the
amount of light lost due to reflection,” says
Dr Boden.
The team’s new method involves
observing moth eyes, which are black
from being covered in tiny posts.
“Each post is smaller than the wavelength
of light. When light hits the moth’s eye, much
of it gets absorbed into its cornea without
disruption. This is what our team is trying to
replicate with silicon, using techniques that
are compatible with low-cost, large-scale
manufacturing,” explains Dr Boden, who is
also co-investigator of the project.
Today, silicon solar cell makers commonly
use a thin film coating on a surface textured
with micron-scale features to reduce
reflection loss.
The team believes that a combination of
micron and nano-scale texturing, achieved
with potassium hydroxide and metal-assisted
chemical etching on monocrystalline silicon,
could further reduce reflectance loss,
creating black silicon.
Dr Boden explains that the key to
translating a decrease in reflectance to an
increase in power conversion efficiency is
subsequent treatment of the surface to
mitigate any electrical degradation due to
texturing. It is also important to consider
how these surfaces perform when the solar
cell is enclosed in plastic and glass to form a
module.
In addition, the research team will develop
new processes for multicrystalline silicon
based on ozone/HF gas-phase processing,
which is compatible with modern diamond
wire saw techniques used for slicing silicon
into wafers.
“This exciting new phase of collaboration
with University of Oxford will put the next
generation of solar cell production on more
cost-effective foundations through robust
design methods for surface texturing. This
will be challenging but important if solar cell
production and deployment is to continue
Course Focus 7
Dr Stuart
Boden.
Solar cells are a great
source of clean electrical
energy but reducing the
ratio of cost to energy
generated over their
lifetime is essential for
continuing their
widespread deployment.
Dr Stuart Boden
being scaled up,” says Dr Boden.
The Black Silicon Photovoltaics project is
funded by the Engineering and Physical
Sciences Research Council.
Dr Boden collaborates with fellow
researchers from University of Southampton
and University of Oxford and industrial
consultants from Tetreon Technologies and
Trina Solar.
Research divisions from Fraunhofer
Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Germany,
and University of New South Wales,
Australia, are also involved in the project.
Located in Southampton, England, the
University of Southampton is ranked among
the top 1% of universities worldwide and is a
global centre for excellence in research and
education.
Established in 1952, Southampton is a
public research-intensive university and
founding member of the Russell Group.
Through the years, the university has
gained prestigious recognition for its
successes and history of world-changing
achievements. Visit www.southampton.ac.uk
to learn more.
The University of Southampton Malaysia
Campus, an international branch campus of
the University of Southampton, is located in
Educity, Iskandar Malaysia, Johor.
Established in 2012, the Malaysia campus
offers world-class engineering programmes
including MEng in Mechanical Engineering,
MEng Aeronautics & Astronautics, MEng
Electrical and Electronic Engineering and
Engineering Foundation Year.
Offering a unique student experience, the
university allows students to spend their first
two years in Malaysia before completing
their final two years at a research-focused
university in the UK.
n For more information, call 07-5602 560 or
visit www.southampton.edu.my
8 Course Focus
Receive an excellent
UK education
BEING a prominent provider of
professionally oriented education,
knowledge transfer and research,
Heriot-Watt offers myriad
programmes at the foundation and
undergraduate levels.
Oscar Tan Kah Jie underwent the
university’s Foundation in Business
(Actuarial Science), which was a
natural stepping stone to the BSc
(Hons) Actuarial Science.
“Now that I am in the actuarial
science programme here at Heriot-
Watt, my point of view towards the
actuarial industry has changed. As I
gain more knowledge, I understand
more about the ability I need for a
potential career in actuarial
science,” says Tan.
An aspiring actuary hoping to give
back to society, the first-year student
is open to immersing himself in
the UK-benchmarked curriculum
and UK style of education that
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
offers.
When asked about his favourite
takeaway from the Heriot-Watt
study experience, Tan says, “I have
always thought of myself as a
problem solver and the actuarial
science course here provides an
excellent platform for me to flourish.
“I also enjoy the invaluable
learning experience and studying
with the many friends I made along
the way. Studying here gives me
opportunities to learn with people
from various backgrounds.”
With the comprehensive tutelage
he has been given, Tan knows his
future is secure.
“I believe that as I continue this
journey, I will gain better insight
into how the entire corporate
industry operates, which will
increase my prospects and widen
my employment opportunities,” he
says.
Heriot-Watt University was
established in 1821 and is the eighth
oldest higher education institution
in the United Kingdom. Dubbed the
International University of the Year
by The Times and The Sunday Times
Good University Guide 2018, the
institution challenges itself to impact
the lives of its students by equipping
them with the best education it can
offer.
“In the Foundation in Business,
students develop their management,
economics, accounting and finance
literacy.
Students wishing to
enrol in the actuarial
science degree through the
Foundation in Business
programme are also required
to take mathematics as it is an
important aspect of actuary,”
says Assoc Prof Dr Jasmine Low,
Heriot-Watt Malaysia’s head of
foundation.
“In Heriot-Watt’s foundation
programmes, there is high
emphasis placed on English
literacy and academic skills.
Students learn how to use
Oscar Tan
Kah Jie.
Roadblocks
to progress
ONE of the hurdles to
introducing sustainable building
in Malaysia is the many old
buildings that have been left
largely untouched.
“Simply building newer
‘green’ buildings does not solve
the issue. If Malaysia is to
become a green country, old
buildings need to be modified
to be more environment-
friendly,” says C.K. Tang,
honorary secretary of Malaysia
Green Building Confederation
(MGBC).
MGBC is a non-profit and non-
governmental organisation that
aims to make green buildings
and communities available to all
Malaysians.
Tang explains how buildings
can be converted to be more
environment-friendly through
simple means.
One such practice is
de-lamping, which involves
reducing the number of light
bulbs in usually overlit common
areas, saving hundreds of
thousands of ringgit in annual
utility costs.
“Costs saved from a reduced
utility bill can then go to better
salaries for maintenance and
support staff of the building,
which meets the objective of
implementing sustainable
practices in all areas of the
THE STAR, TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018
English for academic writing,
conducting professional
presentations and
communicating confidently.
“The academic skills course
focuses on developing students’
critical thinking, teamwork and
collaboration and independent
learning habits.”
In addition, Heriot-Watt
Malaysia’s Youth
Transformation Programme
(YTP) that was crafted for SPM
and O-Levels graduates aims to
optimise students’ potential in
areas such as creativity,
innovation, critical thinking and
communication.
Visit the Heriot-Watt Malaysia
campus in Putrajaya from 9am
to 5pm on weekdays and 10am
to 4pm on weekends to find out
more about its BSc (Hons) in
Actuarial Science and other
courses or scholarships
available.
The upcoming YTP intake is
scheduled for April 16.
Registration and further details
are available on intake.hw.edu.
my/ytp
n For more information,
call 03-8894 3888, e-mail
hwum@hw.ac.uk or visit
www.hw.edu.my
industry,” says Tang.
Perdana Putra, which houses
the Prime Minister’s office,
was renovated to reduce its
environmental impact in 2010.
This resulted in a 30% reduction
in its carbon dioxide emissions,
38% reduction in overall energy
intensity and 40% reduction in
water usage.
Consequently, Perdana
Putra was the first building
to receive platinum ranking
from the Green Building
Index, becoming a pioneer
in promoting green and
sustainable architectural
development in Malaysia.
However, the slow progress of
making buildings environment-
friendly is not the biggest
roadblock to sustainable growth
in Malaysia.
“The biggest challenge is to get
people to listen. We need
everyone on the same track to
the goal of adopting a lifestyle
that does no more harm to the
environment,” says Ahmad
Izdihar Supaat, president of
MGBC.
Ahmad continues, “What we
need is a concentrated effort
from all parties to achieve that
goal. There are many ways to
reach that point but we all need
to reach it very soon to save the
environment.”