KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) will be the first in Malaysia to offer the Bachelor of Integrated Engineering with Honours degree, combining multiple engineering disciplines in one course.
UTP pro-chancellor Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Kamadjaja Aziz said the course is designed to provide graduates with critical knowledge, skills, and a holistic perspective to face future challenges, such as geopolitical uncertainty and the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.
“The Bachelor of Integrated Engineering adopts a transdisciplinary approach that complements traditional engineering disciplines.
"This means new frameworks and learning that go beyond individual disciplines, integrating knowledge and perspectives from multiple fields to address complex societal problems," he said in his speech at the launching ceremony of the degree and Times Higher Education (THE) Campus Live Southeast Asia 2024, here today.
The integrated engineering degree, which commences next year, offers early industry exposure from the first year, a seven-month structured internship through strong industry consortium partnerships, and promising career opportunities with leading national and international companies.
The four-year course reflects UTP's commitment to driving innovation in engineering education and addressing emerging global challenges.
Tengku Muhammad Taufik explained that, with AI and automation expected to replace 85 million jobs as early as next year, UTP must adapt its approach to ensure that every graduate is equipped with the skills for greater complexity, creativity, and innovation.
"Additionally, the majority of the workforce will need to become multi- and interdisciplinary experts. As we face more frequent, unpredictable, and rapid changes, graduates must possess the adaptability and resilience to not only leverage but also pivot between diverse skill sets to tackle challenges across various sectors," he said.
Meanwhile, UTP Board of Directors chairman, Farehana Hanapiah, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to developing graduates who are not only job-ready but also catalysts for change in society.
"We are also focused on advancing research, leveraging emerging technologies, and creating innovation hubs through cross-sector collaborations to address the grand challenges of the future," she added.
In a statement, UTP vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib emphasised that the course reflects the university's commitment to reimagining engineering education for the future.
Meanwhile, THE Campus Live SE Asia 2024, hosted by UTP at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, brought together academic leaders, administrative figures, industry partners, and policy experts to discuss, debate, and plan strategies for institutional success.
The two-day event, which began yesterday, was themed "From Vision to Action: Driving Growth and Inclusive Transformation Through Partnership".
It explored innovative approaches to redesigning university systems to ensure a resilient future for individuals, institutions, and society at large.
-- BERNAMA
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