UTP pro chancellor and PETRONAS president and group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik (front, third from right) at the launch of Malaysia’s first Bachelor of Integrated Engineering with Honours programme, which blends traditional engineering disciplines with a transdisciplinary approach to prepare students for diverse roles in an evolving job market.
THE future of work is unpredictable. Jobs and skills are constantly evolving at an unprecedented pace and this uncertainty has a significant impact on the workforce.
Driven by technological advancements like artificial intelligence and big data analytics, alongside a growing emphasis on sustainability and digitalisation, industries are seeking engineers who possess a unique blend of technical expertise and broader competencies.
According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs 2023 report, technology, environmental, and economic trends will be the primary drivers of job growth and displacement in the coming years.
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), the leader in technology education in the country, is fully cognisant of these changing trends.
This grasp of the transformation taking place coupled with the reality that students today have different attitudes and approaches towards learning, led UTP to embark on the development of a new engineering programme – the Bachelor of Integrated Engineering with Honours, the first of its kind in Malaysia.
As the challenges become increasingly multi-disciplinary, the university understands the importance of cultivating system driven engineers who not only have strong technical foundations but also the adaptability and skill sets needed to thrive in dynamic environments.
UTP deputy vice chancellor academic professor Dr Hilmi Mukhtar explains, “A resilient engineer possesses both technical proficiency and strong ethical values.
“They are versatile, future-ready professionals, fully prepared to navigate the complex challenges society faces.
“By embodying six key traits, these students will become changemakers, equipped for life through holistic learning and living experiences.”
One essential trait is that they are customer-focused, always prioritising the end-user in their work, understand their needs and desires and design solutions accordingly.
They are value-driven systems thinkers, connecting different elements in engineering disciplines, humanities and business management to solve complex problems to create impact for others.
Developed in close collaboration with industry leaders, renowned academic institutions and with support from the Higher Education Ministry, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and the Board of Engineers Malaysia, UTP’s distinctive engineering programme offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach to engineering education.
They are also ecosystem innovators and entrepreneurs. These engineers lead with vision and proactively create opportunities to accelerate innovation and collaboration.
Moreover, they are agile pioneers, capable of adapting to a wide range of challenges, teams, and environments.
Their curiosity, coupled with a commitment to lifelong learning, allows them to thrive in dynamic settings.
Furthermore, these engineers are champions of technology and the digital realm.
They possess strong core technical knowledge and understand new technological advancements and analytics skills.
Finally, they are strong advocates for sustainability, equipped with the skills and mindset to accelerate energy transition and address sustainability challenges across the value chain.
Developed in close collaboration with industry leaders, renowned academic institutions and supported by the Higher Education Ministry, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), UTP’s distinctive engineering programme provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach to engineering education.
The programme is offered in parallel with UTP’s other single-core engineering disciplines.
The Bachelor of Integrated Engineering with Honours programme further strengthens this approach by adopting a transdisciplinary approach that complements traditional engineering disciplines.
This ensures graduates are equipped with essential knowledge, skills, and a holistic perspective to take on future challenges.
“Today, we are witnessing a growing convergence of digital technology and value-driven decision-making in the future workplace.
“While some jobs are being displaced, new roles are emerging, and others have yet to be created. So, we ask ourselves, ‘Are we equipping students with the right skill sets?’
“Moreover, students today learn and adapt differently, which means teaching and learning must undergo a transformation,” says chair of Integrated Engineering associate professor Dr Zahiraniza Mustaffa.
“Many real-world engineering problems now require multidisciplinary approaches.
“For example, solutions in the energy industry demand knowledge from multiple interrelated disciplines,” she continues, referencing renewable energy technologies, smart grids, and energy-efficient infrastructure.
“The programme's curriculum, which obtained provisional accreditation from Engineering Accreditation Council, Board of Engineers Malaysia, is developed to meet the industry’s needs, ensuring that graduates are highly employable.
“As Malaysia is a signatory to the Washington Accord, this accreditation provides international recognition for the degree, providing graduates with global employment opportunities.
“UTP further enhances these prospects by collaborating with industry partners to create pathways for graduates into varied professional environments,” says Hilmi.
These industry partnerships and the multidisciplinary nature of the curriculum align with the growing demand for integrated engineers.
Even industries outside engineering and technology, such as business, are increasingly seeking these skills, which could lead to entrepreneurial opportunities or new venture opportunities.
“The programme’s curriculum also provides a unique, world-class learning experience.
“Our diverse faculty members deliver an immersive, spiral learning pedagogy designed to maximise students' potential.
“Our collaborations with industry professionals, policymakers and community leaders create an innovative and dynamic learning environment. This living-lab approach is shaping the development of resilient engineers,” Zahiraniza states.
UTP's Bachelor of Integrated Engineering with Honours programme further enhances this innovative learning environment by adopting a collaborative and team-teaching model where academic professionals and industry practitioners deliver the course.
This approach ensures students benefit from the expertise of both academics and industry professionals, fostering a well-rounded learning experience.
One of the programme’s key features is its emphasis on project-based learning, which begins in the first semester and integrates design thinking principles.
"Another key feature of the programme is its emphasis on project-based learning, which begins in the first semester and integrates design thinking principles.
“We’re developing specific skill sets throughout the programme while also teaching students to learn how to learn,' she adds.
The various projects undertaken throughout the programme are co-designed with industry input, giving students firsthand experience with the challenges faced by the industry and providing opportunities to develop and implement solutions.
This exposure moulds students into global citizens with a moderate perspective on society and promotes inclusivity and diversity.
The programme also includes one semester of international experience, offering students the opportunity to learn from diverse cultures and perspectives.
With its first cohort set to enrol in September this year, the introduction of this programme solidifies UTP's standing as one of the leading institutions in transformative engineering education in the region.
As the university celebrates its 28th anniversary, UTP continues to rank highly in global university rankings, further cementing its position as Malaysia’s top engineering and technology university while gaining prominence internationally.
For more information, visit www.utp.edu.my.
