LOOKING to upscale your career prospects ?Working adults now have the opportunity to pursue a recognised engineering degree through a flexible pathway following a collaboration between the Walta Centre of Excellence (WCOE) and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP).
According to WCOE chief executive officer Moey Lip Seng, many working adults aspire to continue their education while advancing their careers, a balance that can be challenging. This programme enables them to achieve both.
“The programme offers two courses, Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Technology (Robotics and Automation Technology) with honours and Bachelor of Electronic Engineering Technology (Electronic Systems) with honours,” Moey said during an interview with Buletin Mutiara recently.
Moey said the programme is open to a wide range of learners, including SPM leavers with work experience, diploma holders seeking to upgrade their qualifications, STPM graduates who wish to work while studying, and individuals who had previously postponed their studies due to financial or personal commitments.
“It is especially tailored to support middle-and low-income families, ensuring education remains affordable and accessible.
“Situated within Batu Kawan Industrial Park, WCOE places students in the heart of Penang’s industrial and manufacturing hub.
“Here, learners are close to multinational corporations and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), creating a strong connection between education and real-world industry exposure,” he added.
Moey also shared that classes will be conducted at WCOE’s training facilities, which are equipped with industry-standard machines and equipment, allowing students to gain practical experience using technologies widely applied in the manufacturing and engineering sectors.
“This hands-on approach enables working professionals, particularly technicians and industry workers, to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom directly to their workplace,” he said.
Meanwhile, UniMAP lecturer Aimi Athirah Hazwani Zaidi said a unique feature of the programme is the integration of workplace experience into academic training.
“Students who are already employed can complete their industrial training requirement within their current workplace.
“Under this arrangement, students will document their work activities through weekly logbooks and reports under the supervision of a workplace supervisor, with their work evaluated as part of the programme’s industrial training component.
“Students attending this part-time course will receive the same degree awarded by UniMap to its full-time students and will also participate in the university’s official convocation ceremony.
“Both the face-to-face and online classes will be conducted on weekends, while laboratory sessions will be held in hybrid mode at WCOE, giving students access to the latest industry-standard machinery and cutting-edge technologies,” she said.
Aimi also added that the programme has been offered as a full-time course at UniMap for almost a decade, with the academic team possessing extensive experience in delivering it.
Another UniMAP lecturer, Pubalan Nadaraja, said the programme is particularly beneficial for technicians who have spent several years in the industry but remain unable to advance in their careers due to the lack of formal academic qualifications.
“Many technicians have accumulated valuable hands-on experience but remain in the same position because they do not possess the required engineering degree to move into higher-level roles.
“This programme allows them to continue working while upgrading their academic qualifications. Once they obtain the degree, they will have better opportunities for promotion and career advancement.
“They will also enjoy full access to the university’s academic resources, including digital libraries, research journals and online academic databases,” he said.
WCOE director of business development Foong Sew Kang said the initiative also highlights the importance of strengthening collaboration between academia and industry to develop a skilled workforce capable of supporting the country’s industrial growth.
“This programme represents a collaboration between academia, industry and training institutions. Through initiatives like this, we hope to develop more local engineering talent and support the continued growth of Penang’s industrial sector,” Foong said.
Also present was WCOE administration executive Nur’Ain Nadia Ismail.
In terms of financial support, students may apply for loans from Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN), as well as other funding schemes such as Pinjaman Penuntut Pulau Pinang.
The programme offers two intakes: the first begins this month (March), and the second in October, with each course limited to 30 students.
It also allows credit transfer through APEL and diploma qualifications, enabling learners to fast-track their journey towards obtaining a recognised public university degree.
Apart from that, Moey highlighted that applicants do not need to go through the centralised university admission system, UPU for pursue these two courses, instead, applications can be submitted directly through the centre.
“Applicants who meet the requirements can enrol without competing with the large pool of UPU applicants, making it easier for interested candidates to secure a place in the programme,” he said.
At present, these two programmes are being introduced at WCOE as they are among the most in-demand fields in the industry. It was also noted that the offerings may be expanded in the future depending on industry needs.
For further enquiries, please contact WCOE at 04-589 9599 or 017-228 3746, or visit their official website at https://www.wcoe.my.
Alternatively, you may contact UniMAP at 011-2055 8777 or via email at [email protected].
Story & Pix by Tanushalini Moroter