New Sheffield Vice Chancellor Impressed with SEGi College

Picture caption: Professor Burnett (4th from left) on a tour of SEGi College flagship campus which provides the University of Sheffield’s 1+2 twinning programme for engineering.

SEGi College Malaysia was privileged to host the visit of Professor Keith Burnett, the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, last week. Professor Burnett was in Malaysia for a visit of its international partners to build ties and further strengthen its liaison with SEGi College. Impressed by the SEGi flagship campus at Kota Damansara, Professor Burnett was satisfied with the learning facilities provided for students, particularly the engineering facilities as the College and University are linked in providing the 1+2 twinning programme for Sheffield’s engineering degree programme. Professor Burnett, who assumed the post of Vice Chancellor in October 2007, was the former head of Oxford University’s Division of Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences. He has done research in the Atomic and Laser Physics department, including effects of intense laser radiation on matter such as potential source of coherent x-rays, the study of ultra-cold atoms produced using laser and evaporating cooling, and the development of atomic arrays for use in quantum computers. He also had appointments at the University of Colorado and then Imperial College, London prior to his time at Oxford.

“The University of Sheffield has always secured a position as among the best universities in the world. The university ranks among the top 100 universities in the world (THES-QS), and top 10 in engineering in the UK (Times & Guardian),” said Professor Dr. Muhamad Bin Awang, Chief Executive of SEGi College Malaysia.

SEGi College offers the University of Sheffield’s 1+2 twinning programmes in three engineering disciplines of BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering, BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering.

The twinning programme allows students to study the industry driven Sheffield engineering degree 1st year locally at SEGi. The pre-requisites of the twinning programme are with either A-levels or equivalent, or articulation with a SEGi engineering diploma. The pre-requisite for the SEGi diploma programme is at least 5 credits in the SPM results.

“For students who are especially keen to enrol in this programme but are still unsure whether the programme is suitable for them, I strongly advice that these students take up the SEGi Foundation in Science programme. This foundation is recommended for students who would like to gain a direct entry to the programme, during which they may vie for full scholarships for the first year of the degree in SEGi,” explained Muhamad.

Students undergo an intensive one-year programme that prepares them for the vigorous life of the Sheffield 1+2 BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering or Electronic and Electrical Engineering. Upon completion of the programme, students are guaranteed pathway in to the 1+2 BEng (Hons), so long as they meet the minimum requirements. Specifically tailored to the requirements set by the University, the foundation programme provides an in-depth experience and an essential introduction to the programme demands.

He also elaborated that the foundation programme will allow students to distinguish the difference of the various branches of engineering - Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. There are striking distinctions that makes each engineering field and programme unique, in which the foundation programme will be able to help students pick out the difference and finally decide which field suits them best.

The highly lucrative prospects, its prestige and recognition, in addition to attractive remunerations makes the profession as an engineer highly reputable. There is little doubt that the world of engineering offers exciting opportunities for both men and women. The industrial and economic success of every nation is rooted firmly in its manufacturing and engineering base, and the skills and ingenuity of its professional engineers.

“For anyone looking for a rewarding future with a wide variety of employment prospects, there has never been a more exciting time to embark on a career in engineering. Not only does a career in engineering offer job satisfaction, it also offers a long list of career opportunities. From electrical engineering, to mechanical and chemical engineering, an engineering degree can provide a strong foundation for any choice of career, no matter when and where you are may be,” enthused Muhamad.

The University of Sheffield’s Faculty of Engineering is one of the UK's leading promoters of new ideas and high quality education through its undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and extensive research programmes. University guides confirm the University of Sheffield’s position as one of the powerhouses of British Higher Education. The Virgin 2007 Alternative Guide to British Universities findings indicate that “Sheffield is a top university across the board”. The University is rated 8th in the UK, 21st in Europe, and 72nd in the world in an annual academic ranking of the top 500 universities worldwide published in August 2007 by China's Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The University has also won numerous Queen’s Anniversary Prizes in 2007, 2002, 2000 and 1998.

The University of Sheffield has more than 24,000 students from 124 countries, and almost 6000 staff. Sheffield’s research partners and clients include Boeing, Rolls Royce, Unilever, Boots, AstraZeneca, GSK, ICI and Slazenger.

The Sheffield academic partners include leading universities around the world. International partnerships include Worldwide Universities Network (USA, Europe and China) and its partnership with Leeds and York Universities (the White Rose Consortium) has combined research power greater than that of either Oxford or Cambridge.